107: Chapter 107 Private Meeting at the Manor! The Princess's Helplessness!

Tinglan Manor.

Led by royal attendants, Rowan passed through the elegant front courtyard and corridors.

The interior of the manor was decorated with a focus on brightness, utilizing a large amount of light-colored wood and vibrant flowers, making it appear fresh and pleasant.

He was led into a small reception room that was modest in size but extremely comfortably furnished.

The air was filled with a faint scent of orange blossoms.

The fragrance was naturally sweet, mixed with a hint of bitterness and a lily-like elegance, layered delicately and finely.

He did not wait long before faint footsteps were heard, and the door on the other side of the reception room was pushed open.

Princess Alice walked in.

Unlike what he had seen at the banquet before, her attire today was much more casual.

A pale yellow gown softened her overly dazzling temperament, and a squirrel fur shawl made her skin appear as white as snow.

Her long golden hair was pulled back into a slightly loose bun, with a few stray strands hanging lazily by her cheeks, shedding some of her princessly aloofness and nobility in favor of a more domestic gentleness and approachability.

“Baron Flynn, please sit. There is no need for such formalities.”

Princess Alice walked to the sofa at the head of the room and gave Rowan, who had stood up to salute, an impeccable and noble smile, signaling him to sit.

She took a seat opposite him with a graceful posture.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Rowan sat as told, his eyes calmly looking at Princess Alice.

At the same time, his [Charm] skill unfolded silently.

A lady with a score of ninety-three was not to be missed; he had to build up favorability whenever he had the chance.

Princess Alice was also observing Rowan.

Up close, this face was indeed extraordinarily handsome, but what was even more striking was that sense of steady composure that transcended his age.

She had personally witnessed that earth-shattering battle today.

However, at this moment, there wasn't a trace of arrogance on him; his gaze was clear and calm.

This kind of temperament was even more rare.

Thinking of his peerless heroic figure as he shot and killed the High-Order Grand Knight, and then comparing it to the disappointing name on the secret letter.

Princess Alice couldn't help but feel an indescribable surge of emotion once again.

Such a talent should rightly be used for her own purposes...

But...

She reined in her thoughts, a gentle smile spreading across her face, her tone carrying sincere admiration: “Baron Flynn, I have already heard of the matter at the cathedral this morning.”

“It was truly amazing. It is a blessing for the Royal Family to have such a loyal and courageous vassal as you.”

“Your Highness overpraises me,” Rowan said modestly.

“It was merely a coincidence that I stumbled upon the dying counterattack of those cultists.”

“Furthermore, as a devout believer of the Dawn, defending the Church is simply my duty. Rowan's meager contribution does not deserve such praise from Your Highness.”

“Be that as it may, it is a royal tenet that merit must be rewarded,” Princess Alice's tone was gentle but firm. “The Royal Family will never forget the great service you have rendered.”

She paused slightly, her slender, fair fingers unconsciously stroking the embroidery on her skirt, a flicker of struggle passing through her eyes as she continued, “Regarding your reward...”

“I will personally report to my father and strive for the title and rewards you deserve.”

“I believe there will be good news before long.”

Hearing this, Rowan was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise rising in his heart.

He had thought that the Princess's summons this time would mention the matter of the Lord of the Golden Flame Territory.

In his calculations, successfully taking over the Golden Flame Territory required three cornerstones:

First, his own strength, sufficient to command respect.

Second, the support and recommendation of the Church.

Third, the recognition and promotion of the Royal Family.

With all three gathered, he would hold an absolute advantage in the games within The Senate.

And now, he had displayed sufficient strength and accumulated enough merit.

But this Princess's attitude was somewhat subtle.

The praise and intent to win him over in her words were very obvious, and she promised to strive for rewards for him, yet she pointedly bypassed the core topic of the Golden Flame Territory's ownership.

This attitude gave Rowan a bad feeling.

Had some other variable appeared?

He remained impassive on the surface, merely bowing again and expressing his gratitude with a sincere tone.

The following conversation revolved around some less critical topics.

The scenery of Gino County, the situation in the North, and even some brief discussions about cultivation.

Princess Alice maintained an elegant and friendly attitude throughout, showing no lack of praise and encouragement for Rowan, displaying high upbringing and skills in winning people over.

However, Rowan [Insight]ed that beneath this seemingly harmonious atmosphere, an invisible string was constantly pulled taut.

Whenever the topic might slide toward the crucial issue of the territory's disposal, she always managed to steer it away in an extremely natural yet polite manner.

This avoidant posture made Rowan's suspicions grow even deeper.

He knew he couldn't just passively wait for her to state her position anymore.

It was time to proactively release some information to test this Princess's attitude.

In his plan, the support of the Royal Family was very necessary, and now he didn't know what complication had arisen.

His mind made up, Rowan slowly set down the bone china teacup during a lull in the conversation.

