CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 4 IREYA’S NEW JOB

Fosto, who had always served as the chief steward for the Arias family, assisting the Lord in handling various affairs of the territory, had subtly reminded the young girl when Ireya first took over Teacup Castle that the days to come might be very fulfilling for her.

Ireya was mentally prepared for this; with the blessing of the Ancient Spirit and having just defeated a formidable enemy, the young girl was full of spirits, eager to make a significant impact.

However, when she actually sat in that position, trying to be a beloved and excellent Lord like her father, she realized how difficult it was, and soon she was nearly overwhelmed.

"How could there be so many things to do? I don’t remember my father being this busy either; he could often go hunting and play games with me and my brother."

"The circumstances when Sir Ruse took over as Lord were different from when you, Miss Ireya, took over," said Fosto, "You actually conquered Teacup Castle yourself, so..."

"..."

"Anyway, I’ve made a simple division of the matters you need to handle based on their urgency. Some require immediate decisions, the sooner the better, while others can be postponed a bit."

"Which matters can I postpone?" asked the girl.

"Oh, for example, your uncle Dias, your stepmother, and your brother left in a hurry this morning without taking him. The Purple Sparrow Flower Knight found him drunk and sloshed in a tavern and tied him up to bring to the castle, awaiting your punishment."

"Can this matter be postponed?"

"Since Lord Dias also needs some time to sober up, I think it wouldn’t hurt for you to interrogate him tomorrow."

"Let’s put it off till tomorrow then; I haven’t figured out how to deal with him yet," Ireya said with a headache, "Tell me what I must do today."

"First and foremost is your security, which is of utmost importance. Knight Pablo, who was originally responsible for guarding the castle, was overpowered and imprisoned by your Guardian Knight, Alfred, along with his attendant and his warriors. Now, the castle is under the control of Alfred, but Sir Alfred does not have enough manpower to guard it."

"Why not release Pablo and his men, and let them continue to guard the castle?" Ireya said.

"That’s where the problem lies. Knight Pablo was defeated by Sir Alfred... through some rather dishonorable means, and now there are personal grievances between them. Knight Pablo refuses to work with Sir Alfred.

"Moreover, with the fall of Teacup Castle, Knight Pablo feels partially responsible. He’s disheartened and only wishes you would let him return home to manage his own estate."

"Uh... does Alfred have any suggestions?"

"Sir Alfred suggests that you keep Knight Pablo and his men imprisoned a bit longer to see if they hold any resentment."

"This..." Ireya was torn, instinctively wanting to seek help from Li Yu, but, having just rejected him, she felt somewhat embarrassed to speak up.

Moreover, this was her first day as the Lord of Green Field, and she hoped to prove her capabilities somewhat, to change how the people around her viewed her. Therefore, the girl steeled herself and said, "Let’s put this matter aside for now too, tell me about the next one."

"I’ve just received news that your great-grandmother and your aunt are on their way back to Green Field, likely to arrive tonight. How do you plan to welcome them?"

Miss Rabbit looked conflicted; she still had no idea how many people in her family supported her, and how many supported her brother, Blanco.

Especially since, according to Li Yu, many of these relatives had known the outcome of the election early in the morning, while she had been kept in the dark, like a fool.

DId they also know about Lady Vanessa’s people wanting to eliminate her? Had they delayed their return until now just to give Vanessa enough time to act?

Thinking of this made Ireya’s heart ache even more, making her want to tell Fosto not to let any of these people in.

The old butler, as if seeing through her thoughts, sighed and reminded her, "They are, after all, your relatives; without their support, you will find it difficult to rule this land."

Miss Rabbit bit her lip and remained silent for a long time before she said, "The next matter."

"The next matter is actually somewhat connected to this one, which concerns how you plan to deal with the troops besieging Teacup Castle."

"???"

"Led by Knight Harvey, six knights heeded the call of your stepmother, Lady Vanessa, and assembled a force of nearly three hundred to besiege and attack your castle. Seeing the unfavorable turn of the battle, they even kidnapped Sir Alfred’s family. How do you intend to deal with them?" Fosto rephrased.

He paused before adding, "I advise you not to consider them as a whole."

"What do you mean?"

"For instance, the Gold Snake Knight and the Purple Sparrow Flower Knight responded to your stepmother’s call, but they clearly preferred serving you. It’s just at that time, you had not yet appeared, and rumors of your death were circulating everywhere in Green Field, even causing restlessness within Teacup Castle’s walls.

"Once you showed yourself on the castle ramparts, they were the first to pledge their allegiance to you. They also actively helped you capture Lady Vanessa’s accomplices. I believe you should not view them in the same light as Knight Harvey, who resisted till the end."

"That makes sense," Miss Rabbit nodded. "I should reward them."

"But not too excessively," Fosto warned. "After all, they were still part of your stepmother’s forces at that time. Such actions could be seen as disloyal and contrary to the knight’s spirit."

"......."

Massaging her temples, the young girl felt her head had grown larger. "Fosto, why is everything so complicated? Isn’t there anything clear-cut, where good and evil are easily distinguishable so I can simply punish the evil and promote the good?"

"Such matters are rare for a lord," the old butler replied. "Your father also said something similar. When he was younger, he thought mastering martial arts would defeat all enemies, but after some time as a lord, he realized that balance and compromise are more effective than swords."

"Balance and compromise? That sounds like something old folks would say repeatedly."

"Well, there’s a reason why old folks manage to become old," he said.

Fosto brought the conversation back on track, "The reason I mentioned that these two matters are connected is because they both fundamentally relate to one issue—manpower."

"Manpower?"

"That’s right. If you want to rule Green Field, you need manpower. If you are unwilling to trust your kin, then you can’t harshly punish the knights involved in the siege, otherwise, you won’t have anyone you can rely on."

"Who said so? I can still recruit people from the commoners who are willing to be loyal to me," Ireya said.

"Are you sure? They are illiterate and most can’t ride horses."

"......."

Miss Rabbit felt her headache intensifying, nearly splitting her head apart. "Is there any more bad news? Just tell me everything now."

After Ireya finished speaking, she saw the old butler hesitate to speak and was so shocked that she jumped up from her chair, "Don’t tell me there’s more?"

"The family’s expenses have been high recently, and there’s not much money left in the treasury. Even without hosting any banquets or other major expenses, we will run out of money in a month at most. Also, the knight from the westernmost part of our territory, Trinidad Knight, has reported several times that there’s unusual activity among the lizard people in the marshes. He fears that those creatures might emerge and loot again. Plus, your father..."

Ireya had not even finished listening before she slumped back in her chair, eyes darkening.