I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

The marriage between the Count Farnese and the Medici Baron was held with great pomp and circumstance.

True to the formalities of the Count’s family, they rented out the cathedral in Florence, where thousands of guests gathered.

All sorts of extravagant food and flamboyantly dressed clowns were also present.

At this point, it felt less like a wedding and more like a large regional festival.

“With all this, it’s no wonder so much money is going down the drain.”

The guests and onlookers surely thought nobles were different, but in reality, it was all a waste, waste.

Lost in thought, the groom and bride came right up to me.

So the wedding ceremony has finally ended, and the reception has begun?

“Fabio, thank you for coming to the wedding. I hope you find a good wife and start a family soon.”

My Medici Baron, Brother Albert, hugged me tightly as soon as he saw me.

With the way he leaned in, it seemed he wanted to put on a show of brotherly affection in front of others.

Or maybe he felt the need to act that way.

The Countess Farnese—my new sister-in-law—smiled slightly at the sight.

“It’s lovely to see such a good relationship.”

“I’m happy to hear that from my sister-in-law, but I feel a bit embarrassed.”

My relationship with my father is pretty good.

With that brother of mine, we are nothing more than registered mates who happen to share blood.

“I hope we can continue to get along well, Young Lord.”

The Farnese house seems to value their connection with the Medici clan as much as their ties to me.

I also don’t want conflict to arise with Count Farnese.

“Now that we’re family, we should be able to get along.”

“Please visit us often.”

“Then I will be sure to stop by without hesitation.”

While my Baroness might hold some goodwill toward me, her husband, Baron Albert, does not particularly like me.

There’s no real need to visit often unless I want to stir up trouble.

After finishing greetings, Count Farnese himself came to find me.

I thought the man would be too busy mingling with those of much higher status than me at this wedding.

Yet he took the time to come over?

There must be some political motive behind it.

“So you’re that Fabio. I’ve heard your name mentioned several times from His Grace the Duke.”

“It’s an honor, Count.”

“I hear you contributed a significant portion of the wedding costs. That must have been quite the burden.”

Thinking of the thousands of gold coins I had to shell out still makes my stomach ache.

Why on earth do I have to spend money on my brother’s wedding, especially since I received a title?

It’s infuriating, and it’s a messed-up world where I can’t even complain.

“Though I’ve branched out, I’m still part of the Medici family. I was just doing what I had to do.”

If it were up to me, I’d want to hurl some rude comments at him, suggesting he should fund his own wedding.

Due to the noble societal ethics, I had to hold back since I can’t cut ties with my brother.

“This wedding was significant for the prestige of both the Medici and Farnese families. So, for the generosity of providing seven thousand gold coins, I am in your debt.”

While I’ve just just turned twenty and only begun working for seven months, none of the people I’ve dealt with so far have been sane.

The most agreeable Duke behaved as if he were some yandere heroine, wanting to make it so that only he could survive.

Baron Albert is openly cautious and jealous, and all those I encountered in the village and Guillaume City were eager to use me by any means necessary.

I couldn’t believe someone would claim a debt owed when I outright hadn’t given them money.

“So, I’ll give you a modest token of gratitude.”

The Count handed me a luxurious box containing a document.

The contents of the document were as follows.

A letter of recommendation for me, written by the Count himself.

With the recipient section left blank, it might be difficult to use it for connections with high-ranking individuals, but it’s an essential item for protecting myself from the absurd acts of low-level bureaucrats.

“Hey, kid, you think the Farnese family is a joke?”

Just that one line could solve or ease 80% of my unreasonable treatment.

“Thank you very much, Count.”

“It’s just the consideration of an old man wanting to be close to a promising young man like you.”

I never expected to receive such a benefit from the Count.

“Do come visit often. I will treat you with utmost sincerity.”

While I might not visit my sister-in-law frequently, I should make an effort to see the Count often.

“I would like to talk with you more, but I must also converse with others, so I must take my leave now.”

The Count said this and turned to walk away.

Sorry, bro, but the real star of this wedding might just have been me, not Brother Albert.

Not that I feel sorry about it.

He suspected me, and his greed to pocket petty cash was still evident.

I can’t deny that he’s done some despicable things to me.

There’s a saying that good feelings in life mostly end up being wrong, while bad feelings always prove correct.

As expected, Brother Albert did not pay me back a single coin.

“This damn brother of mine is worse than being nonexistent.”

Not having that money doesn’t mean I’m on the brink of starving or struggling to get by.

I still have my savings and enough incoming income.

But thinking about lending the money and not getting it back just irks me.

“Sebastian, has any letter arrived from the Medici Baron?”

Sebastian shook his head.

“There has been a letter, but it stated he’s experiencing difficulties and requested a little more time.”

It’s always easier to ask family for money than to ask for it back.

Especially in this medieval world with its rigid hierarchy and patriarchal structure.

“This is really driving me crazy.”

At least I was fortunate enough to anticipate this kind of situation and devise a way to reclaim my money in advance.

Not by directly confronting Brother Albert for repayment or by taking him to court to air family disputes.

“If this keeps up, we’ll have no choice. Sebastian, have you rounded up people who can spread the word?”

“I’ve gathered a few who have extensive connections.”

Thinking within the context of the 21st-century political landscape, where politicians are embroiled in numerous lawsuits and don’t seem to bat an eye at any rumors, it might not appear to be a big deal.

However, this world prizes honor above life itself.

If politicians catch wind of damaging rumors about their reputation, they might resort to duels or sweet talk their way through solutions.

If their opponent is weak, they might use other means, but that’s nothing I need to worry about.

“Since I’ve also got the promissory note, I don’t really need to insist on money.”

I’m not some filthy rich billionaire.

But I have enough funds, so it’s high time to start securing other assets as well.

My future estates and businesses, connections across various classes, and more achievements, etc.

To rise higher, I can’t just be fixated on money anymore.

“Let’s spread a rumor that, instead of repaying me the debt, he’ll grant me some of the Baron’s estate.”

While it’s not common for such things in the Toscan Empire, good Barons occasionally grant portions of their estates when their younger siblings branch out.

One village, or sometimes several, just like that.

Let’s face it, for my brother to give me some land in return for lending him money is almost a given.

Given all the expenses from putting on such an extravagant wedding, he probably wouldn’t have money to repay me for a while.

“Let’s also spread the word that I, as the younger brother, have decided to help rebuild the finances of the Medici Baron house.”

That’s also true; it’s quite impossible to confront him about the debt, considering that he’s now a Baron.

But conversely, it’s also only natural for me to offer my assistance.

Family bonds are essentially shared destinies; isn’t it a human duty for a capable younger sibling to assist their elder?

This is also the reasoning behind noble families entering into political marriages.

When their family faces political or economic peril, they often seek support from in-laws.

“That’s an excellent thought. However, may I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

Sebastian leaned in closely to whisper in my ear.

“Are you considering taking over the Medici Baron family entirely? If so, I, Sebastian, will wholeheartedly support you.”

With my abilities, it would be plausible to find a way to gradually ascend to the title of Baron.

But I wouldn’t want to do something as sordid as seizing my brother’s family.

I mean, in modern times, I might be ready to endure some scorn for the sake of money and power.

Yet, why would I want to forge chains that would inevitably bind my ankles?

“There’s smuggling among the various interests the Medici family holds. I’d like to dabble a bit in that later on.”

Smuggling, as history on Earth defines, was presented as trade for the public good.

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