Rosaline was momentarily taken aback by Ghislain’s unexpected response, but she quickly continued.

“If I don’t offer anything in return, I’ll lose face. Please, don’t hesitate to tell me what you need.”

“Really, it’s fine. Just the fact that you’ve recovered is enough for me,” Ghislain replied.

Truthfully, he didn’t want to get involved with this terrifying woman any more than he had to. Now that the treatment was finished, there was no further reason to see her.

Besides, anything he needed, he could ask from his new patron, Marquis Branford.

But Rosaline, as if she hadn’t heard him, spoke again with a bright idea.

“Even though my father has rewarded you, I am the one who personally benefited. Ah, I know! I will become your personal sponsor from now on.”

The vassals in the room were stunned by her declaration.

Despite being secluded because of her illness, Rosaline had managed and continued to support several influential organizations. If she wielded her resources and connections, she could cripple half of the capital’s economy in an instant.

‘If the lady moves, not only will the marquis support him, but so will her maternal family.’

Rosaline’s mother, the Marchioness Branford, was currently estranged from the marquis. Her father was the kingdom’s chancellor, and her brothers were key officials in the royal court, one serving as the chief magistrate of the capital.

Rosaline’s maternal family doted on her, despite her illness. They sent her the best medicine and kept in close contact through letters.

For Rosaline to become a sponsor meant that her powerful maternal family would also be a potential source of aid.

“What do you think? Isn’t that a suitable reward?” Rosaline asked, her expression full of pride.

Once again, Ghislain politely refused.

“I appreciate the offer, but your words are more than enough.”

Ghislain was well aware of Rosaline’s powerful connections, but he didn’t think he needed them. With Marquis Branford already backing him, what more could Rosaline offer?

While accepting her sponsorship could bring him some wealth, getting involved with her would undoubtedly be exhausting. Ghislain preferred to draw a clear boundary at this point.

Rosaline seemed genuinely disappointed as she pressed on.

“Don’t you have many plans? I can help you with them.”

“I’m really—”

Whoosh!

Before Ghislain could finish his rejection, Rosaline snapped her fan open again.

“Hooooo…”

She took a deep breath, as if calming her rising temper, and stared at him with only her eyes visible above the fan.

“You’ll accept, won’t you?”

The killing intent radiating from her was palpable, enough to make Ghislain feel a chill down his spine.

With a sigh, he relented.

“…Thank you.”

He couldn’t deny that he had dragged her through a grueling treatment, humiliating her in the process. It felt appropriate to accept her offer, at least for now.

'Well, there may come a time when her help will be useful. It’s good to have options.'

Rosaline smiled sweetly, closing her fan with a snap.

“You won’t regret it.”

Ghislain wondered what expression she had been hiding behind that fan. The vassals, who had been holding their breath, finally swallowed and remained silent.

Though they wanted to object, Rosaline was terrifying in her own way, even different from the marquis, so none dared to speak up.

One of the vassals quietly whispered to the person next to him.

“Has her personality always been like this? She seems to have changed too suddenly after recovering…”

“Shh!”

His companion quickly turned away in alarm before he could finish.

Sensing a foreboding presence, the oblivious vassal slowly turned his gaze.

Rosaline, with a menacing smile, was glaring at him as she fiddled with the dagger at her waist—the very same dagger she had almost plunged into Ghislain’s head.

'Ah, I see now. It’s not that her personality improved after she recovered. She’s just putting on a sweet act in front of Baron Fenris,' the vassal thought, beads of sweat forming on his brow. He quickly bowed his head, fearing for his life.

Watching her from behind, Ghislain called out cautiously.

“Um, Lady Rosaline?”

“Yes, Baron,” she replied with a radiant smile, turning towards him.

Ghislain felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort, as if he had swallowed something heavy and sticky.

He knew this wasn’t her real personality. It was painfully obvious that she was putting on a facade, acting sweet and polite.

‘I can’t read her. I have no idea what she’s really thinking.’

“….”

“What’s the matter, Baron?”

Her sparkling eyes were too much for him to bear. Ghislain averted his gaze, awkwardly mumbling his response.

“…It’s nothing.”

Rosaline smiled knowingly, as if she understood everything.

The marquis, who had been observing the exchange, finally spoke in his usual calm tone.

“It seems the thanks have been dealt with. You came to me with such an audacious request, so I assume you have something you need me to do as your patron?”

Ghislain nodded readily. It was finally time to address the most pressing issue facing the Fenris estate.

“There is something I would like your help with, Marquis.”

“You wouldn’t have sought me out if it were an easy matter.”

