His skin was pale, his build strong, with hair the color of sunlight and deep blue eyes like the ocean.
Anyone who saw him would give a thumbs-up and exclaim, "What a handso man!"
Byron raised an eyebrow.
He was certainly familiar with this advisor from the Privy Council, the core of Royalist Party power.
He also knew that Fris Woodville’s handsoness was nothing compared to the beauty of his sister, Elizabeth Woodville, the current Queen Blackthorns!
Elizabeth’s title, "The First Beauty of the Strait Islands," signified she was the most beautiful woman in the entire Kingdom of Hightins.
The title was well-deserved and beyond dispute.
Even Catherine, who had only recently co of age, was slightly less dazzling.
Although she was initially a widow with two children, her first husband having been the late Sir John Grey of the Lancaster Party, her beauty, even more legendary than that of Catherine, "The Flower of the North," still utterly captivated King Edward IV.
Indeed, since their marriage, she had borne children at a rate of almost one per year.
His wise and valiant Majesty clearly never entertained the thought of giving his gorgeous Queen Blackthorns a break.
Queen Blackthorns was either pregnant and awaiting childbirth or on her way to becoming pregnant again.
It was evident how infatuated Edward IV was with this "First Beauty."
The Queen’s father, Richard Woodville, and her eldest younger brother among twelve siblings, Fris Woodville—who was also the undisputed "royal brother-in-law"—both basked in her reflected glory.
Fris not only rose rapidly through the ranks to the heart of power but also secured two positions within the King’s Right Hand.
The Woodville Family’s influence was, for a ti, unparalleled. As relatives of the Queen, they beca the most staunchly loyal Direct Lineage within the Royalist Party.
They were even more loyal than the King’s two brothers of the "Tri-Phantom Sun."
Since this influential figure, who could represent the King to so extent, had spoken, everyone subconsciously looked over.
They saw him frowning as he said, "Baron, I’ve noticed these corpses seem rather shriveled, like empty husks..."
Hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but grow tense.
In a matter as serious as rebellion, no one dared overlook the slightest detail.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavier.
They were devoured once by the Heavenly God Yetzamná’s incarnation and then by my Vampire’s Touch; how could they not be empty husks? Byron thought.
However, before he could offer the excuse he had prepared, the handso "royal brother-in-law," after inadvertently glancing at the gleaming Halo of the Great Benefactor above Byron’s head, suddenly stepped forward. He clasped Byron’s hand, his face filled with emotion and gratitude, saying, "Baron of Torrentfort! Even while quelling the Lancaster Party rebels, you didn’t forget to continue collecting Blood of Transformation. You were constantly contributing to His Majesty’s ’Quest for Immortality.’
You always put His Majesty’s affairs first.
Truly, you are the Kingdom’s and His Majesty’s foremost Loyalist!
When I return, I will certainly report this to His Majesty. Although the New Continent mission is still pending, I believe your elevation to Count of Torrentfort is not far off.
Your loyalty is worthy of this honor!"
He imdiately swallowed the words that had been on the tip of his tongue.
Thank you, though I really hadn’t thought that much into it—if you find that explanation more plausible, then so be it, Byron thought.
With the leader having made a final judgnt, everyone else finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere lightened considerably.
Byron, however, didn’t forget to "reproach" himself, saying, "It’s just unfortunate that I couldn’t find the elusive [The Mad Hunt], nor [Son of the Devil]—that last Lancaster.
I couldn’t completely alleviate His Majesty’s concerns."
Fris Woodville patted his shoulder comfortingly. "Baron, we all see your loyalty.
Now that he has lost his wings, that last Lancaster is nothing more than a stray dog.
I believe that if he dares to show his face and enter your sight, you will undoubtedly present his head to His Majesty."
Byron smiled. "I hope so."
Unless I don’t look in a mirror, he added silently.
If Edward IV hadn’t been so insistent, Byron actually hadn’t planned to complete the mission so quickly.
He even considered waiting to see if any new "entries" would appear, such as "Schrodinger’s Enemy Forces": "Overwhelmingly powerful when military funds are needed; frail as a willow when it’s ti to show off."
By "suppressing" an ever-increasing number of rebels, he could consolidate his forces and secure more funding and support.
But the New Continent was already within reach, and his sights were set on more than just material wealth.
The Lancaster Party transitioning from overt to covert operations held far greater value than re Gold Coins.
Besides, as long as he wanted to "suppress" them, there would always be Lancaster Party mbers for him to hunt.
With him around, could the White Rose Family possibly lack enemies?
Those resurgent Old Gods seem quite suitable, Byron mused.
CLAP. CLAP.
Byron clapped his hands again, and attendants, already waiting outside, presented each mber of the review delegation with a lavish list of gifts.
"Helping His Majesty with his worries shouldn’t an you all make a trip for nothing. Please, take so ’local specialties’ back with you.
They aren’t worth much; just consider it a small token, sothing new to try."
He didn’t resort to the sa tactics used when bribing the Archbishop. This directness made him seem more sincere, more like "one of us" on the sa side.
"Since they are ’local specialties,’ it would be rude of us to refuse," they replied.
The group of dignitaries all revealed even more genuine smiles.
Dealing with a "Great Good Man" like him was truly a pleasure.
Not only was he completely loyal to the King, handling matters impeccably, but he also showed concern for their long and arduous journey.
They resolved to speak highly of Byron upon their return. When he eventually beca an Earl, a true Great Noble, and perhaps even spearheaded the developnt of the New Continent... wouldn’t these "local specialties" beco even more lavish?
Just as the group was about to take their leave and report back to Edward IV, Byron suddenly called out to them.
Byron handed a paper docunt to Fris, the "royal brother-in-law" leading the group, a particularly "nuclear goodness" smile on his face.
"Our Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company has already begun preparations for exploring the New Continent.
To raise funds, we’ve launched a ’New Continent Developnt, Trade, Tourism, and Fishing Crowdfunding Project.’
Here is a shareholding agreent. I am willing to gift His Majesty twenty percent of the company’s non-voting shares, and each of you ten percent, entitling you to final dividend rights.
If it’s profitable, we share the earnings. If the exploration fails, there’s no loss to you. What do you say?"
No one in the group noticed the slight pause he made on the word "fishing."
Their eyes gleaming, they all unhesitatingly signed their nas on this docunt that seemingly offered free money.
They were completely unaware of how scalding hot this "life-purchasing" money truly was.
The "royal brother-in-law" even thumped his chest and assured him, "Rest assured, leave my brother-in-law (the King) to . He will certainly accept it gladly and be pleased by your loyalty."
Byron nodded silently.
That’s good, he thought. Uncle and Father can rest easy then.
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