CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 2: RECOMPENSE

Fosto looked deeply into Li Yu’s eyes before saying to Ireya, "It seems that miss already has trustworthy people by your side, so there’s nothing for me to worry about."

"What do you mean by that, Fosto Steward?" Miss Rabbit was taken aback.

"I have served the Arias family for over one hundred and sixty years, and now that I’m getting old and my health is not what it used to be, I humbly ask Miss Ireya’s permission to retire and return to my hometown."

The old man paused briefly and then continued, "Many years ago, your great-grandfather saved my life in a great battle, and I made a vow to repay this kindness with all my abilities. After that terrible war ended, I left my hometown to follow him to these lands, serving him and his family until this day.

"As the steward of this castle, I have devoted myself to serving the successive Family Heads of the Arias family for over a century. I believe that should be enough to repay the debt I owed to your great-grandfather.

"I reckon the three-colored violets back home will be blooming soon, and I’d like to take my family to see them while I still can walk."

"What, you’re planning to leave me just when I need you the most?" Ireya’s face was a picture of disbelief, "Steward Fosto, do you also think my brother is more suited to be the Lord of Green Field than me?

"Oh, right, you might not have heard, Vanessa has been defeated. She fled with Blanco, with only two or three confidants left by her side. They have no chance of rising again.

"Because I have received the favor of our family’s ancestors, the necklace my father gave me woke the Ancient Spirit inside it. If you don’t believe me, I can show it to you..."

The old man cut off the girl’s words, "My wanting to leave has nothing to do with Lady Vanessa or Master Blanco."

"Then why?" Ireya asked, puzzled, "You have been in this castle since I was born, managing everything so well. If you leave, how can I alone handle so many affairs?"

"I can stay an extra month to help you choose a new steward for this castle," said Fosto.

"But I don’t want a new steward; I only want you!" Miss Rabbit’s eyes reddened, "If it’s because of what Sir Alfred did to you, I can apologize to you on his behalf."

"Sir Alfred did only what he had to do at the time; I hold no grudges against him, miss."

The old man sighed helplessly and turned to Li Yu and Half-Face.

"Could we have a private word?" he asked.

"Of course," Jude shrugged and walked out the door first, with Li Yu silently following him.

About a quarter of an hour later, Ireya also came out, her eyes red and swollen as if she had just cried, and she was sniffling.

She casually closed the door behind her, then walked straight up to Li Yu and said, "When you came in earlier, you asked me if I had anyone in mind for the new steward, did you already know back then that Fosto was leaving?"

Li Yu nodded, "You might not like what I’m about to say, but it’s a fact that Teacup Castle was lost during his watch, and he had surrendered to the invaders out of concern for the safety of his wife and son.

"While it’s natural to prioritize family over duty, he ultimately chose the former, and that’s indisputable.

"What’s more damning is the contrast with Sir Alfred’s actions earlier this morning. Bearing such a stain, he’s no longer fit to serve as the steward of Teacup Castle.

"Otherwise, should the castle face a sudden assault from enemies again, the subordinates will remember the steward’s prior ’defection’ and look out for themselves, choosing not to fight vehemently. Even the strongest walls couldn’t protect this place then.

"Fosto is a smart man, which is why the moment he sees you, he tells you his wish to retire and return home. It’s for the best, and if he hadn’t brought it up, I would have."

Staring straight at Li Yu, Ireya hovered in silence for a long while before saying wearily, "You’re right, Fosto truly can’t continue in this position, but I also don’t want him to leave Green Field."

Miss Rabbit explained, "I’ve never been a lord before, not even managed a small village. Although I won against my stepmother, my head is still a little fuzzy. I don’t even know what I should do next.

"And Fosto is just the opposite. He has assisted three generations of Family Heads of the Arias family with his vast experience and can tell me what to do when."

"It sounds like he’s the new Family Head of the Arias family, and you’re just his puppet," Half-Face summed up.

"No, it’s not like that," Ireya shook her head, "I want to keep him as another advisor, to give me advice, like you, but of course, the final decision on whether to follow that advice is still mine."

The last part of the girl’s speech was directed at Li Yu, and she didn’t know why, but a perfectly normal request coming from her mouth strangely felt insecure.

In the Red Lion Empire, any family with even slight power would recruit advisors, and major families generally would not have just one advisor; it’s simply her rightful prerogative.

Miss Rabbit comforted herself with this thought only to hear Li Yu say, "I’m not your advisor."

"Don’t be so petty," the girl said, "When the time comes, I’m still likely to listen more to you."

"I’m not your advisor," Li Yu repeated, with a bit more emphasis.

"Uh..." Miss Rabbit got flustered like a newlywed caught in an affair, stuttering, "Then I... what if I promise not to look for other advisors?"

"It has nothing to do with whether you look for other advisors or not," Li Yu said, "I told you early on, advising you was a temporary solution, just acting for others to see based on our prior conversation."

"But you said later... later, you talked about establishing a more long-term and stable relationship with me." The girl pleaded, her ears standing on end with urgency.

"That’s true, but I didn’t mean I would be your advisor."

Ireya recalled that moment and Li Yu hadn’t really offered to continue advising her; she had simply assumed Li Yu would stay by her side, providing her with strategies.

"Then what do you want to do, become a noble? Hmm, I could confer upon you the title of my knight. Besides, I can grant you land; you helped me become the Lord of Green Field, after all, and I intended to repay you."

"I might indeed need land in the future, but I don’t need the title of a knight," Li Yu said, "If you truly want to repay me, just agree to one thing."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Allow me to establish a church on your land."