"Not particularly. I plan to return to my territory as soon as things are settled."
He had come to the capital to sell cosmetics and establish a connection with the marquis in the first place.
Having achieved his goal, there was no reason to stay any longer.
Once the schedule for rescuing slaves and relocating the estate's residents was set, he planned to return immediately.
However, it seemed that Marquis Branford had other thoughts.
"That's great. I'll host a banquet soon. Attending gatherings is the fastest way to get acquainted and build rapport with other nobles. It would be good for you to attend influential nobles' meetings with Rozalin."
"Thank you for your consideration. But it's not really necessary."
Connections with just Marquis Branford and Meriel were sufficient.
What use was there in meeting other nobles after accomplishing his purpose? It would only be a hassle and a waste of time.
But the Marquis of Branford, ignoring Ghislain's refusal, leisurely continued speaking.
"Since I've become your guardian, it's only proper etiquette to greet nobles in the same faction. That way, they can support you in the future. It'll also be helpful to familiarize yourself with nobles from other factions."
Ghislain inwardly scoffed.
'Seriously, who in this kingdom knows more about nobles than I do?'
He didn't know their faces well, but he was already familiar with most of the information on the more prominent nobles.
Thus, he felt no need to go out of his way to build relationships with other nobles.
"It's fine. I'd rather just stay at the mansion…"
"Attend."
At Marquis Branford's forceful command, Ghislain pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.
With such insistence, there was no choice but to comply.
'Ugh, this is so bothersome…'
While grumbling internally, Ghislain reconsidered.
If he was going to go to such lengths, it must mean he was serious about providing full support.
Thinking positively, if he had to wander around anyway, it wouldn't be bad to explore here and there to see if he could pick up anything useful.
Cardenia, as the kingdom's capital, was more developed than other territories.
He might get inspiration for improvements to apply to Fenris Estate or notice flaws in the plans he had for future endeavors.
"Understood. I'll rest here for a while, then."
"I'll send someone when the preparations are complete. Don't cause any trouble and wait quietly."
The Marquis Branford seemed to have a vague understanding of what kind of person Ghislain was by now.
Telling him not to cause trouble implied as much.
***
A few days later, a grand banquet was held at the Marquis Branford's residence.
Since it was a public event open to anyone, a huge crowd of nobles flocked to attend.
The nobles who arrived early conversed amongst themselves, waiting for the banquet to begin.
Particularly, the noblewomen close to Rozalin were eager to talk about her.
"Have you heard? They say Rozalin has completely recovered from her illness."
"I've heard about it, but isn't it just a rumor? If she had recovered, she would have attended social gatherings by now. Why hasn't she shown up yet?"
The rumor that Rozalin had recovered from her illness had already spread throughout the capital.
However, since she hadn't appeared in public, the truth of the rumor remained unconfirmed.
The conversation among the noblewomen soon shifted from Rozalin to Ghislain.
"They say her skin disease was cured by using Baron Fenris's cosmetics."
"Oh, come on. How could cosmetics cure something that priests and doctors couldn't?"
"Still, those cosmetics are quite effective, aren't they?"
As soon as Rozalin's treatment ended, the siege on the Crow Mansion was lifted, and the cosmetics sales resumed.
The sales remained strong, but no one believed the products could cure diseases.
The rumor spread purely as a matter of intrigue because the cosmetics were so popular.
"Isn't today's banquet being held because of Baron Fenris?"
"Yes, the Marquis Branford decided to become his guardian."
"Isn't that just another baseless rumor?"
The nobles, unsure of what to believe, buzzed with speculation.
What reason would the Marquis Branford have to sponsor such a country bumpkin?
But since the story came from nobles close to the royalist faction, it was hard to dismiss it outright.
Most attendees were eager to confirm the rumors about Ghislain and Rozalin for themselves.
"Lord Marquis Branford enters!"
The attendant at the banquet hall entrance announced loudly. Everyone bowed their heads in respect.
The Marquis Branford entered, drawing everyone's attention, and took his seat of honor in the banquet hall.
Soon, several nobles approached to pay their respects.
The Marquis Branford rarely attended banquets or social gatherings.
Many nobles saw this as a rare opportunity to leave an impression and did not want to miss it.
"Lord Marquis, this is a token of my sincerity."
"A rare delicacy from the western region…"
The nobles eagerly presented their gifts one after another.
However, the Marquis Branford barely glanced at the gifts and simply nodded.
"Thank you."
His response was just this one phrase. Even so, the nobles felt satisfied, believing they had left their mark.
The pile of gifts grew enormous, their combined value exceeding the annual budget of some territories.
