Looking at Count Gaston who looked pleading, Charlotte had a puzzled look on her face.
Duke Gaston was shot dead by the church, and his title was stripped by Louis V. There were also rumors throughout Lutetia that the king was very dissatisfied with the Gaston family and seemed to intend to strip the entire family of all titles.
However, this is just a rumor.
Charlotte has also been paying attention to the developments in the royal capital. She has seen Louis V's attitude from his various actions. As for the handling of these offending families, the royal family generally focuses on "punishing the main culprits" and will not expand further.
This purge was already large enough, and the power of the royal family was not omnipotent. Even considering the resistance of the nobles, Louis V would not expand the purge further.
As for the Gaston family, as far as Charlotte knew, Louis V only dealt with Gaston's main family and had no intention of implicating the branch family.
Even if Count Gaston had just entered Lutetia, he would not be unable to understand these things.
So... the other party is here to ask for help on behalf of Gaston's family
Thinking of this, Charlotte couldn't help but look at the dusty earl.
Count Gaston is a branch of the Gaston family in Boulder, and is the only blood servant she has forcibly contracted besides Albrecht.
Oh, by the way, there is also Count Gaston’s eldest son, I remember his name was Audis.
At first, these two defected to the Third Prince and wanted to launch a surprise attack on Charlotte during the Bold-Castell War, but they were "killed" by her and forced to become her blood servants.
After the war, Duchess Eleanor of Bold was unable to govern the territory due to illness. Charlotte supported Count Gaston behind the scenes and became the regent of the Duchy of Bold, thus indirectly controlling the Duchy of Bold.
However, Charlotte remembered that the relationship between Count Gaston and the main Gaston family did not seem to be very good. Rather than being a branch of the Duke of Gaston's family in Boulder, it was more like a loser who was driven out of the Duchy of Gaston after failing to compete for the title.
Count Gaston originally pledged allegiance to the third prince with the intention of regaining the Principality of Gaston with the support of the third prince in the future.
Now that Gaston's family is in trouble, he comes to ask for help
Charlotte did not answer Count Gaston directly.
She looked at him deeply and said meaningfully:
"The evidence is irrefutable that the Gaston family is connected to the Blood Demon Cult. The king's decision on the Gaston family is approved by the church and is in line with the Sacred Code and the Kingly Contract. No one can change this."
"However, this liquidation is only aimed at the main family of Duke Gaston's family, and will not be counted on your Bold branch."
After hearing what Charlotte said, Count Gaston hesitated for a moment and said cautiously:
"Master, I know that the main family will be dealt with, and I also know that our side branches will not be implicated."
"It is natural for His Majesty the King to deal with the main family, but it seems that he has no intention of choosing a new Duke from the Gaston family..."
"The Gaston family and the Valva family have a contractual agreement. The royal family can only depose the title, not deprive it. But now... His Majesty the King has ignored this agreement."
Charlotte: …
She came to her senses.
It turns out that Count Gaston did not come to rescue the punished Gaston family, but for the title!
"Don't worry about the title and territory of Duke Gaston. His Majesty the King wants to strengthen the centralization of power, so I'm afraid he won't give up the territory he has taken back."
"Duke Gaston is not simply associating with the Blood Demon Cult, but has in fact become its protector and core member. This is a taboo in the Sacred Code and is more severe than excommunication, even if there is an agreement to protect the title."
Charlotte said.
Count Gaston still had some hope:
"Master, the title and territory of Duke Gaston do not only belong to the master's family, but to the entire family."
"For the Gaston family, the Duchy is the foundation of the family. If the Duchy is lost, the Gaston family will also lose its foundation!"
"Without a foundation, my position in Bolder will probably be affected, which will also affect your secret control over the Principality of Bolder..."
Charlotte glanced at him, smiling:
"Oh? Then what? Do you want me to support you in becoming the new Duke of Gaston? Let's not talk about whether it can be done or not. Even if it is done, what will happen? Can His Majesty allow a duke to serve as the regent of another duke?"
"But... Duke Gaston can replace Bold as your power! Compared to Bold, Gaston is richer, and the Duke can control the territory more effectively than the Regent!"
Duke Gaston said.
Charlotte shook her head.
"You also know that the Dukedom of Gaston is richer than Bold, so you should understand that since His Majesty the King has seized the opportunity, he will not divide such a rich territory again."
"Master, but the king is only a worldly king, and you..."
Gaston wanted to say something, but stopped at Charlotte's sharp gaze.
"Mr. Gaston, just do your job. It is not your turn to tell me how to act!"
She said coldly.
The aura of a high-ranking bloodline was released from Charlotte, and Count Gaston's face turned pale, and he fell to his knees with a thud.
He was sweating, trembling all over, and his face was full of fear.
Looking at Count Gaston who was lying on the ground, Charlotte slowly withdrew her pressure and said calmly:
"I have no intention of becoming an enemy of the Crescent Royal Family. If you want me to stand up for you, then give up."
Then, she reminded:
"Don't even think about trying to get it yourself. His Majesty the King is on the rise, so there's no need to be the first to do it. If you have any ideas, you can think about it later."
"After all... territories and claims won't run away."
After hearing what Charlotte said, Count Gaston lost his temper, but he could do nothing about it.
In the end, he could only sigh and accept the reality.
Charlotte did not continue discussing this issue, but instead asked:
"And Eleanor, is she coming to Lutetia too?"
After the war, Duchess Eleanor of Boulder had been recuperating in the North for some time, and was only taken back by the nobles of Boulder before Charlotte set off.
Count Gaston replied tremblingly:
"Come... Come. The Duke needs to attend the central meeting, so after I recovered, I brought her along."
Charlotte was silent for a moment and asked:
"How is she...now?"
Count Gaston hesitated for a moment, looking somewhat conflicted.
"Hmm? Has her spirit not recovered yet?"
Charlotte asked.
Count Gaston was even more confused:
"My spirits have recovered a lot, but it seems that there are some other problems..."
Charlotte frowned.
"what is the problem?"
Count Gaston glanced at her with a strange expression.
He hesitated for a moment and said:
"She... doesn't want to be a duke anymore. She wants to give up the title and become a nun."
Charlotte was stunned:
"She... believes in the Holy Royal Court?"
Count Gaston's expression became even more strange.
He swallowed and said:
"No, she seems to believe in you..."
Charlotte: …
——
Sorry, I'm stuck. It's short, slow and watery.