Chapter 194 - Episode 188: Preparations for Elevation of Rank ②
"Eleonore-sama, and members of the teaching group. Thank you for coming to the Arqvist territory. You are most welcome."
As he spoke, Noein greeted them at the entrance of the mansion: Viscountess Eleonore Koenitz, and various professionals serving the House of Viscount Koenitz.
In light of Noein's elevation to the rank of Viscount, a teaching group from the Viscount Koenitz territory had visited in this manner.
Once one becomes a Viscount, the know-how for managing a house and the required etiquette differ somewhat from those of lower-ranking nobles. There were many areas where Noein's knowledge, and the knowledge of the personnel in the Arqvist territory—who were almost exclusively from commoner backgrounds—were insufficient.
Therefore, in order to refine the Arqvist house as a noble house, the House of Viscount Koenitz, Noein's family by marriage, had agreed to cooperate.
"Thank you for the welcome, Lord Arqvist. Once again, congratulations on your elevation of rank."
"Thank you. I do not know how to express my gratitude for your assistance to my house in this way..."
"It is quite alright. You are a son-in-law to my husband and me. It is only natural that we do what we can to help celebrate your elevation."
"I am happy to hear you say that. I am truly grateful... For now, please come inside the mansion. I will guide you to the guest rooms where you will be staying."
Noein spoke and invited the teaching group inside. Noein himself guided Eleonore, while the maids attended to the other members of the teaching group.
Over the next few days—or about a week depending on the position—Noein, some of his subordinates, and the servants would learn the knowledge necessary as members of a high-ranking noble house.
.....
"—Therefore, Lord Noein, who will become a high-ranking noble, and Clara, who will be his wife, must be even more conscious of their conduct. The same applies to how you interact with your subordinates and servants."
The day after welcoming the teaching group, Noein, together with his wife Clara, immediately received instruction from Eleonore.
However, since Clara had received a full education as the daughter of a high-ranking noble while at her parents' home, this was more of a review for her. The main focus was, of course, Noein.
"I can see for myself that Lord Noein is a kind person to his subordinates. Having many subordinates whom you trust and can be open with is a good thing. However... in front of general territory residents, people from outside the territory, and especially other nobles, you must demonstrate behavior and speech befitting the head of a great noble house to your subordinates. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
Noein nodded to Eleonore.
Until now, Noein and his subordinates had worked hard on territory management in a harmonious atmosphere, but from now on, there would be more situations where they could not simply be on friendly terms.
Noein was becoming important. Therefore, he had to demonstrate behavior appropriate for that status. In places where people other than his inner circle were watching, he had to intentionally speak to his subordinates in an arrogant tone, give orders from above, and make a show of using his subordinates while moving as little as possible himself.
If he did not, the house would be viewed as a disorderly noble house ruled by a lord who was lax with etiquette and status. A bad reputation would extend not only to Noein but also to those serving under him. They would be laughed at as mere upstarts from commoner backgrounds.
"Of course, it is your duty to behave like a high-ranking noble yourself, but it is also your role to supervise whether your subordinates and servants are observing etiquette as those serving a high-ranking noble, and to scold them when necessary. Doing so also leads to protecting your subordinates and servants. Especially that girl you have with you."
Eleonore looked at Matilda, who was standing behind Noein to his diagonal rear.
"To show that making a beastman slave your attendant is not merely a whim of yours, particularly strict behavior is required of her... Though, as far as I have seen, she seems to always move with the correct etiquette."
That would be the case, Noein thought.
Since the time they lived in the annex of the House of Count Kivileft, Matilda had diligently read books on etiquette and strived to be an attendant Noein could be proud of. Among Noein's subordinates, she was likely the one who understood etiquette most accurately.
"...That is precisely why you, too, must be even more careful about how you interact with her outside the territory. That, too, is affection for the slave you own."
"...Yes, I will keep that in mind."
After that, the education by Eleonore continued, from matters of mindset to detailed etiquette.
.....
"—Among lower-ranking nobles, there are many who were granted peerage from commoners due to their achievements, and many of their subordinates are also from commoner backgrounds. Therefore, a diplomat of a lower-ranking noble is considered acceptable as long as they are capable and do not commit the minimum lapses in courtesy. You have been in that position until now."
