I'll take them to change into their formal attire. You follow Capel in first. The ceremony will begin soon.

Diana helped Allen straighten his collar and patted his shoulder gently. Then she picked up Harry and called William to go in and change into their dresses.

…

"Your Excellency, please follow me. His Highness has been preparing for today many days in advance, and he has been in a good mood recently."

Capel looked at Allen in his blue military uniform with a look of satisfaction. As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and now that Sir Allen is wearing his military uniform, his temperament has changed from his previous gentle temperament to his current heroic look, and he looks like a handsome man.

…

Holding his hat under his arm, Allen followed Capel all the way to the banquet hall. Wow...

From a distance, Alan saw an old guy with pale skin.

Earl Spencer!

This guy is an old otaku who hasn't left the castle for many years. I didn't expect him to come today.

Although he might not have a very good reputation outside and had various problems, the first time Alan saw him, he quickly trotted forward to say hello.

"It's nice to meet you, Lord Spencer!"

"Haha, I haven't seen you for many years. You've grown so tall now."

Earl Spencer's voice sounded extremely slow and low, like an old stereo that had not been used for decades and was dug out and powered up and used again. It was a bit strange.

This is the old Earl Spencer who is rumored to be very stingy. In fact, he is really very stingy. He is also the father of Diana and Allen's good friend Spencer Jr.!

Earl Spencer took the initiative to hand Alan a glass of champagne. He was in a talkative mood and pulled Alan aside to talk for several words. It can be seen that the old guy actually didn't want to stay at home.

But because his current son-in-law, Boss Cha, had a bad relationship with many nobles, he could not fit into the circle near their home at all and was forced to stay at home.

…

Alan smiled nonchalantly at the nobles around him who saw him and nodded to him.

Among those who came today, there were several famous viscounts. In addition to old Earl Spencer, there were three other earls, and another one wearing an officer's uniform. Alan squinted his eyes and thought about it.

This person should be a Scottish nobleman from the Royal Guards Archers, but Alan doesn't know his specific name. Although they are all Boss Cha's confidants, they are not familiar with each other.

…

After more than half an hour of greeting in the hall, Butler Capel finally came over to call people, walked up to Alan personally, and led Alan to another auditorium.

At this time, there were several photographers standing at the door of the auditorium, some taking photos and some taking videos.

In the middle of the hall, there was an extremely imposing large chair. All the exposed wood was painted with varnish, making it look golden, and the seat cushion was red velvet.

Not far in front of the chair, there was a shelf that looked like a small tray.

This thing also has a bracket for a computer case.

It is made of dark wood, about ten centimeters high, in a long strip shape, with two protruding baffles on the short sides, and a cotton pad covered with red velvet on the long strip.

…

Following Alan's lead, the nobles entered one after another and stood according to their geographical locations.

Those whose homes or fiefs were in the north stood on the left side of the chair, and those whose homes were in the south stood on the right side, leaving Alan alone standing in the middle.

Capel smiled at Allen and slowly retreated to the end of the team on the right.

When the atmosphere gradually quieted down, a clergyman in red robes, holding a book with a serious face, began to read.

Alan didn't have the energy to listen. He just nodded seriously every time a sentence was read out loud, and agreed out loud when he should.

Finally, the clergy shouted loudly, and Diana came out with the two little princes and stood in front of the middle chair to watch the ceremony.

After they were in place, Boss Cha, dressed in a tuxedo, came out with a smile and glanced at Alan.

After Boss Cha sat down in that extremely conspicuous chair, he waved his hand to signal that the ceremony could continue.

“Ka-ka-ka-ka.”

The person in charge of taking pictures next to him kept blinking Alan's right eyelid because of the flash of the flash.

These videos and photos of today's ceremony will not be made public but will be included in the royal archives.

…

Following the clergyman's command, Alan straightened his back, adjusted his hat, and took three steps with extremely standard strides to the small bracket in front of Boss Cha.

This thing is used to cushion the knees when you kneel.

It is kneeling, but not kowtow. Since the cushion under the bracket is slightly inclined and not flat, the upper body needs to lean back a little after kneeling.

