Castlereagh, Northport.
In the blink of an eye, a month has passed since the Battle of North Port. Although some territories in the south of Castel have not yet been completely recovered, this pearl of the north has ended the state of war and returned to its former peace.
Beigang Port has also returned to its busy state, with merchant ships coming and going in an endless stream and all kinds of goods filling the port.
If it weren't for the unrepaired traces of shelling on the coastal fortresses and the ruins of the shallow streets outside the city that had not yet been cleared, it would be hard to imagine that this prosperous and bustling scene was still surrounded by tens of thousands of troops and a huge fleet a month ago, and was in danger of falling at any time.
This was the prosperous scene that Count Whitley, the Violet Messenger, saw when he stepped off the sailboat and landed at the port.
"I've heard that Beigang is the richest and most prosperous city in the northern part of the kingdom. Now I see that it's true. I'm afraid even Lint City is not as prosperous as this place..."
Looking at the busy port of Beigang, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Thank you for your compliment, Lord Whitley. The Earl has learned of your arrival and is waiting for you at the Earl's Mansion. Please get in the carriage and follow us."
Opposite Count Whitley, Viscount Leon Castel, with two rows of fully armed Castel knights, said with a smile.
Count Whitley glanced at the shining chain mail on Knight Castel, nodded slightly, and got on the carriage.
The carriage started and drove towards the city.
Count Whitley drew aside the curtains and looked out, and found that the prosperity of the city was no less than that of the port.
The coming and going of carriages, the dense flow of people, the hawkers, the performing minstrels... He remembered that he had only seen such a lively and prosperous scene when he went to the capital.
At this moment, Count Whitley finally understood why the third prince was so crazy that he was determined to attack Castel even at the risk of violating the provisions of the "Sacred Code" and the "Royal Contract".
For an ambitious lord, it is indeed unbearable to not be able to control such a rich territory in his own hands.
"I've always heard that the contractual tax that Castel provided to Bolder accounted for half of the vassal tax of the entire duchy. I thought it was exaggerated in the past, but now I see that it may be an underestimate..."
Count Whitley thought to himself.
The carriage drove all the way and arrived at the Earl's Palace.
After the carriage stopped, Count Whitley got out of the carriage with the help of the waiter and followed Viscount Ryan Castel into the reception room of the Earl's Palace.
Charlotte had already been waiting in the Earl's Mansion.
Today she was wearing a black silk dress decorated with gold trim and patterns. Her long golden hair fell softly behind her, and her sapphire-like clear eyes were as bright as the sky.
This was the first time Earl Whitley met the legendary young earl.
That really is the "legendary" Earl.
Every time they stayed at the port overnight, Earl Whitley could almost always hear people on the dock talking about the young earl's deeds.
Something about a saint who caused miracles, a lord who turned the tide, a talented woman who was both wise and brave... He was almost getting calluses from listening to all this.
Especially the Battle of North Port that shook the entire Violet Duchy. Castel defeated the elite coalition forces of the two duchies with a smaller force, which was truly legendary.
It is said that even the royal capital was shocked, and even His Majesty the King sent people to inquire about the civil war in Bold and remembered the name Charlotte de Castel.
Thinking of this, Earl Whitley couldn't help but carefully look at the legendary earl, and felt that he looked even younger than the legend said, or even... young.
If he didn't know what the other party had done since he ascended the throne, it would be difficult for him to connect the girl in front of him, who looked much younger than his daughter, with the noble lord.
"My Lord Earl, Violet's messenger, Earl Whitley has arrived."
Viscount Ryan-Castell bowed to Charlotte and said respectfully.
Count Whitley was keenly aware of the old viscount's genuine awe for the girl in his words and gestures.
Not only that, he also noticed that the other Castel nobles in the meeting hall were all respectful and cautious.
Even the knights standing behind the girl straightened their backs and seemed to be quite proud of their work.
This young earl... has already gained the recognition and respect of his vassals and followers.
Whitley came to this conclusion immediately.
Thinking of this, his expression became more serious. He bowed slightly to Charlotte and said:
"The Violet Messenger, Bertrand de Witré, greets His Excellency the Count of Castres."
Lord Whitley's attitude was very respectful.
Although they are both earls, there are differences between earls and earls.
Not to mention that Castel's territory is more than three times the size of his own, and the wealth between the two is simply incomparable.
In a sense, the Territory of Castel even has the potential to be on par with the Principality, and the battle of North Port is the biggest proof of that.
"Welcome, Lord Whitley. Are you here to negotiate with me on behalf of Violet?"
Charlotte gave a slight greeting and smiled.
The delicate and beautiful face and the smile as gentle as the spring breeze seemed to have some kind of extraordinary charm. Even the well-informed Earl Whitley could not help but be stunned.
Of course, he quickly realized his own gaffe, quickly looked away, coughed awkwardly, and then took out a gold-stamped parchment scroll from his arms:
"Yes, Your Excellency, I am here to negotiate with you on behalf of the Duke. This is the letter the Duke wrote to you..."
Charlotte raised her eyebrows and signaled the knight of the royal guard to take the parchment scroll from Count Whitley. After the soldier took it, he quickly came to her and presented it with both hands.
Charlotte picked up the scroll and looked through it carefully.
After a moment, she put down the parchment scroll, chuckled and said:
"So... Duke Violet is trying to say that he hopes to reach an armistice with Castel and exchange the three princes for Count Lint and the captured Violet soldiers?"
Count Whitley nodded slightly and said respectfully:
"Your Excellency, to be more precise, it is redemption."
"We hope to exchange the three princes for the Count Lint you captured. In addition to the three princes, we are willing to redeem the ordinary violet soldiers you captured at the price of ten quintana per person, and redeem the extraordinary soldiers at the price of one hundred quintana per person..."
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