“It won’t be difficult for you, though,” Ghislain replied.

Only someone with the highest authority in the kingdom could handle what he was about to ask.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble of securing Branford’s support.

The marquis raised an intrigued eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“I’m curious to hear what you’ll say next. Go ahead, make your request.”

Ghislain smiled in satisfaction. If nothing else, he appreciated the marquis’s directness. There was no need for lengthy explanations or drawn-out negotiations.

“If it’s something sensitive, we can move somewhere more private,” the marquis offered.

“There’s no need. Everyone will find out soon enough.”

The vassals held their breath, waiting to hear Ghislain’s request.

It was obvious that he had asked for the marquis’s patronage because he had a long list of demands. But his first request would likely be the most important and urgent.

As the one who would likely handle the matter on behalf of the marquis, the head vassal was eager to hear what Ghislain had in mind.

Without hesitation, Ghislain spoke up.

“I need more people.”

The biggest issue currently plaguing the Fenris estate was the severe lack of manpower.

If Marquis Branford hadn’t agreed to be his patron, this was the issue Ghislain would have asked him to resolve.

The marquis tilted his head, puzzled by the request.

“You need people?”

“The Fenris estate was little more than a wasteland before I took charge.”

“I’m aware.”

“I’ve started several projects to develop the land, but I don’t have enough workers.”

“I understand, but increasing the population is no simple task. It’s not something anyone can control at will.”

Not even a king could create people out of thin air.

But Ghislain seemed to have a plan as he shook his head and continued.

“Give me the people from the royal estates.”

At those words, the marquis frowned, and his vassals began murmuring among themselves.

It was outrageous to ask for people from the royal domain.

One of the vassals scoffed, unable to hide his disdain.

“The royal family would never allow that.”

Even as the marquis’s patron, such a request was too extreme. It bordered on absurd.

The faces of the vassals were now filled with smirks and derision.

Rosaline, too, watched with interest, her eyes gleaming.

‘That’s quite the bold request.’

After all, population was a direct source of power for any estate. Labor, taxes, and even military strength all came from the people. No one in their right mind would willingly share such a resource.

Moreover, the royal family was focused on countering the influence of Duke Delphine. There was no way they would allow something that weakened their own position.

But Ghislain, ignoring the murmurs, remained confident, as if he was certain the marquis would grant his request.

Watching him closely, Marquis Branford asked with curiosity.

“Even as your patron, there are limits to what I can do. You’re asking for the royal family’s people. Do you really believe that’s possible?”

“Yes, I do.”

“And why is that?”

“If you’re going to back me, wouldn’t it make sense to do it properly? Put me forward as the representative of the North. No one else. And besides… you’re not fond of the person you’re currently considering, are you?”

“Hah, hahahaha!”

Marquis Branford suddenly burst into laughter.

Both his daughter, Rosaline, and the vassals, who had served him for years, were taken aback.

They had rarely, if ever, seen the marquis laugh like this. He was usually stoic and cold, so his sudden outburst left everyone confused.

Why was he laughing so heartily?

After laughing for a while, the marquis’s expression shifted abruptly, and he glared at Ghislain with sharp eyes.

“How did you know? Do you have a spy in my camp?”

“I merely thought it over and came to a conclusion. But now, I’m certain, based on your reaction.”

The marquis paused, lifting a hand to dismiss everyone except for his closest advisors. But then he stopped.

The matter had been kept secret until now, but all the preparations were complete. Once things officially started, everyone would find out soon enough.

Even Ghislain, who had been out on the frontier, seemed to have guessed what was happening. There was no point in keeping it under wraps anymore.

‘If this kid figured it out, how could those idiots in the capital still be clueless?’ the marquis thought, casting a dissatisfied glance at his vassals.

In a low voice, he asked Ghislain, “So, which estate do you think I have my eye on?”

“The Brivant estate, where the Red Flame Tower is located, correct?”

“And why do you think that? The northern lords include powerful figures like Raypold and Desmond.”

“Raypold is too self-serving, and Desmond is untrustworthy. The rest are either corrupt or beggars. None of them would meet your standards.”

The marquis stared at Ghislain, his interest piqued.

“So, you think Brivant is worth supporting?”

“Yes. The Count of Brivant is closely aligned with the royalist faction, and the tower gives him a strong defense. The Red Flame Tower also brings in a lot of money, so the estate is financially stable.”

Ghislain spoke matter-of-factly. The marquis raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“And knowing all that, you’re still asking me to back you instead?”

“Yes. Wouldn’t that be better for you, too? You’ll have more influence as my patron.”