Chapter 8 (Part 2)

After Anthus left, the vassals of the Rockbellion family were deep in thought, discussing the terms for the territorial war negotiations.

“We don’t know what else to negotiate.”

“The Rockbellion family doesn’t need any more money. So it’s better to leave out the money part.”

“We need to figure out what the Duke wants and write it down.”

Various opinions were expressed, but what Anthus wanted was limited.

“Should we set more specific conditions for Young Lord Beonar?”

The reason Anthus declared the territorial war was because Beonar had been rude to Yuliana.

Honestly, even if he was rude, it could have ended with an apology, but Anthus declared a territorial war the day after the engagement because he thought letting it slide would make them look foolish again.

“What the Duke wants is Young Lord Beonar… So we just need to decide how to punish him. And it should be something that pleases the Duke.”

The negotiation terms included taking over the mines of the Marquis of Fedeurus and punishing Young Lord Beonar, who had hurt the future Duchess. The vassals were pondering what else to specify.

“The death of Young Lord Beonar?”

“Eradicating the Marquis of Fedeurus?”

“Honestly, these are the only two things that come to mind.”

“Tsk, tsk, as vassals, you can’t even understand the heart of the Duke you serve. How will you assist him in the future… Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Knock, knock.

“Urgent message. Young Lord Maxwell of the Fedeurus family has personally requested to negotiate the territorial dispute with His Grace.”

“What?”

At the mention of Maxwell, the vassals’ expressions darkened.

“Isn’t Young Lord Maxwell the second son of the Fedeurus family? An illegitimate child at that…”

“Tsk, tsk. He’s been abandoned.”

“An illegitimate child, so they don’t care if he dies in the territorial war.”

“Isn’t Young Lord Maxwell the lover of Princess Seria? What a foolish choice, Marquis Fedeurus.”

“But it’s also a smart choice. He’s Princess Seria’s lover, isn’t he? They probably sent him thinking he wouldn’t be killed easily.”

“Where is Young Lord Beonar… What do they take Rockbellion for, daring to send an illegitimate child! Do they think we’re that foolish?”

One vassal slammed the table in anger.

“Forget negotiations, let’s wipe out the entire Fedeurus territory.”

“Calm down.”

At the messenger’s words, the vassals exchanged glances and shook their heads.

When Yuliana opened her eyes, she felt something was off. It felt more like a trip than a territorial war. Eating, lying down, and sleeping… Even now, lying in bed with Anthus…

“When does the territorial war start?”

Anthus patted Yuliana’s back and said,

“We plan to advance soon, but what you need to do is heal the injured knights from behind, not attack from the front, Yulianna.”

“Okay.”

“Since the battle hasn’t started yet, you can rest comfortably here. Move when it begins.”

Yuliana squinted at Anthus.

“Lia, looking at me like that only seems like seduction.”

Yuliana shook her head. If she received any more love from him, her body wouldn’t hold up.

Knock, knock.

“A disturbance has appeared. We’ll have to continue later.”

Yuliana’s face turned bright red.

“Why are you so cute, Lia? Your expressions change so often, I can’t take my eyes off you.”

Anthus lightly kissed Yuliana’s cheek, then got up from the bed and stretched.

“I’ll dedicate the victory of the territorial war to you, Lia, so please wait a little.”

Anthus knelt on one knee, looked up at Yuliana from below, and kissed her fingers.

“Lia, please take care of the injured here.”

“Leave it to me.”

At Yuliana’s words, Anthus smiled broadly.

“I’ll be back.”

“Take care.”

The words they exchanged sounded similar.

But they had entirely different meanings. What mattered was that their hearts were the same in seeing each other off and welcoming each other back.

* * *

The people living in the Fedeurus territory hung white flags outside their doors, pleading for mercy, not to be attacked, upon hearing the news of the territorial war declared by Rockbellion.

Erzen, who was beside Anthus, whistled as he saw the white flags hanging on every house.

“Winning the territorial war without a fight… My body is itching!”

“If there’s a knight from the Fedeurus family who wants to fight, I’ll hand them over to you.”

“No thanks. I’d rather drink the lemon tea Miss Luda made.”

At Anthus’s words, Erzen smirked and rode off.

“Is the territorial war really ending like this? I was looking forward to it, but it’s disappointing…”

“I told you. Just stay quietly by my side.”

“I’m not happy to hear that from a man.”

Erzen shook his head at Anthus’s words.

“Would you have been happy if Miss Luda had said it?”

Seeing Erzen’s flustered and blushing face at the mention of Luda, Anthus had a playful smile on his face.

“I heard you two were having tea together, sticking close.”

“That was!”

“For your information, Luda is said to be devoted to Yuliana and has never had a lover.”

Erzen coughed awkwardly. His ears were turning red.

“Wow, Erzen, is your face turning red?”

“Be quiet, Anton.”

“Even the people at the Ducal residence are saying that you and Miss Luda look like a beast and a beast tamer, Erzen.”

Anton seemed to enjoy having found a good teasing subject.

“What?”

“It means you two match as well as a beast and a beast tamer.”

Buuung!

The messenger began to blow the horn.

“It seems we’ve arrived.”

Anthus’s face was smiling brightly, yet carried a hint of danger.