When the seemingly endless parade of gifts finally began to subside, the attendant at the entrance called out Ghislain's name loudly.
"Baron Fenris enters!"
All eyes instantly turned toward the entrance. It was precisely what the Marquis Branford intended.
Though it broke with convention, the Marquis's authority as one of the kingdom's most powerful figures was unshakable by such minor criticism.
Thud!
The doors opened, and Ghislain stepped into the banquet hall.
The Marquis Branford smiled faintly upon seeing Ghislain's face.
A face that clearly conveyed discomfort.
It wasn't the expression of someone nervous or scared but one of someone exuding boredom and irritation.
Even with countless noble eyes fixed on him, Ghislain's attitude showed no signs of shrinking back.
'What an amusing fellow.'
While the Marquis found it entertaining, Ghislain struggled to suppress his annoyance and irritation.
'Ugh, when will this end?'
He didn't mind being the center of attention—when it suited him.
Being dragged into such an event among nobles and forced to observe etiquette was far from his preference.
When Ghislain approached and stood next to the Marquis Branford, the Marquis rose from his seat and addressed the crowd.
"Some of you may have already heard, but I have decided to become the guardian of Baron Fenris. Henceforth, treat him as you would treat me."
Though phrased as a request, it was effectively a command.
Murmurs broke out among the nobles scattered throughout the hall.
"So the rumors were true."
"Even if he's the successor of Margrave Perdium, isn't that territory practically worthless?"
"He's far too young. What could such a young man possibly know how to do?"
Baron Fenris may have recently gained some fame for his cosmetics, but ultimately, he was just a merchant.
He lacked the pedigree to align with someone like the Marquis.
Even some royalist nobles from the same faction as the Marquis shook their heads.
"At such a critical time, why support someone like that? He's no better than Count Bribant."
"The Marquis must have his reasons."
"It seems he had no choice but to agree because of the treatment for his daughter."
Some nobles glared at Ghislain with disdain, clicking their tongues in disapproval.
Due to Ghislain, the royalist faction's plans had been disrupted entirely.
Supporting Perdium instead of Bribant, a more significant region, was a contentious decision.
Ultimately, the Marquis's decision prevailed, but behind the scenes, there was plenty of dissent.
"This guardianship is the same. Of all the excellent scions of noble families, why him?"
"It's incomprehensible. The favor is excessive for someone of his stature."
"Let's just wait and see for now, shall we?"
Because of this incident, internal conflicts within the royalist faction grew more frequent.
Thus, those who disliked Ghislain harbored even greater resentment.
The Marquis Branford, unconcerned by the murmurs, continued speaking.
"Oh, and thanks to Baron Fenris, my daughter Rozalin has fully recovered from her illness. This banquet also celebrates her recovery, so I hope you all enjoy yourselves."
At his signal, the doors to the banquet hall opened.
An attendant loudly announced.
"Young Lady Rozalin Branford enters!"
Rozalin slowly walked into the hall.
All eyes shifted to her, filled with curiosity about whether the rumors of her recovery were true.
As she moved closer, those who saw her face up close gasped in amazement.
"Oh!"
"It's true! She's really healed!"
"She looks exactly as she did before! No, her skin looks even better now!"
The attendees erupted in excitement.
To cure a skin disease that both priests and doctors had given up on—what kind of miraculous cosmetics could produce such results?
"Could mere cosmetics surpass the abilities of a priest? It's hard to believe."
"Whatever the case, Baron Fenris's skill is exceptional."
"It's legendary! Those cosmetics will become a legend!"
As Rozalin proudly tilted her chin upward, the crowd's cheers grew louder.
Among the noblewomen, Meriel clasped her hands tightly, her face beaming with joy.
"She's truly recovered. Marquis Branford is so mischievous. Would it hurt to show her to us a little sooner?"
Though she felt a little bitter, her delight at being able to reconnect with Rozalin outweighed everything.
Rozalin slightly bowed her head in greeting to the crowd.
Her cheeks flushed as her heart swelled with emotion.
'To think this day would come again…'
How many times had she dreamed of standing before everyone like this?
She turned her gaze to Ghislain, who looked up at her with a playful smile and a shrug.
After her greeting, the Marquis Branford officially began the banquet.
"Well then, everyone, enjoy the banquet."
As the music from the orchestra filled the hall, no one moved.
All eyes remained fixed on Ghislain.
The only sound in the hall was the music; not even the sound of a cough could be heard.
The reason was simple. The high-ranking nobles had not made a move.
Those of lower rank, unsure of what to do, retreated and watched nervously.
Though it was supposed to be a joyous banquet, tension hung heavy in the air.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]