I Became the illegitimate son of a duke

20 – Coronation (3)

“What did you just say…?”

“Master?”

Listening to Chloe’s words, the surrounding nobles started to stir.

It was a small voice, but it seemed that everyone had heard it because the banquet hall was so quiet.

‘It’s a big deal…’

The reason Chloe calls me master is because it’s between an employee and an employee.

But, who would think that Chloe, dressed so extravagantly and boldly as to crush all the nobles, is a maid or servant working under me?

It can be rumored that I have bad taste, or it can go further and be regarded as a love affair.

Above all… Master is not a word that is widely used, so there is a part where the misunderstanding is a little deeper. Most of them call their employees by their titles.

“Master…?”

I hear Ines’ voice full of questions behind my back.

Ines seems to be pondering the meaning of master that Chloe just said.

No… It’s going to be really bad if it’s too late.

“Yes…Sir Chloe. You have always worked under me as an attendant, so of course you have the right to attend such an event.”

At my answer, the nobles in the banquet hall barely became quiet.

It’s a bit awkward for Chloe to call me “Master,” Because we’ve become more socialized, but for now, there’s nothing wrong with etiquette, so she’ll understand.

‘Oh right, I have to introduce Chloe to Ines—-‘

“—- Huh?”

Something is… Strange.

I looked at each other’s expressions to introduce Chloe to Ines, but the atmosphere I felt from them was too cold.

“…”

“…”

Ines and Chloe look into each other’s eyes and keep their mouths shut.

Both of them have a smile on their face as it is customary… But their eyes aren’t like that at all. Even though the banquet hall is very bright, there is even a hallucination of deep shadows around the eyes.

“Kuhmm, Ines. This is Sir Chloe, the baronet. You’ve been helping me for a long time.”

“…Thank you very much. My name is Ines of Laurel.”

When I introduced Chloe, Ines finally opened her mouth and said hello to Chloe.

…Literally, it is a standard way of greeting an aristocratic woman. There is no degree of rest because it is so standard.

“hehehe, thank you for taking care of me too, Mr. Ines.”

Compared to that, Chloe smiled and accepted Ines’s greeting in a rather laid-back manner. Holding the hem of her dress and slightly tugging her body, she is highlighting her own clothes and figure.

…Why are you so anxious?

We’re just saying hello to each other…?

…………

“Hey… Chloe?”

“Yes, sir.”

“That… Just a little bit… No, no, I’m sorry.”

I can’t do this…

No matter how much Chloe is said to be a servant, there is no reason why she has to cling to me like this. Especially now that she is with her fiancé.

But she’s having a hard time telling me to stay away. It’s the first time Chloe clings to me like this since she called me brother when she was little.

Also, Chloe’s face instantly turns into a look of great despair when she shows signs of holding back her guilt and telling her to stay away.

“…You’re on good terms.”

I hear a cool voice from beside me.

“Ah… Ines, this is…”

“It’s okay, you told me that night we were alone together. Isn’t Chloe your little sister?”

As Ines said, she glanced at Chloe for a moment, then turned her gaze back to me.

Just the two of us… What? Ah, did you mean the day Ines became lost during the banquet seven years ago?

Hmm… I have a clear memory of saying that.

When I told the shy Ines some stories to ease her nerves, I told her about my illegitimate child and Chloe.

At that time, I was a simple illegitimate child and the line of succession was far behind, so it didn’t matter if I revealed it to others, but now the story is different.

First of all, I am the illegitimate child of the Duke of Burgon, and Chloe is an adopted child whose parents are not clearly identified.

Even now my uncles are spreading rumors that Chloe and I are real siblings. If Ines tells this to someone else…

“Ines, Chloe and I—”

“Yes, I know. Although they are siblings, Claude is the son of the previous duke, and Chloe is an adopted child, right? I won’t tell you.”

“Ugh, yes…”

I’m glad you confirmed.

It would have been even harder to get rid of the evil rumors spread by her uncles if it were revealed that I had called Chloe her sister since childhood.

