33 33 The One behind it all (2)

After a long session of explaining his speculations of how the Duchy is being manipulated by at the very first vampire into ruin, as well telling them of the real situation of Marienberg. Francine and her entourage have no choice but to listen as they heard how many nobles are being manipulated by Lahmian Vampires. As they were very hard to distinguish from normal humans as they have shown some slight resistance to sunlight.

They couldn't believe it at first but certain rumors of ladies of noble houses looking young even when they are in their 40s had been present for many occasion. They were ignores as excuse like they are well kept ladies and has stayed healthy could explain much. But they all had similarities like they would not show themselves outside most of the time.

There were also behaviors which coincided like not going into holy places blessed by gods or goddesses but was ignored saying they are believers of other gods not prominent in their region. Lady Francine gasped as well as the maids realizing they might have met such people. Mark did this to gain trust by also saying he could tell them apart due to mystic techniques he learn from Cathay.

He also gave his speculations of how they would be used by the Baron of Westerland for his selfish reasons. As he was explaining the Commander paled as they indeed need help to regain Marienberg but if the Duke of Mousillon would not help then they would lose a lot to the Duke of L'Anguille. But he was bound by the Golem knight as well as the soldiers with him by the guards.

"As you can see Lady Francine, the Duke is going to be schemed against by not the Baron but also the other nobles in Mousillon." Mark said with a certain seriousness that made Lady Francine think hard.

"I see, I have indeed heard of how the other nobles were recruiting more men into their private forces giving reasons like Beastmen are harassing their people but it seems they have known all along." The young girl is inexperienced but still smart enough to realize various threats their house is gonna face.

"See lady Francine, the more important matter here is for you to warn your Father the Duke. I can see your family is still strong but it is struggling financially, but if he can lead his men to punish these scheming nobles them he can retrieve the money they have embezzled all these years." Mark was aiming for this, to help clean the Duchy then the tumors must go but he has no force to do that.

But the Duke has one, if played correctly then even the greedy nobles would not be able to see it coming. From what he can deduce they had indeed preparing from the words of Francine but it seems they have just started it recently. Thus the men they trained are not yet experienced, he had been leading this conversation because he knew there were no spies here.

He had all checked the status of the people including the old knight besides Francine. They were indeed loyal to her, the commander and his men would be kept here. Not like there was anything the Baron of Westerland could do to him. Sure most nobles here are equivalent to super soldiers in battle but it was a world where cold weapons are used.

Guns they have here are only similar to 18th century rifles, just his revolver in his inventory could wreak havoc in this world. Maybe he was being over confident but it is safe to assume that he has enough strength to survive in this war torn world.

"It seems I must leave post haste Lord Mark, it is imperative I must warn my father the Duke of this." Lady Francine said as she looked in aversion towards the commander. Who looked pale right now due to realizing his mission has failed as well as not even able to take the son of their Lord. He had realized that maybe they have indeed offended a powerful person due to stupid reasons like satisfying personal pride.

"Then I will bid you farewell my Lady. But it is important that none of this conversation's contents are to leak out or else the Vampires will know you are into their tracks. Just tell your father that the nobles are scheming to bring upon the ruin of your family and I will help you in the shadows." Mark said in a sincere worried voice that it made Francine and her entourage feel warm seeing there is a noble in the Duchy still loyal to the Duke's family.

"I appreciate your concerns Lord Mark but I must depart." Lady Francine was in a hurry because her family might be in grave danger.

"My Lady, you must not show an expression like that as you walk out. Or else people might misunderstand that I might have bullied you." Mark appeared besides Francine walking unhurriedly. He had signaled for the shadows to put the commander and his men in an empty prison cell so he could have a talk with them later.

"But it is hard for me to focus Lord Mark." Francine said.

"I know but you could act like we are having a pleasant chat as we walk out. Spies are everywhere my Lady, it would be bad if they caught wind of your displeasure." Mark smiled as he tried appearing jolly as they were soon out of the meeting hall.

"So I am not pleasant to chat with Lord Mark?" Lady Francine asked with a hint of displeasure. Mark was stunned a little as he never thought this was what she fixated upon his sentence.

"I am just worried my Lady, but if you ask if it is pleasant to talk to a beautiful young girl like you then yes, yes it is pleasant." Mark tried to save the conversation but Francine's next sentence made it tenser.

"So I am a girl in your eyes Lord Mark." The young lady looked gloomy as she looked down on her chest feeling sad of its future prospects. Meanwhile Mark was confused as to why the young lady keeps picking on the unimportant context of the conversation.

"You are still indeed young my Lady. That is why you must treasure your time as well because it would feel fleeting once you have gotten older." Mark smiled but it has a weary tone in it as they walked towards the carriage of the young lady. Francine realized his change of tone and felt that she might have made him remember a sad memory.

"I am sorry." She apologized weakly as she was not sure why is she picking on what Lord Mark had said. He had nothing but respectful and even helped in pointing out an imminent rebellion happening in their Duchy. Yet she had been picking on useless things from his words, she doesn't know why but she felt flushed and warm around him.

"There is no need to apologize my Lady, you just fear for your family's safety that is all." Mark felt she was just cranky because of the sudden influx of information of the real state of her family's stability in the Duchy. As they walked towards her carriage, it could be seen that many people were paying attention to their group.

"Indeed, maybe I am in fear. I must thank Lord Mark for the Hospitality you have shown us but it seems I must depart immediately." said Francine as she saw the carriage in near already.

"If you would like visit then Lady Francine is welcome every time here in my town. I will make sure you get the best hospitality you'll ever receive. And before you go there are things I want to give to the Lord my Lady." Mark gestured for one of his town guards who went towards a tavern and came out immediately with a wooden chest.

"Lord Mark is bribing me?" Lady Francine narrowed her eyes as she never thought that this nice Lord would resort to such lowly tactics.

"You misunderstood Lady Francine, this box contains specialties of this town and if the Duke would like to initiate trade with us should he like a certain product then we would be happy to produce such things for the Duchy." Mark opened the box and there was a variety of items inside which includes pastries, wine, a small casket of beer, a folded soft quilt made of pure cotton, some scented candles and a box of soaps.

"What is this Lord Mark?" Francine blushed as she felt foolish for judging to fast but she hid it by bending down to take an oval shaped purple thing.

"That is soap my Lady, scented with lavenders. The other one is scented with lilies." Mark said as he introduced the other products as well.

"Amazing Lord Mark, you are able to produce these in such a small town?" Lady Francine knew some town has specialties but it was mostly one produce at best but this town has many. Even the Old knight of hers sounded interested at the small casket of beer.

"These are just possible products we could make with the resources available my Lady. But if your Duchy desires a product to promote then we would focus our time in making them." Mark smiled as he felt he was closer in getting large profits in this meeting. His quest rewards might become plenty as well.

"I see then I shall mention this to my Father personally Lord Mark. But I must depart." Lady Francine felt foolish at her actions earlier so she hurried to get in the carriage to hide her embarrassment.

"Farewell My Lady." Mark watched as the carriage disappears in his field of vision. His smile vanished as he now stood there serious in thought not understanding the actions of the young Lady.

'Did she realize something? No I made sure my subtle actions of hypnotism would appear natural with daily actions of life. Maybe I might have underestimated this young lady by judging to early.' Mark was thoughtful as he walked back. But he shook his head as he still has one more group to swindle-ahem to foo-Ahem he meant that there is another group to convince.