Baron's Son with -9,999,999 Reputation Point-Chapter 140: Keep that in mind
"Young Master, the Baron has summoned you," the servant said politely. "He is waiting in his study."
Lucas fell silent for a moment. His thoughts immediately drifted to the grand plan he had briefly mentioned some time ago. Is this about the Farmer Guild? he wondered. He glanced at Liona and Silvara, as if asking for permission to step away from the tension that had earlier wrapped around them.
"Alright, I’ll go there right away," Lucas replied.
He turned toward Liona, who was still stroking Huzzle’s neck. "Liona, please take care of the rest here."
Liona nodded, though her eyes briefly flicked toward Silvara with concern. "Understood, Young Master. Leave it to me."
Lucas then patted Huzzle’s nose once more. "See you later, Huzzle. Don’t misbehave."
The black horse snorted cheerfully, its head bobbing up and down as if thoroughly satisfied with its new identity. Liona chuckled softly at the horse’s amusing behavior, trying to lighten the mood. Lucas only gave a faint smile, then turned and followed the servant, leaving the stable area.
As soon as Lucas’s figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, Liona was about to invite Silvara inside, but a gentle tug on her sleeve made her stop.
"Huh?" Liona turned her head.
Silvara was gripping Liona’s sleeve tightly. Her fingers were trembling, a sight extremely rare for the tough knight.
"What is it, Lady Silvara?" Liona asked softly.
Slowly, Silvara lifted her face. When her eyes met Liona’s, the maid flinched. Silvara’s eyes were glossy, reflecting the flickering light of the oil lamps.
Meanwhile, Lucas had already arrived at the door to the Baron’s study. After knocking and being allowed inside, he found the Baron sitting calmly while examining a map of the Rosevelt territory.
"Sit," the Baron said bluntly.
Lucas took a seat in front of the oak desk. He no longer needed to pretend to be the arrogant Lucian in front of this man. "You called me about the guild?"
The Baron set the map aside. "Yes. About the Farmer Guild. I’ve thought it over. Technically, it can be established. But there is a problem with our political position."
Lucas nodded in understanding. "The Voss family is too powerful to suddenly create a public guild officially?"
"Exactly," the Baron leaned back. "If I formalize it myself, the empire will assume I am gathering grassroots support for a rebellion. We have to do it through the back channels. This will require a performance."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "A performance?"
"This guild must appear as the result of your recklessness as the ’mad’ Lucian Voss. The public has to see it as your absurd personal project, one that I only approve because I am too tired to argue with my own son," the Baron explained.
Lucas paused, then smiled faintly. "So we need a reason for outsiders not to suspect that this is a calculated strategy to strengthen the region’s economy."
"Precisely. You understand," the Baron tapped the desk. "I know you are not the real Lucian, but the outside world does not. So you must return to playing that depraved, stubborn ’Lucian’ in public, so this guild can operate without political interference."
"Alright," Lucas began forming a plan. "Then tomorrow afternoon, I will gather the villagers in the town square."
"What is your plan?"
"You must come there and act as if you are stopping me. Scold me in front of everyone. Say that this guild idea is trash. Make the villagers feel like I am forcing them into something you do not approve of."
The Baron looked slightly surprised, then chuckled. "Is it really that simple? Are you sure the villagers will want to join if I openly oppose it?"
Lucas crossed his arms. "Come on, difficult problems need simple solutions. The people here fear you, but they fear and are far more curious about Lucian’s madness. I am asking permission to use Lucian’s bad reputation to kill outside suspicion. If they think I am just an egoistic ’playing landlord,’ they will not see the guild as a political threat."
Lucas paused, staring at the Baron seriously. "I will threaten or pressure the villagers a little tomorrow. Think of it as the fastest way to get them moving without too many questions."
The Baron looked at Lucas with an expression that was hard to read. There was a hint of admiration for the practical way the young man thought.
"Do as you please," the Baron waved his hand in approval. "I will prepare my part to scold you tomorrow afternoon."
Lucas stood and bowed briefly. "Thank you, Baron."
As Lucas walked out, the Baron murmured softly behind his desk with a broad smile. "What a strange child."
Lucas made his way back to his room, his footsteps slow as the corridor lamps cast long shadows along the walls. Only when he pushed the door open and closed it behind him did he realize what he had forgotten.
"...Damn," he muttered quietly.
He had not told Liona. The wet and dry towels, the bandages like yesterday. The routine things he always needed, especially on days like this. He exhaled through his nose and set his coat aside, considering whether he should just deal with it tomorrow.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
Before he could answer, the door opened, and Liona peeked in, then stepped inside with a small bundle in her arms. A folded dry towel, a damp one wrapped carefully, clean bandages stacked neatly on top.
"I figured you’d forget," she said with a small, knowing smile.
Lucas blinked, then chuckled under his breath. "Yeah. Thanks."
She set the items on the table, but instead of leaving, she hesitated. Her expression shifted, uncertain, searching. "So... you’re not staying in this world forever, are you?"
Lucas went still. After a brief pause, he nodded. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Liona frowned, clearly confused. "Then... why?"
Lucas tilted his head. "What’s wrong?"
She took a long breath, shoulders rising and falling. "Just... don’t forget to tell the Baroness," she said quietly. "And don’t tease Lady Silvara too much."
Lucas smiled faintly. "I’ll keep that in mind."
Liona nodded once, then turned to leave, closing the door gently behind her.
