Victor stood there, not understanding how it had happened, as everything was going according to plan.
He had advertised the salt he wanted to present as a product for dukes and kings, satisfied the Duke with his gift, and most importantly, his fiancée now had the opportunity to regain her magic and marry the prince.
While thinking about what had occurred, someone tugged at his sleeve, and turning around, he saw his father who gestured him to step back with a nod of his head.
Only then did Victor realize that he was still standing in front of the butler, waiting for more gifts since he hadn't moved away yet.
Understanding the situation, he bowed, took two steps backward, turned around, and returned to his seat along with his father. All this time, he couldn't comprehend what was happening or how to explain himself to his father because questions would inevitably arise, and worst of all, they might return him to being an heir.
The issue wasn't that the position of count was bad; rather, it meant being constrained from every side. He wouldn't be allowed to act freely. The vassals of the count would hinder his endeavors at every turn. On his own territory, he was like a king since he didn't have territorial vassals, and even if any appeared in the future, they would initially know what kind of lord he represented.
Victor didn't intend to give his vassals the right to manage serfs or raise armies, as was customary on other territories. Such things severely limited the position of a count, but on his land, he'd allow them only to collect taxes from their estates.
Thinking about what had transpired and what he should do next, he failed to notice that the Duke and his daughter had left their seats and exited the hall. A moment later, a servant approached him.
— Baron Baltas, the Duke is expecting you in his study; follow me.
Coming to his senses, he nodded and followed the servant under the watchful gaze of the nobles through the center of the hall.
It's important to understand that special rules apply here even in such situations. For example, lower-ranking nobility can move only along the walls of the hall, while only high-born aristocrats are permitted to walk through its center or even stand there. When lesser nobility want to deliver a gift, wherever they may be, they must first return to the entrance of the hall before proceeding toward the throne.
Right now, Baron Baltas walked through the center of the hall where only counts were present, which naturally drew attention. However, Victor didn't grasp these nuances simply because addressing past memories wasn't necessary for him at the moment; his mind was preoccupied with other matters.
Leaving the hall, they found themselves in a long corridor leading to double doors guarded by two knights fully armored and radiating an aura indicating they were at gold level.
Standing before them, the servant stepped aside and gestured towards the door, inviting him inside.
Victor nodded and entered the room opened by the knights.
Inside the study, he faced the Duke sitting behind a massive desk in a vast office with floor-to-ceiling windows behind him.
All the walls in the study were lined with bookshelves filled with books, unlike Victor's study, which lacked the scent of parchment. Instead, the air carried the aroma of wood, providing a calming effect.
In the corner near the entrance sat Sylvia in one of two chairs, holding a cup of hot drink and gazing at the table in front of her, ignoring her betrothed.
The Duke sat in another chair leaning against the table, propping up his chin with crossed fingers.
— Baron, what exactly are your intentions? — asked the Duke calmly, almost paternally.
— Your Grace, my actions have no hidden motives, — the Lord answered automatically.
Leo remained seated, seeming to wait for a proper answer to his question.
Realizing he couldn't avoid answering directly, Victor decided to take a firmer stance.
— Your Grace, I ask permission to speak openly during our conversation. — Requesting this, he glanced at Sylvia, signaling he wished to talk privately.
— You're free to speak; my daughter won't interfere with us, — the Duke replied, having understood his intent.
— I wish happiness for the princess, something she cannot achieve with a baron from some remote province. Therefore, upon discovering gems, I chose to offer them as a gift, — said Victor.
This statement wasn't a direct request to annul the marriage nor could it offend the Duke's house, but it gave leeway for interpretation depending on the listener's desires.
Leo rose from his place and stared at him silently before suddenly releasing his powerful aura directly onto Victor. Its intensity was so strong that the baron instinctively summoned armor and raised a shield, though he was still thrown back and pinned to the wall.
— That's true, isn't it? You've discovered a dungeon," stated the Duke after seeing Victor's magical armor.
At the same time, Sylvia watched wide-eyed as the man hung suspended on the wall beneath the pressure of her father's aura.
Victor struggled to breathe due to the aura's pressure and couldn't even move.
"It makes sense. In this world, dungeons are places left over from mythical times buried deep underground for millions of years. Sometimes people find them, and it's precisely there that artifacts are uncovered. He misunderstood the presents I gave."
Eventually, the Duke released him. Falling to his knees, Victor quickly got up and stayed in his armor. Though foolish, given that he wouldn't survive even half-strength attack from Leo, he felt safer this way.
"Do you really think it's that simple? And that your marriage was arranged merely because Sylvia lacks magical power?" questioned the Duke, surprising both himself and the princess.
The Lord realized something he hadn't considered until now.
"Wait, you're right. As the Duke's daughter and potential heir, anyone marrying her will eventually become a Duke. Even nominally, his children will certainly inherit the title, making it too valuable a prize for anyone in this world to refuse. Even the second Duke wouldn't oppose such a union. Then there's purpose behind all this, something I haven't been informed about."
After pondering, he dismissed his armor and stood before the Duke, realizing he was needed for some reason and wouldn't be killed outright.
"The King is dying," announced the Duke.
Victor paid little heed to this news. Who cares if somewhere out there a king dies? It wouldn't affect him, even if the kingdom plunged into a struggle for the throne. He planned to remain within his lands and strengthen his power, thus awaiting the Duke's explanation as to why this mattered specifically to him.
