"Boss… mmm… my clothes are going to get wrinkled…"
After breakfast, Nora helped Ron André put on his outer coat—only to be pulled into his arms and thoroughly "tasted."
By the time she finally broke free, her lips were flushed, and her face was burning red.
Still, she stood in front of him, carefully straightening his collar and smoothing out the wrinkles on his formal attire with her small hands.
Only then did she step back two paces and fix her own pink-and-white dress.
Ron stepped forward, gently brushing a strand of her purple hair behind her ear before taking her hand.
"Let's go."
"Mm."
Today was April 15th—
The day of the conferment ceremony.
After several days of round-robin matches, the staff at the Magic Arena on Moonview Street were already familiar with the workflow.
So Nora taking the morning off wasn't an issue.
She could accompany Ron to the ceremony.
The two passed through the spatial passage in the storage room, exited the flower shop in the Royal Capital, left Queen's Street, and boarded a carriage toward the palace.
Inside the carriage—
Nora still felt a little dazed.
She had gradually grown used to being by Ron's side.
She had also slowly accepted his many identities.
But—
The thought that he was about to be officially granted the title of Count still felt unreal.
Before, she knew he was the Seventh Prince.
Later, the Chosen One of the Goddess of Harvest — Hervesta.
But those identities had felt distant from her.
Now—
Everything was different.
Especially after their relationship had deepened in recent days…
Alongside her happiness—
She also began to feel the weight of his status.
Yet—
Ron's attitude toward her had never changed.
Still gentle. Still protective.
That allowed her to slowly adapt.
"When we get there, go find Mia," Ron said, holding her slender waist. "I still need to change into ceremonial attire. I won't have much time to stay with you."
The carriage arrived at the palace.
The square in front of the main hall had already been prepared:
Guest seating arranged around the perimeter
A central platform for the title conferment
The moment Ron stepped down—
He spotted Mia and Eileen nearby.
After handing Nora over to them—
And hearing Mia teasing Nora with "Lady Countess"—
Watching Nora blush furiously—
Ron chuckled and headed into the main hall.
Inside—
Palace maids had long been waiting.
Soon—
Ron entered the dressing room.
For the second time (after last year's ritual in the City of Chaos)—
He changed clothes in front of multiple women.
This time—
He was much less embarrassed.
Meanwhile, outside—
Guests gradually filled the square.
Barons and viscounts gathered in groups, chatting and networking.
Dukes and marquises didn't attend personally—
But sent representatives.
For example:
From the eastern region—
Duke Christine's family sent Count Hodge, the duke's eldest son.
Nearby counts gathered around him, forming a small circle.
Each probing the others—
Trying to figure out:
Which faction had Ron chosen?
After a round of conversation—
They all silently cursed:
"Bunch of old foxes."
Everyone acted as if they'd never contacted Ron.
On the west side seating—
Nora sat beside Mia and Eileen.
Wearing her pink-and-white gown—
She nervously returned greetings from noble ladies.
As Ron's only acknowledged companion—
Even though she wasn't officially his wife—
She was treated with great courtesy.
After all—
The incident at the royal banquet had already spread through noble circles.
Everyone knew how much Ron valued her.
And more importantly—
She wasn't just a "plaything."
She managed:
Ron's Wonderful Flower Shop
The Magic Arena
That alone sent a clear signal.
As for her beastfolk background?
To true nobles—
That didn't matter.
If showing kindness to her earned even a trace of Ron's favor—
It was worth it.
"Looks like you'll be a countess soon," Mia teased. "Better have a baby early—we want to be aunts~."
"T-that's still too early…" Nora stammered, face completely red.
Her thoughts drifted to certain recent nights—
And she nearly melted from embarrassment.
Beside her—
Eileen sighed softly, her gaze complicated.
Her father had long pushed her to get close to Ron.
Even hinted—
In forming a political marriage.
But—
Ron's response had always been polite distance.
So Eileen had already accepted it.
She only felt—
A little envious of Nora.
Nothing more.
Time passed.
At 8:30 AM—
A commotion arose.
Several carriages entered—
Escorted by palace guards.
Inside were:
Dwarves
Elves
Beastfolk
The diplomatic delegations.
They had arrived in the Royal Capital recently.
And, as per tradition—
They would stay for at least half a month.
During that time—
They often attended major events.
And today—
A rare territorial count conferment ceremony.
Naturally, they came.
Such ceremonies were extremely rare.
Most land had already been divided long ago.
So—
This was worth witnessing.
As time approached 9:00 AM—
Everyone took their seats.
Inside the hall—
Ron was fully dressed.
Ready.
Before him—
One final step remained:
Emperor André III's speech.
At exactly nine—
The emperor stepped onto the platform.
He spoke at length about:
The hardships of the empire's founding
The importance of the feudal system
Ron almost fell asleep listening.
Half an hour later—
The speech finally ended.
Then—
Ron was called forward.
He stepped onto the red carpet—
Even walked barefoot over gravel—
Symbolizing hardship.
After a series of ceremonial steps—
He finally reached the platform.
Behind him—
A massive map was unfurled.
Now—
The most anticipated moment.
Choosing his territory.
All eyes were on him.
Would he align with a faction?
Or—
Ron picked up a pen.
And circled—
A long, narrow, nearly forgotten region—
At the edge of the Forest of Freyst.
A desolate area.
Barely noticeable.
The crowd erupted.
No one understood.
Why choose that—
Instead of fertile lands offered by powerful factions?
But Ron did not explain.
The ceremony continued.
Emperor André III raised a brow slightly—
But remained composed.
He took a golden medal—
And personally placed it on Ron.
At that moment—
The system notification rang out:
[System Notification]
[Congratulations, host, for becoming a Territorial Count of the Human Empire.]
[Title Acquired: Territorial Count of the Human Empire]
[Effect:
While within your territory, you may freely use spatial transfer to move to any location inside it.]
(Note: Only applies to yourself and limited inanimate objects.)
Then—
Another notification:
[System Notification]
[Side Quest Completed: "Spread Hotpot Across the Empire"]
[Reward: Phantom Willow has been stored in your inventory.]
And just like that—
Everything settled.