After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 92
Chapter 92: I Don’t Want That!
“Ludwig, or rather, Lutz.”
Replacing the chamberlain who had been reading out the scrolls, the monarch spoke directly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Although I have bestowed upon you the title of Count of Wolfsburg, I have yet to grant you any land or stipend.”
“Yes, but I don’t need either of those.”
“Hmm, you’re not greedy. However, failing to reward a deserving subject would call the integrity of the royal family into question.”
Uh-oh, this isn’t good. I definitely don’t want to go down this path. Being granted land would only burden me with the responsibility of managing it, which I find bothersome. I hope they’ll let me off with a lump sum or something.
However, despite being overly kind to both the people and enemies, the monarch was not showing any kindness to me.
“I, Queen Elizabeth of Belzenbruck, hereby declare. I shall grant the entirety of the Baden state as territory to Lord Ludwig. Along with this, the title of Count of Wolfsburg shall be abolished, and he shall inherit the title of the Stuttgart Marquisate.”
Huh? That’s… What I least wanted was to receive land, and yet it seems they’re forcing it upon me. Well, I guess I can’t help it, but the problem is the territory they’re giving me—Baden state.
Baden state is located at the southern end of Belzenbruck, the largest territory, currently under direct royal control. It has a relatively temperate climate, and if cultivated properly, the land could yield bountiful harvests… but that’s only if it’s cultivated.
That’s right. The land that I had proposed to develop with the use of nearly 30,000 war slaves, forcefully pushing forward the colonization, is none other than Baden state. So, what’s the current situation there? Well, it’s filled with monsters, and once you’re in, it’s not easy to get out—it’s what they call the “Forest of Demons.”
“Um… Your Majesty?”
“What is it?”
“Is that… are you asking me to undertake the project of developing the ‘Forest of Demons’?”
“Did it sound like something else?”
Oh no, this is bad. I’ve reluctantly done quite a bit during this war… and I was supposed to spend some leisurely time in the capital for a while. Please, return my peaceful future to me.
—
After the awards ceremony, feeling disheartened, I was about to leave, but I was stopped by a messenger from Beatrice. Reluctantly following, I found myself at the dinner table… Queen Elizabeth and Beatrice were already seated, and for some reason, Mother, Liese, and Gretel were there too.
“Sorry for keeping you, but I thought an explanation was necessary.”
The Queen said “a little,” but I’d like to say it’s not just a little. And frankly, I have complaints about how I’ve been treated this time.
“In the end, it was because Mother couldn’t silence those high-ranking nobles.”
“The ones who said that the groom must be of the rank of Marquess or above?”
“That’s right. Even after bestowing the title of Count of Wolfsburg upon Lutz himself, those people were stubborn. Mother couldn’t find any leverage to persuade them, so she left it to the involved party, which is me.”
As Beatrice started to explain bluntly, Liese clapped her hands.
“Oh, so you’ve received a new title. As long as it’s a Marquess, it should be fine.”
“That’s right. Liese is wise. By making Lutz a Marquess, it undermines the arguments of the nobles. But there’s one problem. The only Marquess family with an ’empty’ succession is the Stuttgart family. By inheriting that title, it’s essentially the same as becoming the lord of Baden, where the ‘Forest of Demons’ dominates.”
Wait a minute. Could it be that giving me Baden was just a bonus along with the title? They didn’t think that with my knowledge, I could somehow manage that troublesome territory, did they? It’s a bit hurtful.
“No, that’s not it.”
Beatrice denied firmly. I haven’t said anything yet… Oh, right, with the ‘Eye of the Spirit,’ my negative thoughts are transparent.
“I made this decision. I trust Lutz’s peculiar knowledge, which is why I decided to entrust him with the Baden territory. I believe Lutz can do it. That’s the truth, believe it.”
The emerald eyes, filled with seriousness, seemed sincere, and I couldn’t think she was lying.
“Well, if you had told me…”
“If I had mentioned raising your title, you would have strongly opposed. That’s why I kept silent until today. I’m sorry.”
Sigh. If you apologize so sincerely, I can’t help but forgive you. But developing a country like Baden, where there are only monsters… it’s going to be troublesome.
“I understand what Lutz is thinking… But even if you don’t become the lord, in the end, you’ll still have to develop Baden, won’t you?”
“Why is that…”
“That area is under direct royal control, and someone from the royal family must govern it. We’ll have to use the thirty thousand prisoners to carve through the ‘Forest of Demons,’ and their master would be me. In other words, if things continue as they are, I’ll be the lord of Baden.”
Ah, I finally understood what Beatrice was trying to say.
“Even if I refuse to become the lord, as the ‘lord’s husband,’ I’ll still end up managing the territory, won’t I…”
“That’s right, there’s no escape either way. So, wouldn’t it be better to confidently wield your skills as the lord, Lutz?”
Sigh, this fiancée is adorable when she’s affectionate, but when she’s in porcelain doll mode, she’s quite cunning. Mother and Gretel looked at me with disappointment, as if I’m to blame, but I don’t think it’s my fault.