City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

Baron Homer

"…you heard it right, I personally witnessed and signed her accession papers," said Brandon, with a big smile on his face.

This is the seventh call he has received since we started our journey back.

The nobles are calling us as well, and our family, but we told them we would call them when we reach our territory.

"Of course, I'll tell you everything when we talk tomorrow," he said and cut the spell, before turning to us. "They all seemed desperate to know everything,"

"Wouldn't you be, Baron, if you were in their place?" asked Uda, and the man grinned.

He is happy; he could witness the moment that will change the fate of the baronies, not only in the north, but in the south as well.

"I am really glad I stayed at your territory on my way back to mine, or I wouldn't have been able to witness that," he said with his eyes dancing joyfully.

He is a central Baron; they wouldn't have called him as a witness, his territory was too far away, but he could come because he was staying at our keep.

There was a silence for a while before Uda signed, and I felt her activating privacy.

Seeing that, I did the same, and Brandon cast a privacy spell as well. I couldn't help but feel envy; I had talent and opportunity to learn, but I didn't take it.

At least my daughter took it. All thanks to Baroness Silver; she was influenced by that woman.

I just hope she is not serious about the blade. A staff is much safer.

"Lord Silver has chosen which side he is going to take," said Uda. It was one thing that worried all the nobles most, and now they have gotten the answer.

"To be honest, I am very relieved." Replied Brandon, with all mirth disappearing from his eyes.

"My family had been nudging me to name their person as the heir; I have been resisting.

"I have worked my ass off to build what I have here, risked my life, and I will not hand it to some chump chosen by the family. It is my blood and sweat, and only my children deserve it!" he stated.

"It's going to make a lot of Barons relieved," I replied. My family and I had been discussing things.

I want my daughter to take over; they are resistant, but now I have the advantage.

"It's also going to make them antsy; they might not support us as well as they used to," said Uda, and I could feel worry in her voice.

A lot of us depend on money from family; the rapid development was due to it.

"Yes, it will be hard to digest if they cut the support, but our baronies have developed enough that I believe we will manage, even if they do that," replied Brandon.

He will forgo the support of family as long as his heir takes over, and I believe it will be the case for most of the barons.

Including us.

"I talked to the Governor earlier. Asked her if I declare my son and heir tomorrow, would I have Lord Silver's support? She replied Absolutely," he added softly.

I have never seen the man so happy. It would be a lie if I said I am not happy with it as well.

It had taken a load off my shoulder.

"The news is good, but have you noticed the control Silver has shown over territory?" asked Uda; she has always been a very observant woman.

"I asked around and could tell that many of the important people of the territory were in his pocket or, at least, he had some sway over them." She said.

Hearing that, Brandon's expression turned heavy.

"It is not good news. I don't want my people in his pocket and will try to find out who is in my territory, but one thing I know: as long as I am loyal, Silver will protect me," he said.

"He could also remove us just as easily," I replied. Brandon laughed.

"He didn't have to turn our people to do that. He has a big enough army. It will be enough that even if all of us rose against him, we wouldn't be able to do anything to him," he said.

I hate to admit it, but it's true. More true than before.

Since Silver took over, we have reduced our personal army over the past three months.

We reduce them further to cut costs so we can use that money for the territory's development, given all the people coming to our territories.

I shudder as I realize it might be some grand plan to put us all under his thumb.

Help us, yes, but also keep us under his thumb.

I don't like it, but the more I think about it, the more fear I feel. No, lord should have such power as Silver has over us, and with the way he is moving, it is only going to increase.

"You are worrying too much, Homer. Look at those bastards who chose Grimvale,"

"They are barely getting people, and they didn't even have the assurances that we have. They must be green with envy right now," said Brandon, laughing.

…

Baron Saltwright

"Baron Rose, I know this garden may not be much compared to what you have at your keep, but it brings me peace," I said, leading him to the rooftop garden.

I had hired a professional from the merchant state, and they did a wonderful job.

"It may be smaller, but it has its own charm," he replied, looking at the garden, before his eyes turned to the town surrounding the keep, and envy flashed in his eyes.

Seeing that, I couldn't help but smile.

Of all the twenty barons, I am one of the barons with the most people. It could be said that I am second, right behind Lockridge. Unlike Lockridge, I didn't bully others to get the most people.

"Come sit, Baron Rose," I said, as I stopped near the garden chairs. "Thank you, Baron Saltwright," he replied.

I smiled, but said nothing further.

"Silver had made Nightingale's daughter the baroness." He said. Stating the fact for which he came here for.

"A commendable decision," I replied.

When I heard it, I jumped with joy, understanding the value of the decision. I didn't even dare to believe it at first; only after Harrods confirmed it personally did I dare to believe it.

"Me too, but that's not why I am here," he replied. "I am here to discuss the consequences of it," he stated.

"Our houses," I said, and he nodded sombrely.

"There was already pressure on us, but now it had suddenly increased. A source in my house told me they are going to push Marquess Grimvale to name their person an heir."

I shuddered as I heard that; I contacted my house, and they too had pressured me, reminded me of the deal.

I was desperate when I signed it. I had lost big in the business, and the family helped me in exchange for this placeholder. I am grateful for it, but I don't want to give up the position.

I built it with my own hands, risking my life. Yes, I had an agreement with the house, but it was under duress.

They have sent me here as a sacrifice, knowing full well that there was a high chance I could die. So, they can't blame me when I don't want to keep the promise.

"I will not give up the barony, and I hope, Marques Grimvale, comprehends that," I replied.

He understood the meaning behind my words as he nodded. If Grimvale forces me, I will look for other options. I don't want to live in mediocrity, which I have been in before.

If I die, so be it, but Grimvale won't let me die. If he lets my house, kill me here, then he will face the wrath of all the barons.

"It is why I came to you immediately. I want to form a group to pressure Marques Grimvale about it," he said, and looked at me. I don't believe any baron willingly wants to give up the barony.

"I am surprised you didn't first go to Lockridge." he is the number one ally of Lockridge.

He used that position to gain many benefits from Lockridge, including people. Forcing many of us to look for other ways to gain more people.

"You know, he didn't face the same problem as us." He replied, giving me a look.

Lockridge didn't come from a mercantile family. He got the position because of House Ravenheart, and they are the only ones who could force him out, but now that's not possible.

House Ravenheart is now severely weakened, since the death of Prince Grelt, Duke and Count Darrow.

They could not protect their territory well, let alone extend their influence here.

"A group sounds nice, but to pressure the marquess, nearly everyone needs to be in on it and work together," I said, and he smiled. "Our future depends on it, I believe everyone will be supportive," he replied with a smile.

"The houses will not be pleased," I said, and the smile on his face disappeared.

If we do this, we have to be ready to go against our houses. That means there would be less support, or even no support, from them.

That would make this very hard.

"It will cost us, but I think we have developed enough to manage without them," he replied. There is a huge difference between managing and thriving.

Though I didn't point that out.

"Let's hope we find a middle path through it. I don't want to cut relations with my house, unless I need to," added Rose. To that, I nodded.

The house is a big part of our lives, and we wouldn't want to cut relations unless we have no other choice.

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