# Hill did not have to 

By [making up ](https://paragraph.com/@making-up) · 2022-08-01

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the butler who had invited him downstairs. The Earl and Lady were waiting for him to dine with the rest of the family. Hill walked slowly down the stairs. The large dining room was full of people who had come to see the party. Having finished his stomach-wrenching breakfast in whispers, he followed the group back to the conference hall.

The count stood at the front of the hall and, facing Hill in the crowd, said with a smile, "Dear Hill, my precious second son, on this important occasion of your coming of age, I make you Baron Bolano in the name of Count Pelast!

I give you as father 20,000 gold pieces and allow you to take all of your mother's property. I hope you will start with Hill. The Baron of Pelast Bolano brings glory to the family of Pelast!"

Hill heard a sudden, amplified whisper as soon as he finished, and the spectators could not hide their surprise.

The earldom of Pelast earned about 560,000 ducats a year. A baron without a fief was considered high by the common people, but a fief earldom with real power was granted one every year, which was usually used to win over great knights or nobles to buy them with money. With no grand knights this year, it's not unusual for Hill to be given the baron.

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*Originally published on [making up ](https://paragraph.com/@making-up/hill-did-not-have-to)*