Chapter 241: Self-Recommendation
After their conversation ended, Count Kais excused himself to attend to some administrative matters.
Duane, meanwhile, took a tour of Sea Cliff Castle, accompanied by Housekeeper Moer.
Although the scenery was pleasant, he found it a bit dull.
While they walked, he began to ask the housekeeper for some information.
"Housekeeper, is Lord George very busy? It seems that no matter how many times I visit Sea Cliff Castle, I rarely catch a glimpse of him."
Duane was relatively familiar with Lloyd, but he was a stranger to George, the heir to the Kennedy Clan.
"Yes, my lord."
Moer bowed slightly, following one step behind Duane, and answered very politely:
"Young Master George is the clan’s heir, and the Count has placed great hopes in him. His daily routine involves not only intensive training and combat on horseback but also studying a range of administrative knowledge, such as governing a territory."
"To better temper Young Master George’s abilities, the Count has specifically entrusted him with the management of Fengshui City."
It dawned on Duane. So George lived in Fengshui City day-to-day.
"I recall Lloyd is about twenty-one this year. As his older brother, Lord George must be even older. How have I not heard any news of him getting married or entering a marriage alliance?"
According to the Kingdom’s customs, the period for the children of nobility to enter marriage alliances is between the ages of sixteen and twenty.
An heir like George would typically be wed around the age of twenty.
As the second son, Lloyd’s marriage might be a bit later, but it would still happen before he turned twenty-four.
But what Duane found strange was that there seemed to be no movement on the marriage front for either George or Lloyd.
Moer hesitated, as if there was something difficult to speak of.
After a moment’s delay, he finally said:
"Young Master George’s marriage was delayed due to a misfortune in a past relationship. However, things have been settled in the last two years. All that’s left is to find the right time for an announcement."
Duane began to rack his brain, searching his mind for any relevant information.
But no matter how hard he searched, he couldn’t recall any memories concerning George’s past relationship.
However, seeing Housekeeper Moer’s hesitant manner, he knew there was definitely more to the story.
But since the other man was unwilling to talk, it would be pointless to ask.
Instead, he casually remarked, "The Count is quite open-minded in this regard!"
"Indeed!"
Moer wholeheartedly agreed.
"The Count isn’t keen on arranging marriage alliances with the High Lord Clans within the Kingdom. He once told Young Master Lloyd that as long as the person the young master fancies has their own unique qualities and abilities, he will not interfere."
In reality, Kais’s words were born somewhat of necessity.
The Kennedys are an Earl Clan, so for a marriage alliance, they would naturally look for nobility of an equal or higher rank.
But looking across the entire Kingdom, there were only two other Counts, one Marquis, and one Duke.
The daughters of these few families were either already married or betrothed.
It was nearly impossible for Lloyd to choose a partner from these families.
Even looking down the ladder to the seven Kingdom Viscount and eighteen Kingdom Baron families, the options remained limited.
In light of this situation, Count Kais had relaxed his requirements.
For him, whether Lloyd married the daughter of a wealthy merchant, an official, or even a commoner with extraordinary magic talent, he would accept it.
It was hard to imagine that Kais, a member of the nobility, would hold such views.
"It’s an old tradition in the Kennedy Clan."
Moer explained with a smile, "Lady Delilah was not born into the nobility. She is the daughter of the Dean Clan, a wealthy merchant family from Tide City on the Silent Shore."
Duane knew a little about this.
Lady Delilah had caught the Old Count’s eye with her exceptional magic talent.
Furthermore, it was during a time of war, and the Kennedy Clan, finding themselves on the defensive, managed to weather the crisis only with the support of the Delilah Clan.
From that moment on, the Old Count arranged the marriage between Kais and Delilah.
Although that war led to the deaths of the Old Count as well as Delilah’s father and brother, Count Kais honored his promise and married Delilah.
The Kennedy Clan also leveraged the Dean Clan’s assets to develop better and faster, quickly solidifying their position as a Count within the Kingdom.
Duane pondered for a moment. ’If Count Kais truly has this mindset, it would be advantageous for me.’
"What about Natalia?"
Duane asked, "I wonder, has the Count made any suggestions or requirements for Natalia’s marriage partner?"
Something shifted in Moer’s expression. He gave Duane a strange look. ’Why do I feel like this question is the real point of this whole conversation?’
He smiled faintly and said, "Miss Natalia is not only beautiful, but she also possesses extremely high talent in magic. Furthermore, she is the only daughter of the Kennedy Clan. Naturally, many people are interested."
Duane nodded slightly. That was perfectly normal; after all, Natalia had reached the age where marriage alliances were discussed.
At this, Housekeeper Moer’s tone shifted. "However, the Count places more importance on a man’s potential. Even if someone has a good background, if their future achievements will be limited, they are not the ideal candidate."
Hearing this, Duane couldn’t help but point to himself and ask, "What do you think of me?"
"Er... Baron, you mustn’t joke with me like that!"
Moer was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Discussing my masters already puts me at risk of breaking the rules. How would I dare presume to speak for the Count and pass judgment on you!"
Duane smiled as well and didn’t press the issue.
He knew Moer would certainly relay what he had just said to Count Kais.
And that was exactly what he wanted.
Even though love was mixed with interests, now that he had chosen Natalia in his heart, he had to take the initiative to win her.
In a world where a father could decide his daughter’s marriage partner, the first thing Duane had to do was get his name on the Count’s list of potential sons-in-law.
The two of them arrived at the lakeside within Sea Cliff Castle. Duane asked for a fishing rod and sat by the bank to fish, passing the dull time while waiting for lunch.
Speaking of which, his Basic Fishing skill hadn’t increased at all. It was still at Skilled (283/300).
About an hour later, his Skill Level had increased by three points.
But just as he was about to put down his rod, a servant from Sea Cliff Castle came running over in a hurry.
Moer slowed his pace, walked over, and asked in a low voice, "What is it?"
The servant replied in an equally low voice, "The lady and the young miss have returned. When they heard Baron Duane was in the castle, they wished to see him."
Moer nodded and was about to relay the message to Duane, but he saw that the latter had already put away his fishing rod.
Even though Moer and the servant hadn’t wanted to disturb Duane’s fishing, with his hearing, Duane could easily overhear their conversation.
"Quickly, take me to them. Don’t keep the lady waiting."
He had come to Sea Cliff Castle several times, but he had never met Delilah either.
Soon, under Moer’s guidance, he arrived at the main keep’s drawing room.
"Duane, you’re here!"
Natalia came forward happily. "Sorry, I was a bit busy yesterday and didn’t make it back."
"It’s fine. Nothing urgent was happening at the Time Closet anyway."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the drawing room, where a beautiful woman was seated beside Count Kais.
At a single glance, Duane could see that Delilah and Natalia bore a noticeable resemblance to each other.
They both had long, silver-gray hair and favored long dresses or Magic Robes in shades of blue.
Upon closer inspection, however, Delilah’s expression was rather stern.
When their eyes met, Duane felt as if he were facing a strict teacher, making him inexplicably nervous.
In contrast, while Natalia might appear aloof, she also had a cute side.
"This is my mother, Delilah. She heard from me about your idea for the Magic Dryer and wanted to speak with you about it in person."
Duane quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady!"
Only then did Delilah offer a faint smile, melting the sternness from her face. "I’m very pleased to meet you, too."
She rose and invited Duane to sit. "Our research and exploration of magic are capable of changing our lives. To achieve that, we need minds that are not bound by convention."
Lady Delilah praised, "Baron, in you, I see this noble quality!"