Chapter 91: A Rise In Station

In the heart of Hannover, in the city square a stage was erect and used for this ceremony. Thousands of guards were stationed for security since Victor and Clarisse were in attendance for the ceremony.

Tens of thousands of Hannover residents were gathered to watch the event. The event was advertised as the welcoming of a new vassal. Many were excited to see who this new prominent figure in their realm was. 

Victor approached the edge of the stage and addressed his subjects. "People of Hannover, today is a day that marks the revival of a fallen family!" The crowd erupted with cheers, they were surprised to hear that a fallen noble family would be revived once again.

After a brief pause for the cheers, Victor continued to speak. "It has come to my attention, that a male heir of the Cruyff family still lives. In fact, he has been living in this city, serving as a corporal of the Hannover garrison. I present to you all, Jacque Cruyff!"

At first, the crowd was reluctant to cheer, they did not like the Cruyff family, given the actions of the twins and their mother, who looked down upon them with disdain. Their reluctance faded when they saw a familiar face.

When Jacque stepped forward and stood beside Victor, a couple of dozen people began to cheer. They recognised not only their neighbour but a kind-hearted young man who often went out of his way to help people.

Jacque was well respected in his local community. When he patrolled the streets of Hannover, he caught criminals, helped people with menial tasks and was outright pleasant to the people he was protecting.

His compassionate nature was one of the reasons why many people liked him. When more people began to realise that the local corporal was the one who would be ascending to a vassal of the Grand Duchy they were over the moon. He was a far cry from the Cruyffs they knew of. Unlike his family, he did not covet wealth, nor did he act with malice, instead he was a forgiving and humble man. 

The crowd slowly began to cheer louder and Victor could sense a shift in the people's opinion. Wanting to cease the change in momentum, Victor turned to Jacque and whispered. "They are cheering for you, it would be rude not to address the crowd. It does not have to be long, or poetic, just speak from the heart." 

Jacque nervously nodded, he had not spoken in front of a crowd with more than 50 people, let alone 50,000, if not more. Patiently, he waited for the cheering to die down before he spoke. 

"People of Hannover! Many of you know me! I was just a local corporal of the garrison, nothing more and nothing less. But to stand before you as not only a noble but a vassal to the most dominant ruler on this continent brings me great honour!"

"I am aware of the appalling reputation of the Cruyff name. Truth be told I never knew them, I grew up a bastard with my mother in this city. However, it falls to me, to rectify the wrongdoings of my supposed family. Henceforth, I will abandon the Cruyff name and let it disappear from the annals of history."

"In the absence of the Cruyff family name, I shall establish a new family. From this day forward I will adopt the name, Jacque Reuss. I hope the Reuss family will prosper alongside its citizens and the rest of the continent," Jacque declared to the crowd.

The last name Reuss was important to Jacuqe for one particular reason. It was his mother's family name, and although there were no living members of the Reuss family, besides Jacque, he had hoped to revive it. Not only did he want to revive it, but take it to new heights.

Hearing Jacque's proclamation, the crowd burst into applause and cheers, even Victor applauded his effort. In his first-ever speech, Jacque had succeeded in swaying the crowd to love him and accept him. 

With the sound of thunderous applause, Victor signalled for his men to unveil the banner standards that were on and next to the stage. Once unfolded the banners showcased the new coat of arms for the Reuss family.

Inside the shield was a golden harp on a sea of red. Jacque drew inspiration from his own physical features to decide the colour scheme. The crest itself was derived from the harp that his mother used to play, sadly he was only a bae when his mother last played it, but he was regularly told stories of his mother's prowess with the instrument.

Victor was glad that Jacque had decided on his family name and coat of arms quickly, it meant that he could prepare these banners, while Jacque learned how to be a noble from Florence and Sebastian.

It was apparent to Victor that Jacque's lessons with Sebastian had been effective. Despite him not improving a lot, it was clear that Jacque's hard work and Sebastian's teaching had helped him not only hold himself in a refined and respectable manner but also muster the courage to speak in front of such a vast crowd

Soon enough the ceremony was over, it had proceeded with fly colours. There were no incidents and the public warmly accepted the rise of the new Duke Reuss, ruler of Sardia. Victor was pleased with the ceremony's success, it proved to be a fruitful way to introduce a new vassal who the people seemed to accept.

People began to pile out of the city square while the likes of Victor, Clarisse and other important figures in Hannover were escorted out by carriage. When the Grand Duke and Duchess returned to the palace, they spent their evening relaxing in bed. In a peaceful state, Victor began to think of what was next.

'With Jacque's elevation in status all sorted, they could begin preparations for the wedding.'