"Locke, take a break, you're drenched in sweat." Princess Sylvia took a linen cloth and gently wiped the perspiration from
When the story of how Lorist had insisted on making her his wife — how he'd been willing to clash with the family's senior officials, even calling a meeting to berate every civil officer and Family Knight who opposed the match, forcefully crushing all internal opposition — reached Princess Sylvia's ears through the castle servants' gossip, she was moved beyond measure by his devotion. It was as though she had been given new life, the depression and sorrow she'd carried upon her arrival swept clean away.
With the change in her mood and the normalization of her eating habits, Princess Sylvia's sleep improved dramatically. She no longer needed Lorist to stay by her side every night to fall asleep, no longer had to clutch his hand — without his presence she would grow panicked and could only calm down upon seeing him. After all, with her foundation of Gold two-star
Yet Princess Sylvia's clinging to Lorist remained unchanged, which made Lorist somewhat regret bringing this upon himself. It wasn't that there hadn't been opportunities to take things further with her. One evening, Lorist had kissed her to the point where she could no longer resist, her eyes hazy with desire, fully willing to give herself to him. Only his own foolish brain had restrained his desire — he'd whispered tenderly that they should wait until after the wedding, that the most beautiful moment should be saved for the most important and memorable night of their lives…
And so Lorist brought trouble upon himself. After returning to
One night, an urgent military report arrived, and Lorist went to his study to deal with it. But it turned out to be a false alarm. A newly formed garrison company from the Red River Plains had gone to the edge of the Black Forest for training, strayed into the woods, and gotten lost. The initial report had suggested a possible Mountain Barbarian attack. Rock Fortress was put on high alert through the night. After an hour of waiting, the garrison found their own way back out of the Black Forest. Relieved, Lorist left his study — only to discover Princess Sylvia huddled in the small reception room outside, wearing nothing but her nightgown, along with her maid. The maid explained that Princess Sylvia had woken in the middle of the night, found Lorist gone, and panicked. She'd insisted on finding him, and upon learning that the study was a restricted area off-limits to others, she'd waited in the small reception room until now.
Looking into Princess Sylvia's eyes — still frightened but brightening with joy at the sight of him — Lorist abandoned his plan to seek out his two concubines for a night of passion. Instead, he escorted her back to the bedroom and watched over her until she fell asleep again before finally retiring for the night himself…
Every morning, he was greeted by Princess Sylvia's radiant smile. After sharing breakfast with her, he would retire to his study to attend to official business. During this period, the family was reorganizing and expanding four Guard Corps. Even with Barons Pharea and Belunic overseeing the work, many critical matters still required Lorist's approval — promotions and reassignments of Family Knights, the appointment lists for new Guard Battalion commanders and Corps officers. Lorist also needed to receive and meet with each Family Knight who had been assigned to a new position. On top of that, there was the construction progress at Golden Ridge Fortress, the development of the gold mines, the overall planning, adjustment, and building of the Northland's road and transportation network — so busy that Lorist sometimes couldn't even find time for lunch.
But regardless, every evening Lorist still made sure to dine with Princess Sylvia. Joining them were Dieriana and the other two concubines, Daisy and Maria. Fennagali had gone with her sister Aredoly to Baron Dina's new fief in Dremluk Province and still hadn't returned. Dieriana already had a son who was over a year old, nearly two, so her thoughts were centered on the little one, and she didn't pay much mind to Lorist. As for Daisy and Maria, the looks they gave Lorist were quite reproachful — they'd been back from the family estate for over two months, and Lorist hadn't visited either of them even once…
Lorist, too, had his own share of suffering. He was burning up inside with pent-up frustration, but he truly had no time for any indiscretions. During the day he was swamped with work, and at night he spent his time sharing tender moments with Princess Sylvia. He could only blame his own blabbering mouth for promising to save the most beautiful moment for their wedding day. Now even Princess Sylvia had grown reserved — whenever Lorist, unable to control himself, tried to kiss and touch her while removing her clothes, she would look up at him through tear-blurred eyes and ask, "Locke, don't you love me anymore? Didn't you say we should wait for our most beautiful day?"
Lorist slapped himself hard across the face. Fine, nothing more to say — just put out the fire. Seeing but not being able to taste, his heart itched uncontrollably. Sometimes, after watching Princess Sylvia drift off to sleep, he was sorely tempted to creep into the beds of those two maids in the next room. If not for the fear of waking Princess Sylvia, he might very well have done just that.
