Marina's Concerns!

Over the past half-month, Harry had made sweeping changes to the way the manor and its surrounding lands were managed. His policy of replacing staff, however, came with an unexpected twist.

Rather than simply dismissing servants and casting them into the streets, Harry released them from their servitude entirely. In a world where noble servants were often treated as little more than slaves, this act was revolutionary.

Under Madam Glenda's rule, these workers had endured grueling labor, barely enough food to survive, and the constant threat of being discarded once they were no longer useful. Harry changed that.

"You're free to go," he had told the dismissed staff. "Take this land and these seeds. Start anew. You owe me nothing."

The announcement left many in shock. Instead of forcing them into destitution, Harry granted them parcels of land and lent them food and seeds to begin farming. It was a second chance at life for people who had known nothing but hardship.

For Harry, this was more than a gesture of goodwill; it was a calculated move. By turning oppressed servants into free citizens, he gained their gratitude and loyalty. These new farmers, tied to the land through opportunity rather than chains, became a backbone for the region's economic revival.

In place of the dismissed servants, Harry implemented a revolutionary hiring system. "No more bondage, no more exploitation," he had declared. Instead of binding people to servitude for generations, he introduced paid labor.

The pay wasn't extravagant; mostly food and basic supplies, but it came with an unprecedented promise: freedom. Servants could leave at any time if they chose. For the first time, they had a choice.

Word spread quickly, and people from surrounding villages flocked to the manor, eager for work. To Harry's surprise, the demand far exceeded the number of available positions.

"It's not that surprising," Marina had remarked when Harry voiced his amazement. "The people in this region live in such misery that even the smallest improvement is life-changing."

Harry nodded silently, resolving to continue reshaping the system.

As the morning sun bathed the manor in golden light, Harry turned his attention back to Marina. "The villages," he said, his tone commanding yet calm. "Register every household. Distribute seeds based on population. Divide the land fairly, and ensure the production targets for this year are met."

Marina nodded, her pen flying across the pages of her ledger. "It will be done, Master Harry," she said confidently.

"Good," Harry said, his gaze distant. He wasn't just thinking about the immediate future, he was laying the foundation for something far greater.

Ethan Manor and its surrounding lands were only the beginning. Harry's rule was not just about consolidating power but about reshaping the world he had inherited. Where others ruled through fear and tradition, he sought to rule through innovation and calculated strategy.

And he was just getting started.

Marina hesitated, her face betraying the internal conflict she'd been wrestling with for days. Finally, she spoke, her tone uncertain. "Master Harry, is it… really okay for us to do this?"

Her voice was careful, respectful, but tinged with unease. Even though Harry was now the de facto lord of the Ethan Territory, she hadn't yet shaken the habit of addressing him as "Master," a relic of their shared past.

Harry looked up from his desk, where maps of the territory were spread out alongside reports from various villages. His expression remained calm, though his sharp gaze revealed a hint of curiosity. "What's troubling you, Marina?"

Marina clasped her hands nervously, taking a step closer. "What if… what if Lord Ethan comes back one day?" she asked hesitantly, the words slipping out like a confession.

---

Marina had grown to appreciate her life under Harry's leadership. In a world where the nobility's oppressive grip often crushed the lower classes, Harry's rule had brought unexpected relief. The Esen Territory, perched on the edge of the treacherous Black Forest, had always been a difficult place to live. Beyond the harsh taxes and forced labor imposed by the nobles, its people constantly faced the looming threats of war and raids.

When Baron Ethan had ruled, the burdens on the people had been severe. After his departure, Madam Glenda and Alfie, despite their differences, had continued those same exploitative practices. Even Alfie, upright and kind-hearted as he was, seemed blind to the suffering of the commoners. His focus was always on the knights and nobles, not the peasants struggling to survive.

Harry's rule, though unconventional, had brought tangible change. By canceling some of Baron Ethan's old decrees, lending seeds to the poor, and distributing land for cultivation, he had given the people of Ethan Territory a way to survive. The actions were simple; nothing revolutionary by modern standards, but in this feudal world, they were transformative.

Marina had seen it with her own eyes. For the first time, families who had been starving now had fields to farm. Tax collectors, once a constant menace, no longer appeared to rob them of their hard-earned grain. And for those too destitute to farm, the manor's new hiring system provided an opportunity to work and earn a living, however modest.

---

"But…" Marina's voice trembled slightly as she continued, "you haven't been officially recognized as the lord of Esen Territory. What happens if Baron Ethan comes back to reclaim his seat? Or worse, what if the other nobles decide to challenge your claim?"

Harry leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he didn't speak, letting Marina's concerns hang in the air. Then, a faint smile crossed his lips, calm and confident.

"Marina," he said, his tone gentle but firm, "you worry too much. Trust me when I say, it'll be fine."

Harry's confidence wasn't baseless. He had already calculated the outcomes of every potential scenario.

"Let's consider Baron Ethan's return," he began, gesturing for Marina to sit. "From the perspective of inheritance, both Reggie and Alfie are dead. I've claimed the territory, and the people here already see me as their lord. Even if Baron Ethan were to return, what could he do? For the sake of his family's name, he would have no choice but to accept me."

He paused, his smile turning colder. "And if he didn't? Well, I am not the same as when he left. I have the strength of a knight, Marina, and not just any knight. I've surpassed most seasoned warriors. Do you think Baron Ethan, after years of absence, would pose a threat to me?"

Marina's eyes widened slightly, unsure of how to respond.

Harry continued, his voice lowering. "And let's not forget the most important factor: the people. The hearts of the entire Ethan Territory belong to me now. They've seen how I rule, how I treat them. Do you think they'd welcome Ethan back with open arms after what they've experienced here?"

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. "And, Marina… I doubt Baron Ethan will return at all."

Marina blinked, caught off guard by his last statement. "What do you mean?"

Harry shrugged, his tone casual. "The battlefield where he disappeared isn't kind to those who fight on it. If he hasn't returned by now, I'd wager he never will. But even if he does…" He let the thought hang in the air, his expression darkening. "Let's just say, accidents happen. An illness, an unfortunate event. You understand."

Marina shivered slightly, a chill running down her spine. She had grown used to Harry's decisiveness, but there were moments like this when his ruthlessness reminded her just how far he was willing to go to secure his position.

Still, she couldn't deny the truth in his words. Since Harry had taken power, the Ethan Territory was thriving in ways it never had before. The peasants were living better lives, the soldiers respected him, and the manor itself was more organized than ever.

Marina took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand, Master Harry. I trust you."

Harry's smile softened, and he returned to his maps. "Good. Now, let's focus on the tasks at hand. There's still much to do, and Ethan Territory is just the beginning."

Marina nodded, her worries quieted for the moment. She couldn't deny it, Harry's confidence was infectious. Perhaps he really could hold this fragile world together for her. Perhaps, under his rule, the fiefdom might even flourish.