NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29
We have a misunderstanding about family life in the West.
When you get married, you think you don’t have to be tied down by your in-laws and parents-in-law, right?
That notion is half right and half wrong.
If the in-laws are poor, you can enjoy a much freer married life compared to our country, but if they are wealthy and have a high social status, you’ll get clobbered during holidays, rivaling any old family traditions.
During Thanksgiving break, there’s this beautiful tradition where the daughter-in-law has to report to her in-laws three days in advance to start cooking.
If you don’t adhere to this, you’ll hear all sorts of charming comments.
And why am I thinking like this?
‘What happens if I get labeled as the younger brother who refuses to ask for help from my older brother in noble society?’
It’s obvious they would brand me as an unworthy noble across the entire Toscan Empire.
Older brothers helping younger brothers is a duty that any human should uphold.
“Sebastian, isn’t this a bit much? Normally, the older brother who has inherited the family should help me out.”
“That’s the case in most noble families.”
Sebastian answered my remark with an awkward pause.
Yeah, even if there’s no one else around, it would be a bit daunting to speak ill of our dear Medici Baron.
“Still, Young Lord, I trust you… I mean, I do not.”
You consider me reliable and someone to lean on deep in your heart?
You’re just looking at me like I’m a sucker, aren’t you?
Sebastian knows that too, making it impossible for him to give me false comfort.
“I’ll prepare a cake so that you can enjoy it upon your return today.”
I’m not the type of person who loves sweets so much that just eating them relieves all stress.
But just petting Chloe while she munches on them or doting on her would wash away my stress.
Is this what people mean when they say they live for their wives’ smiles after work?
After this chat, I headed straight to my older brother’s office.
“Greetings, brother! I hope you’ve been doing well without any troubles!”
Albert stood up as soon as he heard that.
The moment he got up, he even gave me a light hug.
With a serene smile on his face.
“Though I have succeeded my father as Baron Medici, I still have much to learn and so I’ve faced many challenges. How have you been, Fabio?”
Albert and I have maintained a rather ambiguous relationship.
We’re not deeply bonded, but we wouldn’t stab each other in the back either.
As the heir of the baron, Albert needed a certain gravity that distinguished him from his siblings, and I respected that, which formed our relationship.
So I spoke to him with respect befitting a baron.
Yet, he approaches me as if we’ve been close all along?
It’s obvious he’s going to make a rather awkward request.
“I’m doing my best to follow in the footsteps of our family’s founder and succeed as a merchant.”
“Yeah, I should work as hard as you do.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Duke held a tea party with young nobles a few days ago.”
It might seem strange to see a man sipping tea delicately.
But tea parties are held frequently not just by women but by men too.
The difference is they serve only real tea instead of cakes or sweets.
“At that gathering, he mentioned the virtues that young people should have. Your name came up as someone to emulate. He said one should strive to develop their abilities and have the courage to risk their lives for the beliefs they hold, just like you.”
Duke Visconti, tripping over dog poop on the side of the road and breaking his head sounds like something he’d get into.
You’d better bring that up around the young barons and counts!
Then they’ll start regarding me with suspicion, wanting to curry favor with you.
He probably turned himself into someone who needs to have devoted loyalty to survive, right?
Does that miserable guy have a hobby of training beautiful women locked up in the basement?
Training people in such a shady way?
For a moment, I spotted jealousy in Albert’s eyes directed toward me.
“I’ll do my best not to be a shameful older brother to you.”
As soon as I heard that, a single choice flashed through my mind.
‘Should I kneel and bury my head in the ground?’
No, he can’t control me.
So, hearing someone from a typical noble family say they would “eliminate me for being better than them” doesn’t warrant fear.
I must grow stronger to survive.
“No matter how much you flap around, you can’t reach my brother’s feet. Please, don’t say such things even as a joke.”
Saying I’ll go correct an error to the Duke is nothing but provoking that old geezer further.