Boss Cha looked at Allen who was kneeling in front of him and listened to the clergyman recite the eight virtues of knights and the rules that the Hill family needed to follow.

The scene was so quiet that apart from the clergy's reading, the only things left were the sound of flash cameras and the breathing of the guests watching the ceremony.

…

Alan didn't know how much time had passed, but he seemed to see Boss Cha's mouth move, and he quickly clenched his right fist and swore along with what the clergy were reciting.

From today on, because he is old enough, he can officially swear allegiance in front of Boss Cha!

Before, it was not official, but now, from this moment on, his pledge of allegiance was officially recorded and witnessed by the guests!

From then on, he became Boss Cha's chief bodyguard, and his faction and backing were completely secured.

Just like the nobles watching on both sides, each of these people had to go through such a ceremony.

Although it seems very feudal, this ritual must not be omitted!

Even Boss Cha himself, when he was officially crowned Crown Prince, knelt down before the Queen in Caernarfon Castle and swore his allegiance in the spotlight of everyone.

Pledging allegiance is not something that can be said for fun; it requires complete rituals and steps. Only after completing these rituals can one be considered to have officially pledged allegiance!

After pledging allegiance, everyone is bound by constraints, whether they are subjects or monarchs.

Allen has to fulfill his duty as a guard, and his duty as a monarch...

This is my retainer, who can protect me and do things for me. No outsider can touch him!

Even if he makes a mistake, you still have to protect him!

…

As soon as Alan finished his oath, Boss Cha stood up with a happy look on his face and drew his saber from his waist.

With a sound of "swoosh".

Boss Cha drew out his saber, with the blade facing outwards, and tapped Allen's shoulder gently, then sheathed the saber and said to Allen with a serious face, "You will be an adult from now on, and you will have more responsibilities on your shoulders. Don't be naughty!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Okay, get up and change your clothes!"

…

As soon as Boss Cha finished speaking, eight servants nearby carried a few old-fashioned boxes that looked like treasure chests to Alan. They opened the boxes and found a set of gilded armor and dress inside.

This is the exclusive dress and armor of the Royal Guards.

At first glance, it looks a bit like the famous British lobster soldiers.

The top is red, but unlike the lobster soldier's monotonous red top, the gold thread on this red top is extremely gorgeous.

When the two are compared side by side, the difference can be seen at a glance.

Alan stood up, and the servant removed the bracket on the ground in front of him. When Alan opened his arms, he helped him take off his hat and shirt.

After the servant helped Allen put on the Royal Guards' imperial guard's shirt, Boss Cha personally fastened the last button for Allen.

Then there is no need to change the next piece of armor. This thing weighs twenty or thirty kilograms. It looks very handsome, but it is very heavy.

Just put on a hat to show your appreciation.

The all-gold cavalry helmet with silver stripes was taken into the hands of the boss.

Alan quickly bent down, and Boss Cha put the helmet on him, helped Alan straighten it, and then nodded with satisfaction.

After finishing this one, there is one last item left.

The servant dragged a long tray with a cavalry saber on it.

Picking up the saber, Boss Cha shook it carefully before handing it to Allen with one hand.

…

Taking the saber with both hands, Alan lowered his head to find the buckle at his waist, hung the saber, and then stood up again.

Although he didn't change his lower clothes, the red dress with large gold patterns on the upper body, plus the golden helmet, looked quite realistic.

…

Until this time, the whole ceremony came to an end, and the guests who had been watching the ceremony silently began to applaud and wish Boss Cha and Allen well.

"Go with Capel to change your clothes later. Have your servant take good care of these things. They will be needed next year."

Boss Cha leaned over to Alan and whispered something.

He was very satisfied with Alan's current appearance. This was Alan before he changed into a full set of armor. If he waited until later...

He had already begun to imagine that Alan would be wearing a full set of armor as a Royal Guard, riding on a white horse to lead the way for him, and he would be dressed in military uniform, sitting in a carriage, surrounded by cheering people.

…

Capel personally held the small frame on which Allen had just knelt, and walked in front to lead the way for Allen.

