Noel looked down, recalling the information about her brother. 'If I'm not wrong, her brother is known to be a genius as well. It's said that Marquis Stargaze has found a good successor for him. However, everything changes with Anna inside the picture.
'Her talent is so amazing that her brother turns into a shadow. However, Anna's personality was known to be troublesome, so her brother remains the heir of the Stargaze family.
'It seems that he has to go to the front line to protect himself. I see. If he has become a Spirit Grandmaster, he's definitely worthy of being the successor of the Stargaze family.
'And because Anna's personality issue has been solved and she is now engaged to me, there won't be anyone stopping him from returning home. All Uncle Kevin needs to do is teach him the politics before handing him the seat of the Stargaze family's patriarch.'
Noel couldn't help but ask, "Will it be fine for him to return? I'm not going to turn him away from the marriage ceremony. I'm just worried…"
"It's fine. I'd actually sent a message to him about the marriage ceremony. He was delighted to know that and was prepared to return. But it just happened that we would move the schedule ahead." Kevin shrugged.
"I see." Noel nodded, feeling relieved.
"That's right. You've got a letter."
Noel glanced at the letter and mentioned no name. It must be the letter that was passed by the brothel manager in the capital city.
"I understand. Thank you very much." Noel smiled.
"I know that I shouldn't worry about this, but I need to warn you. Don't underestimate those old nobles in the palace. They might end up devouring you."
"Do you know about their intentions? And what kind of things are they planning to seize?"
Kevin thought for a moment. "I'm not so sure about this, but obviously, they're planning to acquire your runes. And obviously, they might end up forcing you to submit it to the kingdom."
"The runes are solely mine. And they won't be able to seize it. I have prepared some assurance as well."
"In that case, you should worry about Duke Briton's incident."
"I know." Noel nodded.
"Last but not least, it's the Atracaeca Kingdom. We don't know about their stance yet, but if they end up joining hands with the royal family, even you might have a problem."
"Atracaeca Kingdom, huh?" Noel looked down before asking inwardly, 'Ardagan. How about giving me a mission?'
[Mission: Win the debate against the old nobles.]
[Description: The old nobles have prepared to make trouble during your reward ceremony. Beat them up with your mouth and obliterate their plans.]
[Reward: Dignity Medal]
[Mission: Win the heart of your father-in-law and brother-in-law.]
[Description: To marry someone means to win the hearts of her family.]
[Reward: Blessing Medal]
'This is…' Noel read the two missions carefully, confusing Kevin.
"Is there a problem?" Kevin looked concerned.
"I believe that the Atracaeca Kingdom hasn't made their stance clear yet."
"Is that so?" Kevin didn't know where Noel got that information, but he wasn't a reckless person, so he could safely assume that this information was true.
"Also…" Noel opened the letter in front of Kevin and checked the content. As he expected, it was about their new project. "Uncle… There is something I'd like to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I haven't given you anything for your blessing. So, if possible, I'd like to extend the new project to your territory."
"A new project? With your rune technology?"
"Yes."
Kevin looked down. "But because I'm one of the arbiters and a minister, I rarely go home. Most of the territory matters are handled by my wife or mayors. Unless they send an important matter to me, I don't really take care of the territory anymore."
"I understand your circumstances, Uncle. However, you're trying to call Anna's brother home, right?"
"Ah!" Kevin finally understood what Noel was planning. Since he would become the successor of the Stargaze family, it might not be a bad idea to have him govern the territory first. And this project would definitely benefit the Stargaze family.
"The project this time is about highways. I'm planning to extend the highway to other territories as well. The rune technology I'm talking about is called 'Train.' This technology allows you to transport at least a hundred tons in a single trip.
"In the future, I'm planning to produce a carriage for both nobles and common families. By using this highway, people can travel easily and much faster. I call this 'Car.'
"However, there is a problem. If Uncle accepts my proposal, we will have to convince the three lords between our territories."
