Kays Translations

Chapter 279: Family Meeting

Our carriage returned safely to the House Heine estate. I was relieved that no suspicious characters had appeared to create the sort of predictable incident that often happened on outings.

Public order in the Heine Margraviate was excellent – perhaps equal to, or even better than, that of the royal capital. That was probably one reason the royal family felt comfortable allowing Sister-in-law Daniela to marry into House Heine.

"Welcome back, Julius. Did everything go smoothly?"

Brother Alex greeted me with his usual gentle smile, although I sensed caution behind it. Surely he did not regard me as a walking disaster.

"Of course. Nothing went wrong at all. Right, everyone?"

I looked back at Nero, Giles and Christopher. Their hesitant nods were not reassuring. Had they discovered that I had altered the rings? No, surely not. Then what was bothering them?

"Something happened, didn't it?"

"Well… I asked Lady Fabienne whether she would consider becoming engaged to me."

"I see. We need to hold a family meeting immediately."

With that blunt declaration, Brother Alex escorted me straight to Father's study. I had hoped to rest after the outing, but that was clearly impossible. Mother was summoned soon afterward.

The four of us sat together in the study.

"I see. I believe I understand the situation."

Father looked somewhat relieved. Mother calmly sipped the tea a servant had prepared. Neither appeared opposed to the match.

"I do not foresee any problem if the young lady is Fabienne."

Brother Alex watched Father's reaction as he spoke. Father nodded deeply.

"Agreed. House Ambert currently has no legitimate male heir. If that does not change, Julius will probably inherit the title and become the next Baron Ambert."

"But if Baron and Baroness Ambert later have a son, that could create complications."

Mother considered the matter with her fan held near her lips. Lady Fabienne's parents were still young, so another child was entirely possible. If a legitimate son were born, conflict over the succession might follow.

"Then I will withdraw from the succession. I can support myself by making potions, even as a commoner."

All three released long sighs. Had I said something wrong? It seemed like the simplest solution to me.

"Absolutely not. We cannot allow Julius to wander about without the protection of a noble house."

They spoke as though I were a dangerous animal that could not be released without a collar. I knew the difference between right and wrong. Mother gently stroked my head before I could protest.

"You need protection and support. As a commoner, you would become a target for anyone wishing to exploit your abilities."

That was a genuine risk. A highly capable commoner would attract countless people hoping to control or profit from them.

"If Julius cannot inherit House Ambert, we will have to establish a new noble house for him."

"Yes. That would be the only reasonable option."

"I will ask Sister-in-law Daniela to convey the matter to His Majesty."

"Please do. His Majesty would never allow Julius to disappear into common life."

They were discussing my future without consulting me. Worse, everyone seemed to assume House Ambert would accept the engagement.

Perhaps I had moved too quickly. Should I have consulted my family before proposing?

Could a new noble house truly be created so easily? If House Heine appeared able to grant titles at will, people would surely swarm around us seeking elevation.

While I was still thinking, they sent me out of the study. How unreasonable. I was the person whose future they were discussing.

"Sigh… I may have caused something enormous."

"What on earth happened?"

Back in my room, I told Nero what had happened. It should be safe to confide in him. He would probably follow me even if I eventually left the House Heine estate.

"I understand. Given your achievements, Lord Julius, you could probably be granted a new family name even while remaining under House Heine's protection."

"Can a new house really be created that easily?"

"Of course not!"

Nero stared at me as though I had said something absurd. Just then, the ring on my left ring finger began to vibrate: its communication function had activated.

That was strange. I had never taught Lady Fabienne how to use it. Still, the method was simple enough that she might have activated it accidentally.

The user only needed to grip the ring and focus strongly on the person they wished to contact. The ring would then draw on the user's mana and establish communication.

At least, that was how it should work.

"Nero, you must keep everything you are about to witness secret."

"U-understood."

Nero stiffened at my unusually firm tone. The ring's hidden functions could not become public yet. I closed my hand around it and channelled mana into the band.

"Hellooo? Lady Fabienne, can you hear me?"

"Wha-what!? I thought I heard Lord Julius's voice… Am I imagining it?"

"No. You are not imagining it."

"What is happening? Is the ring speaking!?"

I could not help laughing as I pictured Lady Fabienne panicking in her room.

"Lord Julius! This is not something to laugh about! Why is your voice coming from the ring?"

A soft rustling sound followed, perhaps from a pillow or cushion being flung about.

"I am sorry. Are you alone?"

"Yes. I am in my room and was about to read."

"Perfect. For now, I need you to keep this function secret."

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