Marquis Woodrock smiled knowingly, as though already privy to the royal court's plans.
"Perhaps they'll be granted one of the newly designated frontier lands instead," he suggested, his tone brimming with confidence.
Understanding dawned on Charles, and he nodded. A mixture of emotions flitted across his face—though jealousy and apprehension remained, the prospect of House Crassus being assigned a distant, undeveloped territory offered some consolation.
"Ah, that makes sense," Charles said, his tone noticeably lighter.
"Besides, that region has been rife with conflict with the Pamir Empire. Assigning it to a capable leader would be a logical choice," he added, his voice now carrying a note of approval.
"Still, that sounds more like a punishment than a reward. Ha! Not that I'm complaining—fewer competitors for me," Charles quipped with a laugh, masking his mixed feelings of pity and relief at House Crassus's predicament.
