After visiting the tombs, I rode around the territory in my carriage and was welcomed by the people along the road.
"Serafina, this is something you''ve planned, isn''t it?"
"It wasn''t me. It''s Fleur''s job."
Fleur nods her head.
"I haven''t been in King''s Landing for a while. So I thought I''d take a look at Maust and Nayvre.
"I really appreciate you keeping an eye on things like that."
Fleur could not come to King''s Landing right away because of the birth, but it turned out to be a good thing.
"Also, it''s not so much a plan as it is a plan. In Navre County, taxes were lower because it was the regent''s hometown, so it was natural that he was adored."
Fleur said it so matter-of-factly that I laughed.
"Yes. There''s nothing better than a lord who gives you a discount on taxes.
"Of course, the regent''s popularity was high to begin with. How could a young lord with such a strong war record not be trusted?
"The nice thing about Fleur is that she always gives a reason. You can tell she''s not just a sycophant. She''s been very protective of you while you''ve been away from Maust."
While I was away from the castle of Maust, Fleur was in charge of some of its administration.
Of course, most of the official documents were in my name as the lord of the castle, but some of the practical decisions were left to Fleur. That is why Fleur is such an intelligent person. If she were not my wife, I would have used her as a civil official.
"I did my best to do what was entrusted to me, but I know that there were many people who were dissatisfied because of that. I am sure that not everyone thinks that women should not be in politics.
Fleur''s face is not smiling as she says this. Fleur is speaking from the standpoint of a government official. She is not talking about being offended or having a hard time.
Those who think that way will complain for other reasons when I do it directly. Don''t worry about it. It''s an old custom for the wife to take over in the absence of the head of the family. It''s not my decision."
"Yes, that''s right. It can be traced back at least 800 years to the case of the official family of the Count of Samru Frontier. Since then, a quick look through the chronicles reveals more than ten cases.
Just in case, you were checking if there was a precedent. I may be irreverent, but I think you were right to become my wife. I wouldn''t have had the chance to show off my abilities even if I had lived as a member of a small viscount''s family.
"Thank you. I look forward to returning to Maust Castle."
After inspecting the main lands of the House of Nayvre, we will go to the castle of Maust. There the lords of the land will gather to honor me.
This is partly to tighten up my focus on the capital, which has been occupying me for some time now.
There have been many influential people who once became regents but later fell because they neglected their hometowns. I can understand their feelings. The regent is the highest position of a vassal. In terms of power alone, he often surpasses the king.
They are so absorbed in their lives in the capital that they forget about their own stronghold. When you forget, there is always someone who has a new plan in your hometown. Such are the times we live in. There is no forgiveness for being careless.
"I don''t think anything will change about Maust Castle..."
Fleur seemed to be choosing her words a bit.
"Many of the surrounding lords are afraid of you, Regent. No one has had the experience of following such a powerful man for a long time."
"Okay. I''ll be a little cautious."
●
Leaving the land of Nayvel behind, I set out for the castle of Maust.
Needless to say, the welcome I received at the castle of Maust was better than the one I received here. I could not enter the castle in a shabby way, so I let them make it look like a ceremony. They had come back from a successful trip to the capital, so it was a triumphal return.
"It''s developing, but it''s still not as good as King''s Landing.
I mutter to myself as I walk my horse through the castle.
Someday I will make Maust a better city than King''s Landing. And then it will be a new capital, or at least a sub-capital.
"With all due respect, there have been regimes that have lost the trust of the people and have fallen into ruin. I do not recommend it.
Kerala admonished her.
"I''m just saying. Besides, it''s all up to His Majesty."
"Yes. If Your Majesty decides to make Maust the capital of the kingdom, I will go with you again.
Kerala, too, was silent when I mentioned the king.
I entered the castle of Maust for the first time in a long time and waited for the appointed day.
The lords, mostly from the surrounding area, gathered one after another to celebrate my victory at the Cathedral of Orcent.
There were about forty of them, including the smaller ones. There were more than I had expected.
Especially Brand Nahum, the husband of my sister Althea, and Ails Kartis, Serafina''s family, who are almost as much a part of my family as I am. I think I have given them the status they deserve.
Mycell Houge, Fleur''s brother, is also a member of my family. He is but my general.
"As regent, I am honored to have everyone congratulate me on this victory."
I came out in front of the line of lords, took my seat, and said this in a hawkish manner.
But I noticed that some of them did not seem to be amused.
It was Brando. Why would Altia''s husband look like that?
"Brother-in-law, I know that this glorious victory is really great. But ...... isn''t that ...... oddly too high for a chair?"
"Chair? Yes, now that I''m regent, I''ve changed it to something more appropriate for my rank. I have to act as regent too, or I might be seen as disrespecting the royal authority."
Brando is still not convinced.
"Yes. But doesn''t this make ...... us look like vassals rather than allies of our brother-in-law?"
Oh, that''s what I meant.
I see what you mean, Brando.