Unlike me, my brother can’t meet with the Duke one-on-one.
It would only serve to trick others into believing my importance within the faction is much greater.
“Is that so? By the way, the Medici Clan has good news.”
Thinking of noble families and considering my damn brother’s age, there’s only one thing.
‘Marriage.’
A huge event in both 21st-century Korea and in our medieval fantasy world of the Toscan Empire.
“I’m getting married to the daughter of Count Farnese.”
As soon as I heard that, the cheerful sounds rushed to my throat.
But I suppressed it with sheer will.
Though our Medici Clan holds a little more power compared to other baron families, we are utterly insignificant when it comes to counts.
It’s natural; if a baron is a mayor, a count is a governor and the mayor of the largest city in that province.
Getting officially tied in marriage is quite a tough task.
“The marriage with Lady Margherita, the seventh daughter of Count Farnese, is slated for three months from now. It’s an honor that will not come again for our Medici family.”
Marriage with the Farnese family is a political alliance.
To put it correctly, Count Farnese now has an obligation to exert himself to assist the Medici family.
For our mere baron family, this is a golden opportunity to expand our influence.
‘Am I going to play a role in binding this marriage alliance?’
But why on earth did that Farnese guy specifically choose my brother as the groom?
Is the Duke working some magic?
“While it’s a joyous occasion for the family, there is one unfortunate matter.”
“What’s that?”
“We’re short on funds.”
In both 21st-century Korea and in our fantasy world of the Toscan Empire, marriage is a moment filled with joy but is simultaneously a burden.
It’s entirely normal in Korea that getting married entails spending “a year’s salary” on the wedding ceremony itself.
In the Toscan Empire, regardless of status, it’s basic to dump an equivalent amount of money on a wedding.
What’s that ridiculous common sense being denied?
It turns you into scum who looks down on the kind guests who came to bless your marriage, forcing you to spend anyway.
Thus, the costs of weddings in noble households, starting from barons, are astronomical.
‘From as little as a year’s total income for the entire family, to as high as five years’ worth.’
“With a chance to welcome the daughter of a count, we can’t refuse to marry just because we lack funds. This is a prime opportunity for our family.”
As I tried to think about the next words to follow, my teeth grinded together.
That no-good trash’s next words are…
“Just lend me 70,000 pounds, brother. You’re rich enough to help the family with that much, right?”
7,000 gold coins, which is the income from our Medici territory for two years.
I mean, I could make that money selling seaweed in the Lion Kingdom in just a few months once the steel payments come in.
Converted into Korean money, it’s enough to build three 63 Buildings in Gangnam and still have change to spare.
“No, no matter how you say it…”
“Please, Fabio! Who else would I ask for this?”
You can just ask other folks.
They’d probably lend out money with about 30% interest.
A family with the power to arrange a marriage alliance with the Farnese count’s family would probably lower the interest if they were politically persuaded.
But in the Toscan Empire, where the love of family and duty is as vibrant as in Joseon, I can’t refuse this help from my brother.
So I’m sure he’ll be asking for money.
But in return, he’ll definitely squeeze something out of me.
‘They say since ancient times, those who don’t pay back their debts aren’t family.’
“Let’s draft the loan agreement first.”
“Fabio! I love you!”
My brother hugged me tightly.
Don’t do that; only beautiful women like Chloe get to hug me.
“Alright, let’s write the loan agreement first!”
Albert was practically bouncing off the walls in delight.
Seeing someone who’s borrowing money like that is certainly strange but…
“I’ll charge you only 5% interest, and we’ll settle on the repayment of the 7,000 gold coins. If repayment becomes difficult, we can arrange for something else to cover it.”
“Sure. Let’s do that.”
Albert signed the agreement with a smile.
Seems like with family love as a weapon, some dysfunctional people would indeed think they could pull a “screw you” just like in Korea…
Do you really think I won’t recover that money? Just wait until after the wedding.
I’ll claw that back in any form, anytime.