In the castle dining hall of Night-Kirin City, Landen looked at Jenny Gallop before him, unable to quite make sense of what she was thinking.
What the girl had said—someone energetic, familiar with noble affairs, and able to represent the Gallop Family—sounded perfectly reasonable, yet such a person would be difficult to find.
Many of the things he had done that morning had been less matters of the territory than public-facing engagements. If he had a High-Rank proxy he trusted enough, he would happily take it easy.
Landen had assumed Jenny was laying the groundwork to advance her own position, or perhaps to arrange a marriage alliance by sending over a woman from Marquis Fiat's branch. So he probed, "I'd considered that before. Perhaps Marquis Fiat could find someone to inherit the Gallop Fund in the future, and I could..."
"You misunderstand me. I don't think my father has the ability to take over either the Gallop Fund or Night-Kirin City, and the Sea God would not permit our family to return inland," Jenny cut Landen off directly. "No member of the Gallop Family can replace you in your current position."
After giving the matter thought for some time and speaking with Itris several times, Jenny had discarded some impractical notions and begun seriously considering how she ought to survive within the territory in the future.
"So, you need someone to show her face for you and handle social functions. This woman must not only be of sufficient rank, but also understand the ways of the nobility, possess a strong enough background, and be willing to run about on your behalf." Jenny glanced at Landen and said with a smile, "Of course, it can't be me. I'm afraid I won't be able to openly travel anywhere beyond Gallop Plains for