He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 180

< Count Investiture >

◈ Theo’s mansion in Mayfair.

Crown Prince Carlo’s carriage followed Theo’s into the Mayfair mansion.

Princess Maria, thrilled by Theo’s early return, rushed down, but was too shocked to speak.

Crown Prince Carlo, seeing his sister, immediately scolded her in Napoletano [the Neapolitan dialect of Italian].

“You! How could you do this!”

“…Brother.”

“Do you even know how much commotion you’ve caused in the royal family?”

“……”

“Even Mother is bedridden! Do you know that?”

“Brother, there are many people watching. Let’s go to the second-floor living room to talk.”

Theo and Baron Herbert discreetly excused themselves.

*

In the second-floor living room, Princess Maria earnestly pleaded with her brother.

She tried her best to convey her true feelings.

“Brother! Can’t you give me just a few days? If you evaluate Sir Sanderson and truly believe he’s not the right person…”

“If I don’t approve? You’ll give up everything cleanly and return to Naples?”

Maria couldn’t readily answer.

“That’s… Anyway, if you watch Sir Sanderson for a while, your opinion will change. You know I don’t just like anyone. And I’m convinced that this decision is the right path for our royal family and the people of Naples.”

“……”

Crown Prince Carlo had intended to force Maria onto a ship to Naples as soon as he saw her.

However, he hesitated, surprised by his own indecision.

Besides his sister’s heartfelt request, the scenes he had witnessed at the cafe kept bothering him.

‘Sanderson’s image, as assessed by our royal family, is so different. Like Maria said, should I observe Sanderson a bit longer…’

Princess Maria, who knew Crown Prince Carlo better than anyone, gained courage from her brother’s unexpectedly lenient attitude.

“Brother! I’m asking you this as a final favor. Please? Just for a week, could you watch Sir Sanderson for just a week?”

“……”

*

Theo, who had been anxiously waiting downstairs, cautiously came up and asked.

“Princess Maria? Are you still talking? I have something to tell you briefly.”

“Yes, it’s okay. Please speak.”

“Please tell the Crown Prince that I’ve prepared the best room in the house for him, and I’d like him to stay there.”

Princess Maria was embarrassed.

“Do you think he’ll want to stay in this house?”

“Even if he refuses, would you at least convey my feelings?”

“…Yes.”

As the princess hesitated and tried to convey Theo’s words, Crown Prince Carlo spoke first.

“I understood most of it. You’re telling me to stay in this house, right?”

“Yes! Brother. I want you to stay in the best room in this house…”

But something strange happened. Crown Prince Carlo, who was expected to refuse outright, seemed to be contemplating.

Noticing this, Princess Maria continued to plead, and Crown Prince Carlo reluctantly agreed.

“Thank you, really!”

“Don’t get the wrong idea! I just didn’t want to inconvenience Baron Herbert, who is working so hard. More than anything, I’m staying here because I’m worried you’ll run away, so don’t get any other expectations! And tell him I don’t need a good room. Just give me the room next to yours.”

“Yes, I understand! I’ll tell him that.”

Crown Prince Carlo, having settled into the room next to Princess Maria, readily accepted Theo’s dinner invitation.

During the meal, he had Princess Maria ask Theo his questions.

Princess Maria volunteered to interpret, trying to prevent any misunderstandings.

As time passed and they became a little closer, Crown Prince Carlo even attempted to converse directly in broken English.

* * *

Four days later, London.

On a holiday, Crown Prince Carlo toured London with Princess Maria and Theo as guides.

-Sir Sanderson, good day.

-Lord, have a good weekend.

-Oh, aren’t you Lord Sanderson?

-Lord? Long time no see. Haha-

During the few days spent with Theo, Crown Prince Carlo personally felt that the words he had overheard at the cafe were not exaggerated.

Walking through the streets of London, many people rushed over to bow to Theo wherever they went.

Whether they were nobles of low or high status, they were all embarrassingly polite.

But what truly surprised Crown Prince Carlo was not the reaction of the nobles.

It was the respectful attitude of the commoners towards Theo.

Many commoners took off their hats and bowed their heads as Theo passed by, and there were quite a few who deeply bowed even from unseen positions.

Crown Prince Carlo, who had been watching all these scenes from behind, was deeply moved.

He could read the hearts of those who genuinely respected and admired Theo in their eyes and attitudes towards him.

◈ Theo’s mansion in Mayfair, London.

Princess Maria, who had entered Crown Prince Carlo’s room, hesitated before speaking.

“Brother? Um… I have something to tell you.”

“……?”

“You know Sir Sanderson is receiving the title of Earl tomorrow, right?”

Carlo simply nodded, as if he knew, with a sullen face.