Bart, whose role as a diplomat for the Arqvist house had become established, was also one of those receiving education on this occasion. The instructor was one of the diplomatic aides of the House of Viscount Koenitz, someone Bart had met several times as Noein's messenger.
"However, those who conduct diplomacy under a high-ranking noble are required to have more strict etiquette. Normally, this knowledge is passed down through aide families who have served in diplomacy for generations... but as you become the first diplomatic aide under His Excellency Arqvist, who is newly becoming a Viscount, you must learn this from scratch."
"...Yes."
Bart nodded with a solemn expression. He had managed his work well until now thanks to the good impression he gave others with his handsome appearance and his sociable personality, but he realized once again that simply being pleasant was not enough from now on.
"I heard you are a former mercenary, but your conversational ability to interact smoothly with business partners is impeccable even from my perspective. Regarding etiquette, though it may be through imitation, you handle it reasonably well... However, you must refine it further. Otherwise, both you and your master, His Excellency Arqvist, risk being looked down upon as mere messengers of an upstart noble."
"...I understand. I will study with all my heart so that such a thing does not happen."
Bart believed that his current work as the person in charge of diplomacy and external affairs was the way he could be most useful to Noein, given that his strength as a warrior was only mid-to-upper tier. A diplomat who could fulfill the role of the lord's messenger and who could also defend himself because he was a former mercenary. That was the current Bart.
To continue being so, he resolved to learn with all his might.
.....
While the lord and aides learned from the teaching group, those in charge of the servants also received systematic guidance as those who support the household of a high-ranking noble house.
The one learning in the mansion's kitchen was Rosetta, who had officially become the head chef.
"—Therefore, when entertaining guests, a certain grade is required of the cuisine as well. Since the Arqvist territory is hosting an army from outside the territory, opportunities for nobles from other houses to visit will increase, and the number of times His Excellency Arqvist invites such important persons to the mansion will also increase; thus, the food you make will become one of the evaluation criteria for the Arqvist house."
"I see~. Then I'll have to work even harder~."
"Yes, indeed."
The instructor was a veteran cook who held the position second to the head chef in the House of Viscount Koenitz. She was a middle-aged woman whose plump build and smiling expression gave a gentle impression. When the equally cheerful Rosetta stood beside her, a peaceful atmosphere drifted through the kitchen.
"In the case of a banquet, the number of dishes, the tableware used, and the ingredients are all observed. Since dinner parties and such may be held in the future, knowing how to make dishes that can be produced in large quantities and look impressive will be important knowledge. And... since we can, I would like to use the Arqvist territory's specialties, such as potatoes, soybean oil, and sugar."
"Yes~, I want to show the Arqvist territory's uniqueness~."
"I understand. The potatoes of the Arqvist territory are plump and taste good compared to those of other territories, and I also love and often use the clear, fresh soybean oil and the pure white sugar. Let us incorporate these specialties into noble cuisine and show some originality."
"I look forward to it~."
Amidst a soft atmosphere overflowing with smiles, the guidance in the kitchen proceeded.
.....
"...You are very, no, abnormally excellent. You remember everything taught to you perfectly in one go. Wonderful."
"I am humbled."
Having been evaluated so by an elderly male servant who was the steward of the House of Viscount Koenitz, Kimberly, who would become the steward of the Arqvist house, replied.
Both were expressionless, and though their voices were by no means loud, they carried well and were easy to hear—a way of speaking that was the paragon of a servant.
"...No, really, you are so excellent that it is excessive even compared to my own servants. I cannot believe you were a mere town girl. You have a natural talent as a servant. I almost want you as my own subordinate."
"I am honored. However, I have sworn to myself that I will serve the Arqvist house and devote my loyalty. By doing so, I intend to repay the kindness of having saved myself and my family, who had nowhere to go."
"...Well, I suppose so."
Kimberly and the male servant instructor exchanged words matter-of-factly.
From outside the room, the energetic voice of Head Maid Mary could be heard: "I see! I understand! I will remember it firmly!" Over there, she was likely receiving guidance from a veteran maid of the House of Viscount Koenitz.
"...To be honest, there is nothing more for me to teach. You will be able to manage the work of the Arqvist mansion as a steward without any flaws."
"Thank you."
Among those who received education this time, Kimberly had mastered the planned instructional content faster than anyone else.