Chapter 128 – The Marquis's Consultation

“The Marquis wishes to invite the Ambassador to dinner two days from now. This is the invitation,” the messenger from House Broderick said respectfully as he presented the letter.

A private matter, and a dinner invitation… Two days seems rather sudden. That’s barely enough time for any proper investigation.

“…Is there something else you wish to discuss?”

When I asked, sensing there might be more to it, the messenger readily nodded in acknowledgment.

“Yes. There is something the Marquis would very much like to discuss with you at that occasion. Unfortunately, it is not something I can speak of here.”

What business could Marquis Broderick possibly have with me now?

It’s probably nothing good, but since he came through the front door, I might as well hear him out.

I could turn him away at the gate, but given that I’m supposedly estranged from my family, acting too harshly might make people suspect there’s still a connection. That would be troublesome.

Or perhaps, having heard about that connection, he’s come to cause trouble for Father again.

“Understood. We’ll discuss it another day then.”

“Thank you. I’m relieved to have fulfilled my duty. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

The messenger bowed and left after receiving my response.

If the Marquis is plotting something… and if it involves Father, I should gather more information before issuing any warnings or taking action.

“What was that about?” Grace asked.

“A messenger from House Broderick. They’re inviting me to dinner.”

When I answered, Grace frowned.

“Is that… going to be alright?”

“I don’t know. I wonder what the Marquis wants to discuss with me. Probably something to do with my family, I imagine.”

The likely possibilities are either family matters or some kind of retaliation against me. Though retaliation seems unlikely—I haven’t had much contact with House Broderick, and frankly, their intelligence-gathering capabilities seem lacking.

Just to be safe—or rather, as a matter of course—I should properly prepare with things like the Amulet of Evil Repulsion and Poison Resistance Gear.

The invitation mentioned bringing my fiancées along. If he wants to keep things friendly, it makes sense to invite and entertain them too, even if he has business with me. …What in the world could he want?

“We’ve been expecting you, Ambassador-dono.”

On the day of the dinner, when we arrived at the Broderick mansion by carriage, the butler greeted us at the entrance and guided us inside.

Accompanying me were my three fiancées. They were dressed in gowns and ornaments, but in reality, the gowns were merely for appearance. They could activate Protection, and their accessories were all Magic Tools like the Amulet of Evil Repulsion, Antidote Magic, and Aerial Combat Gear. It felt like marching fully armed into enemy territory. Well, I doubt they’d do anything drastic to invited guests.

Since I’d previously sent Caduceus to infiltrate the place, I knew the layout of the Marquis’s mansion. Directly beyond the entrance was the ballroom, where they’d held banquets and parties day after day from autumn through winter.

Though I’d heard that only young nobles and other minor figures attended those events… And today wasn’t a banquet, but a dinner. We were led not to the ballroom, but to the dining hall.

Well, if it had been a large gathering with many guests, I wouldn’t have come. Being swarmed by young nobles and merchants paying their respects would be tiresome, and I certainly don’t want the Marquis spreading rumors that the King’s direct vassal is on good terms with him.

“Ah, you’ve come, Theodore-dono!”

There stood a middle-aged man who could be described as portly—if one were being charitable.

Marquis Jared Broderick.

“Thank you for inviting us today,” I said with a polite, social greeting.

Marquis Broderick broke into a broad smile and had us shown to our seats.

“Not at all, it’s an honor to have you grace our home with your presence for dinner. Please enjoy yourselves.”

I suppose you could say he’s accustomed to hospitality. He seems quite affable toward his guests.

The dishes served were also lavish… but it makes me question the state of the Marquis’s finances and health. Does he really have the means for all this?

As dinner was drawing to a close, Marquis Broderick exchanged a few words with the butler and stood up.

“Theodore-sama. Might I have a moment?”

The butler came over to me and whispered.

“What is it?”

“The Master has requested a private word regarding a matter he wishes to discuss. If it’s convenient, would you mind accompanying me to another room?”

