"Saintess Your Highness?"

Upon hearing the Moon Guardian Duke's appellation, the Falling Star nobles were taken aback for a moment.

Count Stafford couldn't help but give the other party a glance, his appraisal of the New Moon King's left and right arms rising a notch in his heart.

It had to be said, the other party's reference to Charlotte was quite ingenious.

To directly call her Countess Castel in accordance with the New Moon Kingdom's custom would undoubtedly carry the suspicion of supporting the Lilac Party nobles, which would displease the Parliamentary Party nobles.

And if one were to call her a Queen, like the Parliamentary Party nobles did, it would arouse the suspicion and displeasure of the Lilac Party nobles.

But the title "Saintess Your Highness" was very subtle indeed.

It offended neither side, even elevated the Holy Royal Court, and, at the same time, afforded the maiden sufficient respect without incurring Her Majesty the Queen's displeasure.

Not only this, but merely through a title, the party even made clear the New Moon Kingdom's stance in the struggle for the Falling Star Kingdom's throne.

That stance was neutrality.

At least... for now it was neutrality.

Of course, as a major power inevitably involved in the contention for the Falling Star throne, the New Moon Kingdom certainly wouldn't maintain neutrality indefinitely.

This moment of neutrality seemed more like waiting for the Lilac and Parliamentary Party nobles to make their offers.

"Duke, there's no need for small talk, we're old friends now, so let's cut to the chase. What message does King Louis wish to convey by your coming to Falling Star today?"

Charlotte asked with a smile.

Hearing Charlotte's words, the Moon Guardian Duke sighed.

He nodded and said with a wry smile:

"Saintess Your Highness, you remain as perceptive and direct as ever."

Saying this, the Moon Guardian Duke composed himself and said:

"You're correct, my visit to Falling Star is indeed by His Majesty's command."

"Originally, I intended to visit Falling Star and then proceed to Castel to visit you, but... now that you are already here in Falling Star, it spares me that procedure..."

At this point, the Moon Guardian Duke's expression turned serious, and his tone became earnest:

"Saintess Your Highness, His Majesty wishes to ask you, if you are indeed intent on competing for the Falling Star Kingdom's throne, then... have you considered how to handle the relationship between the Count Castel Domain and the New Moon Kingdom?"

A very direct inquiry.

So direct it caught the Falling Star nobles by surprise.

Charlotte remained composed and nodded:

"Of course, the agreement I made with King Louis in Lutecia still stands."

The Moon Guardian Duke shook his head:

"Saintess Your Highness, you must be aware that His Majesty agreed to the accord because you are a vassal of the Kingdom, but if you were to inherit the Falling Star throne, that would be a completely different matter."

"How can you ensure that the agreement remains valid after you ascend to the throne? Even if you agree to it, can you... persuade the other nobles of the Falling Star Kingdom?"

An agreement?

What agreement?

The Falling Star nobles were puzzled for a moment.

The agreement between Charlotte and Louis V was no secret.

In fact, after Charlotte departed from the Royal Capital, the New Moon Royal Family had already begun to subtly promote the future inheritance agreement of Castel, and those with vested interests had long been aware.

Among these were some Falling Star nobles who had been paying close attention to Charlotte. They looked thoughtful and explained to those around them, and soon, many showed expressions of realization.

"Oh? So... does King Louis wish to amend the agreement?"

Charlotte inquired.

The Moon Guardian Duke hesitated for a moment before replying:

"It's not so much amending as it is... renegotiating."

"Saintess Your Highness, as a New Moon native, you must know how firmly His Majesty believes in the territorial integrity of the New Moon Kingdom."

"The territorial disputes between New Moon and Falling Star have dragged on for far too long, and His Majesty, advanced in years, has long since run out of patience."

"His Majesty does not care who inherits the Falling Star throne; His only concern is one issue, and that is the question of the Romany Duchy and the Castel Domain's allegiance."

With that, the Moon Guardian Duke became stern and dispensed with all smiles:

"Let me put it this way, before I set out, His Majesty had declared that whoever is willing to return the Romany Duchy and the Count Castel Domain after inheriting the throne, the New Moon Kingdom will support that person to become the King of Falling Star."

Upon hearing his words, the Falling Star nobles in the banquet hall were momentarily stunned, then there was an uproar:

"The Romany Duchy? What does this mean?"

"Count Castel Domain is one thing, but why involve the Romany Duchy too?"

"Coveting the Romany Duchy... Does the New Moon Kingdom intend to start a war?!"

Of course, the majority of those who fell into commotion were members of the Roman Royal Family, who were aligned with the Parliamentary Party.

These nobles possessed Roman Bloodline, and although they were not of the direct lineage, they represented the will of the Roman family; their titles were not high, yet they signified the legitimacy of the Falling Star Royal Family.

However, as time passed, with the decline of the Roman family and the rise of the two Lilac Families that had long harbored intentions to start their own lineages, the status of the Roman Royal Family had greatly diminished from former times.

Although they showed anger, many other nobles in the banquet hall exhibited no significant reaction.

Furthermore, some even sank into thought, seemingly already considering the Moon Guardian Duke's stance.

This was evident, as the Star Moon War had already intimidated many Falling Star nobles—faced with the rise of the New Moon Kingdom, many were not eager to go to war.

Yes, many nobles did not want to give up the Romany Duchy and were even happy to see the inclusion of the Castel Domain.

But there was a significant precondition: the attitude of the New Moon Kingdom.