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The banquet at Phoenix Butterfly Fort had ended at eight o’clock.

Back in their residence, Vera, as she was slipping off her high heels, said to her husband:

“Colin, Lady Grace just told me that Count Morrison wishes to marry cousin Nina and wants me to help.”

Colin laughed out loud on the spot – Scholar Doan had indeed guessed correctly.

The Morrison family really won’t marry anyone but a St. Hilde!

Was this some sort of perverse obsession, or an unshakeable family tradition, or…did they have other intentions?

Colin did not know this so-called Nina St. Hilde, but even a female relative of a side branch, despite also bearing the surname St. Hilde, it shouldn’t be enough to warrant such relentless pursuit from a titled count.

“How could you help? The Duke of St. Hilde just passed away, the position of head of the family is vacant, even if Count Morrison wants to marry cousin Nina, there’s nobody capable of making the decision.”

Vera was sitting at her dressing table, removing her sapphire earrings, as she replied,

“Yes, Lady Grace is well aware of this, she said that the matter isn’t urgent, we can discuss Count Morrison’s marriage after the rebellion in the North Territory has been quelled, and the issue of succession to the Northern Duke’s position has been clarified.”

Colin looked at Vera as she removed her long dress, revealing her slender, curvaceous waist and her long, shapely legs, and said with a smile,

“Did Lady Grace mention to you who she thinks should inherit this position of Northern Duke?”

Perhaps Colin’s intense gaze made Vera’s face flush slightly. She cast a glance at him, swiftly changed into her silk nightdress and replied, shaking her head:

“No. But isn’t the position of the Duke supposed to be inherited by Joyce?”

Looking at his naive wife, Colin suddenly realized that he should have a frank discussion with her too. Otherwise, she might never think that she could also pursue the position of the Northern Duke.

“Joyce is not the Marquis of the North Territory, so ‘supposed to’ is not exactly right.”

Vera was clearly taken aback: “Based on the order of succession, Joyce is now at the front of the line.”

Colin untied his bow tie, casually tossed it onto the table, then walked over to Vera, gesturing to her to help him undress, as he said:

“Joyce is just ten years old though. Is it appropriate to make such a young child the Lord of the North Territory?”

Vera unbuttoned Colin’s shirt button while looking up at him with confusion: “There’s no age limit for being a Lord in the Law of the Lords.”

Colin shook his head: “I’m not questioning Joyce’s right to succeed, but I am concerned about whether such an immature child really has the ability to deal with the current turmoil in the North Territory.”

Hearing this, Vera frowned, her hands paused, seeming to partly agree that letting her ten-year-old brother take such heavy responsibility was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

“Then… who do you think can take on this responsibility?” Vera’s voice trembled slightly, clearly, she had realized what Colin was getting at.

“I think you can!” Colin said resolutely, staring intensely at his wife, as if trying to transfer his determination to her.

“I…” Vera’s gaze had a hint of evasion, as she clenched Colin’s shirt tightly with both hands, questioning uncertainly, “Can I do it?”

“Of course!” Colin pulled Vera into his arms, gently kissing her cold forehead, solemnly stating, “In my opinion, an eligible Lord of the North Territory should possess the virtues of fairness, kindness, mercy, and resilience. And you, my dear, you have all of them!”

“I…” Vera bit her lip, hesitating, “But I have no idea how to govern a territory…”

“That’s secondary.” Colin waved his hand confidently, “In terms of politics, you can consult Scholar Doan, he is well-versed in how to govern the North Territory.

And for military affairs…”

Colin gave thumbs up to himself, confidently stating, “You can totally trust your husband! Be it the Eastern Territory or the Trolls, I can deal with them effortlessly. As for the current rebel forces entrenched in the North Territory, they’re just trivial!”

Seeing her husband showing off so brazenly, Vera couldn’t help but smile; her earlier tension and fear seemed to recede.

She extended a hand to caress Colin’s chest, tracing circles on it with her fingers, her eyes sparkling as she said, “Yes! My husband is now a hero who personally slew the Troll Emperor!”

Colin roared with laughter, capturing his charming wife’s red lips with a French kiss, before asking, “What do you think? Are you confident about becoming the Lord of the North Territory?”

Vera lay on Colin’s chest, not saying a word.

Seeing this, Colin spoke again, “Aren’t you afraid lest Joyce’s young shoulders crumble under this heavy burden if you do not take on this responsibility?”

“Think about it, the current situation in the North Territory, can a child’s mindset really handle it?”

After a long silence, Vera finally raised her head, the confusion in her eyes was gone, replaced by selfless determination.

“All right, if everyone thinks that I should inherit the title of the Duke, then I will not refuse!”

Colin finally sighed with relief and laughed, “That’s the kind of responsibility a real St. Hilde should have!”

A blush appeared on Vera’s face, her voice became somewhat uncertain again,

“But I might not necessarily inherit the title of the Duke. Joyce’s right of succession precedes mine, and what’s more, we still need to consult the Emperor and the Imperial Senate’s views.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Colin said confidently.

Seeing Vera’s questioning gaze, he could only laugh it off, “I believe the Emperor and the Imperial Senate will make the right choice. You are the real leader that the North Territory needs now.”

“Colin, you overestimate me…”, Vera stuck out her tongue, then suddenly her eyes seemed to brighten and she suggested, “How about if we let Uncle Garcia be the Northern Duke, wouldn’t that be better?”

“Marquis Garcia?” Colin’s brows furrowed immediately.

Without Vera in play, Colin would definitely consider Marquis Garcia.

However, given the chance to be a duke’s husband, why would Colin settle for only being a duke’s son-in-law?

Although Marquis Garcia has been kind to Colin, he would rather ransom Marquis Garcia back and treat him well.

Having just managed to shrug off a huge burden, Colin wasn’t about to bring another one upon himself.

“In the presence of Duke St. Hilde’s son and adopted daughter, the Senate would not agree to allow Marquis Garcia to inherit the title of the Northern Duke.

Moreover, Northerners would probably find it difficult to accept a Duke who had been a prisoner of the East Territory.

No matter how glorious his past military achievements, the shame of Shadow Gorge… will probably haunt Marquis Garcia for the rest of his life.”

Hearing Colin say this, Vera could only nod, somewhat disappointed.

“Alright, don’t think too much about it.” Colin nipped at his wife’s cheek, “Just prepare yourself mentally to take on this responsibility. The rest, let’s leave it to the Emperor and the Senate.”

“Okay.” Vera obediently nodded her head, returning Colin’s goodnight kiss.

The two of them then put out the Magic Lamp and went to bed.

The sky outside the window was sparsely strewn with stars, with only a crescent moon hanging high among the tree tops, casting down a faint, cold light.

After midnight, Phoenix Butterfly Fort had no longer any windows glowing with light, only the corridor and the guardhouse had specks of firelight.

The faint hooting of an owl echoed from afar, adding tranquility to this peaceful night.

“Vera? Vera?” Colin called into his wife’s ear several times, seeing that she had fallen into deep sleep, he slowly got up, dressed himself, and jumped out of the window.

The air was filled with a fresh, elegant scent of tulips, along with a faint hint of blood.