“That’s fine, but—”

I glanced at Grace and the others, and they gave small, subtle nods in response. Leaving Caduceus with them, I rose from my seat.

“My, my. Such lovely young ladies,” the butler guiding me remarked.

“They’re far too good for the likes of me.”

“While you converse with the Master, please leave the entertainment of your fiancées to our house. We’ve engaged a troupe of performers today, so they shan’t be bored.”

To be honest, I’d rather be with them than talking to Marquis Broderick.

…Sigh. But I can’t very well do that. Well, as long as they’re not in any danger, it’s fine by me.

“This way, please,” he said, leading me to a parlor.

“Ah, Theodore-dono! Please, have a seat.”

I sat in the seat opposite the Marquis. A servant promptly poured tea into a teacup.

“I managed to acquire some rare tea leaves. Please, enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

Rather than jumping straight to the point, he’s starting with social pleasantries, it seems. Somehow… since I don’t trust Marquis Broderick at all, the more he entertains me like this, the more I suspect there’s an ulterior motive.

“…I was told you had a matter to discuss with me.”

“Yes. Actually, that’s right.”

He put on an exaggerated, troubled expression. It feels acted and suspicious, but for now, I’ll let him continue.

“As you know, our house serves as a social gathering place where various nobles and distinguished families congregate to discuss matters of state. Through those connections, we’ve made numerous acquaintances and contacts. We have a wide reach in many areas. This is how our house contributes to the Kingdom of Verdugal.”

“I see.”

…The way he phrases it seems to emphasize the Marquis’s influence and extensive network. But I already know he’s actually in decline, and the importance of his social venue is negligible at best. I should take his words with a grain of salt.

“Just the other day, we lent funds to a talented painter and a promising merchant as an investment. Well, considering them as birds that will lay golden eggs, it’s a cheap investment. They’ll repay us many times over later. Money circulates in such ways—I’m sure someone as astute as you, Ambassador-dono, is well aware.”

He spoke fluently and passionately, but… what is he getting at?

“However, you see. Actually, we’ve received reports that a flash flood from the snowmelt has caused the highway to collapse. The transport of goods from our territory has been severely delayed. We’re no match for natural disasters, but it’s unacceptable for the flow of money to be disrupted as a result.”

I know about that. It’s one of Father’s schemes against Marquis Broderick. Hmm. The way he’s leading this conversation… I think I’m starting to see what he wants to discuss with me.

“Due to that unfortunate accident… our funds are somewhat tight at the moment. So, Ambassador-dono. I’d like you to think of it this way: this is an investment in our Marquis house.”

Just as I thought.

…Sigh. It’s an even more trivial matter than I expected. To think I came here on guard, suspecting some conspiracy or retaliation—it’s almost laughable.

Stripping away all the flowery language, the Marquis is essentially saying, “Lend me money.” And if I say I don’t have money to lend, it’ll probably become, “Then lend me your name so I can borrow.”

I understand he’s short on funds. He was squandering money day after day throughout autumn and winter, probably counting on income from spring territory management to cover repayments.

He’s likely been turned down everywhere he asked, and as a last resort, remembered my existence… But why me? Did he think I have money because of my title and achievements? Even so, it’s hard to comprehend. Frankly, I don’t understand why the Marquis would approach me.

Is it because of the information we spread about me being estranged from my family? Even if it’s misinformation, half of it is true. The cause of the estrangement lies with Kathryn and Byron—does he not know about that?

Even if he didn’t, as someone to ask for a loan, we’re far too distant. Frankly, I consider us less than strangers.

“This is mutually beneficial… no, it’s advantageous for the Kingdom of Verdugal itself. You see how crucial our house is to the nobles and distinguished families residing in Termwills—”

The Marquis was still speaking, but… though I felt a slight twitch at the corner of my mouth, I answered clearly.

“No. I’m sorry, but I must decline.”