Planning For Wedding

Ryker stared at his newest slave. He hate to admit it but the Count is right. Many people would give their entire wealth just for a night with the woman before him.

Her long light blue haired were draped on her shoulder, covering it and spilled on the side of her left breast.

Her similar coloured eyes seem to full of innocence, shining dimly yet Ryker did not believe it at all, as no doubt, as a daughter of Baron of Esel, she should face some trouble of her own, not to mention that she now fell into the her enemies hand, the one that killed her father.

 He let out another sigh, before turning towards the Count, though subtly glancing at the young woman. For being the person who killed her father, she did not seem to exhibit any murdeorus desire or even wishing the Count a horrible day.

 Then again, it's likely the slave collar she was wearing is the reason, though he is unsure despite having two of his lovers wearing them before, though it can be attributed to him never giving them any order aside from watching him ravage Ina.

 With the thought of the daughter of the late-Baron of Esel pushed aside, even for a brief moment, he asked the Count,

 "So, how is the control of the territory?" he wished he had other topic to talk with the man but unfortunately there is no subject that would be of interest to him that will not reveal some of his secret.

 "Pretty good. While there are some resistance, the rules of the newly conquered territories remained the same. After all, even if they tried to invade the nation, they are good rulers, I have to admit," the Baron said.

 Though, Ryker thought them being good rulers would undermine the ruling of the Count. After all, if theynare good rulers, they would be liked, if not loved by their subject. For such rulers to suddenly replaced, the chances of riots will be higher, especially if the one who killed them become the new rulers.

 The Count seem to be able to read his thought though as he said, "While the people will live in fear for the next few weeks, they will forget about it as long as the laws remained just and there is no tyranny exhibited by myself or any of my subordinates. 

 So, there is no need to worry about it. Though, I would like to ask you one thing," Ryker give the sign for the Count to continue, wondering what the man would like to ask.

 "When are you going to marry the rest of your lovers?" it is bad time for him to drink the hot tea served as Ryker find himself choking, the hot drink going through the wrong pathway and scorched his throat, though the pain was immediately eliviated through the use of qi.

 Seeing the shock look on his face, the Count continued, "After all, you will be marrying my adopted daughter, as well as the other women that I will be their father figure, even if for the duration of the ceremony.

 And yet, another thing that he did not expect and find himself completely surprised of. He would have choked if he take another sip before the bombshell news. He still find himself coughing profusely though.

"I ask Miriam if she wanted to be adopted by me, and yes, I knew of what her family did and I already told Alten City Lord to make their life miserable," the Count said.

Against himself, Ryker nod in approval. After all, her birth father and his side of the family deserved all the bad thing that could happen to them, and some more.

Still, "That did not explain why you suddenly adopting Miriam," the blonde is in her twenties, though she could as well be a toddler in front of the Count's age.

"Simple, I offer it so she could have someone walking her down the aisle, though I offer her to be the replacement father figure for the duration of the ceremony, though the offer change into adoption when I heard of her family," the man replied nonchalantly.

"And she accepted?" Ryker asked, her tone no doubt of incredulity.

"Yes," even the Count could not hide the shock he felt when he make the offer, and when the young woman accepted it.

"It's likely she craved for a paternal figure, though it just assumption until she told us the truth," the man said.

Ryker could understand where the man is going at. While he do provide as much as he could towards the blonde, she likely wish for the love of a father towards her.

The love he had for Miriam is one of between lovers, which is different than what she likely craved, even if she was happier because of it.

In the end, it is up for her to make such choice. If she agreed to be the Count of Mariz adopted daughter, than he will not object to it.

Though, there is few things he could not understand.

"Even if it is done on a whim, why do you even offer to bring the up the aisle?" he had learned of the weding traditions of Mariz Barony, which share its root with Birak Kingdom and the rest of the continent.

So, he knew the offer is of what significant. Aside from representing the bride, it also show his support towards their union, essentially saying to others if they wanted to stop it, they would have to face the Count.

"There are few reasons. But the biggest one would be to get you," the man answered honestly.

"Me?" Ryker said outloud. He could understand him being the reason but he thought the Count would want Mashia more.

"My instinct telling me your potential is far greater than any of your lovers. Even if my instinct is wrong, getting close to you will still allow me to make connection with your lovers, who all talented in their own right," at this moment, Ryker did not know whether to be annoyed by the Count, or glad that he did not attempt to lie to him.

Either way, he knew the Count is trying to build a connection. As for if the connection would lead to what, he dont think the man expected much. Probably wishing to borrow his name if he reach the peak once more.

Nevertheless, he did not have any reason to dislike the man. While his reason to get close to him is because of his potential, the Count did not do anything to harm him. In fact, he continuously assist him and his lovers in various ways, earning his good grace.

Allowing the man to build the connection he wished and help him in the future is not much of a problem for him.