His expression turned solemn as he stood up and bowed to Princess Alice.

“Your Highness,” he looked up, meeting the Princess's gaze openly, his voice steady and clear.

“There is something I dare not hide from Your Highness.”

“Today at the cathedral, Priestess Windsor explicitly informed me during our meeting... that the Church, in the final disposal plan for the territories of the involved nobles in Gino County, will recommend me as the Lord of the Golden Flame Territory...”

As his voice fell.

There was a momentary, extremely brief stagnation in the reception room.

The flawless, gentle smile on Princess Alice's face stiffened for an imperceptible instant.

Deep in her beautiful eyes, a flash of astonishment and annoyance flickered.

She hadn't expected... that she would be beaten to the punch by that Priestess Windsor of the Church!

And the other party had so directly and explicitly promised the Golden Flame Territory to Rowan!

What did this mean?

It meant that Rowan not only possessed formidable strength but had already obtained the strong endorsement of the Church's core families!

If the power of the Royal Family were added to that...

Looking at the tall, handsome young Baron before her, a battle raged in Princess Alice's heart.

On one side was the unquestionable order from her brother Mason and the largest faction within the Royal Family.

On the other was this excellent candidate with infinite potential who had already gained the Church's favor...

After thinking for a moment.

She lightly waved her hand, signaling the maid standing in the corner to withdraw.

The heavy carved wooden door closed softly, leaving only the two of them in the luxurious and private small reception room.

“Baron Flynn,” Princess Alice's voice dropped a bit, losing some of the social tone from before and gaining a bit of genuine sincerity.

“There are some circumstances I think you have the right to know.”

“Regarding the subsequent territorial arrangements for Gino County... especially the ownership of the Golden Flame Territory, I'm afraid there will be some... complications.”

She paused for a moment, as if weighing her words, but ultimately chose to speak plainly.

“Currently, the candidate for the Golden Flame Territory that the Royal Family is more inclined to support is not you, but... Viscount Willis.”

Viscount Willis?

Rowan's gaze suddenly sharpened!

He was certainly no stranger to this name.

Lady Lillian had specifically introduced this guy's background to him; he was one of the current nine families on the County Council.

However, he hadn't expected that this guy would somehow catch a ride with the Royal Family.

The other party wasn't even a direct vassal of the Royal Family!

Seeing the light flickering in Rowan's eyes, Princess Alice knew the impact of this news.

When it came to the ownership of a top-tier landed Earldom, no one could remain calm.

She immediately quickened her pace, speaking with clear goodwill.

“But please believe me, this is by no means my personal wish, nor is it what the branch of royal power I belong to wishes to see.”

“Personally, I very much admire and value your ability and your family's loyalty to the Royal Family.”

“Therefore, although I may be forced to yield on the official recommended candidate, I can promise you...”

“In the subsequent voting phase of The Senate, the power I represent will strive to get you supporting votes and push for the passage of a plan favorable to you.”

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes burning. “We have our own allies and influence in The Senate.”

“Baron Flynn, I hope that no matter what the final outcome of the Golden Flame Territory is, we can maintain... sincerity between us.”

Rowan listened quietly, his thoughts racing.

This sudden variable had disrupted his expectations.

The secret assistance Princess Alice promised might be of some use? But it was clearly far less powerful than the public recommendation and support of the Royal Family as a whole.

He looked up at Princess Alice, his gaze having returned to calm. “Thank you for your candor and support, Your Highness. Rowan will keep this in mind.”

“No matter how the situation changes, the Flynn Family's loyalty to the Royal Family will not change.”

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Princess Alice's beautiful face.

She pondered for a moment, then turned and took out an ancient parchment scroll, carefully tied with a silver ribbon, from an exquisite gilded relief box beside the sofa, and handed it to Rowan.

“This is a cultivation manual left by a Commander of the Royal Guard. The sections on Dou Qi condensation and spiritual perception are quite unique; they might be of some reference value for you to condense a High-Order Grand Knight's [Battle Aspect].”

“I give it to you as a small token of my regard.”

Rowan took the scroll with both hands.

It felt slightly heavy and cool to the touch.

There was a faint fluctuation of magic power circulating on the parchment; it was clearly not some common item found on the market.

“Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness. Rowan will certainly study it diligently and live up to Your Highness's expectations.”

Rowan put the scroll away with a solemn expression.

But in his heart, he was thinking that if he encountered a bottleneck, he could just add points; why would he need such a useless thing...

After talking for a while longer, Rowan took his leave at an appropriate time.

Princess Alice personally saw him to the door of the reception room, watching him leave under the guidance of the attendant.

It wasn't until that tall back completely disappeared from sight that the smile on Princess Alice's face slowly faded.

“Viscount Willis... Brother Mason... what on earth are you trying to do?”

She whispered to herself, her eyes flickering.

The winter sunlight from outside the window shone in, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on her fair profile.

...