Trust

Time trickled by, second by second, each one stretching unbearably long.

Boles's heart hung in midair. The aide held his breath in rapt silence, and even the attending servants felt the tension of this fate-deciding moment.

At last, Charlotte drew a deep breath, as if she had made some kind of decision.

The hesitation and struggle in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a clear gleam of resolve that belonged to a knight.

She rose to her feet, her figure straight as a pine, her gaze steady as it met Boles's expectant eyes. Her clear, ringing voice broke the silence in the room, carrying unquestionable strength:

"Count Boles."

Boles's spirits lifted, and he immediately sat up straight.

Charlotte continued, "The tragic state of Herwenham you described is heartbreaking. Stabilizing the border, exterminating the bandits, and soothing the refugees are great matters that benefit both the kingdom and its people. The Rochefort Family has received the kingdom's grace for generations, and guarding the Northern Territory is also my father's duty. Whether for public reasons or private ones, there is no justification for standing by and doing nothing."

Her words were clear and powerful. "The military pay, grain, and supplies you need—Rochefort Manor can lend them to you."

The instant those words were spoken, Boles's eyes erupted with an unbelievable gleam of wild joy. He sprang to his feet, so excited that even his lips trembled slightly. "Charlotte Knight! You... you mean..."

"But," Charlotte raised a hand, signaling for him to stay calm. Her tone remained composed. "I have three conditions."

"Please speak! Never mind three—thirty conditions, so long as this old man can do it, I will not refuse!" Boles said at once.

Charlotte extended her first finger and said with clear order, "First, the amount of the loan and the