12 12: Louis’ Report

"My lord, I have finished the report." Louis, the Secretary, said after knocking on the door.

She entered the room, holding a thick stack of papers. Trojan glanced out the window of his room. He had set an almost impossible time limit to have everything done by sunset, but they had finished it well before sunset.

"This is rather quick, no?" Trojan asked, looking at the papers that were placed on his table. "I am concerned of the quality."

Louis lowered her head. "Marco and I have tried our best to think of any possible method in which the merging with Marchioness Emilia will bring about, as well as the expenditure of twenty percent of our wealth. We are aware that my lord has a dinner with the Royal Family soon, so we tried to finish it as quickly as possible while still conscious of quality."

Trojan started reading through it.

"So, regarding the estate, what of it?" Trojan asked, only seeing it being mentioned and not elaborated on. "Will we still live in my estate or will we move to Marchioness Emilia's estate?"

"It is a decision based on my lord and The Marchioness Emilia." Louis replied. "I request my lord to discuss such matters with The Marchioness for I have no say in such things."

She very much had a say. Moving to another estate may very well cost Louis her job, and Trojan knew it. Not all of their staff could remain, some would have to be fired, especially if he were to move to Marchioness Emilia's estate.

"I shall discuss this further with Marchioness Emilia then." Trojan said, looking through the papers once again.

Louis simply stood there nervously, hoping there were not any major mistakes. Trojan very much respected his staff. They were somehow able to put together a solid report in a few hour's time. They were all hard workers that respected him, and that respect was returned. He doubted that even if Marchioness Emilia requested for it, he would not fire his staff.

"So, the status of Marchioness Emilia will be promoted to a Duke following my promotion." Trojan commented, reading the report. "What are some of the predicted effects on the social scale?"

The report was mostly based off the financial effects of the merging, but there was little mention of any effects on him socially.

"My lord, you will have more alliances as those who were allied with the Marchioness Emilia will also be allied with my lord. In addition, many other nobility, seeing my lord's increase in status, wealth and power after the merging, will most definitely be interested with allying themselves with my lord." Louis started. "The wedding with the Marchioness will also bring about more connections for my lord as most nobility will be inclined to attend the wedding. Perhaps it will be simpler to make deals?"

Trojan nodded and placed the papers down, having only skimmed through them. He looked to the side, deep in thought.

"And what about the attitude of the peasants? At least, their predicted attitude." Trojan asked Louis.

"My lord, we are unable to predict such a thing." Louis said to Trojan. "But as a peasant myself, I would unlikely think much of it."

Trojan nodded before he waved her off, saying, "Could you call Klaus over? There is something I need to discuss with him."

"Right away, my lord."

Trojan sat, waiting. He looked through the papers once again, trying to remember any information he thought was important. Louis and Marco had put together a detailed report, he was going to carefully read through them at a later date.

Soon, Klaus entered the room.

Before Klaus could say anything, Trojan told him, "I would like to have a messenger readied to send a message to Marchioness Emilia. Have the messenger ready in ten minutes."

Klaus simply replied, "My lord, I had foreseen your request, the messenger has been ready for some time."

Trojan nodded before saying, "Well, wait here for a moment while I prepare the message."

Trojan got a blank piece of paper and got his ink and quill ready. He wrote nicely while still rushing to complete it.

'Dear Marchioness Emilia. Regarding the matter we spoke of earlier today, I have put quite some thought into it. I have decided to accept your offer. Could we meet tomorrow at my estate to further discuss the details?'

Trojan put his quill down and lifted his stamp, stamping his seal. He folded it and shoved it into a neat looking envelope, sealing the envelope with some wax. The wax had his family seal on it, showing that it was indeed official business.

Trojan handed it to Klaus, ordering him, "Have the messenger deliver this to Marchioness Emilia immediately. Do also send a message that I will be unavailable tonight and tomorrow morning."

"Understood, my lord." Klaus bowed before leaving the office.

Trojan sat there, finger pressed against the side of his head. He was thinking through scenarios, not aware of the time that had passed. The sun was about to set when someone knocked on his door.

His maid entered, saying to Trojan, "My lord, it is time to prepare for the dinner with the Royal Family."

"It is already time?" Trojan asked, looking outside the window.

"Yes, my lord."

Trojan got up and left his office, walking down the hallway, followed by his maid. He said to her, "Give me the immediate schedule."

"My lord is to change into formal wear. The carriage is already ready, and is prepared to leave at any time. The Royal Family expects my lord's presence in three hour's time. Predicted time of arrival in two hour's time."

Trojan nodded and stopped in front of the changing room. He said back to his maid, "Inform the staff that while I am away, they are free to take the night off."

"Immediately, my lord." His maid said walking off.

Trojan looked into his closet and picked out clothes he thought was appropriate for the occasion.