"Your Excellency... this little stand is the one that Your Highness used to take the oath when he was conferred the title. I personally went to London a few days ago to get it back."

"oh?"

After hearing Capel's explanation, Allen finally understood why he was holding the rack himself.

Is this thing considered a cultural relic?

It has been used for who knows how many years. Anyone with a lower status can just kneel on the ground. They are not qualified to kneel on this thing.

The fact that he can use this thing today is probably because of a special license.

This thing looks insignificant, but when I need it, do I have to go to London to get it?

Why did Capel go and get it himself?

This thing must have been kept in the royal family's special treasury, and it had to be kept and returned after use.

…

When he came to the banquet, Alan brought a car full of gifts, which contained all kinds of things, including food, clothing, and daily necessities. When he left, in addition to several boxes of his formal suits and armor, there were also other gifts from Boss Cha, which filled another two large cars.

The only difference is that Alan's car is an ordinary car, while the gift that Boss Cha gave him in return was a van!

…

After the party, William and Harry will stay in their own home for a while. Alan, who is free again, is debt-free, has no two little kids around him, and no woman at home. This allows him to have a good rest for a few days.

On Christmas Eve, a giant fifteen-meter-high Christmas tree stood on the lawn in the front yard of the manor.

This is a new tree that the servants cut in the national park, and it is hung with colorful lights and small gifts.

Each servant could get one of these gifts. Alan was in a good mood. He put on a red Christmas hat and personally gave red envelopes, which were rewards, to each servant who had worked hard for a year.

All cash!

Three thousand pounds per person, which is tax-free income.

Sixty brand new pounds are still very pleasing to hold in your hands.

…

December 26th.

Alan slept until almost eleven in the morning before he slowly got up.

In this cold weather, with no heating at home, he was a little reluctant to leave his warm bed.

but……

It has to wait and see this year's annual financial report.

The family businesses are easy to deal with, as Earl Pictures has investment partners.

…

Wearing a velvet cloak, Alan came to the warm study, shook his feet, and quickly asked the maid to warm his feet.

yesterday……

That is, on Christmas Day, his film "Bad Seed" was released simultaneously in the UK, the US, and other regions. As for the box office and response...

No follow-up information has been received yet.

Picking up the annual report of 21st Century Fox (Sony) on the table, Alan first turned to the second to last page.

Looking at the negative number above, he nodded with satisfaction.

Losing money is good, but how can you make money by doing business in partnership with others?

Shouldn't we distribute dividends when we make money?

He is the only one who gets to earn other people's money, so why would he take out money to share dividends with Sony?

Look, we carried out several projects last year, and the total loss was more than 60 million pounds!

As long as the financial statements are good, Allen can make money for decades.

Sony doesn't care anyway. Those who deserve to make money will get the money. Their movie is specifically used to launder money, and Allen knows very well how much money they can launder.

As long as everyone is satisfied, it doesn’t matter what the company does!

Anyway, it is not a listed company. These financial statements are just to deal with Sony's financial investigation team. They are just for show.

…

“Boom boom boom.”

There was a knock on the door. After Alan answered, Hutt came in with a plate of small cream cakes, placed it in front of Alan and said, "Master, the cake you asked for is here."

Although Alan has officially reached adulthood, theoretically, he can be addressed as master by the servants.

But for these elderly people in the family, it is good enough that they can change the address from Second Young Master to Young Master.

As for becoming a master again.

His father died only a few years ago, this is too inhumane, so now Hut continues to call him young master. Alan doesn't mind, it's fine this way, it makes him sound younger!

…

Picking up the fork and taking a big sip of the cream, Alan nodded with satisfaction. In winter, you have to eat some sweets to feel happy.

Seeing Hut looking at him with the notebook in his hand, Alan signaled Hut to speak quickly.

"Master... The Duke of Angus has made an appointment to visit you tomorrow to celebrate your coming of age. Sir Spencer also called just now. He just came back from Gambia the day before yesterday and will come to see you tomorrow as well. What do you think?"

"Sure, let's arrange it for tomorrow afternoon. Stay for dinner and overnight before leaving."