"Bang, bang, bang..."
The sound of knocking rang out, making Lucas, who had just sat down, pause. He called out, "Come in."
"Creaak!"
The study door was pushed open. The guard stood at the entrance, bowing his head as he reported, "City Lord, there are several groups of people claiming to be envoys from the three princes. They request an audience with you."
"Oh?" Lucas raised an eyebrow. He turned to look at Dahlia. After she confirmed with a nod, he said, "Bring them to the reception hall."
"Yes." The guard replied respectfully, closed the study door, and trotted off.
"A bit interesting." Lucas's eyes flickered. Everything was just as he had predicted. Someone from the capital had indeed set their sights on his goods. He guessed they were definitely all eyeing the highly profitable perfume.
"Master, what do we do? Envoys from three princes have actually come. This means they've come with ill intentions," Annie said, a bit anxiously, her fox ears standing on end.
She had once been a princess and knew how much weight a prince carried. To put it bluntly, an ordinary minor noble like a baron wasn't even worthy of carrying a prince's shoes. And this time, it was three princes, even if they were just envoys.
"What 'what do we do'?" A smile played on Lucas's lips as he chuckled, "No need to be nervous. It's just the envoys of three princes, not the actual princes themselves."
Even if the real princes came now, he wouldn't necessarily be concerned. The population he needed had arrived, his soldiers could be recruited in greater numbers, and his territory's development was accelerating. He really wasn't afraid of a prince.
"Lord Lucas, they must be here for those goods," Dahlia chimed in.
"Besides those goods, I don't have much else here that's attractive, aside from the beastkin." Lucas's lips curved up. He said calmly, "Tell me about the situation with the three princes."
"Okay." Dahlia immediately began to recount the intelligence she had, "The ones you must pay most attention to are the First Prince, Lucia, and the Second Prince, Greena..."
She recounted what she had seen and heard of the struggles between the princes in the capital, and also mentioned Catherine's impending marriage. Finally, she begged Lucas to see if he could send people to the capital to rescue her.
"Oh? You're saying Catherine... might have to marry the First Prince, Lucia?" Lucas's eyes narrowed. This result was completely unexpected.
He thought of that playful girl. He didn't expect her to be forced to marry someone she didn't like. And Dahlia was asking him to rescue her... this made him read more into it. After all, his emotional intelligence wasn't low.
"Yes, Lord Lucas. I am willing to forfeit my share of the gold coins from this trip. I beg you to save Catherine and get her out of the capital. She will not be happy marrying that First Prince," Dahlia pleaded, her eyes trembling.
"Rescue someone from the capital." Lucas stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "Just keep the gold coins you're owed. Catherine is, in any case, my friend. It's only right to help a friend."
He wasn't concerned about that small amount of gold for Dahlia's commission. Didn't he see Nicole beside him, already showing a pleading look? Catherine was very popular in the castle and was considered a friend by the beast-eared girls. How could he possibly see her in trouble and not save her?
"Thank you, Lord Lucas." Dahlia stood up, her eyes bright with joy, and quickly performed a noble's curtsy. The heart that had been in her throat finally settled. Catherine was going to be saved this time.
"Let's go. Time to see what demands those people will make." Lucas stood up and walked toward the reception hall. He could once again witness the shamelessness of nobles.
Mina, Nicole, Dahlia, and Annie followed behind Lucas. They also wanted to see what demands would be made.
"Tap, tap..."
By the time Lucas arrived at the reception hall with the four women, he felt several sharp gazes land on him, which made the smile on his face widen.
"Welcome, everyone, to my home," Lucas said lightly, striding to the main seat and sitting down.
"Hmph..." Scott snorted coldly. They had already been waiting for a long time.
"Lord Lucas is truly busy, to not even have time for a prince's envoy. This is the first time I've seen someone as bold as Lord Lucas," Raymond said coolly. He wanted to use his status to pressure him right from the start.
"Indeed. After all, I have to feed so many subjects. I generally don't have time to deal with trivial matters," Lucas replied with a faint smile, as if he couldn't understand the meaning behind Raymond's words.
"Uhh..." Raymond's face darkened. Was he saying their visit was a "trivial matter"?
"I see Sedona City's wall is gone. Isn't Lord Lucas afraid of a sudden attack?" Scott chimed in, narrowing his eyes. This was a probe, and not just aimed at Lucas.
"Oh? Will someone attack? A few days ago, we seemed to have caught a few rats that snuck in. My subordinates have already roasted and eaten them." Lucas's eyes stared quietly at Scott. An intense aura radiated from him, making Scott afraid to meet his gaze.
"Ahem, hem..." Scott and Kevin's faces froze. Was he calling them rats?
"Lord Lucas, why do you have so many beastkin in your territory? Aren't you afraid of an... accident?" Patrick's words held a hidden meaning. He was trying to drive a wedge between Lucas and the beastkin.
"..." Annie and Mina ground their teeth, staring darkly at Patrick. If looks could kill, Patrick would have already been torn to shreds for daring to sow discord between them and their Master.
"Your Excellency worries too much. The beastkin aren't eating a single bite of your family's wheat, so I won't trouble you to worry about them," Lucas said calmly. He could see it now: these people were trying to seize control of the conversation.
"Uhh..." Patrick's face darkened. Was this guy saying he had nothing better to do than meddle in other people's business?
"Gentlemen, if you are here just to chat with me, I must go and finish my lunch first. I will come back to chat with you all afterward," Lucas said, not wanting to bicker with them any longer.
"My name is Raymond, and I am the envoy sent by the First Prince. As long as Lord Lucas presents the perfume formula to the First Prince," Raymond held his head high, saying proudly, "The First Prince promises that after he ascends the throne, he will raise Your Excellency's noble rank. You will be a Viscount at the very least; it's even possible you could become a Count."
"Pfft..." Patrick sneered. "Don't be ridiculous. The one who will ascend the throne is His Highness the Second Prince."
He turned to Lucas and said seriously, "The Second Prince has said that whoever presents the perfume formula, after he becomes king, will receive the title of count at minimum."
"Our Fourth Prince... can give the title of Marquis!" Kevin shouted, his eyes wide.
Who can't brag? The important thing was to get the perfume formula first. Everyone present understood that it was unknown who would ascend the throne. They were betting on whose words Lucas would believe.
"Gentlemen, please." Lucas pointed at the main door of the reception hall. He said calmly, "If you're not fully awake yet, you should all go back and get some proper rest."
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