When Duke Visconti summoned me urgently, I braced myself mentally, but he greeted me with a remarkably calm expression.

“You must’ve had quite a time cleaning up after your brother’s wedding,” he said.

Honestly, if I hadn’t taken the lead, the Medici Barony would have been forced into austerity measures for at least two years just to pay off that debt.

Even regular folks, who don’t care much about appearances, find it hard to tighten their belts. Imagine if they also had to maintain the family’s prestige while cutting back. Albert might have collapsed from sheer frustration.

For that alone, I’m due a lifetime of gratitude from him… but all I got were a few words of thanks and a token gift?

Good grief. Is he actually jealous of his younger brother, who’s only got a knighthood?

“I see you’re frowning just at the mention of it. Must’ve been quite a hassle,” the Duke remarked.

“Even though I’ve become independent from my father and brother, I’m still part of the Medici Barony. It’s my duty,” I replied.

The Duke chuckled.

“People may know what they’re supposed to do, but when it comes to cleaning up other people’s messes, it’s natural to feel resentful. By the way, I hear you just returned from the Kingdom of Granada?”

How does he even know that? Even though the Medici family is a vassal of a vassal of his, we kept that smuggling route under tight wraps.

Perhaps to be a Duke in the Toscana Empire, you need to know everything about your vassals as if they were on the palm of your hand.

“Yes, I took a calculated risk on behalf of my family,” I said.

“Traveling around for adventure when you’re young is well and good, but as a noble, you should learn to take care of yourself. What if something had gone wrong?”

It’s not as if I took those risks for the thrill. It’s a calculated gamble, knowing the potential success outweighs the risks I can manage.

“Sometimes, to climb higher, one must take risks. It’s all part of my effort to grow, to be of more use to Your Grace.”

“You’ve got a honeyed tongue, haven’t you?”

The Duke seemed amused, even though he called me a flatterer.

“Fearlessness is fine, but avoid reckless actions. The line between courage and recklessness is razor-thin,” he advised.

“I understand, Your Grace.”

Just as he said, recklessness and courage are easily confused. Courage is when you face a daunting challenge, even if you’re scared to the bone, because you’ve calculated the odds and have a chance of winning.

Recklessness is running into a fight without knowing if you can win. Like trying to smash a boulder with an egg—futile.

Young people everywhere often don’t see the difference, and they usually end up in tragic circumstances.

“I called you here because I have good news,” the Duke said.

Am I finally at the age for marriage? Is he arranging a match for me?

In any case, as a noble, I can’t avoid a marriage of convenience. I only hope my bride isn’t someone who’ll nag me to death.

I gulped unconsciously.

“His Highness the Second Prince wishes to meet you.”

The Second Prince? Typically, novels paint these second princes as ambitious men who dream of dethroning the Crown Prince to seize the throne…

But in many countries across the Albanian Continent, second princes are generally unambitious. They play it safe to avoid receiving the gift of poisoned tea—the very tea that symbolizes betrayal in many circles.

They perform their roles as tools for the Emperor and Crown Prince, feigning disinterest in politics. If the Crown Prince is suspicious, like Albert, they’ll even act foolish.

Dragging maids into their chambers, assaulting them, earning a slap from the Emperor and becoming the subject of gossip—typical behavior.

And now, this Second Prince wants to see me?

‘This must be by the Emperor’s will.’

“I don’t understand why someone like His Highness the Second Prince would be interested in a mere knight like myself,” I replied.

“Thanks to you, our Toscana Empire can produce massive quantities of steel. You’re also the most prominent young noble in the Empire right now.”

“There are many others more accomplished than me,” I protested.

The Duke scoffed.

“There are others, like Count Altina and Viscount Cosimo’s sons, who are brilliant. These young men have led armies, captured enemy generals, and achieved military victories using small detachments.”

Even in 21st-century South Korea, judges and prosecutors, who earn half as much as engineers making ten million won a month, are often valued more.

In our Empire, winning battles still ranks higher than reviving estates or generating wealth.

“But building a strong military ultimately requires money. You need ample funds, food, and resources to train elite soldiers. In that sense, you’re the best,” the Duke continued.

The United States, a prime example, is the wealthiest country in the world. With vast resources invested in soldiers, high-quality meals, unmatched weaponry, and elite forces… It has the military might to stand against any other country alone.

“Enough chit-chat. The Imperial Family is taking an interest in you. If you wish to rise as a grand merchant or noble, what matters most now is how you present yourself to His Highness the Second Prince.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I believe you understand what I’m saying.”

The Second Prince is essentially an inspector, sent by the Emperor to gauge my worth.

Even in the 21st century, if you don’t curry favor with powerful people, you can lose billions in the blink of an eye.

Now, I have to think about how to present myself to him in the best light. Making a good impression is crucial if I want to pass the Emperor’s test and seize opportunities.

“Your Grace, is there anything His Highness particularly likes? A hobby, perhaps?” I asked.

“He’s quite fond of hunting and martial arts. They say he’s even impressed the swordsmanship guild.”

The swordsmanship guild is packed with prestigious swordsmen, known for their high standards. For them to be impressed, he must be a serious fitness enthusiast.

No wonder he’s turned into a training maniac.

‘The mental strain must be tremendous.’

“He probably takes care of his diet, doesn’t he?”

Young men rarely bother with health foods unless they’re after something to boost their energy.

Based on that, it’s safe to assume the Second Prince is a healthy man with a strong libido. Likely, he relieves his psychological stress through intimate encounters.

King Sejong, and later, King Seongjong, known as great rulers, also relied on such outlets for stress relief.

“Fortunately, I have something better than seaweed.”

Primitive Europe uses coffee as an aphrodisiac, like chocolate. He’ll think it gives him the strength of a tiger.

“I don’t know how His Highness will test me, but I’m ready to win his favor.”

A few days later, the Duke took me to meet the Second Prince.

I wasn’t bursting with nervousness, but my hands tightened naturally.

The Duke immediately struck up a casual conversation with the Prince.

“What do you think of the sword I sent you last time? It’s forged with a new steel technique and is quite sturdy.”

The Second Prince examined the blade, appraising it as if undressing a beautiful woman with his eyes.

“Beautiful. You must’ve folded this steel many times to temper it.”

The Duke chuckled.

“I was sure you would appreciate its value, Your Highness.”

“I know a thing or two about swordsmanship, Duke,” replied the Prince.

The Duke then pointed at me with a hearty laugh.

“I may have enhanced it a bit using a method our friend here devised, but it’s the quality of the raw material that impressed you, right?”

I lowered my head humbly.

Now, the Second Prince turned his attention to me.

“So, you’re the second son of the Medici Barony. The one who thought up cakes, seaweed, and this new steelmaking technique? I’ve had my eye on you for a while.”