In the ward.
Eleanor, Duchess of Boulder, sat half-way in front of the window, staring at the branches outside in a daze.
The door was gently opened and Charlotte and Lottie walked in.
Hearing the noise, Eleanor turned around immediately, her face full of tension.
However, when she saw clearly that the people coming were Charlotte and Lottie, her expression quickly returned to normal, revealing an innocent smile:
"Charlotte! Hello! Charlotte!"
With that innocent and romantic look, she didn't look like a noble woman of 27 or 28 years old, but more like a child of 7 or 8 years old.
Seeing her like this, Charlotte's eyes narrowed slightly.
After taking a deep breath, Charlotte walked to the other side, sat down gently, and then asked gently:
"Ms. Eleanor, do you... know who you are?"
"Eleanor, I'm Eleanor."
Eleanor pointed to herself and giggled.
Priest Lottie sighed:
"My Lord, her mental problems are more complicated than I thought..."
"The examination revealed that her intelligence had been permanently damaged. I'm afraid it was caused by the corruption of black magic and long-term mental oppression... The root cause is likely to lie in the soul."
"Although he is not yet mentally retarded, he is currently just like a child..."
"I have tried various divine rituals, but none of them have much effect."
"Her symptoms are no longer treatable in the church hospital. The soul is the most mysterious realm. Even a legendary wizard cannot glimpse the mystery of the soul..."
"If there is really anything in this world that can save her, I'm afraid... it can only be the gods."
At this point, Lottie couldn't help but glance at Charlotte, then bowed her head slightly, with a respectful attitude, and said meaningfully:
"My Lord, if even you can't save her, I'm afraid... there really is no one else who can cure her."
After hearing what Lottie said, Charlotte fell silent.
Lottie said this because she knew her "identity".
But she knew her own business. Her so-called "god" identity was all based on the Holy Book of Blood. Although she could use the power of blood to perform some miracles and even exert some of the authority of gods, she didn't know much about the soul realm.
If Eleanor could be cured, she would have done it long ago. After all, she didn't have any deep hatred against her. On the contrary, they were relatives. In her inherited memories, her original self had a good relationship with her when she was a child.
Charlotte also considered turning Eleanor into a vampire, but vampires are a race that is prone to madness. Given Eleanor's mental state, if she were to turn her into a vampire hastily, she might go crazy before she could recover, not to mention relying on the vampire's self-healing ability...
That's much more serious than intellectual impairment.
Charlotte would definitely not impulsively do something that is uncertain and may increase her risk of exposure.
Perhaps in the future, as her strength increases and her understanding of the soul improves, she will be able to rescue the other person, but definitely not now.
Eleanor's condition reminded Charlotte of Lena in the Earl's Mansion.
Reina also has intellectual impairment, but unlike Eleanor, she was cursed by the Blood Demon Grand Duke, while Eleanor's problem was directly with her soul.
In comparison, Eleanor's problem might be a little lighter, but unfortunately... it's still not something Charlotte can solve now.
"I understand. This matter still needs to be considered in the long run. Let her rest well first."
Charlotte sighed.
…
After visiting Eleanor, Charlotte left the ward.
Seeing her come out, the nobles waiting outside hurried over to greet her.
"My Lord Earl, how is the Duchess of Bolde doing?"
Viscount Leon-Castell asked curiously.
Charlotte shook her head.
"Intellectual impairment is difficult to recover from..."
After hearing her words, the nobles looked at each other in bewilderment.
Looking at Charlotte's slightly frowned brow, the old viscount thought for a moment and said:
"My Lord Earl... Actually, this is not a bad thing for us in Castel."
"Not only that, from another perspective, the Duchess of Bolde's current state is actually an opportunity for you!"
"Oh? A chance?"
Charlotte glanced at the old viscount.
Viscount Ryan Castel nodded and said:
"Yes."
"With Lady Eleanor's current condition, she is definitely unable to take over the ruling of Bold. In other words, she is no longer able to assume the obligation to rule Bold."
"In this case, you can completely intervene in the political situation of the Principality of Bolder as a branch of Bolder!"
Having said that, the old viscount stepped forward and whispered:
"The lord cannot rule the country himself, so the nobles will definitely form a regency cabinet to govern. We haven't officially signed a treaty with Bold yet, so we are still nominally a vassal of Bold..."
"Tell me, is there any noble family in the entire Principality of Boulder that is stronger than our Castel and more likely to win the position of regent?"
"As long as you gain control of the Regent Cabinet and the recognition of the nobles of Bolder, you can become the true master of Bolder!"
"Not only that, when the time is right, you can even depose her and take her place. With your bloodline, you can seize the throne of Bold and become the new Duke of Bold!"
After hearing what the old viscount said, Charlotte couldn't help but glance at him:
"You want me to usurp the title of the Duchy of Bold?"
"Why not? According to the inheritance system of Bold, after Lady Eleanor, you can be ranked in the top five by virtue of your bloodline, and you are eligible for inheritance."
"Rather than going independent, wouldn't it be a better choice for you and our Castel Territory to become the Duke of Bold directly?"
Viscount Ryan Castel said with a smile.
After hearing his words, the eyes of the other nobles lit up and their eyes towards Charlotte suddenly changed.
Apart from anything else, if Charlotte really becomes the Duke of Bold, they will also benefit from it!
The nobles looked expectant, but Charlotte shook her head slightly:
"This is not right."
"My Lord Earl, what are you hesitating about? Now all the elite soldiers of Bolder have been captured by us, and the other nobles are far away, but the Duchess of Bolder is under our control!"
"Yes! There is no better time than now to intervene in the court of Bold!"
"My Lord Earl, Castel is a branch of the Bolder clan. Logically speaking, you are also a member of the Bolder clan! You are a strong contender for the title of the Duchy of Bolder!"
The nobles vied with each other in their persuasion.
Looking at this group of nobles who were eager to put a "yellow robe" on her, Charlotte twitched her lips.
She shook her head and said:
"Perhaps what you said makes sense, but... I definitely won't be the Duke of Bold."
As she spoke, she looked at Viscount Ryan Castel:
"Your Excellency Viscount Ryan Castel, do you still remember where the Third Prince got the confidence to declare war on Castel?"
After hearing what Charlotte said, the old viscount was slightly stunned, and then his expression changed slightly.
His eyes flickered slightly, and then he said with difficulty:
"Yes... Your Majesty."
"Yes, your Majesty."
Charlotte sighed.
She walked to the window in the corridor, looked at the green buds of the tree outside the window, and said:
"The reason why His Majesty the King acquiesced to the Third Prince's war against Castel was essentially to strengthen the central authority..."
"Do you think he would allow a nobleman who is 'loyal to the church' to become the new Duke of Bold?"
After hearing Charlotte's words, the nobles fell silent.
The answer is obvious, of course it is impossible.
Being wary of Castel, the king would certainly not let Charlotte seize the title of Duke of Bold. For the royal family, taking the opportunity to take back the title of Bold is the best option.
It would certainly not be appropriate to do it openly. After all, Eleanor has already succeeded to the throne, and even the royal family cannot depose her at will. However, it is still possible to prevent others from seizing the throne and seek inheritance of the title after Eleanor's death in the future.
"but… "
Charlotte changed the subject and said meaningfully:
"You are right in saying that the leaderless Principality of Bolder does need a regent..."