Lezhe Holiday

By mid-afternoon, news of Will's newest disciple had spread like wildfire around Tirana.

King Roland for one was overjoyed that the next Great Eastern emperor had a Fermion noble as master.

So many well-wishers and congratulators came to see him, that working became impossible. To escape the bothersome distribution, Will applied for a holiday. Moreover, it was already time to pick up Kallista in Lezhe.

The preparation for departure was in its final phase so his workload had waned lately. It was the perfect time to take a vacation.

Just as he was packing up the last of his work, Christoph and his son arrived.

"Oh, not you too!" Will complained.

"I'm afraid I've come on official business," Envoy Earl von Mueller announced.

"Oh?" Will asked surprised.

"Baron von Mueller, greets the Most Honorable Marquis von Mueller," said the boy.

"Yes, his imperial majesty appointed me last night. He officially approved you as Crown Prince Lukas von Wilhelm's master. To commemorate such an auspicious occasion, I bring you gifts from our illustrious Emperor Kaiser von Wilhelm II," announced Christoph von Mueller.

He quickly transferred large sacks of imperial pipeweed, mana stones, jewels, gold, a property deed, and an imperial title from his storage ring to Will's.

"Emperor Kaiser von Wilhelm II is very generous. Please send him my regards," Will said.

"Where are you headed in such a rush?" Earl von Mueller asked.

"I'm applying for a holiday. I'm taking my family to Lezhe for three days," explained Will happily.

"Could I burden you, to let us come along? I have important business news to share," Earl von Mueller asked.

"Are you joining as a friend or is this part of your official capacity," Will investigated.

"As a friend and close business partner," Christoph replied.

"Very well come along," Will said casting [Spatial Gate].

"Just a second," Jacques said walking into Will's office. "I would like to come along as well."

"So would we," King Roland said pointing to Princess Melody, Queen Ashley, Duke Francis, Duchess Charlotte, Bryson, and several servants.

"How can I say no, to friends and family," grumbled Will.

He wanted to get away from his government work, not bring it with him.

Moments later they all stepped into Will's foyer in Gadreel.

"Micheal! Ms. Park! See to it our guests are accommodated. We'll leave for Lezhe in two hours," Will commanded.

Two hours later, they arrived at Will's vacation manor, and after unpacking, headed straight for the beach.

"I just heard, my congratulations honorable Marquis von Ballard," said Princess Melody lounging under the cabana. She wore a beautiful sun hat, and a relaxed sun dress which accentuated her shapely beauty.

"Yes, to be given an honorary imperial title is quite rare," Duke Francis agreed.

"What does that mean for father?" Edward asked.

"It means he has two different titles one for Fermion and one in the Great Eastern Empire," his Grandmother Charlotte answered.

"We'll which ones should be people use?" Edward asked. He unknowingly asked a difficult question for which there was not a clear answer.

In Fermion, imperial titles, by law, were superior to their own.

"I quite like the title, Marquis de Ballard. I shall also give you an honorary title on my reinstatement," Emperor Jacques-Louis said out loud.

However, his comment only served to complicate the situation.

With two out of three emperors agreeing to such a title, if King Roland did not follow suit, it could be seen as a petty and an affront to imperial law.

Neither were good options when Will was held such worldwide prestige. There was little doubt that word of Will's honorary imperial title had already spread quite far.

Feeling the awkwardness, Elizabeth sent Edward and Camille to play in the waves.

"But mother, I'll be an adult soon. I don't want to play with children any longer," Camille whispered to her mother.

"Maxwell, would like to play in the water as well?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, Lady von Ballard" Maxwell von Mueller agreed.

Camille hid her blushing face and glared at her mother.

"Have fun and be sure to stay where I can see you," Elizabeth ordered.

"Yes, mother!" Edward yelled back.

"Motherhood is certainly a blessing, someday I wish to become a mother. Emperor Jacques-Louis how many children do you want?" Melody asked.

The unexpected question caused the young emperor to briefly chock on his lemonade.

The wives turned their heads to listen, and the husbands tried to warn him of the trap.

"12 to 15 sounds about right," the young emperor thought.

"I hope you don't expect me to have them all, my poor body would lose its figure," Princess Melody laughed hysterically.

"Well, how many do you suggest?" Emperor Jacques-Louis asked incredulously.

"Enough to have at least a boy and girl," the imperial princess said wisely.

"Are you planning your wedding already?" Prince Lukas half-joked.

"First I'd need to see his contract with Marquis von Ballard and Earl von Mueller, or wait until his empire meets my standards," Princess Melody said curiously.

"With all due respect your imperial highness, I'm afraid that is impossible. The emperor's contract must remain private," Earl von Mueller bowed.

"Oh, and why is that?" Princess Melody investigated.

"We don't want to share the emperor's reconstruction plans, it may hinder his success and our investment," Will explained

"And if I were to marry the emperor then might I be preview then?" Princess Melody inquired.

Those watching felt they were watching a drama at the theater.

"As Empress of the Rhaziesia, yes, you'd have the authority to view the contract's contents," Earl von Mueller confirmed.

