James just didn't want to spend the night in the Count's house fearing the history would repeat itself, but this man named Hansh won't stop asking.

"Is there any particular reason?"

"No... there isn't."

"Then... Why?" asked Hansh with a perplexed expression. He knew Leonhart was an unreasonable guy, but never thought that he would act like a kid who didn't want to go to someone's house.

"Like I said... I don't want to. That's all. Why won't you understand?" said James in an annoyed tone. He couldn't reveal to every single person that Lina had tried to seduce him and he was afraid of getting into the same mess in Count's house. So he was being irrational.

"I understand that, but it's... impossible."

"What? How it's impossible. We could just stay in some hotel near here. There should be some, right?"

"There are... but we can't." said the commander in a firm tone. It was impossible for him to change the predetermined route without any valid reason. Leonhart was the Duke's son, the future duke and to whom he had sworn his life. It was his responsibility to protect him at any cost, and he would not risk it just because someone didn't like the Count.

"Why?" asked James in a little loud voice. His plan was to spend the night in some nearby hotel so he could avoid the total fiasco, but these people were not in the mood to listen.

"We can't just change the predetermined root like we are going to a tea party. This is a specifically thought out plan based on your security and time frame and if we deter from it, it could jeopardize our entire journey."

"Come on. You guys are here for the security... Nothing..." James was trying to sweet talk Hansh, but he spoke again cutting his words.

"That's another issue."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, what about other people? Where are they going to stay?"

"That's... they are..." James had no answer to this valid question. He was not travelling alone like before. This time he was with well over thirty people who also needed a place to rest, and his decision could change everything.

"These plans are thought out beforehand by the planners in the duchy. The Count's residence is already informed about your arrival and prepared accordingly. If we suddenly change the entire plan, then what about them? They all can't sleep in some hotel. The hotel need to be prepared and it's impossible to do in a short amount of time."

"..."

"The thing is, it's not just about you. There are other people here whose everything depends on your little decisions. So think properly."

The last part was his inner voice taking over. It was said in the heat of the moment, but it was perfectly right. Hansh knew Leonhart would take decisions without valuing others' opinion but in this time and place he couldn't let him do that.

"I...I..." James tried to say something, but no words came out. It was like something was stuck in his throat. Every word Hansh spoke was logical and universally correct. Till this moment he was thinking about only himself without realising gravity of the situation.

"I am sorry." said James politely.

"Yes, yes, I know you would say that.... wait, whaaat?" Hansh shouted. His brain couldn't process what he just heard. Leonhart would never say sorry to someone else even if he hit someone on the road, it was their fault for walking in front of him, not his. But now he just said sorry for over a petty matter.

Seeing the dumbfounded expression of the commander, James spoke again.

"I... I a-m sorry. I didn't realise it. "

"Ye-s... Yes." said Hansh, fixing his demeanor.

After that small discussion, James returned to the carriage where Sophia was and ate his share of food. It was not that extravagant, but he didn't complain, as it was far better than what he was used to eating back in his days. And then, after probably 1 hour, the convoy rolled again on the dirt road towards the mansion of Count's mansion.

***

Once again at the dinner table of Count Tassilo, James was seated at the head seat, which belonged to the count of the head of the house, but he didn't mind as he was slowly getting used to this treatment. Count Tassilo Von Orland was a handsome man in his thirties with grayish hair and brown eyes. He had just recently taken the title from his father, the old Count, so he was pretty young compared to others in his category.

Despite his age, he was an amiable man who respected his superiors and was well known in his realm for his generous nature. Excluding him, there were other two people present. One was his wife the countess, same age as him and another one was their daughter, probably 7-8 years old.

The whole family was delighted to have James as a guest. And he was pleased by their behavior but felt guilty for doubting that something bad would happen, but now he had nothing to worry about.

James chatted with them for a bit about their realm and his journey, mostly which Tassilo asked and James answered. Finishing the dinner, James returned to his allotted room and slept peacefully, with no additional issue emerging.

***

After finishing the breakfast and bidding farewell to the Count's family, James again departed on the last leg of his journey to Esvet. Nothing significant happened throughout the route as the convoy reached the barony before evening.

As the carriage got near and near the mansion, he could see small children following him through the window. The barony was relatively small compared to the others, but it spanned over 300 miles and housed over five thousand people.

The carriage finally stopped in front of the mansion, or what you might say, a small castle. As James exited the carriage, a small gust of chilly wind brushed past his cheeks. This place was fairly cold, as it was in a valley surrounded by tall mountains and also a river named Selan flowed just beside.

And once again, a crowd of local folks were gathered here to see him as a rare animal. For them, he was indeed a rare animal. Son of a Duke or the future Duke visiting a barony for no reason was a very rare scene to witness.

James was not very good at spotlight so he hurriedly made his way to the entrance where the butler and other servants who managed the house greeted him and lead him inside. This mansion was not that big compared to what he had seen so far on his route, but was of a significant size.

Traversing through the corridors, he reached his allotted room, where he would spend his upcoming six months learning how to manage this land, which would help him manage the dukedom in the future.

It could be helpful for Leonhart, but for James, it was a hassle. He never wanted to manage something, because he knew its pros and cons, but it was beyond his control. He was not calling the shots here; he was just dancing in the palms of the duke, who was doing everything.

The room was not that big but was still luxurious befitting of a royal person. And the servants had prepared everything from bathing water to new clothes, so he was grateful for them. James took a quick bath, changed into the new clothes and lay down on the bed, thinking of taking a nap.

He was tired beyond measure from only sitting, but also the carriage was bumpy beyond measures so a nap was understandable, but it soon turned in to total sleeping.

***

In the corner of a luxurious room, there sat an individual with an overly handsome face and well-built body. He had amber colored eyes with greyish white hair. The handsome guy was busy reading a report.

After reading the report, the individual quietly sighed. He was the duke's only son and heir, but living that life was difficult; he had tremendous burdens to deal with and now he was getting forced to court the princess and get her as his wife.

He didn't have an obsession with the princess like a certain someone; she was merely just a toy for him to play with but he had a much more problematic obsession with first place, no matter the price, he had to be in the first place in everything, but despite trying his best he wasn't able to achieve the hand of the princess, she was the prize here and it had become a competition between the three duke's sons.

The youth slammed his fist on the table in anger. The situation was worsening with each passing day. There was no sign of Elizabeth choosing anyone and his father was pushing him to the edge for not trying his best.

"Just how the fuck am I supposed to do it?" shouted the youth.

"Milord...." said a man who was standing just behind him with a sharp look in his eyes. He knew what the man in front of him was thinking.

"What is it...?"

"I have some interesting news for you."

"What news?" said the young Lord in an irritated tone.

"I heard that son of Duke Esper, Leonhart, had taken the charge of Barony of Esvet."

"What?"

"Yes, milord. He had departed 7 days ago from his home."

"What that dumbass is planning now?"

"No matter what he does, it is definitely going to be another disaster."

"Yes... but send some of our men to find out what he is doing there?" A rather devilish plan was forming in his head to tarnish the image of Leonhart even more. He was not that simple-minded to let Leonhart clean his image that easily.

"Yes, milord." said the man bowing.

"You are dismissed."

The man bowed down and left the room, leaving the lord, who had a thoughtful but not so kind expression on his face.