Baron Bethel was ultimately unable to refuse Charlotte's request, or rather... the lord's request.
Of course, he was indeed moved by what she said.
Even though he knew that Castel might want to strengthen central power through this boiling frog method, he was still impressed by the various ideas and future in the plan.
Strengthening centralization is something that may happen in the future, but if development is carried out according to plan, earth-shaking changes in the Barony of Bethel are inevitable.
This kind of overall development cannot be separated from the layout, guidance and support of higher-level lords. Even if the nobles know how to develop, they cannot do it alone without the lords.
If you want to get something, you have to pay something, or bear something.
After the audience, Baron Berthel accepted Charlotte's invitation to have dinner at the Earl's Palace, had dinner with the young Earl, and rested for a night in the Earl's guest room.
This was the best night of sleep he had had in more than a month, but it was also a night in which he tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.
There was no other reason. It was just that the guest bed in the Earl's Mansion was too soft, and he, a poor baron who was used to sleeping on a hard wooden bed in his own castle, could not adapt to it at all.
The Castel family was indeed as wealthy as rumored.
Betel had never been to the royal capital, nor had he seen the royal palace, let alone the Luna Coast city-state known for its prosperity and wealth.
But compared with the Violet Duke's Mansion during the Willett family's era in his memory, he even felt that... the Castle Earl's Mansion was even richer than the Violet Duke's Mansion.
This was not entirely a bad thing, because as far as he knew, Castel did not make money by exploiting his people, but because his family had mines and a trade center located in the Star-Moon Strait, which made it convenient for him to collect "tolls".
Only with enough money can the development plan envisioned by the young Count of Castel be supported.
It was already the next morning when Baron Bethel left the Earl's Palace.
The young lord did not see him off in person, but sent a steward.
"Mr. Bertel, the Earl is attending to official business and asked me to see her off on her behalf."
"The Earl has arranged officials to implement the development plan for Bethel Territory. They will go with you and assist you in your next work."
Vincent de Roman-Four, dressed in a black butler outfit, smiled.
Baron Bertel was not surprised after hearing what the butler said.
As a transferred vassal or a vassal with whom a war had broken out, it was normal for the lord to send some officials to keep an eye on the vassal in order to strengthen his control.
Cooperating with work is a way of saying it, but it is also a form of surveillance.
Looking at the Roman family's iconic red lilac emblem on the other's chest, Baron Bertel suddenly realized that the Earl's steward in front of him was probably a member of the Roman-Fol family, a branch of the Red Lilac branch that failed in the Lilac War in Castel.
Only direct descendants can wear this kind of coat of arms on their chest.
"Are you a member of the Roman-Fol family? What is your relationship with Viscount Roman-Fol?"
Baron Bethel couldn't help but ask.
"I am Vincent de Roman-Fort, the new second-level steward of the Earl's Palace. Viscount Roman-Fort is my father."
Vincent replied with a smile.
The Viscount's son
Baron Bertel nodded.
It was normal for the lord to take the offspring of his vassal as servants in his mansion. This represented the closeness between the lord and the vassal's family. Only the offspring of the most trusted vassal families had the opportunity to enter the lord's mansion and serve as stewards, housekeepers, cupbearers, and servants.
It was obvious that the young earl had already received the support of the Roman-Ford family, as could be seen during the Battle of Bold-Castell.
Even in the Territory of Bethel, he had heard of the arrogance of the Roman Forge family. Even the previous Earl of the North had not been able to completely obtain their surrender. The fact that the young Earl was able to subdue this rumored "pirate" family showed her reputation in the North.
Thinking of this, Baron Bethel admired the young female countess even more.
He saluted Vincent slightly, then turned and got on the carriage prepared for him by the Earl's Palace. However, when he got on the carriage, he was stunned.
"Hey, Brother Guillaume, you're finally here. I've been waiting here for a long time!"
Inside the carriage, Agnes, who had changed into aristocratic dress, greeted everyone, her delicate face full of excitement.
"Ms. Agnes? Why are you here?"
Baron Bethel looked surprised.
As if he had thought of something, he quickly looked at the driver, and the driver raised his head and smiled at him:
"Guillaume, judging from your expression, the discussion should be going well."
"Lord Lahair..."
Betel's expression became even more exciting, and after the excitement, there was doubt:
"You are..."
"Of course I'm going back with you."
Agnes laughed.
Baron Bethel was stunned for a moment, and then even more surprised:
"You... are the official that Count Castel mentioned?"
"That's right! Also, you are already a vassal of the North. Remember to address him as Lord Earl even when you are not in front of the lord."
Agnes gestured and said.
Feeling the respect for Count Castel that was vaguely revealed in the other party's words, Baron Bertel's expression became more and more strange:
"You... did actually swear allegiance to Castel?"
"No, it's not Castel, it's Charlotte de Castel."
Agnes said.
Does this make any difference?!
Baron Bethel really wanted to complain.
"You don't plan to revive your family? The Castel family is only an earl. Even if we shake hands and make peace and forget the hatred, if you want to take back the duchy..."
"She is a count now, but that doesn't mean she will always be a count, and... one day you will realize how lucky you are to follow her..."
Agnes said meaningfully.
Baron Bertel felt even more strange when he saw the girl's expression of respect, awe and luck when she talked about Charlotte.
It is obvious that the most orthodox heir of the Willett family has become like Castel.
Of course, he had no objection to following such a lord, and he even had some expectations.
…
In the study of the Earl's Mansion.
"They've left?"
Charlotte asked.
"Yes, he has left."
Maid Shirley answered.
“Hasn’t Baron Bertel ever been curious about Agnès’s appearance, which has not changed in more than ten years?”
Charlotte asked again.
"Ms. Agnes said she would explain it by saying she was blessed by the elves."
"The blessing of the elves? That's a good idea."
Charlotte was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded slightly.
After that, she waved her hand:
"Please close the door for me, and don't let anyone disturb me."
Shirley respectfully left, and after making sure that no one was disturbing her, Charlotte sank into consciousness and communicated with the Holy Book of Blood.
There was no other reason. In the morning, Sebastian, who was ordered to suppress the rebellion, delivered the news through prayer.
The rebellion of the Legris family is about to be put down.