"Then Emperor Jacques-Louis, I may yet accept your proposal," Princes Melody said pensively.

"What proposal?" asked Jacques-Louis in confusion.

"Your marriage proposal," Princess Melody said matter-of-factly.

"But I never—oh," realized Emperor Jacques-Louis.

"Then congratulations are in order," Queen Rosalind said cheerfully.

She liked Princess Melody, even after the scolding the Queen Mother gave her. Without the Queen Mother observing her, she was free to speak her mind, well at least a little. She still had to mind her image with Duchess Charlotte and her daughter Lady Elizabeth present.

"Father still needs to approve first. But if he signs off, you'd earn more funds to rebuild your empire and likely gain a treaty" Prince Lukas surmised.

"No doubt Emperor Jacques-Louis has enough funds. I'm sure he'd let me keep some for my plans,"

"But of course, any auxiliary funds, not stipulated by the contract, may be used however the imperial family pleases," the young emperor explained.

While Elizabeth listened in on the conversation, her attention was focused on the beach.

At the same time, the princess and emperor were talking, and Camille and Maxwell were too.

"Why did you come to Fermion?" Camille asked.

"Empire Kaiser appointment my father envoy to send his gratitude to your father for becoming Crown Prince Lukas' master," Maxwell answered.

"Why did you come with your father to Fermion?" Camille asked.

"Ah, my father hoped we see you. And I could spend more time with you," Maxwell explained.

"Are you two going to marry?" Edward interjected.

"…"

Neither Camille nor Maxwell answered. Camille out of embarrassment and Maxwell out of honor.

"Young master, I think it's best, we leave that question for the master," suggested Natalie, Edward's cute slightly older maid.

"I agree young master," said Henrietta coming to Camille's defense.

"Fine!" Edward shrugged and continued to play in the waves.

They continued to enjoy the cool waves until Camille's embarrassment faded away.

"Now that my father is an imperial marquis, how does that affect his standing in the Great Eastern Empire," wondered Camille.

"Your father was already considered a primer earl. After becoming the crown prince's master his prestige has risen even more.

With the emperor gifting your family now owns a large prominent house in Annapolis. Your family, by imperial standards, has the wealth, peerage, and noble pedigree of a prestigious family.

Once the news spreads that your father is the crown prince's master and the emperor gifts, I believe the list of your suitors will double, if not triple," Maxwell explained.

"Does that not worry you?" Camille asked.

"Why should it? Your family is not the only one with wealth, peerage, and noble pedigree of a prestigious family," said Maxwell.

"Have you gone on any dates yet? My father was forced to go on dates before he was engaged to my mother," asked Camille curiously.

"Yes, I've been dating before. But they were awful and troublesome. Thankfully, when my father and grandfather agree to their little plan, I was spared from going on meaningless dates," Maxwell explained.

"I'm happy I relieved you of such pain," Camille laughed. "And what became of my painting?"

"Your painting hangs over the mantle in my bedroom. I'm not sure how you painted such a vivid sky, but I find it transportive. I imagine myself imagining flying among the clouds," Maxwell said earnestly.

His praise took her breath away. Not even her parents praised her painting so wonderfully.

"I think I'd like to explore Annapolis, if I was to visit, would you give me a tour?" Camille asked demurely doing her best to hide her blushing.

"I'd love to," Maxwell said.

'Love to,' Camille's heart thumped.

"Master, I'm back," Kallista yelled as she ran to the cabana where Will lounged, bowed respectfully, and handed him a letter.

When she got to the cabana, she was surprised to see the king, queen, duke, duchess, and five people she didn't recognize.

"Kallista, this is Emperor Jacques-Louis de Caernarvon of the Rhaziesian Empire, to his left is Crown Prince Lukas of the Great Eastern Empire, my newest disciple, and to his left is his sister Princess Melody. To my left is Earl Christoph von Mueller, and his son Baron Maxwell von Mueller is playing with Edward and Camille," Will said finishing introductions.

"Newest disciple?" Kallista asked in shock.

"Yes. Second Disciple greets Senior Sister," Crown Prince Lukas greeted her.

"Greeting, your Imperial Highness Junior Brother," Kallista greeted correctly.

"Master, you took another royal as a disciple?" Kallista joked as she hugged Elizabeth.

"I'm very selective about whom I accept," Will laughed.

"Greeting your imperial majesty, imperial highness, and imperial lord," Kallista said wrapping up her greetings.

"That's good enough. Go say high to Camille, she's missed you. I'll test you when we get back home," Will mentioned.

"Yes, master!" Kallista bowed and ran off to the shore.

Elizabeth watched how Camille ran to greet Kallista excitedly. She was happy Camille had such a wonderful sister-like friend. It wasn't long until Camille and Kallista left the Baron to catch up alone.

"She quite beautiful isn't she?" Crown Prince Lukas said accidentally said out loud.

"You two would make a good match," Earl von Mueller agreed.

"It seems this is the season of love," Duchess Charlotte whispered to Elizabeth.