This life was becoming unbearable. Lorist counted the days on his fingers — how could he have been so foolish as to set the wedding date for November? It was only July now. Great, he still had ages to suffer through.
With practiced ease, he guided Schwad through the key points of his cultivation, confirmed he was practicing correctly, and only then took his leave.
Now at Lorist's side was Genorio, the eldest son of Sambawood, commander of the Maritime Corps. He had just turned sixteen this year and had awakened his combat force at the end of the previous year, prompting Sambawood to write reminding Lorist not to forget his promise of taking the boy as a disciple. Schwad had already been mentoring him for a month, familiarizing him with the duties of serving as Lorist's attendant.
Though Genorio was only sixteen, he was remarkably tall. Lorist stood around one meter eighty-six, but Genorio measured a full two meters and six — a full twenty centimeters taller. And he was no scrawny thing either, with thick bones and a powerful build that made him look incredibly sturdy. This irritated Lorist somewhat. Schwad was under one meter eighty, and it had always been convenient for Lorist to ruffle his hair or clap him on the shoulder in approval. Damn it — Genorio was so towering, would he have to stand on tiptoe just to pat the kid's head?
Yet nobody had expected that this imposing, rough-looking Genorio would turn out to possess the most exquisitely beautiful handwriting, completely demolishing Lorist's earlier suspicion that the letters Schwad had received were penned by the boy's mother on his behalf. And upon testing him further, it turned out his literary knowledge was remarkably impressive — impressive enough to make Lorist feel somewhat inadequate by comparison.
Lorist asked with great curiosity how he had learned all this. The honest Genorio told the truth — his teacher had taught him. It was actually quite simple: when Sambawood had been serving the
So Sambawood devoted himself wholeheartedly to shaping Genorio into a talent worthy of Lorist's favor. From a young age, he had the boy train his physique, temper his willpower, and learn traditional knightly etiquette — sparing no effort whatsoever. It wasn't until Genorio was twelve that, at a gathering of Family Knights, Sambawood heard Bodefinger boasting about how his son Schwad had loved reading and studying since childhood, deeply impressing Lorist in the process. That was when Sambawood realized his own son, beyond toughening up his body, was merely literate and nothing more.
No — he had to make Genorio into someone who excelled in both martial and literary arts, someone who would not be outdone by Schwad, if he wanted to win Lorist's favor. So Sambawood began searching for a learned scholar to tutor Genorio. But after a long search, he still hadn't found the right candidate. They were either too young or too old. Those too old lacked any real reputation — Sambawood suspected they were simply untalented people looking for a free meal. Those too young, he couldn't trust. After all, his wife was a beauty, and those fresh-faced young scholars were an unsettling sight. As commander of the Maritime Corps, he would set sail for one or two months at a time — hiring a young, handsome tutor to serve as his son's private teacher and live under the same roof with his wife day and night was simply far too dangerous…
Finally, Sambawood found a female tutor for Genorio — only eight years his senior, young and beautiful. She was said to be the daughter of a renowned scholar who had unfortunately passed away during the imperial civil war, leaving behind a widow and daughter to fend for themselves. Having heard that this woman had inherited eighty percent of her father's learning, Sambawood was intrigued. He offered her a generous salary to become Genorio's private literary tutor.
The female tutor's skill was truly exceptional. After teaching Genorio for four years, she shaped him into a cultured literary talent. Those four years of close contact caused Genorio's feelings to shift from respect to admiration, and finally to an irredeemable love for his teacher. The elegant, delicate handwriting he could produce, for instance, was the result of years of practice imitating her script.
"Your teacher's skill was genuinely impressive — to be able to bring you to this level. By the way, Genorio, do you truly have feelings for your teacher? An eight-year age gap isn't really a problem, you know. I'm your master now, so I could help you work something out." Lorist was teasing him.
Genorio smiled bitterly. "Thank you, Master, but there's no need. She has already become my father's concubine..."
What an unexpected outcome. Lorist was left speechless, and could only pat Genorio on the back in comfort.
