There's a common misconception about Western family life.
People think that once you're married, you don’t have to worry much about your in-laws or extended family.
That’s only partly true.
If the family is poor, Westerners do get a lot more freedom in their marriages compared to us. But if they’re wealthy and socially prominent, then they have to endure the sa traditional obligations we do, especially around holidays, when in-laws can be as demanding as any strict old family back ho.
For example, there’s this lovely tradition during Thanksgiving where daughters-in-law show up three days early to start cooking. If they don’t, they’re treated to a whole symphony of criticism.
And why am I thinking about all this now?
‘If I, a noble, refuse my older brother's request for help, what would happen?’
The whole Toscana Empire would surely brand as unfit for noble society.
After all, it’s an unspoken rule that brothers support each other—it’s the duty of a decent man.
“Sebastian, isn’t this just too much? Usually, it’s the older brother who inherits the family title who should be helping out the younger brother, right?”
“Yes, in most noble families, that’s how it works,” Sebastian replied, his voice trailing off.
Sure, even if there’s no one else around, badmouthing our dear Baron Albert de dici might be a bit much for him.
“Still, perhaps the young master simply... No, never mind.”
Does he actually think highly of , seeing as soone dependable? Or is it just that he sees as an easy target?
Sebastian must know the truth; even in small talk, he can’t bring himself to offer any false comfort.
“I’ll have a cake ready for when you return ho.”
It’s not like I’m obsessed with sweets, the kind of person who de-stresses as soon as I have a bite.
But watching Chloe enjoy a piece while I pat her head or admire her is certainly relaxing.
I suppose this is what people an when they say they live to see their wives at the end of a long day?
With that, I headed straight to my brother’s office.
“Greetings, brother. How have you been?”
Albert rose from his seat as I spoke.
The mont he stood, he even went so far as to give a light hug.
His face wore a gentle smile.
“Though I’ve taken on the role of Baron dici in father’s stead, I still struggle with my own shortcomings. How have you been, Fabio?”
Albert and I have always maintained an ambiguous relationship.
We’re not close, but we’re also not at each other’s throats.
As the successor to the barony, Albert required a sense of dignity that set him apart from his siblings, and I respected that, which is why we’ve managed to maintain this kind of relationship.
That’s why I was using formal language with him, out of respect for the title of “Baron.”
And yet, he was acting all chummy, as if we’d been close all along?
There’s definitely sothing unpleasant he’s about to ask of .
“I’ve been striving to succeed as a rchant, following the example of our family’s founder.”
“That’s good to hear. I should work harder myself.”
“What do you an?”
“The Duke recently held a gathering with young nobles.”
It might seem odd for n to gather for tea, but it’s not uncommon.
Of course, unlike won’s tea parties, there are no cakes or sweets—just tea.
“At that gathering, the Duke spoke of the virtues young n should aspire to. He ntioned you as an example, saying that you’re a man who does everything to develop his abilities and isn’t afraid to risk his life for his convictions. Soone with real grit.”
The Visconti Duke—a man who’s likely to slip and crack his head open on the curb one day.
ntioning in a room full of young barons and viscounts, talking up as a paragon?
That only ans he’s put a target on my back. Now they’ll all be on edge around , desperate to earn the Duke’s favor.
The guy probably thinks he’s so kind of twisted tutor, trying to control people in a creepy, manipulative way.
As Albert ntioned the Duke, I caught a flicker of jealousy in his eyes.
“I’ll do my best not to be a disappointnt to you.”
In that mont, I had only one thought.
‘Should I kneel and beg?’
No, there’s no need for that. This guy won’t dare ss with .
In most noble families, a statent like “I’ll make sure you never embarrass ” is a veiled threat to oust a younger, more talented sibling.
Looks like I’ll have to bulk up even more to survive this.
“There’s no one in the world as great as you, brother. Don’t even joke about such things.”
Marching over to the Duke to correct his misunderstanding would only provoke him further.
My brother can’t et with the Duke as easily as I can.
It would make my higher standing in our faction even more obvious.
“Is that so? Well then, there’s so good news for the dici family.”
Given his age and status as a noble, there’s really only one thing it could be.
“Marriage.”
In both 21st-century Korea and the Toscana Empire—a dieval fantasy world—marriage is the biggest event in one’s life.
“I’m to wed Lady Margherita, the seventh daughter of Count Farnese.”
Upon hearing that, a colorful phrase rose to my throat, but I suppressed it with sheer will.
Our dici family may be relatively influential for a baronial house, but it’s nowhere near powerful enough to ally with a count.
In status terms, if a baron is a mayor, a count is like a governor or the head of the most prominent city in the province.
Securing a formal marriage alliance is no small feat.
“The wedding is set for three months from now. This is a once-in-a-lifeti honor for our family.”
A marriage to the Farnese family is a political alliance.
To be precise, Count Farnese now has an obligation to support the dici family, even if it strains his resources.
For a small baronial house like ours, this is a golden opportunity to expand our influence.
‘I wonder if I had a hand in securing this alliance.’
But why on earth would Count Farnese choose my brother for this marriage?
Has the Duke been scheming behind the scenes?
“It’s a great honor, but unfortunately, there’s a small problem.”
“What is it?”
“Our family is short on funds.”
Just like in the 21st century, marriage is both a joyous and costly affair in the Toscana Empire.
In Korea, people say that holding a wedding alone can cost an entire year’s salary. In the Empire, regardless of one’s rank, a wedding often costs as much.
Refusing to follow this custom makes you an ungrateful wretch who disregards the good wishes of your guests.
That’s why the cost of a noble’s wedding can be astronomical.
‘It can range from the family’s total annual inco to as much as five years’ worth.’
“With the chance to marry a count’s daughter, I can’t just decline due to a lack of funds. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”
I grit my teeth, dreading his next words.
Because I knew exactly what he’d say.
“Lend seventy thousand pounds, brother. You have plenty of money, so you can help the family with that much, right?”
Seven thousand gold coins—the equivalent of two years of inco from our dici lands.
I could probably scrape together that amount in a few months by selling seaweed in Lyon and dealing in steel.
Converted to Korean currency, it’s enough to build three skyscrapers in Gangnam.
“Well, I…”
“Please, Fabio! Who else could I ask?”
Go ask soone else, please.
They’d lend it to you at thirty percent interest.
Given that you’re marrying into the Farnese family, if you offered so political backing, they might even lower the interest rate.
But here in the Toscana Empire, which values familial love and duty almost as much as Joseon, I cannot refuse my brother’s plea for help.
So, I’ll lend him the money.
But I will absolutely make sure to get sothing in return.
‘As the saying goes, family doesn’t abandon those who owe them money.’
“Let’s draw up an IOU.”
“Fabio! I love you!”
My brother pulled into a tight hug.
No thanks, I’d rather only Chloe embrace .
“Great! Let’s start with the IOU!”
Albert was practically skipping with joy.
It’s strange to see a borrower so enthusiastic...
“Interest will be five percent, and the loan of seven thousand gold coins will be repayable. If repaynt becos difficult, I’ll accept other forms of collateral.”
“Of course. Let’s do that.”
I have a feeling he’s banking on family bonds, like so fraudsters in Korea who think they can just get away without paying.
Does he think I won’t collect my debt? After the wedding, we’ll see.
I’ll find a way to get my money back, no matter what.
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