38: A closer relationship

After the four chatted for a while, David's wife pulled Karona to join the noblewomen's group, planning to introduce Karona to the others.

David had been helped by Arthur multiple times during the war against the Gnolls, so he no longer treated him as an outsider.

Watching Karona and the other woman leave, David's smile immediately faded, and he said with a slightly serious expression:

"Although I helped you make a move on Karona just now, Arthur, have you really thought about marrying Karona in the future?

That would mean you might become the laughing stock of many nobles, and even be out of step with the nobles in the kingdom.

Moreover, you already have an engaged fiancée, Olivia.

She is the Marquis of Roses's legitimate daughter. You two aren't even married yet, and you're already openly displaying Karona. This might incur the wrath of Marquis of Roses. Is it really worth it?"

Arthur understood from David's words that the latter already regarded him as a close friend, so he expressed his inner thoughts:

"David, I'm very happy that you can say these things to me!

Olivia, although she is my sister's best friend, they met and became acquainted while studying in the Imperial Capital. I haven't met her many times.

Our engagement is just a normal political marriage; I have no feelings for her!

As for Karona, although she is just a personal maid cultivated for me by my father, we have been together for nearly ten years and understand each other very well.

Most importantly, I can feel that Karona already regards me as the most important person to her. How could I not reciprocate that?

Even if Marquis of Roses is enraged by this, leading to the failure of our family's alliance, I will not regret it!

As for those who mock and ostracize me because of this, I don't care.

I will definitely become a strong person in the future. A strong person doesn't care about the mockery of the weak. If they truly annoy me, I will simply eliminate them with a flick of my hand!"

David did not doubt Arthur's claim that he would become a strong person, as the various mysteries Arthur displayed during this war were enough to prove it.

David, instead, greatly admired Arthur's courage in disregarding worldly opinions. He knew that his marriage to his wife was also just a political alliance, and they hadn't met many times before getting married.

David was very fortunate that his wife was an easy-going person, so their relationship was harmonious.

But if he were to encounter someone difficult to get along with again, it would be miserable. Therefore, David also expressed his admiration for Arthur's bravery.

"Then I will help you succeed!"

"Thanks!"

After this heart-to-heart conversation, the relationship between the two clearly grew much closer.

On the other side, when David's wife brought Karona into a group of noblewomen, these noblewomen did not show any unpleasant expressions towards Karona; instead, they were very enthusiastic.

There were two reasons for this: firstly, Arthur's territory was the strongest among everyone present, so they dared not offend him.

Secondly, Arthur had greatly contributed to repelling the Gnolls this time, saving Northern Bulwark City from danger.

Otherwise, who knows how many of their husbands would have sacrificed their lives.

From this perspective, Arthur was also their benefactor, so it was naturally impossible for them to show any disdain towards Karona.

The second reason was the main one; otherwise, with the inherent arrogance of nobles, even if they were constrained by Arthur's strength and didn't make things difficult for Karona, they wouldn't have enthusiastically chatted with her.

Afterward, the noblewomen, full of curiosity, constantly asked Karona about her and Arthur's situation, inquiring about how they confirmed their relationship!

This was a huge piece of gossip, and the ladies, with their natural gossipy nature, naturally wanted to know the specifics!

Some even went so far as to ask how far they had progressed!

How could Karona possibly answer that? She could only weakly refute, saying that they weren't that kind of couple!

But how could her one mouth contend with hundreds of others?

As a result, Karona eventually stopped denying her relationship with Arthur. Helpless, she could only remain silent.

This, in turn, was taken as tacit agreement by the other noblewomen.

However, the noblewomen constantly discussing such topics was not without effect.

Although Karona didn't say it, in her heart, she sometimes fantasized about how happy she would be if she truly became Arthur's wife!

But remembering the disparity in their statuses, Karona quickly shook her head to herself, dismissing those fantasies.

In fact, Karona understood Arthur's intentions all too well; she just didn't dare to hope for too much!

Regardless, after attending this banquet, Karona was no longer so quick to refute others calling her Arthur's wife!

After all, she had gotten somewhat used to it. This was also a kind of progress!

The banquet eventually came to an end!

Arthur and Karona, sitting in the returning carriage, looked at each other in silence.

Arthur knew that Karona had received a massive amount of information during the banquet, so he didn't want to disturb her further, wanting her to properly digest it.

Karona, on the other hand, was embarrassed. After all, for the past few hours, she had been called Arthur's wife by others, and now she didn't know how to speak!

Thus, the two didn't say another word until they returned to their temporary residence in Northern Bulwark City.

The next day, after Arthur opened his eyes, Karona was still as usual, dressed in her maid's uniform, standing by his bed, constantly attentive to his needs.

"Good morning, Karona!"

"Good morning, Young Master Arthur!"

The two seemed to have returned to their usual selves.

However, unlike before, when Arthur casually removed a small fallen leaf from Karona's silver hair later.

Karona did not, as in the past, remind Arthur not to do so due to their difference in status. Instead, her pretty face silently flushed, and she said nothing.

It seems that Karona can now accept a certain degree of intimate contact from Arthur... Since intelligence indicated that the Gnoll tribe no longer intended to attack the developing territory, Arthur stayed in Northern Bulwark City for another day before setting off back to Initial City!

Arthur's performance in Northern Bulwark City had long since spread back to Initial City, and even to the Counts Fief and within the Kingdom.

So when Arthur returned to Initial City, everyone in the city came to greet him with smiles.

This time, unlike when Arthur first arrived in the territory, they came spontaneously.

After all, Arthur had saved them from the ravages of war this time, and with such a powerful lord, their lives would also be better!

So now, the people of Initial City were exceptionally enthusiastic towards Arthur!

After waving to the enthusiastic crowd, Arthur finally returned to his familiar castle.

Sitting in his familiar study, Arthur thought that it was less than a week until August, and his Portable Shop would be able to add new items. He was really looking forward to it!

Just as Arthur thought that the peaceful days would continue, a message from the Counts Mansion arrived that very evening.

It turned out that the news of Arthur attending the banquet with Karona and acknowledging her as his Baroness had reached the Counts Fief and the Kingdom.

This concerned Arthur's lifelong happiness. To The Count and Countess, Arthur's defeat of the Gnolls was not as important as this news, so they naturally wanted to meet with him in person to discuss it.