The guard feels relieved the hear Earl Easton promise to transfer him to another position. He didn't want to become Roland's anger ventilator because his father punished him when he knows what exactly happen in Harvard territory. He already witnessed how Magnus become live sandbag for Roland's fist after he regains his consciousness then realize he already lost the duel and banished from Harvard territory. So without any delay, he starts to spill the truth to Earl Easton. Start by since they left the castle, what happens during the trip and after they reach their destination in Harvard territory. All he told to earl Easton without hiding anything from him.
Roland always thought of himself as a smart and cunning man, but his father is even smarter and more cunning than him! After hearing the guard's story, he immediately gets the picture of the incident in Harvard territory.
"Is there anything else that you haven't told me, Ross?"
"No, sire. I already tell you about what happened during our trip to Harvard territory without anything to hide, SIr. It's all true and my statement can be cross-checked with my fellow guards for the authenticity"
"Alright, let's summarize your story from beginning until the end. Correct me if I make a wrong conclusion"
"Yes, Sire"
"My third son actually only want to go out and fooling around as usual, and use his fiancé as an excuse to leaves the castle, is that correct?"
"Yes, Sire. Young master Roland himself told us that he bored and want to get out"
"When he traveling along our area and stop at my vassal's territory, he did that so he can get some pocket money from them, is that correct?"
"Yes, Sire. Your vassal didn't dare to oppose young master Roland financial request"
"That scoundrel really….and after you arrived at Harvard territory, they have a lunch party to welcoming an important guest, Earl Stamfort. That's also true?"
"Yes, Sire. Actually, the guard on the dining hall entrance already told young master Roland and offer him to wait in the guest room, but he's just barging into the dining hall without permission"
"He said he didn't get offered any food or drink and kept standing without any place to sit there. That's not true, correct?"
"Yes, Sire. Actually, Baron Harvard's son Henry offered us to join the lunch party and have something to eat and drink, but young master Roland refuses that offer. Instead, he shows off with grilled meat that he bought on the way and brought it to the dining hall. We still were given wine to drink and provided with tables and chairs to sit"
"Then my third son start insulting the food presented for the guest, but instead he gets his face slapped back, correct?"
"Yes, Sire. The food maybe looks simple but the reaction from the guest is extraordinary. The host even called those foods as Harvard's specialties"
"Even Earl Stamfort stated that food delicious?"
"Yes, Sire. He praises the taste of food there…and the food indeed smells and looks delicious"
"Hmm…and after the party lunch, my third son feel humiliated and start running rampant by insulting Harvard people there, including Earl Stamfort's daughter, which turn out to be Henry's fiancé, is that true?"
"Yes Sire, and because of that, young master Roland's fiancé, miss Eliza decide to break the engagement since young master Roland haven't given her the dowry"
"That troublemaker rascal….I should know he already uses the dowry money for himself…Alright, and after that Earl Stamfort's son, suddenly proposed miss Eliza and give her dowry at once, true?"
"Yes, Sire. That makes young master Roland get more furious and accusing Harvard people as money digger. He even dares to call Earl Stamfort's daughter as devil incarnation straight in front of her father, brother, and fiancé, which make her fiancé, Henry angry and challenge him in a duel"
"Alright…I get the grand picture of the situation. In the duel, instead of fight Henry, my third son shove his guard to do the duel but still lost in the end and get banished from Harvard territory because trying to kill Baron Harvard's son during the duel"
"Yes, Sire"
"You can go now,…prepare your belonging for tomorrow transfer"
"Many thanks, Sire"
The guard gives a salute and leaves Earl Easton's office.
"Sir, do you need me to call another guard for confirmation?"
Esteban asks Earl Easton if he wants to cross-check the guard statement with another guard. Earl Easton didn't immediately answer and massaging his temple instead before he gives replies
"No need…. I know this brat behavior well. This guard would not lie for him"
"Indeed, Sir. Is there anything to do relate to this matter?"
"No, at least no need to do anything right now. Baron Harvard and Earl Stamfort already give me face by not punish my third son harshly. That stupid son of mine, he never learns from his experience huh?"
"But when the first madam returns, he surely will tell this to the first madam, and then she would demand you to do something, Sir"
"Let it be. She still returns here in two or three weeks later. There're plenty of times to think about what I should do with that brat. I'm more afraid this scoundrel action will disturb our grand plan in the southern area. But I got interesting information from this incident. To make food that delicious enough which can satisfy the taste of Earl Stamfort, they should use salt in large amount, right?"
"Definitely, sire"
"Get information if there's new salt mine discovered in Harvard territory immediately. If there's any, investigate the capacity of its salt production and the distribution too. We're already going deep in weakening attempt at Southern area by limiting the salt flow into that area. We even put a high tariff for the merchant who will bring salt across our territory to the southern area. If there isn't any new salt mine, investigate where the salt comes from. Investigate which merchant bring salt there, if the merchant is on our merchant association members, threaten them by implying high taxes if they bring salt to southern area in a large amount"
"Yes, sire"
"You can start right away, Esteban. I need the result as soon as possible"
"Excuse me, Sire. I will carry on my task immediately"
"Hmm…be careful on your task. Don't make them suspicious that we control the salt's price in the southern area"
"I understand, Sir. I will be careful"
"You can go now"
After gives Earl Easton salute, Esteban leaves the office to carry on the duty that he just receives from Earl Easton. The shadows that lurking in the southern area, start to reveal!