I feel a little sorry for Chloe, but I can’t help it. She has no choice but to treat her more intimately in a private setting.

“Duke, it’s time for the coronation to begin soon.”

“Oh, has that already happened?”

At that time, with Chloe and Ines at my sides, another attendant came to inform me that the time was up.

Time flies surprisingly quickly, right?

“Chloe, Ines. I have to go get ready for the coronation. Have fun at the banquet hall even without me.”

“Yes!”

Ines is full of energy unlike when he greeted Chloe. She even regained the expression she had had when they had just met for the first time at the banquet hall, her natural soft smile.

Well, I don’t know why, but I’m glad you feel better.

Where is Chloe?

“…Yes.”

—-This time, this is the problem…

From now on, the two of you will see each other often, so we should be close…

…………

“Claude de Bourgon, do you solemnly swear that, as Lord and Head of Burgon, you will rule the land fairly and according to the law?”

“Yes. I swear to rule fairly according to the law.”

Kneeling in front of the throne, I faithfully answer the question of Bishop Armand, who is holding the duke’s crown with both hands.

Anyway, according to the bishop, all you have to do is Nene, and the questions are obvious, but the coronation ceremony is still important.

It’s an opportunity to let everyone know that I’ve become the rightful monarch, and to let everyone know about my personality.

Even taking an oath to abide by the law can be caught by vassals, but to be honest, it doesn’t matter. I have the authority to abolish legislation and laws, so my words are the law.

And since I won the war with the Carolingians and the rebellion that my uncle started is sure to end soon, no one will say anything if I mess with the law.

“Your Highness will defend your vassals and show mercy to others?”

It is quite normal to say that you have to protect your vassals, but when combined with the voice that says to have mercy, the meaning becomes a bit strange.

In a word, don’t think about taking away the territories or rights of your vassals.

“…Yes, I will defend my vassals from foreign enemies and show mercy to the weak.”

Bishop Armand, I heard he was born and raised in Dijon, so I didn’t see him that way.

Since the question-and-answers at the coronation have little effect on the rule, it’s okay to just say yes in front of you, but… But I can’t sit still due to my personality.

“…Umm.”

At my slightly twisted answer, the nobles in the back and the bishop in front get a little upset.

They also asked questions in principle, so I answered in principle. I can’t ask openly.

The bishop clears his throat slightly and takes a breath, then spit out the last question.

“…Last question. Will you obey God and spread the gospel far and wide?”

“As it is written in the bible, so shall it be.”

The Bible says that clergy donate and don’t spend money, but why do you guys do that?

Yes, of course I will follow the scriptures. According to the scriptures.

“Good.”

It seems that Armand did not notice the meaning behind my words. There is no pod to think strangely that he will do according to the scriptures.

After the three vows were completed, the rest proceeded according to the manners of the coronation ceremony. After many of the etiquettes went as planned, only one last thing remained.

Government.

It is literally a ceremony to wear a crown.

“Claude de Burgon declares widely before God that he is the rightful ruler of Burgon.”

Clap clap clap clap-

With the duke’s crown placed on my bowed head, I sat on the throne and watched the nobles applauding me.

‘Where… Chloe and Ines… Are over there.’

Chloe goes to where my retainers are, and Ines goes to the Laurel family.

Both were so splendid that a simple glance at the audience hall was enough to cut right through the crowd and instantly recognize them.

It’s so beautiful that some people are even glancing at Chloe and Ines even as they clap. When I look down from above, I can clearly see the people doing other things like that.

Clap clap clap clap-

“Congratulations, Your Highness.”

“…Yes, thanks everyone for coming.”

I was about to remember their faces, but I was prevented from doing so by the nobles who congratulated me.

As my gaze from looking at each individual moved to the people who were congratulating me, the state of the scene came into full view only then.

Innumerable people are congratulating me on my coronation. Whether it’s pretentious or not, the act of celebrating is important.

…I thought I wouldn’t be thrilled after becoming a duke, but after having the official coronation like this, I really feel it.

Your head is heavy.

Both physically and mentally.