Chapter 096: Marquis Dixon's House

June 6, 2022 - 5 minutes read - 951 words

So, my engagement has been decided, but I have a new problem.

The territory is doing great, but there’s a problem in the Royal Capital. More specifically, it’s my mansion. Currently there is only me, a maid, and my pet snake living in the mansion. There’s not even a gatekeeper.

As a noble, that’s not good.

I’ve been pondering over the situation, but I don’t have an obvious solution. The Canaan family has already helped me on a number of occasions, so I should have someone else I can ask. Do I have any other people I can ask?

Wait, I just thought of something!

“Marquis Dixon said I could consult him on an issue!” Pat

I hope he is willing to accommodate me.

I send my maid to the Marquis Dixon residence in the Royal Capital with a letter.

A few days later, a letter arrived from Marquis Dixon.

“It worked, he remembered me.” Pat says in a relieved voice

The letter said i would be received at the mansion. It seems the Marquis is staying in the capital at the moment.

As a prelude, I sent my one maid in the morning, then I went myself in the afternoon. I walk alone without any guards, that’s not normal for an aristocrat.

I’ve been endeavoring to build more of a presence recently. It’s inconvenient to live a life where people don’t recognize your existence. When I go to a store and bring my purchases to the counter, it’s annoying when the clerk thinks the products are floating.

So I’m trying to build a more noticeable presence, it’s my current goal. Hopefully, more people will take notice of my presence.

At the same time, I’m training to have no presence. It’s a weird contrast. When I take care, I’ve never been located.

Getting back to my current goal, I’ve arrived at the Marquis Dixon mansion. I’ve told the gatekeeper my name and was let in. At the entrance, I was greeted by Kevin.

“Count, it’s been a long time.” Kevin Dixon looked up with sparkling eyes

“I’m glad you’re doing well.” Pat

Soon I was shown into the reception room.

The Marquis was already there waiting on me.

“It’s been a while, I’m sorry for any inconvenience.” Pat bows his head

“No, no. I promised to give you guidance in the future. You’re not a bad person to have friendly relations with either.” Marquis Dixon

“Excuse me” Pat said as he sat down on the sofa

“When you get to be a Marquis, there are many people who want to work at your mansion. It gets difficult to pick who is and who isn’t going to be employed when everyone is suggesting their sons or relatives to you. There is a limit to the number of people I can employ. How many people are you looking for?” Marquis Dixon

There are many people who appeal to aristocrats to find a job. If it was a unconnected person, they can be rejected immediately. When it is a request from a relative or a servant, especially an important one, it becomes difficult to refuse.

They are introduced as servants of the barons or viscounts of the factions, but even then, there are too many of them, so not all can be employed.

Lieutenant General Simon isn’t concerned with this sort of thing, he leaves this sort of affairs to others.

“For the time being, I need a butler for my Royal Capital mansion, several maids, a gatekeeper, at least one cook, a coachman, at least one attendant, a valet, and a number of guards for my residence. At the moment, I’m scraping by with a single maid…” Pat admitted

“In that case, I’d recommend a butler, two assistant butlers, five more maids, a gatekeeper…” Marquis Dixon

It seems I’ll need to pick up around twenty servants, based on what the Marquis is muttering. I’m a bit surprised I need so many, but I won’t let it show on my face.

“Are you particular about race?” Marquis Dixon

“No, I’m not particular about race.” Pat

“Hmm, I can definitely help you out with this. All right, I’m happy to be able to pay you back! No, it’s less of paying a debt off and more building a connection to your family!” Marquis Dixon smiles smugly

That evening, Patrick was invited to dinner with the Marquis and his family. The Dixon’s that were in attendance was the Marquis, his two wives, the third son Kevin, the first and second sons, and the eldest daughter, who I hadn’t met before.

It seems they’re visiting the capital to participate in the wedding ceremony of the eldest daughter and the crown prince, I offer my congratulations and promise to give a gift at a later date. That was the end of my visit.

So here is how aristocratic marriages work in the Kingdom.

The absolute maximum number of wives is set at five, but that is only in special cases. The normal maximum is three wives, like the current King.

What is a special case?

The noble can petition the King for the fourth and fifth wife if he is having trouble conceiving a male heir. If three wives have all borne daughters, then the noble can choose to ask for up to two more wives.

I think that it makes more sense to divorce and find a new wife or two instead!

Don’t overly entangle the noble families. That being said, divorce is a hostile action between two noble families. Nobles aren’t able to easily divorce.

While I walked home, I kept thinking about what I should give at the crown prince’s and Marquis Dixon’s daughter’s wedding.