Armand Region.
Garius’s Private Room.
Garius exhaled slowly, sinking back into his chair. His eyes flicked to Alf, who sat at the other table, sorting paperwork.
"Alf?"
"Yes, my lord?" Alf looked up.
"This paperwork just keeps growing... I wonder if there’s a better way to handle it." Garius massaged his temple, brow furrowed.
Alf shook his head with a small, knowing smile. "My lord, I’ve already advised you before, let your sons handle so of this. You could split the workload, assign specific portfolios or departnts to each of them. Delegate, so you can focus only on the most critical matters, like the main budget, defense, and foreign affairs."
Erinnette moving with practiced ease as she set out fresh tea for both of them. "You’re the one who insists on reviewing every key docunt personally. Why not assign certain types of work to each son, like you did before? Each of them is more than capable now. Besides, most of this mountain only piled up because of the preparations for independence and the reorganization. Once everything is running smoothly, it will get better."
Garius smirk. "You two are right. Maybe it’s ti to officially set up a council. Each of my sons will take charge of their specialty, I’ll just supervise and sign off on the major decisions."
Alf smiled.. "Exactly, my lord. And if you allow to help coordinate between them, we can set up a proper workflow, so nothing gets missed, and you’re not buried alive under paperwork every week."
Erinnette poured the tea, nodding along. "It’ll ease your workload, my lord. And your sons will get the experience they need to lead when the ti cos."
Garius took a sip. "By the way, Alf. Any news?"
Alf’s smile and nodded. "Yes, my lord. It seems Kimar is preparing to use the Law of Crowns to challenge you. He thinks he can crush Armand that way."
Garius paused, then burst into a genuine laugh, shaking his head.
"Kimar really isn’t suited to wear the crown. He never listens to his own people, never seeks counsel from the ones who actually understand the law. Dismissing Savran just because he couldn’t stand the man... It’s absurd. Savran knows the law better than anyone in the capital. Kimar forgets that Armand isn’t royal domain, it’s my land, inherited and held by my own right, not by royal appointnt."
Garius let out another sigh, swirling the tea in his cup. "He forgets that Armand was never a royal fief, only a vessel state in na. Our blood built this land, our laws hold it together. The reason Armand stands under the Human Region is because of late King Edmund and my promise to my old friend, Edmund himself. And now? I don’t serve under a crown that was bought, even if Kimar is the brother of the late King Edmund."
Alf and Erinnette smiled, watching their lord, the one who served his people, cared for Armand, and never harbored greed toward anyone.
Garius continued, "I’m sure Kimar will call his newly appointed Keeper of Royal and Noble Law to find sothing to crush , but he’ll never find it in the to of law. And once he discovers he can’t do anything, he’ll send another royal officer with a decree to summon to the royal council, either to destroy , or to restore or offer a new rank or title. But I won’t bother about it anymore."
He glanced at Alf.
"Alf, send a ssage to the border. Tell the captain of the Armand border guards: Ignore any delegation sent from the royal capital. Chase them away."
Alf stood and bowed politely, palm on his left chest. "As you command, my lord."
"By the way, Erinnette?"
"Yes, my lord?"
Garius glanced at the pile of cubes on the table, alongside several mana cams. "I was surprised myself when my youngest son demonstrated what he calls ’holo TV’ and the mana cam. Not only that, it can show everything as a live broadcast. I was shocked to see myself on the screen."
Erinnette smiled, shaking her head softly. "Yes, my lord. Your youngest really is impressive. Most of the magic technology he’s built is beyond anything anyone ever imagined."
Garius picked up another device. "And this, he calls it a mana radio. He says it’s for radio broadcasts, letting people hear news or music anywhere in Armand. This one here is to record voices, so you can play it back, or use it to share music and announcents."
Erinnette nodded. "He even asked about finding people with singing talent, so he can record their voices and music. I have to admit, I’m truly impressed. If he’s serious about it, we might see bards and singers from all over the region lining up for a chance."
Garius allowed himself a faint smile. "He keeps thinking of new ways to connect people. I can only wonder what he’ll co up with next."
Erinnette stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face. "By the way, my lord. This is the plan for the first live broadcast your youngest son has prepared."
"Hm?" Garius raised an eyebrow. "Javier didn’t ntion anything about this to . Let see." He took the notebook from Erinnette’s hands and started reading.
A few lines in, Garius froze, then swallowed hard. "Ehhh!? I have to give a speech for the people, as soon as I beco sovereign? He wrote here that it’s to boost the morale and happiness of everyone in Armand?"
Erinnette nodded, barely holding back her amusent. "Yes, my lord. And if you turn to the next page..."
Garius flipped the page, and nearly choked on his tea. "Vow of marriage for all my wives, before the wedding with Mylezra? Seriously?"
"Yes, my lord. Check the next pages." Erinnette’s eyes sparkled with laughter. "He even designed a new suit for you, a golden tuxedo, to match Lady Fransesca’s golden gown. Each wife has a different gown design and color. And here, look like he wants you to wear a unique outfit for every vow of marriage."
Garius sputtered, flipping through the elaborate sketches. "Is he also a clothing designer now? I didn’t even know he could draw like this..."
Erinnette covered her lips, her laughter soft but genuine. "It appears so, my lord~"
( End Of Chapter )
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