Chapter 91: Meeting the Royal Family Part 2
"Now you must wonder, why you were summoned to the Royal Palace," King Edward IV said with an amused tone.
"We do, Your Royal Majesty," Ernest said, concurring with his words.
"The reason is that I made a visit to one of our allies in the south, The Confederation of Rheinn. It’s a country made up of small countries with each having their own king. There is this meeting where all of them gathered in Berlint, their capital city, and I brought gifts. And what do you think my gift was to my friends there?"
Hollen and Ernest looked at one another and then smiled.
"Is it soap, Your Royal Majesty?" Ernest guessed.
The king smiled.
"That’s correct. I gave them soap, and the reception was beyond anything I expected."
A faint chuckle escaped him as he leaned back against his throne, as though recalling a pleasant memory.
"You have to understand, Master Teucher, that the nobles of Rheinn are a very proud people. They appreciate fine wines, rare spices, beautiful horses, and exquisite works of art. Gifts are not merely gifts to them. They are statements."
He lifted a hand.
"And yet, do you know what caused the greatest commotion at that gathering?"
Ernest already had a feeling.
"The soap?"
"The soap," the king confirmed with a grin.
Prince Cedric looked utterly baffled.
"They got excited over soap?"
King Edward laughed.
"They did indeed."
Even Queen Eleanor smiled at the memory.
"The Duchess of West Rheinn asked whether there was more. The King of Albrecht requested several additional boxes for his household. One of the southern princes had his servants open every crate on the same day because he wanted to try each fragrance."
The queen folded her hands neatly in her lap.
"And one of the queens insisted on taking an entire crate back to her palace."
Prince Arthur’s lips twitched.
"She also requested the merchant responsible for importing it."
"Twice," the king added.
Laughter spread through the chamber.
Even Hollen looked stunned.
The soap had become successful domestically.
That much he knew.
The fact that foreign royalty had become enthusiastic customers was entirely different.
King Edward looked toward Ernest again.
"You have no idea how many discussions your soap generated during that meeting."
He smiled.
"The King of Albrecht spent nearly half an hour asking about Helmarte Soap Works. Another ruler wanted to know how our kingdom managed to create such products. One even joked that Belfast had become the cleanest kingdom in the world."
The king’s expression softened.
"You would be surprised how many alliances are strengthened by small things."
The chamber grew quieter.
"In diplomacy, trade agreements and military treaties are important, but gifts matter too. They create goodwill. They make people remember you."
He spread his hands.
"And your soap accomplished exactly that."
Ernest listened carefully.
Actually, it made sense.
Throughout history, luxury goods often became tools of diplomacy. Silk, spices, porcelain, and perfumes had all been used to cultivate relationships between nations.
Apparently, soap had joined that list.
King Edward chuckled again.
"The funniest part was that I initially brought the soap merely because it was uniquely ours. I wanted something that represented Belfast."
He looked genuinely pleased.
"Instead, it became the most talked-about gift at the gathering."
The king’s smile slowly turned into something more wistful.
"Which brings me to my regret."
The room became quiet.
"I received reports of your new products only after I returned."
He shook his head.
"Shampoo. Toothpaste. Conditioner. Deodorant."
He sighed dramatically.
"What unfortunate timing."
Princess Amelia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Prince Arthur looked amused.
"You sound disappointed, Father."
"I am disappointed."
The king looked toward Ernest.
"Can you imagine how useful those products would have been?"
He pointed a finger.
"The nobles of Rheinn are obsessed with appearances. Shampoo and conditioner would have fascinated their ladies. Toothpaste would have become a novelty in every royal court."
Another finger.
"And deodorant?"
He laughed.
"I suspect half the nobles there would have purchased entire crates."
Even Queen Eleanor could not suppress a small laugh.
The king shook his head.
"I missed an opportunity."
He looked almost personally offended by it.
"A remarkable diplomatic opportunity."
His gaze returned to Ernest.
"Because every one of those products would have been another gift that represented Belfast. Another reason for our allies to remember us favorably. Another way to strengthen relations between kingdoms."
The room became completely still.
The king’s next words carried a different weight.
"Master Teucher, whether intentionally or not, your inventions have brought prestige to my kingdom."
Ernest blinked.
Prestige.
He had expected many things.
Praise.
Curiosity.
Questions about steam engines.
He had not expected to be told that soap had become a diplomatic asset.
King Edward rose from his throne.
The movement immediately drew everyone’s attention.
"You created industries. You increased employment. You expanded trade beyond our borders. You introduced technologies that are changing the kingdom itself."
He descended the steps of the raised platform slowly, his polished shoes echoing softly against the marble floor.
"And now, I discover that your products have become tools of diplomacy."
He stopped several paces before Ernest.
The king’s expression was warm, almost fatherly.
"I believe such contributions deserve recognition."
The chamber became silent.
Even Prince Cedric stopped fidgeting.
Hollen suddenly looked nervous.
Very nervous.
Because kings did not say things like that casually.
King Edward smiled.
"Therefore, I have decided that I shall reward you, Master Ernest Teucher."
Ernest’s eyes widened slightly.
Beside him, Hollen looked as though he had forgotten how to breathe.
The king folded his hands behind his back.
"I am thinking of giving you a title."
The words seemed to linger inside the chamber.
For a brief moment, nobody moved.
Even Prince Cedric’s eyes widened.
Hollen looked as though someone had struck him with a hammer.
A title.
The king was speaking of nobility.
Ernest remained calm outwardly, but his thoughts had become considerably less organized.
This was not something he had anticipated.
In his previous life, titles belonged in history books.
Here, they carried weight.
Land.
Privileges.
Political influence.
Social standing.
The king studied his reaction and smiled slightly.
"You seem surprised."
"I am, Your Majesty."
"Good. I would be concerned if a fourteen-year-old expected to be ennobled."
A few chuckles echoed through the chamber.
King Edward clasped his hands behind his back and slowly paced before the throne.
"For the past three years, you have transformed an insignificant soap workshop into one of the most valuable enterprises in Belfast. Your factories employ thousands of my subjects. Your exports bring wealth into the kingdom. Your steam engines are beginning to reshape entire industries."
He stopped and looked directly at Ernest.
"Most importantly, your products have brought honor and prestige to Belfast beyond our borders."
The king’s expression softened.
"In my opinion, that deserves more than gratitude."
The chamber grew quiet again.
Queen Eleanor rose gracefully from her seat.
"I agree."
Prince Arthur nodded.
"I agree as well, Father."
Princess Amelia smiled.
"It would be unfair not to reward him."
Prince Cedric nearly jumped from his chair.
"We should give him a castle!"
The king pinched the bridge of his nose.
"We are not giving a fourteen-year-old boy a castle, Cedric."
"Oh."
The young prince looked genuinely disappointed.
Laughter spread through the room once more.
King Edward sighed.
"Nevertheless, I have reached a decision."
A servant immediately stepped forward carrying a velvet cushion. Upon it rested a rolled parchment bearing the royal seal.
The king took it.
"By my authority as King of Belfast, I hereby elevate Ernest Teucher to the hereditary rank of Baron."
The chamber fell completely silent.
Even the servants looked surprised.
A hereditary title.
Not merely an honorary distinction.
A title that could pass to descendants.
Ernest’s eyes widened slightly.
Beside him, Hollen looked moments away from collapsing.
King Edward smiled.
"From this day forward, you shall be known as Baron Ernest Teucher of...well, I’ll let you pick whatever land you want in my domain."
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