39: Back to the Earldom

On the other hand, Marquis of Roses's people arrived at the Counts Mansion, hoping the Counts Mansion would give them an explanation regarding this matter, or else the marriage alliance between the two families would be canceled.

In short, they wanted Arthur to return to the Counts Fief.

Upon hearing this, Arthur could only sigh, realizing he truly couldn't rest; he had just returned to his territory and now had to leave again!

Compared to Arthur's indifference, Karona, upon learning that Arthur was called back to the Counts Mansion because of her, and might even have his engagement broken off, immediately went to Arthur with a look of guilt!

Looking at Karona's tear-filled face, wet with guilt, Arthur inwardly sighed, Karona still cared about him so much.

To dispel Karona's guilt, Arthur immediately put on a smile:

"This was my own decision, don't overthink it!

Besides, my parents calling me back doesn't necessarily mean they're going to scold me; maybe they want to praise me, praise me for finding them such a wonderful daughter-in-law as you!"

"Pfft! Young Master, you're comforting me again!"

Hearing this, Karona immediately broke into a smile, tears turning to laughter.

At this moment, she seemed to have tacitly accepted Arthur's statement that she was his wife, and asked with a slight worry:

"Then what about the engagement with the Marquiss Mansion?"

Hearing this, Arthur also recalled Olivia's appearance, his fiancée whom he had only met a few times.

Although Olivia was a top-tier beauty, on par with Karona in face and figure,

Arthur wasn't familiar with her and couldn't break Karona's heart for her sake.

If the Marquis's side was still willing to hold the wedding, Arthur wouldn't mind taking in another such beauty.

But if the Marquiss Mansion made any excessive demands, such as forbidding Arthur from associating with Karona again,

Arthur wouldn't mind canceling the engagement. After all, with the Portable Shop, Arthur didn't care much for the Marquis.

So Arthur replied:

"Regarding the engagement with the Marquiss Mansion, if they are willing to continue fulfilling it, I won't object. But if they make any demands that would harm you because of it, then it's better not to get married at all!"

Due to the inherent polygamous system of the Continent of Gods and Karona's own status, Karona had no dissatisfaction with Arthur's statement that he might continue to fulfill the engagement.

Instead, when she heard Arthur say he would refuse to marry the Marquis's legitimate daughter for her sake, her heart was instantly filled with emotion.

Driven by this emotion, Karona, for the first time, proactively hugged Arthur, getting close to him and burying her head in his chest.

She murmured:

"Young Master Arthur, you're so kind!"

Seeing this, Arthur also hugged Karona back, then felt Karona's body stiffen, apparently a little unaccustomed.

He comforted her:

"This is nothing, I'll be even better in the future!"

"Mm!"

Just like that, the two hugged for a long time, leaving behind a beautiful scene in Arthur's study.

If Arthur hadn't been underage, fearing that engaging in such matters too early would affect his physical growth, he might have taken advantage of the situation and 'eaten' Karona tonight!

But in the end, they didn't. The two simply slept together normally, doing nothing else, not even kissing.

The next day, as dawn broke, Karona's biological clock woke her up early!

She looked at Arthur's already well-defined face beside her and smiled sweetly. Even now, Karona still couldn't quite believe that she had actually confirmed her relationship with Arthur.

After staring blankly at Arthur for a while, Karona intended to get up early as usual to take care of Arthur.

But as soon as she moved, Arthur's strong arm wrapped around her.

Arthur had woken up at some point. He immediately saw what Karona was about to do and said softly:

"From now on, you are the mistress of the castle. You don't need to do those things to take care of people anymore. Remember, you must not do them again, or I will be angry!

Now, let's sleep a little longer!"

Towards the end, Arthur's tone became a little stricter, because he knew Karona's habits of many years wouldn't change overnight.

He had to be strict with her so Karona would obey Arthur's words more and become the mistress of the castle faster.

Karona, while touched by Arthur's concern, accepted it frankly.

"Mm!"

After a soft response, she closed her eyes and began her first lie-in in many years.

After the sky was fully bright, which was around seven o'clock, the two finally woke up.

At this time, Karona wanted to help Arthur get dressed again. This time, Arthur didn't stop her, because to some extent, this was also a sign of intimacy!

