After a whole afternoon of interviews, Maximus was exhausted.
But it was worth it, as he found Hazel among the masses.
While eating, Gerald came beside him.
"Young master, I got a letter from Baron Francis," Gerald said as he handed him the letter.
Maximus, without saying anything, began to read the letter.
[Dear Count Maximus,
I hear about...]
The letter was about Baron Francis promoting his daughter for marriage and hoping to gain support from him.
Baron Francis was just a newly promoted noble and didn't have a territory.
He hoped Maximus could help him, at least financially, for his cause.
"Send a letter that everything is negotiable as long as his daughter is qualified," Maximus closed the letter and said.
Money was not a problem for him; it was just a few gold coins.
Although he was poor now, with the system, he was sure that it would only take a few months to a year to make his city reach a whole new level.
...
A few days later, Erica, the daughter of Baron Francis, sat anxiously in the carriage on her way to meet Maximus.
She had heard little about him and knew nothing of his personality, likes, or dislikes.
Her heart raced with nervousness as she anticipated what type of person he was.
As they approached the city, they were greeted by the guards of Count Maximus, who escorted the carriage through the winding streets bustling with activity.
Erica peered out of the carriage window, taking in the sights and sounds of this new place.
She felt out of place and overwhelmed.
When they finally arrived at Maximus' castle, Erica was very nervous.
She stepped out of the carriage, her heart pounding with anticipation.
As she entered the castle, she was met by Maximus himself.
He was tall and handsome, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to gaze straight into her soul.
Erica felt herself blush as she looked at him.
[Erica Agustine: Fit: 93]
"I'm Erica Agustine, my lord. I'm pleased to meet you," Erica said as she gave a courtesy bow.
"Maximus Shadowcrest," Maximus said as he offered his hand to lead her inside.
"How is the castle, Erica?" Maximus asked as he led the way.
"It's magnificent, my lord," Erica said.
After all, her father didn't have a territory and had just become a noble, so it was her first time inside a castle.
As for the noble parties and such she didn't attend one as she was excluded in the noble circle.
Erica heard that a powerful noble lady was irked by her beauty, which cast her out of their circle.
Of course, if her father had a more powerful status, none of that would happen.
"You should call me Maximus," Maximus said, looking at her beautiful eyes.
"Then Maximus?" Erica said to him.
"That's it!" Maximus couldn't help but nod at the obedient girl.
"What do you usually do?" Maximus asked as he played with her hands while they strolled in the garden.
"I usually cook or something," Erica said somewhat embarrassed.
After all, most nobles learned literacy or singing, but she could only do peasant things like cooking.
Before her father became a noble baron, they owned a restaurant business.
This also got her father a noble title, as he went from cooking in their restaurant to cooking for the king.
Francis was rewarded with a baron title, but without any foundation, the title was only illusory.
That's why Francis needed Maximus' financial support.
"Oh, why don't I try your cooking?" Maximus got interested.
"Then I'll show you a thing or two," Erica was not embarrassed and quickly asked for a kitchen.
...
A week later, a banquet was prepared in the castle to celebrate the marriage between Maximus and the two women, Erica and Hazel.
The wedding was somewhat rushed for a couple of reasons.
First, Maximus was in a hurry to activate the system function because the gold coins in the treasury were running out.
Moreover, his potential is still trash, even with a top-tier meditation manual, his progress is still like a turtle crawling.
Second, Baron Francis was also in a hurry to sell his daughter for support, although he can't get financial support now.
But the mere association with a Noble Count will make Francis's official journey smoother.
...
In the dressing room:
"Are you nervous?" Erica asked Hazel, who was getting her makeup done.
"Yes," Hazel replied, feeling uncomfortable in the fancy clothes.
"I'm also like that previously"
Seeing Hazel fidgeting, Erica couldn't help but reminisce about her hard days of etiquette study and trying to fit into the noble circle.
"Really?" Hazel asked.
"Yes, it should be easy to adapt," Erica cheered her on.
With Maximus as their backer, there should be no one who can bully them, making integrating into noble life a breeze.
Unlike Erica, who had countless bumps along the way, almost losing her courage at times.
...
In the wedding venue beside the castle:
"Let us welcome two beautiful ladies who have just joined our Shadowcrest household," a loud voice interrupted the area's bustle.
Erica and Hazel came out, walking side by side.
"Beautiful," Maximus sitting on a throne couldn't help but be dazzled as he saw them slowly walking towards him.
The others in the venue were also stunned, envious of Maximus.
After all, the fit criteria of the system were no joke; Erica had even offended a noble because of her beauty.
"My husband," Erica said as she bowed and sat beside him.
"My husband," Hazel followed Erica's movement and also came to Maximus.
Maximus looked at the two of them sitting quietly beside him and the silent audience, waiting for him to speak.
"I thank all of you for attending this beautiful celebration."
"To both of my families-in-law, thank you for entrusting your precious daughters to my care."
"I promise I will stand by them through thick and thin, until the end of this world."
"Cheers!" Maximus raised his wine glass and said.
"Cheers!" The others echoed.
...
As the party was going on, Francis came to him.
"I hope you stay true to your words and take care of my daughter," Francis said sincerely.
"Don't worry, I swear to my heart that everything I said is true," Maximus reassured him.
"As for the financial support, forget about that. I'm embarrassed to take money for my daughter's husband because of his incapable father," Francis smiled wryly.
Although he did all he could, his daughter Erica still greatly suffered with him.
He had also heard about Erica's exclusion from the noble circles, but he couldn't do anything about it.
"Don't worry, father-in-law, I will still give you help as promised. After all, we can't have my wife's father suffer," Maximus said as he looked at Erica talking with Hazel and laughing.
"I will be satisfied as long as you take care of my daughter," Francis said, patting his shoulder.
...
"My lord," Hazel's father and mother came to him.
"Don't call me Lord, I'm your daughter's husband. Just call me Maximus," Maximus said with a smile.
"This..." The two were somewhat embarrassed, after all, they were just farmers.
"Come, sit," Maximus said.
"It's our honor, my lor- Maximus," Being nervous, they finally called the lord by his name.
"How about living in the city?" Maximus asked them.
"But-"
"Hazel said that she would still like to meet you often," Maximus persuaded.
"Then we would gladly live in the city," The two said after a bit of discussion.
Although farming was enough for them, they still had other children to take care of.
Living in the city, their other children could have a better future than being mere farmers.
"That's good," Maximus smiled.
...
In the huge bed adorned with wedding designs:
Erica and Hazel sat down, waiting for Maximus as if waiting for a verdict.
"Do you know what to do?" Hazel asked Erica, holding her hand nervously.
"Uh..." Erica was also somewhat embarrassed.
"Are you ready?" Maximus came in just out of the bath.
"N-no?" Hazel said unsure.
"Hehe, don't worry, it won't sting," Maximus smiled widely.
"Don't be harsh on us, husband," Erica said pitifully.
"Hehe."