The Second Life's

『S2』 III - Duke

I looked at myself in the mirror in silence.

While Matilda was dressing me up, Chloe and the two palace servants were kept busy styling my hair. Today was the day that Hendery would soon be granted a noble title. He's also been taken care of by my servants in a special room.

After putting on makeup, styling hair, and all kinds of other preparations, I was escorted by Jasmine to the throne room. There must have been a lot of invited guests present including Hendery. I was nervous, but my nervousness was gone when I was in front of the entrance to the throne room.

Jasmine coded the soldier standing guard beside the door to voice my presence.

“Your Majesty Emperorina Vanhoiren I has arrived!” shouted one of the soldiers while opening the door in front of me with one of his colleagues.

When the door opened, the people inside immediately lowered their respect. I looked straight ahead while lifting my chin.

After I sat on the throne, then they all raised their heads and looked at me. Jasmine stood beside me as she took a step to talk. I'm so happy to see it.

“On behalf of His Majesty Emperorina Vanhoiren I, I thank you for the presence of all the ladies and gentlemen,” said Jasmine, in a loud tone. “Today, Hendery Dylan Franklin, the youngest son of the Franklin family, will be officially knighted by His Majesty Emperorina Vanhoiren I.”

“For Hendery's brother Dylan Franklin, please come forward in front of His Majesty Emperorina Vanhoiren I and kneel,” continued Jasmine.

Hendery who was sitting among the nobles, immediately stood up and approached me. He smiled happily when our eyes met and then he knelt down in front of me. I still put on a calm face to look dignified in front of all the nobles present.

Yes, I might as well smile at Hendery.

“Thanks to the toughness and dexterity of Hendery's brother Dylan Franklin in his duties as a knight, Hendery's brother Dylan Franklin managed to save the only member of the Imperial family, His Majesty Emperorina Vanhoiren I.

Therefore, Hendery's brother Dylan Franklin was given a commensurate award for his hard work. His Majesty Emperorina Vanhoiren I gladly granted Hendery's brother Dylan Franklin a title of nobility that is the title of Duke,” said Jasmine who is currently reading the decree I have written for him.

The moment the word Duke was ejected from Jasmine's mouth, almost the entire noble was shocked by it. Yes, it's definitely a great gift for some people.

I can guess, the other nobles are betting on what title I will give to Hendery. I know very well the character of those nobles. If there was an opportunity they could get for money, a trivial gamble like this would also definitely be made by them.

“The advantage that can be accepted by Hendery's brother Dylan Franklin after officially becoming Duke is a mansion and his own territory and business capital worth 100,000 gold pieces,” continued Jasmine.

I could feel Hendery feeling who was currently very happy when he heard all the things he could get after working with me.

“With due respect, Her Majesty Emperorina Vanhoiren I was asked to attach the Duke's noble badge to Hendery's brother Dylan Franklin,” Jasmine said.

I also stood up from my singgana, then received the Duke's noble badge from Jasmine. Hendery stood up and advanced slightly forward without raising his head. I pin the badge to Hendery's official outfit.

“Happy to hate your parents,” my lead.

The awarding of the badge to Hendery, ended by a small party in the palace. The nobles took advantage of this as their chance to approach Hendery and establish a good relationship with him.

Well, because of the Franklin family case at that time, a lot of nobles who had immediately underestimated the Franklin family. They did not expect that Hendery would instead become a Duke. Which if counted again, nobles with the title of Duke only four people including Hendery.

“Your Majesty, does Your Majesty not want to eat anything?” jasmine asked beside me.

I bent my face. “No. I just want to go back to my room. I put this party in the limelight today.”

The two of us left the party hall and instead met a man with a Hendery-like face in the hallway of the palace. The difference is, the face of the man in front of me is a bit more mature. I can guess he was the eldest son of the Franklin family.

Hendery's older brother.

“Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet His Majesty in person like this,” said brother Hendery. “It would be impolite if I did not introduce myself to His Majesty. I am Nicholas Samuel Franklin, the eldest son of the Franklin family.”

“Do you want to see your sister?” ask me without further ado.

Nicholas surprised. “Ah ..., true, Your Majesty. I wanted to attend the invitation His Majesty had given me. However, there is a lot of work that I have to do in the knight special camp.”

“Ah, true too. You're still part of the Expedition Team, aren't you?”

“True, Your Highness.” Nicholas smiles.

For someone who could not become the head of a noble family through inheritance anymore, Nicholas was quite a calm and professional person. Despite being stepped over by his own brother, Nicholas still wants to meet Hendery at this time.

For a moment, I'm grateful that Nicholas didn't inherit Gracie's property. If Nicholas had inherited his nature, there might have been a civil war between Nicholas and Hendery.

“Tomorrow, you and knight Turner must come to this palace to talk about some things. I hope you don't mind this,” I told Nicholas.

Nicholas smiled and nodded. “Good, Your Highness.”

“Good. Go inside, Hendery is there. I will look forward to the arrival of you and the knight Turner tomorrow afternoon,”.

Nicholas. “Good, Your Highness.”

Jasmine and I continued our journey back to my room. I can hear that Nicholas has entered the room where Hendery is inside.

For a moment, I smiled involuntarily and Jasmine caught my smile.

“Your Majesty, is there something Your Majesty thinks of?” ask Jasmine.

“Don't you wonder what the brothers will talk about when they look in the face?”

Jasmine confusion. “Ya?”

“Forget it,” I said quickly. Looks like something interesting will happen in Vanhoiren later. I can feel that. “Suddenly I want to drink a glass of hot chocolate.”

“Hot chocolate?” Jasmine was surprised by my wish that I had never said before. “Does Your Majesty want it now?”

I'm nodding. “Yes, bring it to my workspace now.”

“Good, Your Highness.”