After training as usual and eating breakfast, Arthur, preparing to return to the Counts Mansion, first gathered everyone in the castle.

In the spacious living room, the butler Poussin and dozens of maids stood neatly in the center, somewhat puzzled by what Arthur was about to announce, as it was being handled with such solemnity!

Today, Karona had changed into a normal white and blue Lolita dress with a cinched waist, and stood with Arthur in front of everyone.

Looking at Karona, who was different from usual, and thinking about the news that had arrived a few days ago, everyone seemed to vaguely guess something!

Seeing that everyone was present, Arthur no longer delayed:

"Everyone, I'm sure you've all heard the news from Northern Bulwark City a few days ago. Today, I'm here to tell you that the news is true.

From today onwards, Karona will no longer be my personal maid; she will become the mistress of this castle. I hope you can discard your previous preconceived notions of her and do what needs to be done, understand?"

"Understood!"

Arthur was met with a crisp, clear two-word response from everyone.

Seeing this, Arthur nodded and dismissed everyone!

In reality, everyone's hearts were not as calm and collected as their answer suggested.

On the contrary, turbulent waves surged within them, as there was no precedent in the Kate Kingdom for a maid rising to become the mistress!

In the past, maids at most became noblemen's lovers!

Now Karona had become the mistress. Since they were all maids, it would be strange if those people weren't envious!

Arthur didn't care about the maids' thoughts; he just needed them to understand that Karona's status was now different.

Although Arthur had always said she was the mistress of the territory, at the moment Arthur personally announced it, Karona's excitement was inexpressible.

At this moment, she had finally officially become the wife of the most important person in her heart!

Unable to vent her inner excitement, Karona, after everyone had left, directly kissed Arthur, to his surprise.

As a man, Arthur naturally couldn't back down. He immediately stretched out his hands, hugged Karona tightly, and reciprocated.

It wasn't until Karona was breathless that Arthur reluctantly let go!

At this moment, Karona's pretty face was flushed to the extreme, as delicate and charming as a blooming flower.

It made Arthur feel an urge to kiss her again, but seeing Karona's pleading eyes, he ultimately let her go!

...Afterward, Arthur began to arrange the list of personnel for this return to the Counts Mansion.

First, Karona definitely had to go back; after all, even an 'ugly daughter-in-law' has to meet her in-laws!

Then there was Chris and the twenty golden sharp lion cavalry, and finally, the main attraction, a Mountain Giant.

Considering that the four thousand gale repeating crossbows and the crossbowmen would remain in Initial City, and such a large number of magical crossbows were extremely valuable, one Mountain Giant had to be left to guard them.

So Arthur could only bring one Mountain Giant back to the Counts Fief and casually chose Zog.

Since not many people were returning this time, preparations were quick. As noon approached, Arthur and his party were ready!

"Lord Arthur, Lady Karona!"

The news of Arthur announcing Karona's status in the castle this morning had already begun to spread throughout Initial City.

Chris and the others naturally received the news, so when they saw Arthur and Karona arrive, they immediately changed their address.

Arthur nodded calmly in response, while Karona, a little unaccustomed, nodded back.

Before, Karona was the one greeting others; now it was reversed, and Karona couldn't adapt to it immediately.

It might take some time for her to truly adapt to her new identity!

"Depart!"

After more than twenty days, Arthur returned to the place where he had lived for over a decade.

In the evening, Arthur and his party finally saw the majestic, dozens-of-meters-high city walls of Mad Lion City.

Along the way, the Mountain Giant's exaggerated size had startled many people and caused Arthur some trouble.

At least when passing through various checkpoints like borders, it was much more troublesome than usual.

For example, with the Mountain Giant's twenty-meter height, ordinary checkpoint gates couldn't accommodate him, so he had to jump over, which caused even greater commotion.

And with that jump, wouldn't other people's floors be damaged? Arthur paid a lot of gold coins for this!

It made Arthur somewhat regret bringing the Mountain Giant back!

But thinking that it was a Sharp Weapon for showing off, he gritted his teeth and accepted it!

Now they had finally arrived!

Perhaps someone had reported ahead, for at the city gate stood two figures familiar to Arthur: his elder brother and second sister.