Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Beatrice’s Fear of Insufficient Firepower
[Location: Minister of the Seal’s Office]
Beatrice put down the parchment in her hand and frowned:
"Are there Underground City creatures in the outer city ruins?"
Louis nodded, "Someone discovered traces of treasure chest monsters, so I plan to go investigate with Alice and the others."
Beatrice squinted her eyes, her fingertips lightly tapping the table:
"Olivia has also noticed this news and is considering whether to check out the outer city ruins."
Louis laughed: "Then let’s all go together. It won’t be too dangerous either way."
— Especially since the little swan is going too, the danger is almost zero.
The head maid would never let Olivia go out alone.
"Then I’ll trouble you to take care of her. Olivia is a bit mischievous, but it’s not her fault."
Beatrice sighed:
"If it weren’t for the curse that makes her unable to stay awake, she might have been able to stand on her own by now."
Louis nodded.
Beatrice added:
"However, since she wants to go, I’ll send a few Dark Ravens along with you, as per usual."
Louis’s mouth twitched ever so slightly.
Nothing less expected from you.
A maid half a step into legend.
An exemplary Iron Guard.
A Celestial Punishment Sword that rivals legends when mad.
A Sword of Martial Arts capable of casting exemplary magic.
Plus a mascot.
They’re going underground to wreak havoc.
The little swan handles the chaos, while Louis and the others handle the havoc.
In the Ganges River, no less!
As a result, Beatrice is still taking extra precautions, with a certain charm of firepower inadequacy fear.
This matter was settled amidst casual conversation.
After chatting a bit more, as Louis was about to get up and leave, the door suddenly opened, and a female official walked in.
Upon seeing Louis, she nodded and then turned to Beatrice:
"Your Highness, the items are counted and ready for your signature."
Louis glanced outside the door and saw a large pile of wooden boxes stacked outside the Minister of the Seal’s Office.
Workers from the City Lord’s Mansion were continuously moving items over.
Louis initially thought they were office supplies, but after a closer look, something seemed off.
The boxes opened by the workers were filled with luxurious decorations, vessels, clothing, and such.
As he was about to say something, he suddenly noticed the cold-faced female official approaching him. After a quick scan through her fingers, she turned to Beatrice:
"Your Highness, the items have arrived; it’s time to arrange for Lord Louis."
"Ah?"
Louis was puzzled, not understanding what this had to do with him.
Only to see Beatrice nod, and the female official walked out the door.
Soon after, she walked in with a set of clothes, clapping her hands.
Two exquisitely made-up maids came in, swooping at Louis like wolves, but their touch softened considerably upon contact.
Beatrice laughed and said:
"Do not touch our prince’s tail. That’s mine."
"Yes!"
Beatrice approached, with the female official handing her a comb.
She circled around halfway and stood behind Louis to comb his hair.
The movements were so gentle that it reminded him of his mother spraying styling gel on him for the first time to make him look like a little adult, back in elementary school when he attended the flag-raising ceremony in a red scarf.
After several outfit changes, the two maids finally determined the fitting size.
Beatrice pinched Louis’s face, smiling joyfully:
"Let’s prepare the formal attire according to this size."
Louis realized: "The engagement ball?"
Not having much interest in these matters, he left it all to Beatrice to arrange.
Thus, he was genuinely unaware that the ball preparations had reached such a stage.
— After all, he had already exerted all his efforts to save his major wife and avoid the guillotine.
Seeing Louis being curious about her work, Beatrice explained further.
In simple terms, a royal engagement isn’t just about holding a ball.
Just look at Louis.
First, internal notifications have to be sent out. Then, the royals need to confer Louis with honors, putting relevant benefits on the agenda.
Once the specific time is confirmed, they officially notify the noble circle and even neighboring countries weeks in advance,
This was only made possible by Ense’s efficient actions.
In neighboring Tunisia, the process might have been even slower.
To the empire’s nobles, this ball is not only an ideal venue for communication and cooperation but also a rare matchmaking event.
"So they need some preparation time, especially because the higher the nobility, the harder it is to find a suitable partner."
Beatrice blinked:
"They don’t want the royals to misunderstand, thinking they’re trying to mimic the marriage alliance of the Duke of Argyle."
"Huh?"
Louis was stunned: "What marriage alliance?"
"I thought someone told you about the Argyle family’s affairs."
Beatrice looked helpless.
Seeing Louis use the Duke of Argyle’s affairs to intimidate two legendary dragons, she thought he knew.
Who would have thought Louis made it up completely?
He really managed to bluff those two dragons.
Beatrice didn’t know that when Louis spoke, he mentioned the emperor’s name but thought of the Great Han Chess Saint.
What seemed made up for others was genuine history for him.
So there was no fear of being debunked.
It was at this moment that Louis learned the empire did indeed have a similar historical incident.
The Duke of Argyle once attempted to marry his son to another duke’s daughter, with an intention to subtly undermine the royal authority.
Then the Duke of Argyle and his son ended up like the castrated author—
Gone below.
Afterwards, the emperor used the Argyle family’s inheritance to promote new nobility.
By Beatrice’s era, new nobility began to emerge and became her staunch supporters.
"This banquet will see quite a few new nobles attend, with Marquis York leading them in."
"We have to showcase everything we have, to show how outstanding my chosen person is."
No wonder Beatrice seemed so enthused.
Gatherings of all domestic nobility weren’t common, and Louis didn’t want to burst her bubble.
Moments later, he sensed something was off.
He asked quietly:
"Why is Lord York leading the new nobility in?"
Beatrice replied with a smile: "For nobility, growth isn’t achieved overnight."
"Although there are many talented individuals among the new nobility, it takes generations for them to secure further advancement."
"Their ranks are notably below those of established nobility."
"Both for their needs and the royals’, they need an established noble with the backbone to support them."
"Marquis York is the perfect choice for this role."
Louis understood.
It’s like there’s always a writers association leader involved in structuring the Provincial Network Writers Association, right?
It not only protects their rights but also facilitates communication with the higher-ups.
He couldn’t help but exclaim, "Marquis York is quite popular."
The fact that Factory Director Snow would finally come clean was thanks to the Marquis York.
He subconsciously asked:
"Before becoming the city chief of Tino, what was Marquis York doing to earn their trust?"
Beatrice said: "I recall he was in charge of the empire’s grain reserves, transportation, and distribution back then."
"He resolved several regional grain shortages, and his reputation still lingers in numerous places."
"Some industry leaders within the new nobility were beneficiaries of his work in their early years."
"That’s why they trust him in this position."
Louis understood.
The next moment, his expression stiffened.
A chill climbed up his spine, covering him in goosebumps.
"He was in charge of grain reserves?"