Chapter 263 263-The Truth

Updated from n0velb(i)n.c(o)/m

Chapter 263 Chapter263-The Truth

Margaret's eyes darted towards Nora with a glare that seemed to declare sovereignty.

"Aren't you just a mere secretary to Lord Howard?" she said with a tone of disdain.

"Why do you talk so much? Lord Howard and I are old acquaintances. We were having a conversation. What right do you have to interject?"

Nora bowed her head slightly, the epitome of decorum, yet her words were laced with sharp defiance.

"My Lord, I can remain silent, but I must fulfill my duties as a secretary. Lady Margaret, you are now a noble, a vassal under Lord Howard. Your status is not the same as before."

"You were once a Knight Squire under his lordship, so it's undeniable that your actions were always in Lord Howard's best interest. I don't doubt that. But now, you have been ennobled as a knight and have your own fiefdom."

"As a lord, I believe it's impossible for you to consider Lord Howard's interests in every matter as you once did. This isn't a question of your loyalty, but rather the responsibility of a humble secretary."

Margaret, petite in stature, listened to these words, her chest heaving with barely contained fury.

Pointing at Nora, her face flushed with anger, she turned to Howard, "My Lord, is this the secretary you've brought with you? Is she insinuating that my loyalty to you is questionable? My Lord, you must provide an explanation!"

Howard gestured for Nora to hold her tongue and attempted to pacify Margaret.

"Margaret, don't be upset. Nora has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She doesn't just speak her mind to you, but even to me, she can be disrespectful in private. I assure you, she didn't mean it in the way you think. She's just too hasty with her words."

Seeing Margaret about to continue her tirade against Nora, Howard, thinking quickly on his feet, interjected, "Actually, I have something to tell you. We recently visited Count Mibo, and he has involved me in a covert plot to seize Baron Hof's title.

"If this plot accumulates enough strength and Hof still refuses to relinquish his title after a final ultimatum, then we will have to march against him. As my vassal, I wanted to inform you in advance. When the time comes for military action, I hope for your support."

Margaret's attention was successfully diverted from Nora.

Feeling that Howard still favored her, she felt a hint of pride and said, "My lord, Baron Hof is not an incompetent lord; he is quite strategic. You should think this through carefully."

"In my opinion, you should personally visit Hof's castle and meet this Hof to understand his character. If Hof is indeed arrogant and disrespectful towards you, then eliminating him is no issue."

"However, if Hof has shown a change of heart towards you, I don't think there's a need to rush into action."

Howard, puzzled, looked into Margaret's eyes and asked patiently, "Why? Removing Hof means eliminating one of Count Mibo's vassals. That would weaken Count Mibo's power, wouldn't it?"

Margaret shook her head, "It's not that simple, my lord. If Hof's title is taken away, his lands will still remain. Even if Hof himself becomes a commoner, his lands will still be there, soon to welcome a new lord."

Hof had a servant pour some wine and said to Howard with a chuckle, "Ah, the forgetfulness of the privileged. Well, it's understandable, given your meteoric rise is like a swift horse galloping ahead. Forgetting a few things is excusable."

Howard's face turned slightly red, acknowledging his mistake.

Nora, however, took the opportunity to speak up, "Baron Hof, good day. I am Lord Howard's secretary. There are some things Lord Howard is hesitant to say, so I shall speak on his behalf. I wonder if you are willing to listen?"

Hof nodded, his gaze lofty and seemingly indifferent to Nora.

Unfazed by Hof's demeanor, Nora continued, "My lord, my master has lofty goals but limited time. He wishes to ask you directly: How do you truly perceive him now?"

Hof was taken aback.

He had heard many direct statements before, but none as forthright as this.

After a moment of surprise, he replied, "I believe I lost the last battle at Howard's hands. Had Howard not spotted us on the city walls, our night raid would have succeeded."

"Castle Fernsouth would be under my control by now. I would have become the lord of both Castle Gajasu and Castle Fernsouth, a baron of real power, addressed as a viscount."

"I don't particularly like Howard. If Howard doesn't offer me enough benefits, I wish nothing more than to see him fall from power."

Howard's eyes narrowed, not expecting such a candid exchange between Hof and Nora.

He himself was present, yet the conversation was brutally honest, creating a rather extraordinary scene.

After Nora had asked her question and remained silent, Howard took over the conversation.

Taking a deep breath, he asked Hof, "So, does this mean we are irreconcilable enemies?"

Hof shook his head, "No, my current enemy is Count Mibo. Two months ago, my chief of spies informed me that Count Mibo was rallying other nobles to illegitimately strip me of my title. I sent someone to assassinate him, but it failed."

"That botched attempt gave that old fox Mibo a legitimate excuse to plot against me. Now, he's gathering support to issue a final ultimatum demanding my title. Howard, I'm telling you all this because I don't want to be at odds with you at this critical juncture."

"In fact, if you're willing to help me defeat Count Mibo, I'd let you lead our alliance during the war. If we win, the disposition of Mibo's assets will be in your hands, and you'll have the opportunity to claim his title."

Nora looked at Howard.

According to Hof's plan, if they turned the tables on Count Mibo and succeeded, Howard could directly become an earl.

This would expedite his marriage to Catherine.

Nora was curious to see how Howard would decide.