Chapter 85: Baptism Assassination

As soon as John closed the door behind them, he turned to face Isabella. 

"That's your illegitimate daughter, isn't it?" Isabella's face showed a maturity beyond her years. "I know, men are like this."

Seeing that Isabella understood everything, John sighed and nodded in acknowledgment.

But she wasn't about to let John off the hook easily. "Don't tell me it's just to seize her territory. You must have plenty of lovers outside."

John was a bit taken aback. He hadn't expected Isabella, despite her young age, to be so perceptive.

"You've got me there, Isabella," John said, raising his hands in resignation. "Yes, I have many lovers."

Isabella crossed her arms, and it was hard to believe she was only fourteen. John watched her sit on the bed, deep in thought, unsure of what to say.

She seemed like a tool, with her territory and status paving the way for John's ambitions. Henry II had originally arranged for Isabella to inherit the estate to enable John to gain the Earl of Gloucester's territory, thereby increasing the royal family's wealth.

From a rational perspective, it made sense. But it left Isabella in a tough spot. Her life seemed predetermined, beyond her control.

"Aren't you afraid of going to hell after you die?" Isabella asked gravely. "You indulge in so many women and pleasures. Surely, you'll go to hell."

John shrugged at this. "It doesn't matter. The priests will forgive me."

"Priests forgiving you is not the same as God forgiving you," Isabella retorted.

"I don't care what happens after I die. After I'm gone, who cares if the world floods? As long as I live comfortably now, going to hell afterward is worth it."

Isabella was left speechless by John's blunt response.

After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "So what are you going to do with your illegitimate daughter?"

What to do with her?

"Of course, I'll leave her here and have her baptized. After the baptism, I'll give her a name and then place her with some family to raise her." John was indifferent about it.

She was just an illegitimate daughter, after all.

Although John had a modern soul, his time immersed in the feudal imperial family had hardened his heart.

"What name do you plan to give her?" Isabella continued to press.

Facing Isabella's relentless questioning, John replied, "Juliana, or Alice, any name will do. Alright, stop asking."

Seeing John's impatient attitude, Isabella decided to stop while she was ahead and didn't ask any more questions. She lay down on the bed, not even glancing at John as he walked out.

After leaving the room, John felt a significant weight lifted off his shoulders. He had expended considerable effort explaining the situation with the illegitimate daughter, but Isabella seemed to have already been prepared.

Good, that's good.

When John arrived at his newly arranged office, he immediately began dealing with the accumulated administrative matters. The scribes and messengers who had been waiting for him were also ready.

"Dendram has elected a new mayor? How did their election process happen so quickly… Write a letter to them, telling them not to cause any trouble, and suggest that this Mayor Alexander stay in office for at least a year or two before holding another election."

"Lais wants to donate his castle to the Knights Templar? That guy must be crazy. Clontarf Castle, I remember, is right next to Dublin. Well, let him do what he wants."

"Étienne of Alençon wants to build a castle. In Connacht, huh? Let him build it. I bet he's already finished it and is just notifying us now."

John continued handling administrative matters at his desk until he was exhausted and fell asleep. Before falling asleep, the most important decree he issued was to thoroughly investigate the assets of all landowners under his control.

This is a huge task that might take an entire year to complete.

Although Rolf and Breton's armies are still fighting on the front lines, and the Irish in the northwest are still resisting, John's complete control over Ireland is only a matter of time. However, John doesn't intend to manage Ireland haphazardly, at least not the territories under his direct control.

Currently, John's directly controlled territories include Waterford, Wexford, Dublin, Dendram, as well as large areas of Westmeath and Kildare. Additionally, he has a large number of Norman knights enfeoffed across various regions, all of whom are highly loyal.

The most worrying thing is still Lais, who has been enfeoffed at Trim Castle, with many of his followers being among the first Norman conquerors under Longbow Richard. However, their strength has been greatly weakened through successive wars. Initially, they still had some resistance power, but now it's completely gone.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, wake up."

John hadn't slept long before he was awakened by his servant. He pushed aside the blanket covering him and felt a chill for the first time.

Indeed, winter was approaching.

"The Archbishop of Dublin asks if you would like to have Orla's daughter baptized," the servant said. "They say they are ready."

John rubbed his eyes and replied, "Then let's go now."

Regarding his illegitimate daughter, John did not intend to gather a large group of vassals. Such trivial matters, he could handle on his own. Therefore, the party accompanying John's daughter for baptism was quite small; John hadn't even brought many royal guards, not even William.

When they arrived at the Dublin Cathedral, they sat down and waited for the Archbishop of Dublin to arrive.

There were some people here that John didn't recognize, but he assumed they were also here for church matters. John paid them no mind.

Once the Archbishop of Dublin appeared, John walked over to chat with him briefly before watching the priests here baptize his daughter.

The Archbishop personally held the infant and gently dipped her forehead into the water, proceeding cautiously.

Seems like the Archbishop is quite gentle, John thought to himself.

"Lord of Ireland, Earl of Lancaster, Prince of England, John de Goldfinch, what name do you intend to give your daughter?" The Archbishop of Dublin's voice was loud, with a somewhat melodious tone.

"Juliana," John said, clasping his hands together in a devout manner.

"Very well, Juliana," the Archbishop of Dublin nodded. "Now, Your Highness, whom do you choose as Juliana's godfather and... Your Highness!"

As the Archbishop of Dublin's voice echoed, John suddenly lifted his head and saw his expression.

Fear was written all over that face.

He seemed to understand something.

Turning around, John then noticed the people who had been sitting peacefully in the cathedral were now closing in. Beneath their clothes, glinted something cold. There were hardly any guards around John.

"Protect Your Highness!"

With a roar from Valkeilin, who was by John's side, the situation instantly ignited.