Seeing the baron's indifference, Leo explained how this affected the marriage to his daughter.
Everything began when the Count married Melisa, the Marquis' daughter. Since the Count already supported the Kingdom's Marquis faction, Silvia's wedding to Victor officially aligned Alestor with them.
Such alignment could also be achieved if the Duke himself married the Marquis' daughter, but unfortunately, they were all already wedded. Thus, it was decided to marry their children instead. But all this preparation aimed to counteract Second Duke Volmar, whose daughter was married to the Crown Prince, growing stronger and capable of using the Prince's support to eliminate the House of Duke Leomville.
If the Prince were wiser and farsighted, none of this would happen. Unfortunately, however, the heir proved greedy and incredibly stupid. Once he ascended the throne, not just Leomville but also Marquis Kroyster would face danger. This scenario could lead to civil war in the kingdom, with each side preparing beforehand.
Victor listened attentively, reflecting on what he'd heard, and now he saw the connection between the kingdom and himself. If the Marquis faction lost this conflict, everyone supporting them would suffer, starting with the Count who married Kroyster's daughter, meaning all his vassals, including Victor.
Sylvia continued to sit quietly, contemplating what she'd witnessed, as reports from assassins seemed truthful now, and the magic mentioned earlier was evident before her eyes. Gathering herself, she intervened with her suggestion.
— Father, why don't we support the second prince? — asked Sylvia.
The baron clenched his fists listening to the Princess.
"And she's still fixated on that! That filth, can't she show decency mentioning her lover in front of me? Damn it, I'll kill her myself!" Victor's jaw tightened so hard that his cheekbones ached.
The Duke slammed his hand down on the table, causing cracks to appear everywhere. Had he not restrained himself, the table would've shattered into splinters. Raising his voice, he reprimanded his daughter sternly.
— Silvia, if I ever hear again that you're seeking meetings with the Prince or mention anything related to him! — the Duke paused briefly, — remember, you're a Duchess, and remember your place!
He was deeply dissatisfied with his daughter, who behaved like a beggar chasing after a wealthy person, constantly searching for the Prince.
Witnessing her father's reaction, she wisely kept quiet and refrained from further comments. Her father never shouted at her, and today's incident shocked her profoundly.
However, Victor rejoiced inwardly, certain that everyone intended to make him a cuckold without minding her extramarital affairs. Evidently, the Duke wasn't thrilled with this particular Prince either, although he knew nothing of the reasons.
— Victor, I'm unaware of what dungeon you've found or what's inside, but if your neighbors learn about it, — he stopped speaking, knowing full well what would occur in that case, — I've already instructed your father to spread rumors claiming he passed those items to you.
That was a clever idea. The Count could have obtained these objects anywhere or purchased them, thereby presenting his worthless son favorably among the nobility.
— I understand, Your Grace, and am grateful for your assistance, — Victor bowed and expressed his gratitude.
— You may leave, — the Duke granted him permission to depart, much to Victor's relief.
Stepping outside, he sighed as if finally able to breathe after prolonged submersion underwater. Glancing around, Victor headed back to join his father.
The remainder of the banquet proceeded predictably and tranquilly. Some nobles departed the palace as expected, others relocated to the dining area, ate dinner, and subsequently moved to the ballroom. There chaos ensued. Unrestrained by etiquette, they feasted, drank, and laughed boisterously, acting more like patrons in a rundown tavern than guests in a ducal palace.
Unable to endure any longer, Victor excused himself citing poor health and left alongside the Count.
Alexander Shermenin remained silent throughout the journey and only spoke once they reached his wing of the palace.
— Why didn't you tell me you'd regained your magical abilities? — he demanded.
This inquiry was anticipated, and Victor had prepared his response ahead of time. Walking into the corner of the room and settling into a chair, he looked at his father.
— I don't desire to become a Count; I'm content with my life. Moreover, I'd prefer nobody else knows about this.
The Count was unsure whether to rejoice or lament. Although he truly desired to restore his son's heir status, the Marquis wouldn't welcome such change, potentially creating problems. Hence, the current arrangement suited him fine, except he regretted that his son showed no interest in succeeding him.
A Count's title isn't merely another name for noble rank. It's power, substantial power. Nothing happens in the kingdom without involving a Count, including wars. Additionally, such status grants nearly absolute immunity. Not even the King can judge a Count; only the Council of Nobles has authority to punish him if guilty. Given that there are only two factions—the supporters of the Marquis and royalists—it's unlikely punishment would ensue regardless of his deeds.
During wartime, captured prisoners receive treatment as honored guests, not captives, returning home after ransom payment.
Unlike him, a mere baron would need to participate actively in battles, placing himself at the forefront, which is risky since everyone knows an army is tightly bound to its leader, scattering aimlessly after his death.
— Don't worry; it'll stay secret and won't be publicized. — After saying this, the Count closed the topic but now wondered: — Did you discover a dungeon?
Another question expected after the Duke suspected him of doing so.
— Yes, I found items there, including concentration stones, but Father, I've also prepared gifts for you and intended to pass them along after returning, — responded Victor.
Denying it would be foolish, so he devised this solution. While the Count couldn't demand these possessions, sharing part of them could preserve his secret and earn his father's approval.
— We're leaving tomorrow; go rest, — declared the Count, showing no reaction to Victor's words.