Inspection

Princess Louise was carefully helped upstairs by Lady Eileen and her maids to her bedroom, which had been prepared for her.

The heavy atmosphere in the hall seemed to ease somewhat after she left, but another invisible pressure followed: the work of the Royal delegation was far from over.

Karl was well aware of this; besides escorting the Princess, the most important task of this large group was undoubtedly surveillance.

To monitor the Princess's every move, to monitor the loyalty of her new Prince Consort, and to monitor the true situation of the emerging power in Carnford.

As expected, Royal Steward Albert straightened his robes, put on a serious, businesslike expression, and stepped forward to say to Karl, "Baron Excellency, since Her Highness the Her Highness the Princess has had a long journey, she needs to rest."

"We are accompanying Her Empress Dowager Mother on her orders. It is our duty to familiarize ourselves with the environment and facilities of the Carnford Territory so that we can better serve and protect Her Highness the Princess in the future. Would it be convenient for us to be shown around?"

Karl understood that this so-called "understanding of the environment" was actually a spy planted by the Empress Dowager to conduct reconnaissance and assessment of Carnford's strengths and weaknesses.

His face remained impassive, even showing a hint of understanding in his smile, and he readily nodded. "Of course. Her Highness the Princess's safety and comfort are of paramount importance. You have all come from afar, so it is only right that you familiarize yourselves with the surroundings."

He then turned to Edgar beside him and instructed, "Edgar, you personally accompany Butler Albert and several royal attendants on a tour of the castle and the main Tunbao area below the hill, introducing them to the situation in Carnford. Be sure to be thorough and honest."

He deliberately emphasized the word "frank," Edgar immediately understood.

Then, Karl's gaze seemingly casually swept over Richter beside him, and he added, "Oh, by the way, Richter, why don't you take a few people with you too, to help maintain order and ensure a smooth visit for our distinguished guests?"

Richter immediately straightened up and replied in a deep voice, "Yes, sir!"

He knew perfectly well that the Lord's order for him to follow him was not simply about maintaining order.

Monitoring the movements of these royals, observing their priorities, and assessing their intentions are precisely his responsibilities as the new Intelligence Department.

In particular, the sharp-eyed butler Albert, who clearly carries a special mission, is someone who needs special attention.

Albert seemed quite satisfied with Karl's arrangement, at least on the surface.

He bowed again. "Thank you for your trouble, Steward and this gentleman."

Thus, accompanied by Edgar and Richter, one openly and the other covertly, Albert, along with several key followers, began his "inspection" of Carnford.

After everyone left, the huge Lord's Hall fell silent, leaving only Karl and a few servants.

His gaze fell on the long dining table, where an extremely lavish spread of dishes had been prepared for the originally planned wedding and welcome dinner.

A dazzling array of perfectly roasted steaks, lamb chops, whole roast geese and game, exquisite sashimi, rare fruits from the south, and stacked dessert towers—all exuding a rich and enticing aroma.

However, due to the Princess's illness, the wedding was postponed, and the grand banquet lost its original meaning.

Such a lavish banquet is extremely rare in Carnford that values practicality and frugality, and it would never be left until tomorrow.

He pondered for a moment, then said to the officials still in the hall, "Since the banquet is canceled, we shouldn't waste this food. Everyone has been busy all day and hasn't had a proper meal yet, so let's share it together."

The officials exchanged glances. Although the food before them was tempting, most of them lived near the castle or in Tunbao at the foot of the mountain, and their families had already prepared a meal. So they all politely declined, bowed, and took their leave.

Karl didn't insist. He knew that such a formal occasion would only make his subordinates, who were used to a simple life, feel constrained.

Soon, only Karl and a few servants remained in the hall.

Karl walked to the head of the long table and sat down as usual.

However, he immediately felt an unusual awkwardness. Next to his seat, right next to him, there had been a tall, intricately carved high-backed chair that had somehow been placed there.

That was a seat reserved for the Princess.

This empty seat silently reminded him that from now on, he would no longer be sitting here alone.

The feeling that someone would soon be around him was something he found hard to adjust to for a while.

He shook his head, banishing these distracting thoughts, and picked up his knife and fork.

His daily meals were extremely simple for a nobleman, basically just enough to fill his stomach and replenish his energy.

The meal consisted of coarse Black Bread, stewed radishes and cabbage, a little butter, milk, and cooked shellfish and fish that were relatively easy to obtain due to Carnford's coastal location.

Such a dazzling array of delicacies was quite unfamiliar to him.

"Consider it a treat," Karl thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile, before settling into his meal.

He ate slowly, savoring each bite, fully appreciating these rare delicacies.

The aroma of roasted meat, the tenderness of fish, the sweetness of fruit... he truly enjoyed a rare and sumptuous dinner.

After the meal, looking at the large amount of exquisite dishes left on the table that were almost untouched, he instructed the servants standing beside him, "Keep some of these leftovers for yourselves, and distribute most of them to the impoverished people below, especially those families with elderly people, many children, or newly arrived refugee families. Give them priority."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, then added in a calm voice that made the attendants slightly startled, "Distribute them... distribute them in Her Highness the Princess's name."

The servants exchanged glances, overjoyed to be given such delicacies they never had the chance to eat on ordinary days. They quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, sir! We'll get right on it!" Then they excitedly began clearing away the tableware, preparing to distribute the food.

Karl watched them leave, then sat alone in the empty hall, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table.

He himself couldn't explain why, at that moment, he had inexplicably blurted out "in the name of Her Highness the Princess."

Logically, Lord bestows a generous favor, it is a good opportunity to win people's hearts and demonstrate his benevolence, and he should openly announce that it is his own reward.

Why suddenly give this favor and reputation to the Her Highness the Princess who has just arrived and hasn't even officially appeared yet?