Kevin closed his eyes for a moment. This project was definitely beneficial to his territory. And the task of convincing the three lords shouldn't be that hard, considering they were not in the royal faction.
This might be a perfect opportunity to teach his son how to negotiate with other nobles. In addition, it would also bring these three nobles into their side, which allowed them to resist the royal faction.
"I'm sorry that I'm a bit shameless here, considering it's Anna who came up with the invention."
Kevin shook his head. He had heard about the truth as well. Anna only suggested the idea while Noel extended the idea to a magnificent plan. Hence, he patted Noel's shoulders while saying, "Thank you."
"This is what I should do." Noel smiled.
While they married each other out of love, the usual marriage would benefit both parties. That was the basis of the political marriage. Either to gain an advantage or to provide protection, the marriage between nobles required benefits.
He knew that Kevin didn't really need it since, for him, the biggest gift Noel could give was the fact that Anna had changed into a better person.
So, Kevin knew that Noel told him about this project for the sake of Anna's brother.
"In that case, I'll prepare everything for your ceremony tomorrow. You can just enjoy your time here and make sure you're ready to face those sly foxes."
"I understand. Thank you, Uncle." Noel politely lowered his head.
"I should be the one thanking you. Hahaha. I'll make the arrangement immediately." Kevin waved his hand and rushed off with a big smile on his face.
'And we just have to wait. I hope that Anna's brother is more open-minded. If the mission is completed, it means he is someone I can work with. If it doesn't, then I have to come up with a new way,' Noel thought before closing the door.
The content of the letter contained all the new information and test results from their new invention.
After reading all of it, Noel replied to them about the next project as well as the names of these inventions. He simply slapped the name of the previous civilization onto them though.
…
Finally, the day of his ceremony arrived.
"Am I supposed to wear this?" Noel asked with a wry smile.
"What's wrong? It suits you." Kevin chuckled. Because he usually wore the black military uniform from the Demon Banner Army, wearing the opposite color made him look different.
Yes, instead of black, he was wearing a white ceremonial uniform. It created a contrast with his hair and eyes.
However, the aura of the warrior as well as the pride of a noble transformed the awkwardness into dignity.
Noel was never like Anna, who was one of the flowers of the kingdom. However, he had a charm different from theirs but didn't lose to them either.
Ardagan also matched him by turning white like when they were in disguise.
"Hahaha. You definitely will not lose against those pretty boys." Kevin laughed happily.
"We can just wear the usual one, can't we? It doesn't really matter."
"Of course, it matters. Even though it's minuscule, having a good appearance will give you an advantage in the debate. Besides, there are a lot of ladies attending the ceremony. I want to show off a little bit, telling them that this is what they have missed."
Noel scratched the back of his head. "Well, it doesn't really matter to me. But if that makes you happy, I don't really mind."
"After the ceremony, there will be a banquet too. While it looks flashy, it's pretty comfortable, right?"
"Indeed." Noel's plan was to receive the reward, escape from the banquet, and return to his territory as quickly as possible. Of course, the banquet would definitely allow him to see the nobles' stances about the current political situation, even though he would be tired of dealing with the nobles who would try to shove their daughters at him.
Either way, this was also another opportunity for him to deal some damage to their reputation. He had even arranged a few things.
"That's right. Uncle… There are a few things I'd like you to do. I'm not sure what will happen during the ceremony, so I have prepared some countermeasures. If the condition reaches those points, I hope that you can help me."
"Hoh? Sure. What do you want me to do?"
Noel smiled evilly as if he had made a devilish plan to smear the royal family as well as crush his father's rival.
Even Kevin's face turned into shock after hearing the plan. He never thought that his son-in-law could even come up with something like this.
"Alright. You got my words." Kevin smirked, feeling excited about the drama that would occur in the palace. "Let's go to the palace now."
"Yes."
Both of them immediately headed to the carriage. This was the night where the pair of father and son-in-law would wreak havoc in the palace.
"Earl Noel Ardagan is entering the hall!"
