A Cruel Beast’s Leash

immense…” she murmured.

“Because you are Irvan’s guest, madam,” Laute explained.
“I too couldn’t believe it until I met you in person.
How else are they supposed to react? It’s something you must bear.”

“I am not that influencial.”

“It’s all right.
Even though you are young, after being with Master Irvan for awhile, your standing will naturally become stronger.”

Laute smiled wickedly as he replied.
Emma couldn’t tell if he was complimenting her or blatantly disrespecting her.

“Master Irvan will tell you more about what I’ve just said,” he explained further.

Emma cast him an unsure glance, lips pale.
Laute hurriedly shook his head, letting her know that whatever she was thinking is a misunderstanding.

They continued strolling through the castle, Laute joking with Emma in his carefree, straightforward way.
From their talks alone, Emma garnered new information about Irvan.
Moreover, it was quite different than what Baron Berne had told her.

“Master Irvan is the best leader of the knights.
He is overflowing with excellent qualities.
However, there are similar but many differences between running the Knight Order and governing the Van Wert estate; very different in quality.
In the military, strict discipline and overwhelming presence are important, but it’s not all about administration.
Just because an order is given from the top doesn’t mean it’s right or appropriate.
Social life requires flexibility in a way, and that needs a wide range of experiences and understanding.”

As a secretary, Laute was naturally satisfied with Countess Karina’sadministration.

Irvan’s governing ability was pretty much the worst.
So, even Emma couldn’t help but frown while listening to some of the stories about him.

‘What does he mean by execution without reason…?’

Among the powers of the lord, there was jurisdiction.
However, in a trial presided over by Irvan, such ruling was obsolete.
Although it was the lord’s responsibility to appease a person or group dispute with courtesy or punish someone who committed a crime.
Irvan sometimes overturned the judge’s sentence in annoyance, and those who protested were directly overpowered or even executed.

It was because of his actions that there was a lot of resentment among the common people.
The inhabitant’s opinions and sentiments in the territory had deteriorated out of control.

The resistance was even worse because it was Countess Karina representing the lord of the territory on behalf of the hadicapped Count Limon until Irvan’s adulthood.
This was because she had a natural talent for sealing conflict smoothly.
On the other hand, Irvan insisted on only on the strongest and fastest solution, which inevitably had resulted into a disaster.

In the face of countless criticisms and an angry public, he had completely lost interest in administration duties, and left his rights as the lord to Countess Karina.
From then on, he only performed duties regarding the knights and military.