CHAPTER 135: It's not a difficult request (3)

Rozalin was slightly taken aback by the unexpected response but continued speaking.

"I can't maintain my dignity if I just let this go without compensation. Please, feel free to name your terms."

"Truly, it's unnecessary. It's enough for me that you've recovered, young lady."

In truth, he wanted nothing more to do with this frightening woman. Now that the treatment was complete, there was no reason for further interaction.

Anything he needed could be handled through Marquis Branford, who had taken on the role of his guardian.

However, Rozalin pretended not to hear Ghislain's words and spoke as though she had a great idea.

"Even if my father gave you a reward, I am the one indebted to you. Ah, in that case, I'll become your personal patron, Baron Fenris."

Her words shocked the vassals.

Despite living a reclusive life due to her illness, Rozalin had continued managing the organizations she sponsored. If she wielded the personnel and financial resources associated with them, she could paralyze half the capital's economy in an instant.

'If the young lady takes action, not only the marquis but also her maternal family will back her.'

Rozalin's mother, the Marchioness Branford, was currently separated from the marquis. Her father was the kingdom's prime minister, and her brothers held positions as royal administrators and the chief justice of the capital.

Raised in such a prestigious family, the marchioness couldn't endure her cold-hearted husband's personality. However, since the marriage had been politically arranged, divorce was out of the question. She ultimately stayed with her parents but ensured her daughter Rozalin received good medicine and frequent letters.

The prime minister doted on his granddaughter as well.

For Rozalin to become a patron meant her maternal family's support would also be accessible—a monumental advantage.

"How about that? Would this suffice as repayment?"

Rozalin wore a triumphant expression, but Ghislain cleanly declined once again.

"Your words are more than enough."

Though Ghislain understood her substantial backing, he didn't see a need for it. The marquis would assist him anyway, so what could Rozalin possibly offer?

If he accepted, he could gain money, but entangling himself with Rozalin was bound to be exhausting. It was better to draw a line here.

Rozalin, seemingly intent on repaying her debt, responded with a regretful look.

"Don't you have many plans in mind? I can help you."

"Really, it's quite alri—"

Swish!

Before he could finish refusing, her fan snapped open again.

"Hoo…"

She took a deep breath, as though calming simmering anger, and peeked over the fan with her sharp eyes.

"You'll accept, won't you?"

A palpable aura of menace emanated from her, enough to make his entire body tingle.

Ghislain sighed internally. He had tried to avoid her to spare himself the trouble, but continuing to refuse seemed even more troublesome. It appeared he was already caught up in her web.

"…Thank you."

After all, he had forced her to endure humiliation and dragged her into treatment. Accepting this much seemed like the lesser evil.

'Maybe her help will come in handy someday. Having more options isn't a bad thing.'

"You won't be disappointed," she said with a giggle.

Snap.

Her fan closed, revealing her sweet, smiling face again.

What kind of expression had she been hiding behind that fan?

The vassals gulped and remained silent. They wanted to protest but couldn't bring themselves to say a word. Rozalin, though different from the marquis, was just as terrifying in her own way.

One vassal whispered to another.

"Was the young lady always like this? Her personality couldn't have improved this much just because she got better…"

"Shh!"

The other vassal hastily turned his head, looking nervous.

The first vassal followed the direction of his companion's gaze and froze in horror as his eyes met Rozalin's chilling stare. She was fiddling with the dagger at her waist—the same dagger that had nearly pierced Ghislain's head.

'Ah, I'm doomed. She wasn't kinder; she's just pretending to be nice in front of Baron Fenris.'

He immediately bowed his head, cold sweat dripping down his back. He wondered if his forced retirement was imminent.

Ghislain, cautiously observing Rozalin's menacing back, called out to her.

"Miss Rozalin?"

"Yes, Baron?"

Rozalin turned to him with a bright smile, her expression angelic.

Ghislain felt stifled, as though he had swallowed a lump of sweet potato.

He knew this wasn't her true personality, yet she kept putting on this friendly, cheerful façade.

'I can't read her. I can't tell what she's really thinking.'

"…"

"Why are you looking at me like that, Baron?"

Her sparkling eyes were unnerving, and Ghislain averted his gaze.

"…It's nothing."

Rozalin smiled knowingly, as though she understood everything.

The marquis, who had been watching their interaction with mild disinterest, finally spoke.

"It seems the gratitude is settled. Now, judging by how you came at me so directly, I guess you have something to ask of me as your guardian?"

