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“If I just let this go without giving anything in return, I’d lose face. Please, feel free to state whatever you want.”

“Really, it’s fine. It’s more than enough for me that you’ve recovered, my lady.”

To be honest, I didn’t want to get more entangled with this frightening woman. The treatment was over, so there was no reason to see her again.

Anything I needed could be obtained from the Marquis of Branford, who was now my guardian.

However, Rosalyn pretended not to hear what I said, and then, as if a great idea had come to her, she spoke up.

“Even if my father has already offered you something, I’m still the one who received your kindness. Ah, in that case, I’ll become your personal patron, Baron Fenris, from now on.”

The retainers were startled by her words.

Despite having lived in seclusion due to her illness, Rosalyn had continued to manage the organizations she had previously supported.

If she were to leverage the personnel and resources connected to those groups, she could cripple half of the capital’s economy in an instant.

‘If the young lady takes action, it won’t be just the marquis, but even her maternal family that will back her up.’

Rosalyn’s mother, the Marchioness of Branford, was currently separated from the marquis.

Her father was the kingdom’s Chancellor, and her brothers were an administrative officer for the royal family and the Chief Justice of the capital.

Because she had grown up in such an extraordinary family, the Marchioness of Branford couldn’t bear the cold-hearted nature of her husband.

Still, since their marriage was a politically arranged union, a divorce was out of the question.

As a result, the Marchioness had no choice, but to stay at her family’s residence.

Nevertheless, she made sure to send Rosalyn good medicine from time to time, and they frequently exchanged letters.

The Chancellor, Rosalyn’s maternal grandfather, also doted on his granddaughter immensely.

If Rosalyn became a patron, it meant that assistance could also be expected from her maternal family—an incredibly significant development.

“How about it? Wouldn’t this be a suitable reward?”

Rosalyn, with a triumphant expression, was once again met with a polite refusal from me.

“I appreciate the offer, but I must decline.”

I was aware of her powerful background, but I didn’t think I needed it.

After all, the Marquis of Branford would provide all the help I needed in the future, so what was the point of having Rosalyn’s support?

Accepting it would certainly bring in some money. But getting involved with Rosalyn would clearly lead to complications. I intended to draw a line here.

Rosalyn, seemingly eager to repay me, looked at me with a disappointed expression.

“Don’t you have many plans lined up? I can help you.”

“Really, it’s fin…”

Swish!

Before I could even finish refusing, the fan snapped open again.

“Hooo…”

Taking a moment to suppress her rising anger, she let out a deep breath. Once more, she spoke with only her eyes showing.

“You’re going to accept, right?”

A chilling sense of menace radiated through my entire body.

I sighed inwardly. I had tried to avoid getting entangled with her because it would be troublesome, but it seemed like continuing to refuse would only make things worse. It looked like I was already caught up in this.

“…Thank you.”

The truth was, I had dragged her along and forced her to undergo treatment, even at the cost of insulting her. So, politely refusing her offer seemed like the right thing to do.

‘Well, there might come a time when I need her help. It’s never a bad thing to have more options.’

“Hehe, you won’t be disappointed.”

Snap!

The fan closed, revealing her gentle smile once again.

I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of expression she had been hiding behind that fan.

The retainers could only swallow nervously and remain silent.

They wanted to protest, but Rosalyn was frightening in a different way than the Marquis of Branford, so no one dared to speak up.

At that moment, one of the retainers whispered quietly to the person next to him.

“Was the young lady always like this? It feels like she’s changed too much for it to be just because she recovered from her illness….”

“Shh!”

The other retainer, startled, quickly turned his head away before the comment was finished.

The clueless retainer then sensed an ominous feeling and slowly turned his gaze.

His eyes met with Rosalyn’s, who was staring at him with a terrifyingly cold look.

She was fiddling with the dagger strapped to her waist—the same dagger that had almost pierced my head.

‘Ah, I’m screwed. It wasn’t that her personality improved; she was just pretending to be kind in front of Baron Fenris.’

The retainer quickly lowered his head, breaking into a cold sweat. He might soon find himself retiring… involuntarily.

As I awkwardly watched her threatening figure from behind, I cautiously called out.

“Excuse me, my lady?”

“Yes, Baron?”

Rosalyn turned to face me with a radiant, angelic smile.

It felt like I had swallowed a lump of coal; I could barely breathe.

I knew it wasn’t her true nature, yet she kept putting on this kind and cheerful facade that didn’t suit her at all.

‘I can’t see through it. I have no idea what her real expression is.’

“…”

“Is something wrong, Baron?”

Her sparkling eyes felt overwhelming. I averted my gaze, mumbling awkwardly.

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Rosalyn smiled warmly, as if she completely understood my thoughts.

Observing the exchange, the Marquis of Branford spoke in a disinterested tone.

“It seems like the thank-yous are all done. Well, from the way you barged in without hesitation from the start, I assume you have something you want to ask of me as your guardian?”

