Upon entering Count Cambier's mansion and settling in the parlor, Baron Bernard was trembling in fear. He looked at the man who, like Count Rezhe, had the Lion Heart bloodline and bowed his head, stamring and at a loss for words.
"What are you here for? I told you, this isn't the ti for you to seek out; the Royal Court is sending soone over soon. We have no official business together recently, and your sudden visit might lead to so misunderstandings."
Baron Bernard wiped his cold sweat and said in a low voice, "Lord Campbell, there has been an incident. Previously, I had arranged for Wells (Bernard's son) to go to the tribe for a trade deal, but now it seems that things have gotten complicated.
The baron from Lancaster Territory, Helois, sent people to take over that small tribe and discovered the trapped caravan and Wells; now, they have been handed over to the Noble Council.
Given the current situation, this misunderstanding is significant, and I'm afraid Wells will not be able to get out easily. My heart is pounding with anxiety, and I ca to seek your advice?"
Count Campbell, sitting at the mahogany table, tapped on the table surface, a hint of sternness in his eyes. He gently stroked a crystal ball on the table, and an invisible ripple quietly unfolded before he spoke coldly:
"You can't even handle this properly and got Wells and the Chamber of Comrce's team involved, Bernard. Don't make question your competence."
Baron Bernard wiped the sweat from his face and said softly,
"But I'm afraid the Noble Council has already begun their investigation into this matter. What response should I give next?
The Council is no pushover; they've been eager to seize anything they can on the nobles for quite so ti.
Wells is your child. If you don't intervene, it will be difficult for to withstand the pressure from the Council."
Dressed in a white Western-style robe, Count Campbell snorted and said,
"What 'my child'? Wells is your child, what does he have to do with ? However... being his father, you should know best what kind of person he is.
I won't get too involved in this matter, but I believe it must be thoroughly investigated, regardless of who is implicated. Wells is now in the Noble Council's custody, and such matters should be left to the professionals to assess."
Baron Bernard didn't understand imdiately, but after a mont, it was as if an electric current suddenly ran through his body. He trembled slightly and said in a low voice:
"You are right; there's no real issue with what Wells has done. His only offense is having economic dealings with unsuitable clients."
Count Campbell nodded, aware that Baron Bernard had understood his aning, and continued,
"With this matter exposed, the people at the Noble Council will certainly take it very seriously. You need to co to a definitive conclusion as soon as possible, so I can explain myself."
"Yes, I will handle this matter imdiately upon my return."
Count Campbell seed to rember sothing else and said casually, "There's a very reputable rchant among the big Chamber of Comrces in the western part of the city, nad Sa, Sa..."
"Oh, his na is Sack, Sack Florence, the owner of the Florence Chamber of Comrce."
"I've heard that this person is very capable and seems to have so familial ties with you."
"Ah, he is my son-in-law, indeed a man with a business mindset, but recently, he seems to have gotten quite close to that group of wealthy rchants."
"Ah, indeed a man with a business mindset," Count Campbell said with an inscrutable smile on his face.
"Understood, I'll be sure to handle it well," Baron Bernard said, exchanging a aningful smile with him.
Leaving the Count's mansion, the carriage sped away towards the Florence Chamber of Comrce, hastened by Bernard's urging.
Sitting inside the carriage, Bernard's face only now revealed a hint of dissatisfaction and jealousy.
In truth, he never liked Wels; in his earlier years, to secure a connection with Earl Cambier, he had offered his own wife to the Earl quite early on.
As a woman with Elf bloodline, even after a decade had passed, his lady still possessed the countenance of a young girl combined with the charm of a married woman.
This had once been a source of pride for him, but now it was all gone.
Of course, to say so wasn't exactly right; it was he who, ignoring his wife's plea, had chosen to present her to Earl Cambier himself.
Although nobody acknowledged it openly, in private, his wife beca more alluring due to the Earl's repeated attentions.
Especially after she bore Earl Cambier a child, his wife, who used to look at him with eyes filled with pleading or even hatred, now had no trace of him in her eyes.
Whenever Earl Cambier announced a private banquet, she would always dress herself in the clothes she couldn't bear to wear in their early days, ticulously making herself up before heading out early to attend the feast.
Only after a dozen hours, when the banquet was over, would she return ho, dragging her weary body but with an unprecedented satisfied smile on her face.
Sotis she would even look at him with pity, saying "The bloodline of the Lion Heart is truly magnificent, indeed much stronger than the likes of you," and as she spoke, a lovestruck smile would spread across her face.
Thinking of this, his expression turned even uglier.
This despicable woman, I offered you to soone else to pave our future. Now that you've cozied up to him, it's becoming intolerable.
Clearly, Baron Bernard was not about to reflect on his past actions; on the contrary, he was now entertaining new ideas.
For example, having a Slave rchant find him another Half-Elf girl.
The girl that the Slave Trading House had arranged before was good: younger than his wife, with a similar appearance and a pleasant voice.
Thinking about it now, when he had her beneath him, it seed he could relive the experience of being with his wife—after all, he had acquired her in a similar fashion back in the day.
Ha, what does it matter if you've climbed the ladder with Earl Cambier? A younger version of you still obediently crawls beneath .
Even though he knew such thoughts were pathological and delusory, he would still try to console himself that it was all because of that traitor's betrayal.
Then, he would seek out those bygone days when they were a loving couple in a new woman.
There might have been regrets in his heart, but it didn't matter anymore.
Life is always a matter of gains and losses, such as now: he had gained wealth and lost troubles.
Soon, as the carriage ca to a stop, he had arrived at the Florence Chamber of Comrce.
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