217: Alice sacrificed for her family

Chapter 217: Alice's Sacrifice for the Family

Half an hour later, Dick arrived at a luxurious manor in the Northern District of the Royal Capital by carriage.

The Bison Family flag fluttering in the wind in front of the gate silently declared the ownership of the manor.

The land price in the Northern District is extremely expensive, even reaching the point where every inch of land is worth gold, making it a true top-tier wealthy area.

However, the Bison Family's manor is still vast and magnificent, and Duke Bison usually works here.

As a famous business magnate in the Aimiya Empire, Duke Bison rarely resides in his own territory; he is mostly busy with business around the Royal Capital.

In the Aimiya Empire, the Royal Capital is undoubtedly the economic center; if you want to make money, you have to come here, staying in your territory all the time won't make you rich.

A large part of the reason why the Bison Family could become one of the top ten wealthiest families in the country is that they have many businesses in the Royal Capital, and other nobles are also keen on developing in the Royal Capital.

This is a situation the Royal Family likes to see.

After all, the Royal Capital is the Royal Family's territory, directly administered by the Royal Family; naturally, the biggest beneficiary when it becomes the economic center is also the Royal Family.

Today, the Royal Capital is not only the economic center but also the center of politics, culture, and religion, which precisely indicates that the Royal Family's centralized rule is very successful.

Elizabeth only needs to be stationed in the Royal Capital to ensure that the entire Aimiya Empire remains stable.

As soon as Dick got off the carriage, Alice, who had been waiting at the door early, came to greet him, and Duke Bison was also by her side.

"Duke Bison, good day." Dick greeted him softly.

"Count Grudia, your speech at the banquet impressed me greatly. You are indeed a talent valued by Empress Elizabeth!"

Duke Bison looked at Dick and praised him gently, saying, "It is my daughter's fortune to be friends with such an excellent young man like you."

"Haha, Duke Bison, you flatter me. It is also my greatest fortune to have gained Miss Alice's appreciation in Bison Territory."

Dick exchanged a few pleasantries with Duke Bison before entering the manor. Although they were a generation apart, they looked like friends of the same generation.

Although nominally, Dick was still Alice's attendant, this relationship had long ceased to exist in reality.

One must know that Dick now holds many titles and can be completely independent.

And most importantly, Dick has already been ennobled; he is a proper Earl!

This is not an Earl subservient to the Bison Family, but one directly under the Royal Family!

Even if Dick wanted to continue being Alice's attendant, she wouldn't dare accept, and Duke Bison would even less dare, because this would be equivalent to challenging the Royal Family.

An Earl personally enfeoffed by Your Majesty, taken as your attendant?

This is simply an epic act of overstepping boundaries; calling it rebellion wouldn't be an exaggeration, and the entire Royal Family would be very displeased.

Duke Bison is not foolish; at this moment, he completely treats Dick as a noble in their communication, and his tone is very polite.

Besides the matter of etiquette, Duke Bison also has something to ask of Dick now, and therefore must lower his stance.

A few minutes later, in the reception room of Baisen Manor, Alice personally poured Dick a cup of tea and then sat down beside him.

This was Duke Bison's arrangement. Elizabeth's engagement has not yet been publicly announced, and Dick is still the most desirable single young man.

He is not only desired by the empire's single women but also by many established nobles, such as Duke Bison.

With his status, position, talent, and future prospects, Dick even has the qualifications to become a consort, let alone becoming the son-in-law of his Bison Family.

Alice didn't say much about her father's arrangement; after all... she had already been Dick's person in Bison Territory.

After drinking a cup of hot tea, Duke Bison said slowly, "Count Grudia, speaking of which, Bison Territory is your hometown, we are all from the same place..."

Listening to Duke Bison trying to build connections and get closer, Dick felt a silent disdain in his heart.

The main purpose of being invited here today was not to see Duke Bison, nor to see Alice, but to see Mina, who was staying at Baisen Manor.

To be precise, it was to see the purple longevity divine flower that Mina was helping to take care of.

Dick didn't want to waste too much time and immediately said, "Duke Bison, did you ask me to come today just to chat and build rapport?"

"Heh heh, young people dislike formalities, being straightforward is also a good thing, so I won't beat around the bush either."

Duke Bison chuckled lightly and got straight to the point, saying, "I hope you can consider the sake of our hometown, the sake of my Bison Family's strong support for you, and the sake of Alice..."

As he spoke, Duke Bison glanced at Alice, who immediately moved closer to Dick.

Duke Bison was extremely confident in his daughter's beauty; as long as Dick was a normal man, it would be impossible for him not to be attracted to Alice.

Being able to top the Empire's Most Beautiful Girls ranking for five consecutive years, Alice's beauty was no joke.

"I hope you can communicate with Your Majesty and let Bison Territory become the trial site for the ""Magic Innovation"" Project. The Bison Family will fully cooperate."

Upon hearing this, Dick instantly understood Duke Bison's plan.

This old noble is quite clever. This way, Bison Territory will be the first noble territory to reap the benefits of the innovation and can also complete industrial upgrading faster.

However, no matter how clever Duke Bison is, he is merely a noble from the old era and could not possibly possess such foresight.

Ultimately, no one has seen what the magic industry looks like. Although Dick spoke glowingly about it at the banquet, it's hard to say how it will actually turn out.

The magic industry taking off in the Central Region doesn't mean it can conquer the Northern Region; the economic environments in different areas vary greatly.

Yet, despite this, Duke Bison still dares to let Bison Territory be the first to try.

So the answer is very obvious.

"Alice, you certainly know how to consider your family."

It must have been Alice who suggested it to Duke Bison. Being by my side, she is very clear about the benefits that the Magical Guidance Innovation Project can bring.

Indeed, upon hearing Dick's telepathic message, Alice's body trembled, and she said somewhat guiltily:

"I, I just want the Magical Guidance Innovation Project to proceed smoothly, helping Bison Territory... is just a side matter."

Dick didn't want to say much more. Alice's self-interest is understandable, and letting Bison Territory become a trial site is actually a good thing.

As long as Bison Territory successfully gets the first taste of sweetness, other nobles will see it and definitely introduce the magic industry, thereby accelerating the progress of the Magical Guidance Innovation Project.

"Don't worry, Duke Bison, I will talk to Your Majesty about it later. You can have Bison Territory prepare in advance."

Dick readily agreed. Duke Bison was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly personally poured Dick a cup of tea, promising various benefits.

After the conversation ended, Duke Bison left feeling satisfied. Before leaving, he specifically asked Alice to show Dick around the manor.

"Alice, my dear daughter, your father knows you look down on commoners, but this Dick is now an Earl, and he will definitely become a person of immense power in the future..."

"You have grown up, you must have the awareness to sacrifice for the family. Try your best to win over Dick later and help the Bison Family seize this opportunity!"

Duke Bison was very worried about his daughter. He had watched Alice grow up since she was little and knew that Alice was very arrogant and would definitely despise Dick, who came from a humble background.

"Your father won't say more. You must absolutely tolerate any rudeness from Dick and do not displease Dick..."

Alice quietly listened to her father's telepathic message, her heart extremely complicated.

She was indeed enduring, but what she was enduring seemed to be the opposite of what her father was worried about.