I nodded without resistance. Finally, I could address the most pressing issue at the Fenris estate.

“There is something I would like your assistance with, Marquis.”

“If you’ve come to me, it must not be an easy matter.”

“Yes, but for you, Marquis, it won’t be that difficult.”

It was something only someone with the highest level of authority in the kingdom could manage.

If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to seek help.

The Marquis of Branford lifted one corner of his mouth into a slight smile.

“I’m curious to hear what else you’ll ask for. Very well, tell me what you want.”

I smiled in satisfaction.

If nothing else, I appreciated this kind of straightforwardness.

There was no need to drag things out with lengthy explanations.

“If it’s a sensitive matter, we can move to a more private location.”

“It doesn’t matter; everyone will find out eventually.”

Everyone held their breath, quietly watching me.

The purpose of requesting a guardian was obvious. It meant I had more than just one or two things I wanted.

The first request would undoubtedly be the most important and urgent matter.

As the marquis’ retainers, who would likely be the ones to handle it, they couldn’t help but be curious about what I was planning.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I gave my answer.

Since last night, after finishing the treatment, I had thought long and hard about what to request from the marquis.

“I need more people.”

The biggest problem facing the Fenris estate right now was a shortage of manpower.

If the marquis hadn’t accepted the position of guardian, I would have asked him to address this issue instead.

The Marquis of Branford tilted his head and asked, “You need people?”

“The Fenris estate was little more than wasteland before I took over.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“I’ve started various projects to develop the estate, but there’s a lack of people to actually do the work.”

“I understand how you feel, but increasing the population isn’t something that can be done just because one wants it.”

Not even a king could simply create new people.

But I shook my head, as if to say there was a way, and continued.

“Transfer some of the people from the royal domain to our estate.”

The marquis furrowed his brow at those words. The marquis’ retainers also began to murmur among themselves.

Of all places, I was asking for subjects from the royal domain.

One of the retainers, with a displeased expression, spoke up.

“The royal family would never allow that.”

Even as a guardian, making such an unreasonable request from the outset was unheard of.

Expressions of ridicule and scorn began to appear on the retainers’ faces.

Rosalyn, who had been quietly observing from the side, also had a look of intrigue in her eyes.

‘That’s quite a big request for a favor.’

Labor, taxes, and even military strength—all of it comes from the people living on that land. Population is essentially the source of an estate lord’s power.

Who would willingly share their power without expecting anything in return?

Moreover, the royal family was focusing its efforts on keeping the Delfine Duchy in check. They would never allow something that would diminish their influence.

However, I ignored the murmurs around me, maintaining a confident expression.

I was certain the marquis would grant my request.

The Marquis of Branford, who had been quietly observing me, asked with a puzzled look.

“Even as your guardian, there are requests I can grant and those I can’t. You’re asking for a share of the royal assets. Do you truly think that’s possible?”

“Yes, I do.”

“And why is that?”

“If you’re going to support me, isn’t it better to do so decisively? Make me the representative of the North. No one else. Honestly, the candidates you’re considering right now… don’t quite satisfy you, do they?”

“Ha, hahaha!”

The Marquis of Branford suddenly burst into laughter.

Both his daughter, Rosalyn, and his lifelong retainers were taken aback by this.

They had rarely, if ever, seen the marquis laugh so heartily.

To think that the usually stoic and cold-hearted marquis would laugh like this!

The situation was all the more perplexing because no one could understand why he was laughing.

After laughing his fill, the Marquis of Branford fixed me with a sharp gaze.

“How on earth did you figure that out? Did you plant a spy?”

“I merely… thought it over and made some predictions. I was certain I was right after seeing your reaction just now.”

The Marquis raised his hand as if to dismiss everyone except his closest aides, but hesitated.

It had been a secret operation, but all the preparations were already complete.

Once things started to move in earnest, everyone would find out sooner or later.

Even Ghislain, who had been living at the borders until now, seemed to have an inkling of the truth, so there was no longer any point in keeping it hidden.

‘No, if that guy managed to catch on to it, how is it that those living in the capital haven’t figured it out yet?’

The Marquis of Branford scanned his retainers with a look of disapproval and clicked his tongue.

Then, in a low voice, he asked me,

“Alright, which estate do you think I have in mind?”

“The Brivant Estate, where the Crimson Flame Tower is located, correct?”

“And why do you think that? The North also has great lords like Raypold and Desmond.”

“Raypold is arrogant, and Desmond is suspicious. The rest are either corrupt lords or paupers. None of them would have met your standards, Marquis.”

The marquis looked at me with a newfound interest.

“So, you believe Brivant is worth supporting?”

“The Count of Brivant is close to the royalist faction, and with the tower, it has a strategic advantage in defense. The tower also brings in a good amount of income, so the estate is quite prosperous.”

I explained calmly. The marquis curled one corner of his mouth and asked,

“Knowing all this, you’re still asking me to back you instead?”

“Yes, because it would benefit you as well, Marquis. It would be easier for you to exert your influence as my guardian.”