In a territorial war, battles are expected to be rampant, but there was no fighting. Instead, Marquis Fedeurus had set up a tent in front of the Fedeurus territory castle to discuss negotiations quickly.

In front of the tent, Maxwell and a few knights were visible.

“We’ve been waiting, Duke.”

“Young Lord Maxwell, it’s been a while.”

“Please, this way to the tent.”

Only Maxwell and Anthus entered the tent. Surrounding them were knights of the Rockbellion family, and the Marquis of Fedeurus could not express any dissatisfaction with that.

Inside the tent, Anthus and Maxwell sat down. As soon as they sat, Anthus took out the negotiation document from his bosom.

“Young Lord Maxwell, there’s something I haven’t finished writing yet… What should I write?”

The vassals couldn’t finish writing the agreement. However, since the important parts were written, he let it slide without scolding them. Anthus knew they wouldn’t be able to write it to his complete satisfaction anyway.

Maxwell received the document and began reading it carefully.

“The Marquisate will soon be in your hands… Maxwell, how does it feel to complete your revenge?”

At Anthus’s words, Maxwell raised an eyebrow.

“Revenge creates another revenge. But I must say, I’m happier than anyone right now.”

“But even with revenge, you won’t be completely satisfied.”

Anthus smiled broadly as he spoke. Maxwell wrote on the unfinished side of the negotiation document that he would become the successor of the Marquis of Fedeurus.

“Now, as Maxwell, the Marquis of Fedeurus, tell me your future plans.”

“I plan to peacefully send my father off, hand over my brother to you, Your Grace, and visit the grave of my mother with Princess Seria.”

At the mention of his mother, Maxwell clenched his fist.

“My mother’s grudges will be slightly resolved.”

“The fruit of long patience is always sweet.”

“The opportunity you provided allowed me to endure. I thank you once again.”

“There’s no need to be thankful. It was achieved because our intentions aligned. I gained Yuliana’s love, Maxwell, you gained revenge, and His Majesty gained strengthened imperial power.”

“The Fedeurus family will henceforth be loyal to the Emperor.”

“His Majesty will be quite pleased.”

Maxwell and Anthus drank tea with the most peaceful expressions and added content to the remaining items.

“This should suffice.”

“Yes. I’ll bring in the vassals with the best speaking skills.”

Maxwell left the tent and returned with two vassals.

“Hello. I am Limikol from the Baron of Koloden.”

“Hello. I am Renten from the Baron of Lonauns.”

Anthus brought the cup of black tea to his lips and smiled at them.

“I’m glad the smart Young Lord Maxwell came.”

At Anthus’s words, the anxious expressions of Koloden and Renten eased. It was a statement that made them feel Maxwell had negotiated well.

“Even as the lover of Princess Seria, sending an illegitimate child was indeed an act of disregarding the Duke of Rockbellion, wasn’t it?”

“Uh, well…”

“Although I’m very angry, I’ll let it slide this time because of Young Lord Maxwell.”

“Thank you.”

“Young Lord Maxwell, show them the agreement.”

“Understood.”

Limikol and Renten began reading the document that Maxwell handed over, and their brows furrowed more and more.

[1. Transfer the diamond mine, ruby mine, Emerald Villa, and pearl farming and Florence territory port business rights to the Rockbellion family.

2. Permanently expel Beonar Fedeurus from the family.
3. Leave the punishment of Beonar Fedeurus entirely to the Rockbellion family.
4. Young Lord Maxwell Fedeurus becomes the successor of the Marquis of Fedeurus.
5. If any of the above terms are violated, the territorial war will resume.]

The expressions of the vassals reading the agreement turned pale.

“If Young Lord Beonar becomes the successor of the Marquis of Fedeurus, I plan to wage a full-scale war. However, I feel that it would be worthwhile to get along with Young Lord Maxwell… And I was going to wipe everything out with the territorial war… Be thankful that it ends at this.”

Limikol and Renten were speechless and could only remain silent. They had nothing to say… no grounds for objection.

“Well… still.”

Limikol was about to express dissatisfaction with the agreed terms.

Anthus set down his teacup and lightly grasped a teaspoon, then swung it. With a crashing sound, the table and teacups were neatly split in half.

“Thanks to Young Lord Maxwell, your necks are still attached.”

Seeing the split table, Koloden and Renten both collapsed to the floor.

“A powerless dog doesn’t bark in front of a beast. Yes. Since you’re powerless, act wisely and live long. You understand what I mean, right?”

Anthus retracted his mana. He dropped the teaspoon to the floor and smiled as he spoke.

“Even if I behead everyone here, I won’t be punished. It’s during a territorial war.”

During a territorial war, no punishment is imposed even if one noble family is completely wiped out.

In front of Anthus’s power, Limikol and Renten left the tent in a daze without even voicing an opinion on the agreement. Watching their retreating backs, Anthus clicked his tongue.

“They have no guts.”

“Who would dare show guts when Your Grace sliced the table like cutting paper?”

Anthus looked at Maxwell. Maxwell felt the cold chill emanating from Anthus’s red eyes.

Instinctively, Maxwell’s intuition warned him never to provoke this person…

“Then, Young Lord Maxwell, quickly go and stamp the family seal.”

“Understood, Duke.”

The agreement is complete only when the marquisate’s seal is stamped. Since only the head of the family holds the seal, Maxwell had to take the agreement to Hoden.