Rose Empire

Chapter 11: Departure

The next day, just before setting off, Renee finally understood what Charlotte meant by "start-up funds."

José Mellefeld provided Charlotte with a guard consisting of eighteen knights and forty-three squires, as well as 100,000 Forso in currency.

José Mellefeld felt guilty about the death of his ex-wife, and Charlotte was well aware of this. That's why she occasionally brought up Helen's suicide in front of José Mellefeld.

This approach might seem shameless, but it indeed secured support from the Duke of Green Plains for Charlotte.

For example, this time.

Leaving aside the money, eighteen knights might be insignificant to the Duchy of Green Plains as one of the top five powers in the Oran Empire, the duchy could easily mobilize seven to eight thousand knights during wartime, not including mercenaries and garrison troops.

But for Charlotte, who was preparing to "start from scratch," this was undoubtedly a tremendous help.

With so many people and goods to transport, it was more appropriate to choose carriages.

"After tying the ropes, check them again. Fill any gaps between the boxes with hay to prevent them from falling off during the journey."

A middle-aged man with graying hair, a tall and straight figure, and well-dressed attire was directing the servants of Riverside Castle to prepare the carriages.

From the left side, the man's appearance seemed completely normal, but from the right side or the front, you would notice that he only had a left ear. There were no visible scars where his right ear should have been, as if he had been born without it. However, even without a right ear, it did not detract from his elegant and dignified demeanor.

This middle-aged man was Renee's father, the court steward of the Duchy of Green Plains, Wolf Von Derlen.

Meticulous and thorough, Wolf Von Derlen had always been known for his diligent work ethic, which was why he had earned José Mellefeld's trust and reliance over the years.

"Hey, hey! What are you doing? Where are you moving all this stuff?"

A loud voice shouted, and Wolf frowned as he looked in the direction of the noise. However, upon seeing who was making the commotion, he chose not to intervene, as it was André Mellefeld.

"What are you yelling about? Mind your manners, André," Charlotte chided with a frown.

"Your people are practically emptying my coffers, and you're asking why I'm shouting?" André retorted with a bitter laugh.

"I'm your own sister. What's wrong with borrowing some money from you?" Charlotte shot back.

"When have you ever returned anything you borrowed from me?" André accused. "Charlotte, you're much wealthier than I am. Mom left all her assets to you. Can't you just leave my meager savings alone?"

Charlotte glanced at her brother and sneered, "Do you really not know why Mom left everything to me, brother?"

André harbored some resentment over Charlotte inheriting their mother's entire estate, but when confronted so directly, he found himself unable to voice his complaints.

In the years before Helen's death, she had been tormented by illness and slander, yet André had chosen to side with José Mellefeld. The betrayal by her own son had undoubtedly driven another dagger into Helen's already wounded heart, contributing to her eventual suicide.

To outsiders, André might have had countless reasons and excuses to justify his choices back then, but facing his sister, he couldn't bring himself to say a word.

André remained silent, but Charlotte added, "Fine, I won't take your money for nothing. I'll give you some information in return."

"What information?" André asked, puzzled.

Charlotte leaned in and whispered into André's ear, "On my way back to the Duchy of Green Plains, I encountered assassins. My knight, Marion Durand, died protecting me."

André's eyes widened in shock. "Who was behind it?"

"Although it's not confirmed yet, based on the evidence I've gathered, the assassins were most likely sent by Rosie," Charlotte said with a serious and solemn expression.

After hearing this, André's face darkened. Although the discord between mother and son had existed for a long time, the conflict between André and Rosie had never been openly acknowledged, remaining in a state of tension without breaking into outright hostility. If Rosie had indeed resorted to assassination, it would mean their struggle had entered a far more brutal phase.

After saying this, Charlotte left André behind.

"Uncle Wolf, I bought gifts for Mom, Dad, and some relatives, but they're still on the way. In a few days, when Sir Hermann Green and the convoy arrive, make sure he leaves the gifts I prepared. I had Renee wrap them, and the gift boxes are labeled with names. Just deliver them accordingly," Charlotte instructed.

"Yes, my lady," Wolf Von Derlen replied with a respectful bow.

Maintaining good relations with the family was essential for Charlotte. Why was the Bay Viscountcy so impoverished? In Charlotte's view, one reason was that it was not part of the Duchy of Green Plains.

The Bay Viscountcy was located on the border, adjacent only to the Duchy of Green Plains within the Oran Empire, yet it was not part of the duchy.

The title of Bay Viscount had been earned by Basilic's grandfather through military achievements while serving in the Royal Griffin Knights, making him a direct vassal of the emperor. This was why Charlotte had to swear allegiance to Leopold Holovin upon her investiture.

Thus, from an administrative perspective, the Bay Viscountcy was an isolated enclave in the southwestern corner of the empire.

The emperor, separated by the entire Duchy of Green Plains, had little reach over it, and the Duke of Green Plains considered it the emperor's territory and thus paid it no mind. Throughout history, the Bay Viscountcy had been politically and economically isolated, to the extent that even during natural disasters, no liege would provide relief grain to the territory.

If the Bay Viscountcy had been part of the Duchy of Green Plains, Basilic would never have been so poor as to sell his own castle.

Charlotte couldn't change the fact that the Bay Viscountcy wasn't part of the Duchy of Green Plains, but she could ensure that her territory maintained basic personnel exchanges and trade activities with the duchy by fostering good relations with the Mellefeld family. If faced with an insurmountable enemy, she could also seek military support from nearby.

"My lady, the convoy is ready," Renee said, jogging over with fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

"Since everything's ready, let's set off," Charlotte declared.

"My lady, are you sure I shouldn't come?" a timid voice asked.

Charlotte turned to see Linda looking up at her. She reached out and ruffled the little maid's hair, saying, "Linda, the place I'm going to this time is very harsh. You're still young, so stay home and take care of things here."

The little maid lowered her head. She didn't have the courage to argue with Charlotte, but tears dripped from her chin.

Charlotte waved her hand, and the convoy began to move.

Watching the slowly departing procession, Wolf couldn't help but sigh, "I never expected so many people would be willing to loyally follow Lady Charlotte."

Not counting José Mellefeld's support, Charlotte had managed to gather thirty knights and sixty-six squires for this trip Wolf knew that Lady Helen had left Charlotte with fewer than ten knights before her death. In addition, there were over a dozen scholars, more than forty construction craftsmen and apprentices, as well as stonemasons, carpenters, coachman, gardeners, old farmers, and over a hundred others.

André, still unsettled by Charlotte's parting words, casually replied, "They're just a bunch of commoners. Not worth mentioning."

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