Ghislain nodded without hesitation. At last, he could address what the Fenris estate lacked most.

"I have a request for your assistance, lord marquis."

"It doesn't seem like an easy matter, considering you've come to me."

"No, but I believe it won't be too difficult for you."

It was a task only someone of the marquis' stature—the most powerful figure in the kingdom—could handle.

The marquis smirked.

"I'm curious what bold words will come from your mouth this time. Go ahead, state your desire."

Ghislain smiled in satisfaction. He appreciated the marquis' straightforwardness, which avoided unnecessary explanations or delays.

"If it's sensitive, I can clear the room," the marquis offered.

"It's fine. Everyone will find out soon enough."

The room fell silent as everyone held their breath, focusing on Ghislain. Everyone knew the purpose of his request was obvious: he had numerous demands.

The first request was bound to be the most critical and urgent.

The marquis' vassals, who would likely handle the matter, couldn't help but be curious about Ghislain's thoughts.

Without hesitation, Ghislain answered. He had given this much thought since last night.

"I need people."

The biggest issue in Fenris was the lack of manpower.

If the marquis hadn't agreed to become his guardain, this would have been his top request.

The marquis raised an eyebrow.

"People, you say?"

"Before I took charge, Fenris was little more than wasteland."

"I'm aware."

"I've initiated several projects to develop the estate, but I'm severely lacking in workers."

"I understand your situation, but increasing the population isn't something that can be done at will."

Even a king couldn't simply create more people.

But Ghislain seemed confident he had a solution and continued speaking.

"Please transfer people from the royal territory to Fenris territory."

The marquis' eyebrows furrowed, and the vassals began murmuring amongst themselves.

Requesting people from the royal territory, of all places, was outrageous.

One vassal sneered in disbelief.

"The royal family would never allow such a thing."

Even as a guardain, this demand was audacious.

The vassals' faces reflected ridicule and scorn.

Even Rozalin, observing from the sidelines, raised an intrigued brow.

'That's a huge ask for a favor.'

Manpower, taxes, and military forces all come from a territory's people, so population directly translates to an estate's strength. Who would willingly give away their power?

Especially when the royal family was preoccupied with curbing the influence of Duke Delphine. They would never agree to something that weakened their own standing.

Yet Ghislain ignored the murmurs, his expression brimming with confidence. It was as though he was certain the marquis would grant his request.

Watching him, the marquis asked with curiosity.

"Even as your guardian, there are limits to what I can grant. Do you truly think this is possible?"

"Yes, I do."

"And why is that?"

"If you're going to back someone, wouldn't it be better to do so decisively? Appoint me as the representative of the North. Not anyone else. And if you're honest, the alternatives… aren't to your liking, are they?"

"Hah! Hahaha!"

The marquis suddenly burst out laughing.

His daughter, Rozalin, and his longtime vassals were taken aback. They had rarely seen the marquis laugh so heartily.

Normally stoic and cold, he now seemed genuinely amused.

No one could understand why he was laughing, which made the situation even more baffling.

After laughing to his heart's content, the marquis turned his sharp gaze to Ghislain.

"How did you know? Have you planted spies in my ranks?"

"I simply thought it through and made predictions. Your reaction just now confirmed my suspicions."

The marquis gestured as though to dismiss the non-essential personnel but stopped himself.

This matter had been progressing in secret, but the preparations were already complete. Once it officially began, everyone would know.

Even Ghislain, who had been relegated to the fringes of the kingdom, seemed to have caught wind of it. Keeping it a secret any longer seemed pointless.

'How could this brat figure it out, yet those based in the capital remain clueless?'

The marquis cast a disapproving look at his vassals before clicking his tongue.

Then, with a low voice, he asked Ghislain.

"Tell me, which estate do you think I'm considering?"

"Bribant, where the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower is located, isn't it?"

"And why do you think that? The North also has powerful lords like Rayfold and Desmond."

"Rayfold is too self-righteous, and Desmond is too suspicious. The others are either corrupt or too poor to be worth your attention. I doubt they meet your standards."

The marquis regarded Ghislain with a curious gaze.

"Are you saying Bribant is worth supporting?"

"Yes. The Count Bribant is close to the royalist faction, and the magic tower makes the territory defensible. Thanks to the tower, they're also wealthy."

Ghislain explained matter-of-factly. The marquis smirked as he asked another question.

"And knowing all this, you're still asking me to support you instead?"

"Yes, because it would be more advantageous for you as my guardian. Supporting my side would also be much easier."

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