“Well, Sir Sanderson said he would really appreciate it if you could attend the investiture ceremony tomorrow.”

“Me? Why?”

“Didn’t you know? Sir Sanderson really likes you. He’s always grateful.”

“……”

Crown Prince Carlo knew it was just flattery to gain favor, but he didn’t dislike hearing it.

“What are you talking about? What does he have to be grateful for to me…”

“Still, he said he’s truly grateful that you watched him silently. He was really nervous that you might drag me away without listening to any explanation…”

“……”

“Brother? Then you’ll attend tomorrow, right?”

“……”

There was no answer, but given Crown Prince Carlo’s personality, it was as good as an agreement.

“Brother! Thank you so much! Then I’ll tell him we’ll go together tomorrow.”

Princess Maria smiled brightly and bowed her head.

◈ October 1789. St. James’s Palace, London.

The hall of the palace where the investiture ceremony was held.

The numerous candles of the crystal chandeliers decorated with gold bathed the large hall in a sacred golden light.

♪~♪♪~♬♪~

The elegant performance of the orchestra, specially prepared for this day, filled everyone’s hearts with reverence.

From the royal ladies flaunting dresses decorated with expensive Valenciennes lace [a type of bobbin lace] and splendid headdresses to the gentlemen who dressed in fine dark gray woolen tailcoats with many gold buttons, people from all walks of life wore their best clothes to watch the investiture ceremony.

As King George slowly rose from his throne for the final investiture recipient, the hall quickly fell silent.

And soon, the king’s heavy voice echoed through the hall.

“Let the loyal subject of England, Sir Theo Sanderson, come forward!”

By order of King George, an aide-de-camp guided Theo to the king.

Theo ascended the stairs, approached King George, and knelt down.

“Your Majesty!”

King George, with a smile, exclaimed in a dignified voice.

“Highly appreciating your loyalty and spirit of service to the country, I hereby bestow the title of Earl upon Baron Theo Sanderson.

From today, Baron Theo Sanderson shall become the great Earl of England and be known to all the world as Earl Theo Sanderson!”

“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s grace, and it is a great honor to receive this title!”

King George looked down at Theo and said.

“The title I bestow upon you is because I have recognized your abilities and loyalty. Continue to be the same as you are now and stay by my side, Earl Sanderson!”

After speaking, King George placed his sword on Theo’s shoulder.

In that instant, the large hall was filled with thunderous applause and cheers.

– Clapping- Clapping-

– Congratulations, Earl Sanderson!

– Congratulations! Earl!

As the cheering subsided, King George called out to Theo, who was kneeling.

“Arise, Earl Theo Sanderson! And now, proudly unleash the majesty of an Earl of this country and make the world even brighter!”

As King George embraced and patted Theo, who had risen from his seat, an even greater roar erupted than before.

– Long live His Majesty the King!

– Congratulations, Earl Sanderson!

– Congratulations!

Everyone from the British royal family, whom he had only heard of but never met, to the high-ranking dukes and earls, were sincerely congratulating Sir Sanderson on his investiture as Earl.

Earl Sanderson walked confidently down from the platform, responding to the congratulations of the people around him.

And Princess Maria, tearfully rejoicing and clapping her hands.

Crown Prince Carlo, who had watched this magnificent scene from beginning to end, keenly felt that today’s investiture ceremony was, in fact, a stage for Earl Theo Sanderson.

Crown Prince Carlo quietly nodded.

‘Yes… that’s the person! The kind of person our kingdom needed more than anyone. And the person who will love our Maria more than anyone…’

A comfortable smile spread across Crown Prince Carlo’s face for the first time in a while.

◈ A week later. Mayfair, Theo’s mansion.

“The departure preparations are all complete!”

At the coachman’s cry, Crown Prince Carlo walked to the carriage.

Princess Maria followed her brother, shedding tears.

“That fellow. We’ll see each other again soon, so why are you crying like a child?”

“I wanted to see you off to the harbor…”

“It’s troublesome and annoying. It’s more comfortable to go quietly alone.”

Theo, who was watching this scene from the side, spoke in Napoletano.

“Your Highness, please have a safe journey back to the kingdom.”

Crown Prince Carlo approached Theo with a bright face.

“Earl, I will convey exactly what I felt to His Majesty the King when I return, so don’t worry. Please take good care of our Maria.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Please don’t worry about Princess Maria. Then, I’ll be waiting for good news.”

The two men shook hands firmly and smiled faintly.

◈ Italy, Kingdom of Naples.

Crown Prince Carlo, who had returned to the Kingdom of Naples, conveyed what he had seen and heard to the King and Queen.

At first, the royal couple, who stubbornly refused to believe it, were persuaded by their eldest son and tried to gather objective information by setting aside their prejudices and collecting various pieces of information.

