As I stepped out of the mansion, my eyes scanned the family standing before me. The Moonlight family was trembling with fear, except for the young lady who stood firm. She seemed respectful, but there wasn't a hint of fear in her eyes. The knights and maids of the manor took glances at me, almost as if they were looking at a mythical creature. Andrew walked beside me, and some of the maids couldn't take their eyes off him.
"Greetings Sir Lucas," the father said as he and his family bowed deeply. I was surprised by his appearance - he was short, around 5'4, and chubby, but his face didn't fit the rest of his body. He was good-looking, with a face that had not an extra ounce of fat, and was well-defined.
"Greetings, Lord Landon. I hope my appearance isn't a disturbance," I replied as I shook his hand.
"Nonsense, Sir Lucas. Your arrival could never bother us. But if I may ask, what brings someone of your stature to this humble town?" Landon asked.
"Humble town? You humble yourself, Lord Landon," I responded with a smile. "I simply came to see this small city I heard great things about the leadership," I chuckled, and so did Landon.
"You wouldn't mind presenting me to your family?" I asked, bringing Landon out of his chuckle.
"Ah, yes, sorry, my lord," Landon said, turning around to introduce his wife. "This woman right here is the love of my life. She is Elanor Moonlight." She smiled nervously and waved her hand behind her. Behind Elanor was a three-year-old child hiding.
"Who is that little twerp?" I said, squatting down and waving my hand. The child hid behind his mother even more.
"That's my youngest son, Johan Moonlight," Landon said, pulling the kid out of the back of Elanor. I patted the kid's head and then turned my attention to the young lady.
"How about her? Who is she?" I asked, and both parents looked at me slightly confused. It seemed they thought I was here for her, and even she showed a hint of surprise.
"She is my daughter and my pride, Elena Moonlight," Landon responded, and I looked her up and down. Elena Moonlight had luscious black hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves. Her hair seemed to have a mind of its own, framing her face in a way that accentuated her sharp cheekbones and defined jawline. Her eyes were a deep shade of brown, and they glinted with intelligence and wit as she listened to our conversation. Her lips were plump and pink, and they were turned up in a slight smile that conveyed both friendliness and caution. But I simply nodded and shifted my focus once more onto Francis.
"Francis Moonlight," I said out loud, and everyone in the family seemed surprised. They were probably confused about why I specifically came to meet him. "It's a pleasure to meet you." I smiled and extended my hand, but Francis didn't respond immediately.
After a moment of hesitation, he reached for my hand. His grip was weak and sweaty, and his face screamed with discomfort and nervousness. Maybe he was the wrong person for this, as he seemed way too frightened by just a single handshake.
Retracting my hand I turned back to Landon "Well should we head inside" I said
"Ahh yes just follow me, Sir Lucas" We quickly began moving and Andrew whispered behind me
"He is too weak" I simply nodded to his remark the report seemed to downplay just how weak mentally he is. The guy couldn't even do a handshake without debating internally
The mansion's interior was simple but tasteful. The room we entered had a table in the center with two comfortable-looking sofas on either side. I took a seat, with Andrew standing behind me, while the Moonlight family sat across from us.
"I hope you don't mind, but can you tell your maids and knights to leave? I want this conversation to stay between us," I said, smiling. To my surprise, Landon didn't order them to leave. Instead, it was Elena Moonlight who did so.
"Knights and maids, you may leave," she said, and they quickly left the room. I looked at her with a slightly confused face, which slowly transitioned to an understanding one. It was clear that she was the one in charge here, not her father.
"I want to make this as blunt as possible. I want to make Francis heir of Silverglade," I said, looking directly at Elena. The rest of the family was shocked, but Elena remained calm.
"So you want to make him your puppet?" she said, taking a sip of her tea. "What is in it for us?"
"In it for you? You get to have your brother become the heir of Silverglade. That should be enough," I replied, bewildered. Most people would have just accepted that.
"Is that your offer? If so, we reject it. You would get control of Silverglade and its armies, while we gain a simple title. You stand to gain more from this than us, so I implore you to make a better offer," Elena said confidently.
I smiled and leaned my head on my hand as I looked at her. "What do you want?" I asked, taking one more sip of my tea. Elena thought for a while before answering me.
"I want you to fund this town and any projects for it that I may see fit. Not only that, I want you to open one of your shops here, and I want direct contact with you, whether it's through a servant or knight, that I could send to you at any whim," she stated her demands quickly.
I took a glance at Francis before looking back at Elena. "No, that is too vague. 'Fund this town and any project' could potentially cost me money I don't have. Maybe a loan is best. I do agree with opening a shop, but direct contact would be difficult. I am a bit short on servants at the moment," I replied.
Elena didn't seem willing to budge. "Are you truly willing to throw away your chance of Silverglade for some money? I reject the loan, and I stand with the original offer. I know you don't have issues with money since you have deals with Duke Vigar on his mine that make you a bunch of money. Not only that, you have a monopoly on clothing throughout the South, and you have deals with merchants that sell your clothes in the West, East and North," she said, surprising me with her knowledge. Despite her points, I wasn't willing to lose control of Silverglade for some money.
"30,000 gold coins a year of budget no restrictions besides on a detailed account of what it was used for, anymore I would have to approve" I made the offer It was reasonable it is not like the town needs 100,000 gold coins
"The deal isn't done yet. The more important part hasn't even been discussed," I said, my smile dropping as I turned my attention to Francis. His eyes widened, and his face paled as Landon screamed out his son's name.
Elena looked at Francis and then back at me before responding, "I get your point. I'll make sure to train him. Just please, regress your aura."
But I didn't look at her; instead, I kept putting my aura on Francis.
"We were talking about your life, Francis, and you didn't even speak. If you are going to become my puppet, you will need to grow a pair," I said while finishing my tea.
"Francis, if you are a man that can't even act for his own life, how will you act when it comes to the lives of others?" I asked, looking at him. Tears rolled down his eyes, and his family was begging me to stop. Elena, on the other hand, watched with concern.
"I may want somebody I can control, but I don't want a weakling. I want somebody who can make their own decisions when I am not there." I said, and it seemed my words resonated with him as he slowly began to move. A smile began to form on my face as he managed to stand up and look me directly in the eye with a fierce gaze, a gaze that wouldn't back down. His tears dried up.
Suddenly, he went down on his knee, and I retracted my aura. He looked up at me and spoke, "I pledge my allegiance to you, Sir Lucas, that I am strong and honorable enough to become the heir of Silverglade." I chuckled and smiled; he had at least some backbone that could be developed.
"Good, the deal is agreed on, I will send a servant to train him and who you will be able to use for communication with me" I turned to Elena with a smile while the rest of the family sighed with relief, happy that was finally finished.