At the dining table, Howard set down his fork and spoke with a measure of conviction, “One must always be aware of the loyalty of their vassals. By winning over their hearts and inspiring loyalty, I can ensure their allegiance is secure.”

Terni, slightly angered, put down her fork as well.

“Don’t take it the wrong way, but I strongly disagree with what you’re saying. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, you’re unable to win over your vassals completely. What then?”

Howard lifted his head, his eyes bright with intensity.

“The very foundation of feudalism is the obligation of vassals to provide military support to their lord during wartime. That’s an unbreakable rule of our world! Even if they harbor grievances against me, I can still forcefully summon 20% of their troops.”

“In the case of relatives and allies, if they refuse, they contribute nothing. I can’t muster a single soldier from them! At least I can count on 20% of my vassals’ forces as part of my strategic reserve. Can you say the same for your allies and relatives? And don’t forget, we nobles have our own demesnes.”

“Do you think I’m unaware of the number of conscripted soldiers registered in my lands? These are solid, tangible military forces, far more reliable than the fickle support of allies and relatives. They’re as steadfast as the Alps!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Howard felt a tinge of regret.

After all, the person opposite him was Catherine’s father, a key decision-maker on her side of the family.

What if his words had offended him?

Could this jeopardize the negotiation? Was expressing these thoughts worth the potential cost?

Terni was on the verge of erupting in anger, but he wasn’t just a man prone to anger; at this moment, he was also a father and the lord of Torrent Castle.

His face shifted through a spectrum of emotions, inhaling deeply several times as he looked at Howard, almost ready to berate him.

However, the prospect of a successful alliance through marriage with Howard, which would fortify Torrent Castle with a robust earl as an ally, made him hesitate.

Howard noticed Terni’s indecision, further affirming his belief that relatives and allies were elements beyond one’s control.

If even a negotiator hesitated to express anger, how could they be counted upon as steadfast allies in the future?

They would always be walking on eggshells, hardly a mark of firm support.

But Howard chose not to press further.

Seeing Terni’s restraint, he wouldn’t provoke him further.

In a more diplomatic tone, Howard said, “The Earl of Torrent Castle has extensive experience in managing his lands. I could learn much from you.”

Terni, finding an exit from the tension, seized it, responding, “Well, that’s good. Despite your youth, you understand the art of diplomacy. Let’s continue discussing the marriage.”

Howard, being direct, suggested, “My lord, perhaps we should discuss this in a different setting.”

Catherine, with her hands crossed over her chest, looked visibly distressed and flustered.

She longed to ask Howard why she couldn’t be part of the conversation.

However, Terni had already agreed to Howard’s request.

In the drawing room, Howard and Terni sat sipping afternoon tea.

The tea, an expensive large-leaf black variety, was Terni’s way of showing respect to Howard.

Without mincing words, Howard got straight to the point: “Earl, I wish to marry Catherine. I will treat her well. Would you grant me this opportunity?”

Setting his teacup down, Terni posed with an air of pretense, “If I were ever in danger, would you come to my aid?”

Howard, against his better judgment, assured, “Rest easy, I love Catherine. As her father, I would definitely help you.”

Terni inquired, “How many soldiers do you command?”

Howard responded, “I have two castles directly under my control. With an average of 1000 soldiers per castle, that makes 2000 soldiers in total. Additionally, I have vassals, so mustering another 1000 wouldn’t be a problem.” 𝘪𝘦.𝘤𝑜

Then Terni asked about the pearls in Howard’s territory, “Are pearls abundant in your lands?”

“With an increasing number of divers, we’ve been finding more and more pearls. There’s no sign of the quantities diminishing,” Howard replied.

After pondering for a while and asking Howard several more questions, Terni agreed to his request.

“My aim is to have a son-in-law with an earl’s title. As to who that person is, I’m not particularly concerned. Do you understand what I mean, Howard?”

Feeling disenchanted with Terni, Howard didn’t care to prolong the conversation and replied tersely, “Yes, after marrying Catherine, I will send someone to sign an alliance treaty with you.”