And it didn’t take long to realize that the Crown Prince’s words were true.

Count Dominici, who had been in charge of the important task of the princess’s marriage, stepped down from his position, taking responsibility for causing confusion with false information.

However, concerns and worries about bloodline still remained. The ministers pointed out that Theo was not a true nobleman and that he could not be seen as a gentleman because of the business he was doing.

“Although Count Dominici’s information was slightly incorrect, it is clear that Sanderson is not a noble aristocrat, and he is not someone who can be seen as a ‘gentleman’! He is still working hard, brokering marriages and sweating, isn’t he?”

“That’s right, Your Majesty! For a wealthy merchant like Sir Sanderson to be recognized as a gentleman, he must at least not have any shops in operation. But coffee houses and marriage companies… No matter how much money he has, someone who works so hard cannot be seen as a gentleman!”

In European countries, there was a deeply rooted perception that ‘nobility’ and ‘engaging in business’ were viewed with conflicting emotions.

In particular, nouveau riche [newly rich] from common backgrounds like Theo were often the object of public contempt.

Then Queen Carolina stepped forward.

“The world is changing rapidly now. Especially in countries where industry is developing rapidly, like England, the concept of a gentleman itself is changing. Do you know how many nobles in England are earning money by working hard these days? It’s not for nothing that England is developing like this!

Although Earl Sanderson is a lowly merchant, he has now made a lot of money and become a major capitalist, hasn’t he? The shops he’s running now are just side jobs. Even if he can’t be seen as a noble aristocrat, there’s no reason why he can’t be seen as a gentleman.”

An old minister with a stern face immediately protested against the Queen’s words.

“If it were the daughter of an ordinary noble family, it wouldn’t matter, but she is a princess of the royal family. How can you marry her to such a lowly person as a merchant?

If you see the lowly behavior of merchants for yourself, Your Majesty would probably be surprised. No matter how much money they have, lowly blood can never be hidden!”

A deep-rooted prejudice against rootless, vulgar merchants made it difficult to make a decision easily.

Crown Prince Carlo, who had been silent, said mockingly.

“It’s up to you to see and decide whether Earl Sanderson is a person worthy of the title of Earl. Why don’t we call him and test how unrefined he is?”

The ministers were confident in the Crown Prince’s proposal.

“That’s a very good idea! Shall we call him and check it out ourselves?”

In that way, Theo’s invitation to the Kingdom of Naples was decisively decided in the name of King Ferdinando.

Theo, who received the invitation letter, immediately headed to the Kingdom of Naples.

Theo’s visit to the kingdom left the royal couple and ministers speechless.

Although he wasn’t fluent, he spoke the Napoletano language he had learned from Princess Maria quite well, and above all, he charmed everyone around him with his excellent manners.

Among the ministers, there was even talk that he was hiding his identity as a member of the British royal family.

In the end, the marriage of the two, which had caused a stir in the Kingdom of Naples, safely overcame the final hurdle.

◈ April 1790, Westminster Cathedral.

One warm spring day in April.

The wedding of Theo and Princess Maria was held grandly at Westminster Cathedral in London.

Westminster Cathedral had long been used mainly for important events and ceremonies of the British royal family, but Theo’s wedding was held there thanks to King George’s special consideration.

Queen Carolina and Crown Prince Carlo, along with the ministers, conveyed their joy to Princess Maria in the bride’s waiting room.

“Congratulations! Maria!”

“Congratulations, Your Highness!”

“Congratulations.”

Although King Ferdinando could not come due to domestic affairs, Queen Carolina, Crown Prince Carlo, and a large number of high-ranking ministers and nobles from the Kingdom of Naples attended the wedding instead.

Queen Carolina was very pleased to see Princess Maria wearing an elegant and graceful blue wedding dress.

“Maria… you look very beautiful today.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

“Maria. Graciously, the King of England has also said that he will attend the wedding. You must be careful not to lose your dignity as a princess of the Kingdom of Naples at today’s wedding.”

Queen Carolina, who was secretly proud of the news that not only the leading nobles of England but also influential foreign politicians were attending, and even the King of England was coming, was worried that her daughter might make a big mistake.

“Don’t worry, Mother. There won’t be any mistakes.”

At that moment.

The sound of murmuring was heard from behind, and the maids and attendants of the Neapolitan Republic stepped aside to clear the way.

Thud- Thud- Thud-

Step- Step-

Several British nobles in luxurious and splendid attire were walking in without hesitation through the maids.

The Neapolitan ministers, who recognized their faces, were also startled and quickly stepped aside.

They were the powerful figures who controlled England, the upper-class nobles who had visited the Kingdom of Naples several times.