[A Certain Lord in the Council POV]
Dear wife, a lovely day we’re having no? I hear our little lady has begun walking, I hope I can see her soon. Come winter we can enjoy our family’s reunion at the New Year ball.
Hopefully, the court will be done erupting from chaos by then.
“This is unacceptable!”
“His authority to that city must be voided!”
“I agree with Marquis Romwell! He has stolen our citizens!”
“I demand that a royal order be sent to him transferring the rights to that city to the Romwell family.”
“Wait no, since he’s technically a Prince, shouldn’t the Royal family own it?”
“Huh? I am the ruler of the Northwest!”
“And he is a prince! Since the first prince is occupied with the court, I suggest sending the second princ—“
“You're just trying to better your faction’s position! You should be ashamed of yourself!”
Hypocrites have spoken in the court. To neutral lords like us, it was a shit show. Just a few days ago, some merchants began to distribute novel products in the streets of the capital.
Many noble women have even fought on the streets to buy them. Things such as scented soap, shampoo, conditioner, and even make-up are seen circulating in the streets of the capital.
More importantly, the rise to prominence of a new merchant guild has challenged the authority of legacy ones led by the Rowan Company. The ones who brought the dragons to the capital.
This has caused some nobles to ire at the new guild, many have banned it from their respective territories. However, there have been rumours that the same nobles who banned it have been buying as much of their supply in the capital to send to their families.
That is not the biggest problem, more problems popped up when the nobles, especially those supporting the other princes found out who ruled that city.
“Lucas Arthurias must be brought here for his crimes of stealing other territories’ residents!”
“If the council does not do anything about this I will send an army to force him to give it up!” said the Marquis Romwell.
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The court is not blind, everyone knows the Marquis was lying, no he was not thinking of sending an army to that city, everyone knows that he has decided to invade that city, and many ravens have arrived reporting the movement of the Romwell army. Even merchants have sounded their concern due to the army's movement delaying their caravan.
Although all of them agree that the prince can not rule that land, they seem to have disagreements about who should have it.
The neutral faction is not blind, we know what they want. Especially when they found out another reason why the merchants adored that city.
“These zero tax policies for merchants to enter their city are clearly in violation of the kingdom’s law! Such an incompetent lord should not hold a lucrative territory such as Neverwinter!”
The more we read the report the more confused we got. Most merchants who entered the territory experienced little to no taxes. At most they get a 1% tax when trying to export the city’s products but no import tax. A normal Lord would certainly tax more, by not taxing the merchants, he's dooming his territory's income.
The amount of gold that would flow into their hands if they used the normal tax rate is not something they could even fathom. It would break all records.
“Didn’t he give up on his claim to the throne? I believe you, who are now trying to discredit him and remove his authority to that city supported the idea of sending him to the frontier?”
Said one of the Lords sitting in the neutral faction. This caused some of the nobles to flinch as well as some to turn hostile towards that person.
“I’m right aren’t I?”
The one who spoke was Count Harolds, his family was one of the founding families of the kingdom and has held its neutrality since the birth of this nation.
“You people sent him there to die. Yet he flourished under your noses. Now you want it back? Parasites.”
“You have no right to call me that!” The marquis ever so hot-headed stood up and tried to attack the count.
“Enough.”
A cold tone suddenly engulfed the entire room. The prime minister has begun to speak.
“Marquis, it is not a secret to everyone here what you’ve been doing. I order you to stand down, you are not just dealing with another noble here, you are dealing with a prince.”
“Wimbledon! What right do you—”
“This is the court, Marquis, I warn you.”
The marquis shrunk on his chair, in front of the duke… his huge trained body was nothing.
“You Majesty, I request that we send a royal summons to the prince. This should clear up his intentions.” The prime minister said.
Some arguments happened but in the end, the marquis submitted their intent to claim taxes to the city, the Kaisels sued the city, and finally, the prime minister intended to summon the prince on the New Year ball.
I wish for some peace and quiet to celebrate with my family. But I doubt I can do that too.
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[Meanwhile in the Village of Neverwinter…]
“Your Highness! The pie you made is a hit! This ‘Hot Pizza’ is currently being sold out! Alongside the WakkoDonalds’, our revenue has reached 200 platinum coins!”
“The capital merchants and those from the empire have asked to establish a branch in their cities.”
“Wait! Rowan, Mr. Intern. We have a problem, the villagers have taken all the available fishing boats!”
“That is a problem! I’ll tell Sir Ian and Sir Sebas as well as Miss, Cynthia, we’ll make sure to punish them all. Your Highness!”
“Preventing His Highness from boating, wait… I think I saw Sir Ian boating with his girlfriend!”
“Lucky Bastard, Wait no Rowan don’t—”