Tall, young, milky brown skin and raven black hair.
A light brown attire, covered with a brown cape.
Good looking!
These were what many thought the moment they saw Marcus step into the ballroom.
A small smile was on his face, but on the inside… it wasn't all smiles.
Damn these bastards! How is this just a Baron's mansion? This place is way bigger than mine. Crystals powered by mana, gold tablewares, and even marbled floors that spell money!
I should have come for this rich bastard instead of Egar. Agard is suffering while he's living in such a place!
Though Marcus was well aware that his encounter with Baron Savani was all by chance and a little orchestration.
He felt the urge to orchestrate something for Baron Gaus.
This mansion was indeed one of a kind in Agard.
Quite a lot of money had been expended to build it.
Money that Baron wouldn't normally have.
Marcus made a mental note to come for Baron Gaus the moment he had the chance to.
He would strip him of everything he owned, including the dirt on his lands.
Silently clenching his fist to ease his anger, Marcus continued to walk forward.
"Milord, I told you that this cloth would fit you. Look at all the women staring at you like you're dessert." Bradley teased from the side.
"Indeed," Marcus said dryly. "It still won't change my mind. You wasted our brittle funds on buying clothes for me. It's still going to come out of your salary."
Bradley chuckled. "I don't mind spending from my pockets to have you well dressed sir."
"Tsk! When did you become so annoying, Bradley?" Marcus looked to the side.
Perhaps because he was already feigning over Baron Gaus's expensive mansion, Bradley's antics seemed especially annoying tonight.
Bradley laughed, happy that he could tease the young lord this way.
Just a few days ago, he had complained to Marcus that he must not attend the ball in his everyday clothes.
The last time Marcus attended such a function was over a decade ago, in other words, he didn't have appropriate clothes for the event.
But Marcus said that he didn't care.
Appropriate clothes were the least of his worries.
Would anyone dare to mock his dressing if he attended wearing his everyday garbs?
Perhaps a few bold and connected ones.
But Bradley refused to give in and ended up buying several sets of ball clothes for Marcus.
I don't regret it one bit. Ah, milord, you have no idea how much potential you have wasted over the years. The young mistress is getting married soon… You should also start looking for a good woman to bring in. I will not lose… I mean, we will not lose to them!
Unknowingly to Marcus, this steward of his had a mission tonight.
Bradley broke off eagerly from the group, leaving the neatly dressed Brown and Joshua to continue to follow the young lord.
"Tsk! What's his problem tonight?" Marcus muttered.
Brown and Joshua exchanged looks, also wondering why Bradley was so excited.
They had just walked a few more steps when they saw a pair heading towards them.
Marcus recognized their faces. One smiled gracefully at him, as if he were excited to see him.
While the other only smiled as much as she needed to avoid scrapples.
There's the bastard! Don't let me get my hands on your neck lest I strangle you by mistake.
Marcus cursed out, but at the same time, the smile on his face widened as he walked forward to meet the pair.
Both Lady Porsh and Baron Gaus bowed. "Lord Governor, it's been a long time since I last saw you. You're grown into a fine young man. It's a pleasure seeing you well and active again."
"I greet the young governor." Lady Porsh said.
"Baron Gaus, Lady Porsh. It's truly been a while, how have you been?" Marcus laughed as he shook Gaus's hand.
"We've been well," Gaus replied.
"I heard that you've been working on trying to revive the south, how is that coming along?"
"Well, with no interruptions or opposition, my endeavors have been smooth so far. I don't think I need to ask how your business has been faring, your residence is a glaring response to that."
"Haha! Lord Governor, this is but a simple home. While others pocket their wealth to save for rainy days, I spend most of mine perfecting my residence. With a popular brewery like mine, I don't have much fear of running out of money to eat."
In other words, you've made enough illegal money not to worry about money, right?
Good, let's see what you say or use as a cover-up when I deal with your brewery. If only you knew the things that fat pig Savani had confessed.
You and Lady Porsh, as well as many others, will face retribution soon.
Marcus thought.
He was especially not in a good mood.
Perhaps his sister's invitation and news of a nephew had unknowingly tipped his cup.
Emotions that he'd normally rein in easily were a bit difficult for him to restrain tonight.
A part of him wanted to lash out, and the other part kept on reminding him that it would spoil his plans.
He couldn't afford to go overboard now.
Other nobles and prominent figures took notice of the way Gaus and Lady Porsh acted around Marcus.
Especially when they had bowed to greet him.
Even though they couldn't hear their conversation, this act was enough to let everyone know that Marcus's status wasn't low.
Some amidst the crowd recognized him, while many didn't.
"That's the young Governor."
"A descendant of Sirdi."
"What! The fallen noble!?"
"Shush! Do you want to be found at fault? It's okay to call him a fallen noble in private, but if he hears you…"
The crowd began to whisper and gossip slipped from one ear to another.
Slowly, Marcus was attracting more and more attention.
"What's there to fear? Does he truly have the power to enact anything? Their lineage isn't that of a duchy anymore."
Some people felt like the Sirdi name wasn't worth the hype, or at least for Marcus.
It was just an old family with some weight in the kingdom's history.
"Lady Porsh, it's been ten years since we last met. You've gotten prettier with age. One could mistake you for a young maiden who's single and searching." Marcus said, catching everyone by surprise.
Was this a compliment or an insult?
Lord Marcus… saying a thing to a married woman who is obviously sleeping around is such a provoking act. Joshua thought.
I don't think that's how you compliment women–ah what's my business? The young lord is still young. Brown shook his head and let himself look around a bit.
Even Lady Porsh was unsure of how to react at first. "The young governor has learned how to flirt with women now… only that, you might not woo any woman with such sharpness." She smiled, almost laughing.
"Oh, you think so too?" Marcus laughed. "I'll have to do better."
Shortly after that, Lady Porsh dragged Gaus away.
"That sharp-mouthed brat!" Lady Porsh lashed out once they were in a private space.
"Calm down, Porsh, he might have grown, but his mind should still be that of a fourteen-year-old. What experience does he have? How is he to know that dames such as yourself, are the sweetest gift to man?"
"Are you asking me to sleep with him?" She slapped Gaus's chest angrily.
"My dear, how did you come to such an assumption? I was just saying that he knows nothing." He leaned in and kissed her neck.
This act ignited something in Lady Porsh, subduing her anger.
Soon the two of them were embroiled with themselves.
…
Marcus continued to walk around, making small talk with a few other people he recognized.
Just as he was about to plate himself a few snacks, a man came to stand beside him.
"Young Governor, it's been a while."
This voice, although Marcus didn't know who it was, his senses screamed danger.
It wasn't subtle as it felt like there was a blade resting against his neck.
Turning to his side, Marcus saw the figure bowing respectfully.
I expected to see you here. He thought as he suppressed the urge to back away and smiled.
"Sir Maney, it truly has been a while."