After my significant conversation with Pereira, I received a summons to the imperial palace a few days later.
Although I had submitted a report on the resolution of the matter and Pereira had likely expressed his remorse to the imperial family, I honestly thought it would take at least a month before I could et the busy Emperor.
“Who would have thought that soone like , a re knight, would be summoned so quickly?” I mused.
It wasn’t what I expected, but it wasn’t bad news either. It ant that the Emperor had been impressed with the results I had delivered.
While I was lost in thought, the door opened, and a man’s voice called out.
“Fabio de dici, His Majesty has granted you an audience. Follow .”
“Yes, understood,” I replied, imdiately rising from my seat and following the attendant.
The attendant, perhaps concerned that I might commit so breach of etiquette, gave a five-minute crash course on basic noble etiquette. I listened closely.
Although I was already familiar with the customs, you never know when such details might beco useful. The attendant might later report to the Emperor on my attitude during this briefing, which could influence his opinion of .
The Emperor greeted in his chambers, sipping on coffee.
“It’s good to see you. Sit comfortably.”
Even in 21st-century Korea, when a boss insists you don’t have to attend a company gathering or assures you it’s okay not to drink, it’s a trap. Unless you have a funeral to attend, you’d better be there, and unless you have a dical reason, you’d better drink what’s offered. If you don’t, it could negatively impact your standing in their eyes later.
So when the Emperor said, “Make yourself comfortable,” I knew better than to take him at his word.
“Your Majesty, it’s an honor just to be in your presence. I couldn’t possibly sit comfortably. Please, withdraw your command.”
The Emperor’s smile deepened.
“You know your manners well. Look up; I want to see your face.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied, lifting my head.
The Emperor studied my face closely.
“Not too different from when I was young. Blond hair, blue eyes, a sharp jawline… and most of all, that resolute gaze. I like it.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You’re destined for greatness,” he said.
Implicit in his words was a promise: Follow my orders, and I’ll see to your rise.
While 21st-century politicians might easily reverse their words, nobles of this era seldom go back on their promises. To do so would invite dishonor.
There are cases where nobles, jokingly offering extravagant promises to their servants, would actually follow through just to avoid losing face.
“And this coffee you introduced to Peter… It’s a sha that such a fine drink has been monopolized by heathens.”
While tea also contains caffeine, it doesn’t compare to coffee. The warm, rich aroma and the smooth bitterness of coffee make it easy to beco addicted. It’s no wonder modern people can’t function without it.
“I must say, it’s excellent for… vitality. Thanks to it, I may soon have another child at my age,” he said with a chuckle.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Ensure that the royal family has a steady supply from now on.”
In a world without TV, internet, or newspapers, the best way to advertise a product is to have the elite use it publicly. If the royal family starts drinking coffee, the aristocracy will scramble to get their hands on it. Missing out on a trend here could lead to political fallout.
Since the Emperor hadn’t ntioned Pereira, it was clear this reward was separate from the handling of that situation.
“You’ve handled a heavy task with grace, just as Duke Visconti recomnded. I hope our young noble judges can take inspiration from you.”
I had been a bit shocked when first ordered to confront Pereira Trading Company. Facing a behemoth that could buy a barony with cash wasn’t easy, and my relatively new business stood little chance against their decades of experience.
But now, seeing the Emperor acknowledge my success felt imnsely satisfying.
“A test is one thing, but it’s not over yet. You’ve already passed, but there are more things I want to see,” he said after finishing his coffee.
He then asked, “While I’m pleased with the outco, don’t you think your approach was a bit excessive? Bringing Pereira Trading Company to the High Court like that… It felt almost reckless. Why did you do it?”
“I did it because I’m far weaker than Pereira,” I replied.
“If you’re that much weaker, shouldn’t you have sought a more subtle approach? I imagine Pereira would love nothing more than to destroy you and the dici family.”
In resolving conflicts, it’s crucial not to provoke a stronger opponent. But once provoked, peaceful resolution becos impossible.
“From the mont I accepted your orders, there was no turning back in my conflict with Pereira Trading Company. To survive, I had to approach it as a general would a war.”
“A general, you say?” The Emperor’s eyes lit up, and a faint smile of satisfaction crossed his lips. I could tell my evaluation was rising in his eyes.
“I’m afraid of them, Your Majesty. If I were to face them without your protection, everything I’ve built would be gone in an instant. They have the power, influence, and wealth to make that happen.”
“The Pereira Trading Company may lack land and titles, but they’re as powerful as three or four baronial houses. You’re only just starting to stand out. It’s good that you’re aware of the reality.”
Even a small barony might only house a few thousand people, but a viscounty could support cities with over 30,000 residents. A count’s domain could host hundreds of thousands.
“There isn’t a knight alive who isn’t afraid to face a strong foe. Everyone fears and trembles.”
Even General Patton, known as the Mad Dog, once said, ‘Courage is simply fear holding on a minute longer.’
“I fear losing everything I’ve built, so I had to ensure victory at all costs. I had to confront them in a way that would prevent them from seeing as an easy target.”
The Emperor listened intently, making sure not to miss a word.
“In the end, I concluded that the only way to protect myself was to strike hard enough that they’d never think of crossing again.”
When bullies surround you, sotis the only way to end it is to make an example of one of them. Even if you don’t defeat all of them, the sight of one being beaten is usually enough to discourage the rest.
The sa principle applies in every area of life.
“If I’d held back, they might have waited for an opportunity to crush and the dici barony. So, I chose the most effective way to survive.”
The Emperor clapped, his face breaking into a wide smile.
“More than I expected. Good. Then, it’s ti to reward a knight who risked his life in battle.”
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TL note:
I apologize for the delay in publishing these chapters and hope this hasn’t affected your experience on our site. As a gesture of thanks for your patience, I’m excited to release ten new chapters all at once! I hope you enjoy them, and thank you for your understanding and support.
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