Chapter 93: Doting godmother(1) (1/2)

The Duke smirked as he said those words,

”Beautiful. Very beautiful. Your highness, your answer truly moved me. I also believe that mutual interest is the way to go rather than simple blind loyalty. Then your highness, since the two of us believe in mutual interest. Pray tell me, what can you give me to make me swear allegiance to you?”

Silence fell in the office as he observed the impassive expression on the prince's face.

Truth be told, he had already decided to throw his lot with the prince. So no matter what the prince said here, as long as it wasn't something particularly idiotic, he would still follow him.

'Of course the better the answer the happier and more devoted I will be.'

Hermes was first and foremost a merchant before being a noble.

As a merchant, he had the boldness to invest in a promising stock, but he also had the decisiveness necessary to cut the tail at any moment.

Sol, unaware of Hermes's thoughts, was seriously pondering. Though, even if he was aware he would still do the same.

Sol believed in love and friendship. But such things couldn't be formed out of anywhere. As such, the most secure form of relationships was a common interest.

He had promised the Duke Highland to help him redress the situation of his family and accept Athena as one of his personal knights, with the chance of becoming his concubine.

But what did the Duke Traver need?

This was something complicated.

The ducal house under the order of Hermes wasn't the strongest, nor did it have the most influence.

Because of that, they had basically no weakness. What's more, they were connected to the dwarf kingdom. Giving them more avenue

Closing his eyes, he began to accelerate his thoughts.

What did they need the most?

Money?

No, the Traver lacked anything but money.

Then, Sol grinned,

”Duke Hermes, if I were to ask you. How strong are you compared to the other Dukes?”

”...?”

Hermes tilted his head in wonder but still answered.

”In terms of power, be it myself as a Duke or our house as a whole, we are without a doubt the weakest of the four houses.”

'As I thought.'

Sol grin didn't fade as he continued,

”From what I know, it seems like the number of bandits has exponentially increased the last few months. I suppose that it must be rather troubling for you, isn't it?”

If Hermes couldn't understand what Sol was trying to imply now, then he would have wasted all his years.

”Indeed. Those bandits prove to be a true headache. What's more, we must pay more fees to the different ducal houses to get more protection.”

”If I remember clearly back then it's how the king enticed the first Duchess right? Only, most of your rights were revoked during my father and Aunt tenure of power.”

Hermes gave a bitter ”Indeed.”

Back then, during the puppets King era, even though he wasn't the Duke, it didn't mean that he was spotless. He had enjoyed the advantage his father brought and he now had to pay the consequences.

After all, who would have thought that someone like Mars would be born? The only reason that four houses hadn't been eradicated at that time was that the Hero king was too kind and refused unnecessary bloodshed.

If the one with the blessing of luxuria had been Lilith?