Howard then left the room without further ado, understanding clearly that Terni was not the warm-hearted, caring father he appeared to be.

To Terni, a family alliance was more important than his daughter’s happiness.

He had inquired about every aspect of Howard’s strength, yet not once did he ask how Howard would treat his daughter in the future.

To Howard, this was no different than selling one’s daughter.

Three days later, Howard and Catherine got engaged, and Howard returned to Fernsouth Castle.

Upon his arrival, he encountered Portwan, the Mayor of Wislot, who should have been in the city of Wislot but was now in a disheveled state, as if his journey had been anything but smooth.

Howard, puzzled, asked Portwan what had happened.

Portwan lamented to Howard, “Oh, wise and brave Earl, I was elected as the Mayor of Wislot, but I’ve been expelled by the Wislot Merchant Guild! My lord, you must help me!”

Vettel was also present, and Howard inquired, “Vettel, what’s your take on this matter?”

Vettel explained, “After the war, Portwan came to you, Lord Howard, and you pardoned him. The actions of the Wislot Merchant Guild are both peculiar and impolite. It seems unreasonable for them to do this without cause. Perhaps, my lord, you might consider sending someone to Wislot to inquire with the head of the Merchant Guild.”

Hearing this, Portwan nodded vigorously, urging, “My lord, I was elected by the people of Wislot. Their actions are nothing short of rebellion. I implore you to send troops to quell this insurrection!”

Howard, calmly removing his white glove from his left hand, responded, “In that case, I’ll send someone to Wislot to inquire first. Mayor Portwan, you should stay and rest here at Fernsouth Castle for now.”

Afterward, Howard walked towards the staircase.

Portwan attempted to follow, but the guards blocked his path.

On the stairs, Vettel reported to Howard about the pearl sales, mentioning that a shrewd merchant had bought one for 60 gold coins.

Howard nodded, “Excellent. Such prices will enhance the reputation of our pearls.”

Vettel then suggested, “My lord, perhaps I should visit Wislot. As your Finance Minister, I can not only inquire why the Merchant Guild expelled Portwan but also assess the commercial environment in Wislot, preparing for future endeavors.”

Howard agreed, giving Vettel the liberty to choose when to make the trip.

As Howard reached the turn of the staircase between the second and third floors, he encountered a woman standing with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

This woman was Anna, clad in a yellow dress with epaulettes on her shoulders, her expression distinctly unfriendly.

Vettel, citing sudden business, excused himself, to which Howard nodded in agreement.

Anna, towering above from her higher step, backlit by the sunlight streaming in, inquired, “Howard, did you visit Torrent Castle recently?”

Howard nodded, and Anna pressed on, “Tell me the truth, have you already married Catherine?”

With a smile, Howard replied, “How could it happen so quickly? Before marriage, there’s the engagement. This visit was to finalize that. But it will be a while before the wedding.”

Anna’s voice dropped, tinged with disappointment, “Howard, I have feelings for you too. The Katerina family is very powerful. Marrying me would bring an alliance with my family.”

Interrupting her, Howard continued up the stairs, sidestepping past Anna, “Anna, when I, Howard, marry, it is not about the strength of the other’s family.”

Anna, flustered and somewhat at a loss, had never heard of someone marrying without considering the family’s influence.

She felt as if her advantage over Catherine had vanished.

Her upbringing in the Katerina family made it hard for her to accept Howard’s perspective.

Raising her voice, she challenged, “If family doesn’t matter to you in marriage, then why not marry a woman from a village? Why seek an earl’s daughter? You’re deceiving people!”

Howard, not intending to prolong the conversation, ignored her outburst.

Anna’s eyes filled with tears as she watched Howard continue his ascent to the fourth floor.

Feeling a twinge of sympathy, Howard said, “I’m not in the right mood now. Let’s discuss this another time.”

…

In a village within the Gokasu region, Mambaton, his face darkened by anger, could hardly contain his fury upon hearing his servant’s report.

In a rage, he exclaimed, “Are you jesting with me? How could the forged evidence we had so carefully prepared vanish into thin air overnight? What next, are you going to tell me you’ve disappeared too?”

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