After returning from the training grounds behind the mountain, Lorist had lunch with Princess Cilivia and strolled through the gardens. Before long, it was time for afternoon tea. The princess was very fond of the son Deliana had borne for Lorist and kept doting on the little one. Lorist was pleased that the princess got along well with his three concubines. The three maids also knew that the princess becoming the matriarch of the Norton Family was a foregone conclusion, so they were all eager to maintain a good relationship with her. However, the princess hogged all of Lorist's time and wouldn't let him spend any private moments with the three concubines, which gave him quite the headache.
Since there was nothing else to do, Lorist had Genorio demonstrate his basic swordsmanship and pointed out some of its shortcomings, thoroughly enjoying his role as teacher. He then personally stepped in to demonstrate several times himself, working up quite a sweat.
"My lord, Baron Codan requests an audience." Just as the princess was tenderly wiping the sweat from Lorist's brow, a guard arrived with the report.
Since Superintendent Hanske had become the governor of Shilovas Island, Superintendent Codan had taken over his statistical department on top of his own personnel inspection division, and had been rushed off his feet ever since. The fact that he was coming to request an audience with Lorist today — could something have happened in the family's territories?
...and was a matter of loyalty.
Superintendent Codan was the only one among the three superintendents who had not expressed any objection to Lorist's decision to marry Princess Silvia. After bowing to Lorist in the study, he revealed a bitter smile and a look of helplessness. "Your Highness, Madam Elnina asked me to remind you not to forget the promise you made back then..."
Huh? What did this have to do with Elnina? Was it worth Superintendent Codan making a personal trip? Lorist pondered this thoughtfully.
Over the past two years, Lorist's relationship with Elnina had rapidly deteriorated. As the only maid Lorist had taken to bed after returning to the family's territories, and also the first concubine to bear him two sons, Elnina should have enjoyed Lorist's trust and favor. Unfortunately, she had a peculiar quirk: she absolutely refused to leave Maplewood Manor. Meanwhile, Lorist had been constantly rushing around, expanding his power and developing his territories. Maplewood Manor's importance within the Norton Family's lands had also been steadily declining. By now, this initial castle estate of the Norton Family had almost become a forgotten corner, almost like Elnina's private domain.
Lorist had fallen out with Elnina over their eldest son, Lexcte. The eight-year-old Lexcte had been spoiled by Elnina into a tyrannical little brute. Furious, Lorist had given him a sound beating, taken him away from Maplewood Manor, and sent him to live with Marlek, entrusting the latter's wife with his education. Elnina had cried and caused a scene, refusing to let the matter drop. It was only after Lorist sternly warned her that he would strip Lexcte of his status as first heir that she finally calmed down.
After that, Elnina had spent her days at Maplewood Manor weeping, resentful that Lorist had taken her precious son away from her. At the same time, she had indulged in overeating. In less than two years, she had doubled in size. When Lorist visited Maplewood Manor last year, he discovered she had become a great, round ball.
"Your Highness, Elnina's father was also a Family Knight. He was very kind to us when we were young, and later died bravely for the family. The family then adopted her. Because of this bond, it was actually Baron Hanske who took the lead in so actively opposing your marriage to Princess Silvia. My coming here this time was also at her request, to remind Your Highness of the promise you made, that Lexcte's position as first heir would not change." Superintendent Codan explained helplessly.
Lorist suddenly understood everything. It turned out Elnina was worried that after he married Princess Silvia, any children they might have in the future would be considered legitimate heirs, thus depriving Lexcte of his inheritance rights. After all, her status was merely his concubine. Even though Lexcte was recorded in the family tree, his status was far inferior to children born to the main wife...
"Sigh..." Lorist let out a long sigh. What a mess. He was still very much alive, and someone was already fretting over inheritance. If he became a Sword Saint, he would only live longer than his son. To put it bluntly, it wouldn't be strange for a Sword Saint to outlive his grandson by several decades.
"Go tell Elnina to stay peacefully in Maplewood Manor and stop letting her imagination run wild. At this year's New Year's celebration, I will grant her the title of lifelong Baron, and Maplewood Manor will become her fief. After she passes, it will be reclaimed by the family. I hope she can live out her days happily in Maplewood Manor. As for her sons, the elder has changed a great deal. When he turns twelve, I will send him to the Nico Academy. At that time, I will have him return to Maplewood Manor for a visit so mother and son can reunite. Right now, she still has the younger one with her, and I hope he won't be spoiled beyond reason like Lexcte. That is all, Baron Codan."
"Yes, Your Highness."
... (To be continued.)