Everyone stood up from their seats and bowed their heads when Mike entered the halls. Their faces looked wary, yet they tried their best to smile at their new lord, not that he cared. Mike scanned the room, mostly ignoring the men standing there as he took his seat.
"Please sit, we have a long conversation to complete." He opened the files already before they could sit and read the agenda of the meeting.
'Though this meeting was only arranged to familiarize myself with the county, but I am surprised to read the files. They were filled with bizarre data that even shock was not a word to describe my thoughts.' They all exchanged glances, feeling the same bafflement and dread in their hearts.
They did not understand Mike, but looking at his face, they were sure that it was going to be a disaster for them. They had begged, argued, and tried everything to stop this man from being their lord. Damien was deserving, but they only gave him power because their daughter fell in love with him. This was not how territories were managed. They all could feel resentment in their hearts.
"My lord…" Calmond stood up to mediate, but Mike waved his hand and asked the irritating man to sit again.
"I have read the files," Mike announced in a mighty tone. "I saw how all the tax received from the county was invested back in the county. Only five percent of it was left to maintain this palace and other expenses of the palace. No wonder this place looked so dreadful and empty."
They all stared at the tapestry on the carpet, gems on the wall, and painted ceiling, not understanding which part of it looked empty or gloomy. But looking into his eyes, they did not have the courage to ask the question.
"That... the place was barren when Marquees had gained it. It is due to constant investment and efforts that we are able to channel a stream here. Artificial lakes and ponds were made, and agriculture flourished. And though the businesses looked better than before, when winter came, we still suffer. The north is…"
"All these are excuses." Mike raised his hand and forced the man to sit down. "It is a way to avoid taxes. What is the meaning of paying it if it is going to return to you?"
They all exchanged glances; their faces were equally mortified.
"Then how should taxes be spent, my lord?" Calmond asked in a soft voice, trying to sound respectful, but his threat of patience and respect were snapping faster than he could ever fathom.
"For the welfare of your lord and increasing the treasury. It will help us in growing an army, and we need to arrange a few balls to engage with other nobles, or else we will lose our strong position and footing in the royal palace. No wonder his majesty did not acknowledge me, though he knew I had taken the position of the count.' He shook his head with a bitter taste filling his mouth.
"Let me inform all of you at once: I am the lord of this county now. And I meant to correct everything. I will not invest such a large sum in your businesses until I think it is needed. So, all of you can give me details of your business and why it needed funding. Did you get it?" They all nodded, afraid that they did not have any choice.
The door knocked and took the attention of everyone, including Mike. His eyes cracked, and his lips pursed when he noticed Damien standing there. He was wearing a white shirt with a black coat with gold borders on it. Black and gold was reserved for the head of the meeting in the county. Everyone looked better when he entered the room. His smile eased their hearts, but it was different for Mike, whose eyes narrowed at the uninvited visitor.
"I apologize for being late." He smiled at Mike as he walked in, "my father is ill, and I am attending the meeting as his proxy." He walked to the very left, and Calmond stood up at once and left his chair for the young man. His eyes looking at Dami with gratitude, but Dami bowed his head as if he did not deserve it.
Mike looked away; he was not going to let this man affect his nerves. But he was going to use this chance to teach him a lesson. Feeling better by the thought, he continued,
"You should be punctual since you are an example for all of them," Mike continued in a soft voice, as if he was only guiding a fellow man. "And since you are an example, we will start by assessing your lands and their value. How much investment would you need to flourish it? And they all will learn from your example," learn that they were fools and they would not get a single dime from him.
His lips twisted into a smirk when he planned how he was going to teach this crook a lesson
"Of course, I will submit the report in a day, my lord. But if you are only going to give a portion of taxes for the welfare of the land, should you not submit reports on how you are going to spend the rest of our taxes? After all, taxes are nothing but part of our wealth that we give up in exchange for a grant and an army that will protect us?" Mike raised a brow. He had expected better from Dami since the man held a grudge against him.
He had already prepared answers for such questions, so he replied easily with a laugh, "Of course, I am going to increase the army for the protection of our lands, and we are going to make reserved funds for the winter and other calamities. It is only for the future of Celestie.'"