CH284 Proxy Regents

***

After finishing her explanation, Sophia glanced at Alex. He gave a small nod, confirming her analysis.

"So… does that mean I can't become the Lord Marshall?" Ulfman asked, his tone heavy with frustration.

"Not exactly," Alex replied. His voice carried an edge of challenge. "The tradition of excluding trueblood Furies is nothing more than an unspoken agreement. But within the family, there is one law that outweighs all others…"

Alex fixed Ulfman with a piercing look.

"You keep what you can take, and what you can protect."

Ulfman's breath caught.

"As long as you are strong enough, and gain enough support within the Fury Army itself, you can force the family to acknowledge you as Lord Marshall. But don't mistake me, Ulfman—it won't be easy. No… it will be hell, likely no less difficult than trying to become the Family Head. Are you ready for that?"

"I am." Ulfman's eyes blazed. He was a Fury—he would not abandon his ambition so easily. Alex's words stoked the rebellious fire in his blood. He wanted to defy the order that had bound his kin for generations.

Still, he was self-aware enough to ask, "How do I go about it?"

"There are two options," Alex said evenly. "I can ask Father to petition Lord Marshall Lawson to take you as a disciple. Or, I can have him ask Sir Drake to train you for a time. Which will you choose?"

Ulfman hesitated. Almost unconsciously, his gaze drifted to Sophia.

"Choose the second option," she said without pause.

"The second option? Why?" Seraphina voiced the same question that lingered in Ulfman's and Wilbert's minds.

"I don't know the full reason. You'll have to ask big brother Alex that." Sophia folded her arms. "But I can tell you why the first option is bad."

Alex raised an intrigued brow. "Oh? Let's hear it."

"Because the moment Lord Marshall Lawson takes Ulfman as his disciple—at Father's request—the other branch leaders will smell a scheme. They'll move at once to cut off Ulfman's future path, fearing he'll rise too high. They'll block him before he even has a chance to climb in the Army."

Alex's lips curled into a smile.

'Looks like I was right about her.'

He turned back to Ulfman.

"Sophia is right. If the other branches see it coming, they'll crush you before you start. That makes becoming Lawson's disciple a dangerous route. That said…" Alex's voice softened, but his words carried weight, "…if you choose that path anyway, you'll gain something priceless: not only the art of strategy and command, but also politics. And that, Ulfman, is a subject you sorely need if you truly aim to sit in the Lord Marshall's chair one day."

He paused for a moment to let his words sink into Ulfman's mind before continuing.

"If you decide to go with Sir Jared, you will be comprehensively trained in every aspect you need to cover as a soldier, including becoming a Magic Armour Knight. But be warned—Sir Jared isn't the nicest of drill sergeants. Even experienced Veteran-ranked soldiers avoid being trained by him.

"However, if you do undergo his training, you'll gain the foundation needed to rise through the ranks by your own ability, without relying on aid. You'll be able to climb high enough to contend for the Lord Marshall's seat under the other branch lords' noses. And by the time you reach it, no one will be able to accuse you of nepotism.

"It will be a thorny path from the beginning. But when you reach the end, you will have all the honour and glory of walking the journey yourself—with little help."

"So, what say you?"

"I will take the second option," Ulfman decided.

"Are you sure?" Alex asked.

"Yes, I am." Ulfman confirmed firmly.

"That's a good choice." Alex nodded.

Something he didn't mention was that even after training under Sir Jared and moving up the ranks of the Fury Army, Ulfman could still become Baron Lawson's disciple at any time.

Alex glanced at Sophia and caught the faint smile tugging at her lips. He realised she understood more than she let on.

'Tricky minx!' Alex chuckled inwardly.

With Ulfman's decision made, Alex turned to the twins.

"I won't bother with the dance and will just tell you my suggestion," Alex said directly, his eyes fixed on Sophia.

The World Warlock (witch) simply nodded.

"Humph…" Seraphina folded her arms and looked away.

She felt disregarded by Alex, which was partially true—Sophia was clearly the decision-maker between the twins.

"Father will take a barony from the Kellermans as reparations for the war. I'll suggest he appoints you two as Vice-lords of that barony. Sofi, you'll be in charge of the day-to-day affairs, while Sera, you'll oversee the barony's army and security."

What?" Seraphina was stunned.

Sophia, on the other hand, remained calm.

"Who is the lord of the barony?" she asked.

"Unclear, but it's likely to be me. Whatever the case, the baron will only be a proxy for Father. The old man can't expand his fief holdings right now," Alex explained.

"So, you want us to work for you while you're away on your sabbatical?" Seraphina pressed.

"It could turn out that way, yes." Alex smiled.

Seraphina was taken aback by his blunt admission. Sophia laughed softly.

"We'll do it," she said. "But only if you are confirmed as the territorial lord after the reparation talks."

Alex and Sophia locked eyes in silence. Ulfman and Wilbert exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the two were scheming something they couldn't quite grasp.

Seraphina, meanwhile, stared at her twin in disbelief, wondering why Sophia would accept what sounded like a slave contract.

Sophia patted her sister's hand, urging her to calm down.

"Looks like we have a deal," Alex said with a smile.

"We do—so long as you're willing to risk losing the territory to us," Sophia replied.

"You're welcome to try. Just know, the people of the barony would swear fealty to me directly if I allowed it. That's what you're up against," Alex warned.

"That is a wonderful challenge. We must at least prove ourselves capable of this much if we're to serve as your proxy regents, no?" Sophia countered.

"As expected, you understand well." Alex's smile widened.

By now, the rest of the siblings were completely lost. Neither Alex nor Sophia bothered explaining further.

With his goals confirmed, Alex knew he had a report to present to Earl Drake.

Until then, he enjoyed a quiet evening with his siblings. Wilbert played with Fen and Senu, falling victim to their endless shenanigans. Later, the group shared a hearty meal, half of it consisting of Chef Fen's own special delicacies.

By the time they left the Back Mountain Lodge and returned to Ashen Castle, Alex felt a newfound closeness with his siblings.

"Let's go meet Father. It's time to begin my preparations."

***

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