Regarding the legalization of Leno's illegitimate status, although the Duke has never mentioned it, many nobles of the Borde Duchy, including Charlotte, already speculated about it.

However, legalizing an illegitimate child is one thing, designating them as the heir is another.

Even though Count Tulip was once the designated heir of the duchy, and he held that position for over a decade, now, the Duke's words have completely disrupted everyone's plans. Especially towards the end, when he mentioned the Castell family.

Though not explicitly stated, the implications were clear, causing a subtle change in the expressions of nobles who had thoughts on the Castell.

Could it be... the Castell have already decided to marry into the Duke's family?

In an instant, Charlotte once again became the center of attention.

All the nobles understand that even with the support of the Holy Court, it's not easy for a legalized illegitimate child to completely control the Duchy, the difficulty even surpasses that of Count Tulip.

Nobility values bloodline.

Under the pressure of divine authority, nobles might not openly oppose, but passive loyalty is their specialty.

The best way to destroy a ruler's authority is through passive support, which fundamentally undermines the ruler's power. But if the Castell family's support is obtained, it's different.

As the largest and wealthiest noble family in the Borde Duchy, once the Castell, who are about to become extinct, completely aligned with the Duke's family, even if the heir changes, the Borde family can smoothly navigate through the turbulence of succession.

Thus, the choice determining the future of the duchy suddenly fell into Charlotte's hands, or so it seemed.

But Charlotte knew it wasn't that simple.

The Duke's words, while sounding like he's protecting the Castell, in reality, have pushed Charlotte onto thin ice.

As the nominal heir of the Castell family, Charlotte currently has no inheritance of the title, nor any control over the territory and subordinate nobles.

At most, she just receives a considerable sum of money from the territory every month.

She hasn't even received the money for this month.

In this situation, she simply cannot determine the fate of the principality.

If she does decide, it can only be after successfully inheriting the title with the support of the duchy.

Charlotte knows this is the Duke's way of indirectly telling. Telling that he can help her completely control the family estate.

At the same time, this is also laying the groundwork for what comes next...

His gaze once again fell on the girl, lingering for a long time without shifting, and all the attention of the people also focused on Charlotte.

The Duke smiled slightly and continued.

"Miss Charlotte, this is my sincerity."

"The support from the Duke's mansion, and... the legalization of Leno's identity, he will become a true noble."

"On this basis, there is also the entire Borde Duchy!"

"Hehe, how about it? How do you feel about the previous proposal?"

"Once agreed, you will not only be Count Castell but also... the future Lady of Borde!"

With these words, all the nobles were stirred up.

A marriage proposal! This is a marriage proposal!

The Duke of Borde unexpectedly proposed a marriage to the Castell at this time!

Listening to his father's words, Leno's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He was about to say something, but under the Duke's cold gaze, he held back.

The young male nobles were resentful, their gazes towards Leno filled with hostility. While the unmarried noble girls from various families directed their gaze towards Charlotte, their eyes filled with intense envy...

In an era of strict hierarchy, for most noblewomen who cannot choose their marriage partners, nothing is more anticipated than climbing social classes.

Despite the wealth of the Castell family, they are only a Count, and counts are under the duchy.

Not to mention she is not even an inheritor yet. But once she becomes the wife of the future Duke, it not only means the stability of the count title but also signifies becoming the mistress of the duchy, standing on the stage of the entire Crescent Kingdom!

For the nobles of the duchy, it is a broader world, signifying entry into the true upper class of the kingdom, truly a great honor!

In this situation, what does it matter if there is a legalized illegitimate child?

It's more accurate to say that because of the legalized illegitimate child status of the future Duke, he will rely even more on the Castell girl's noble origin to enhance his prestige and suppress other nobles' doubts about his lineage. For the Castell girl, this is a good thing because it means more authority after marriage.

Of course, a marriage with the future Duke cannot be a form of joining the wife's family, the Castell family is also destined to become extinct.

But so what? Who cares?

Does he still want to rely on an underage girl to rejuvenate the family?

Sincerity!

Such sincerity!

From any perspective, the Borde family has shown great sincerity in this marriage proposal!

Even the most demanding nobles cannot think of any reason for the Castell girl to refuse...

As for love?

The nobles remained very calm.

A political alliance is a political alliance, and love is love. If one truly wishes to pursue love, the parties in the marriage alliance can completely turn a blind eye to each other's private lives after producing an heir.

From this perspective, within the Borde Duchy, no noble can offer better marriage terms than the Duke's family.

The young male nobles who had figured everything out looked ashen-faced, filled with regret as if they had already seen their ideal goddess stripped naked and lying on the dirty bed of the illegitimate child...

But Charlotte fell into silence.

Is that sincerity? That is.

But for her, it's worthless.

It's even less valuable than marrying into the family; at least with a marital alliance, the initiative lies in her hands. Of course, that's just how she sees it.

Marriage?

She wouldn't do it even if she died.

Charlotte doesn't have time. She'll be 16 in less than a year.

Once a marriage contract is formed, after a year when she comes of age, according to the "Sacred Code," the Duke can fully enforce the marriage contract without giving her a chance to delay.

Even if she just agrees to the marriage alliance, the Duke's mansion has a reason to intervene in Castell's affairs.

The reason is simple. The girl hasn't completely controlled the family, the Duke can entirely use the pretext of helping the girl control the family and cleaning up the parasites.

Noble and righteous, without fault.

As for Leno's personal feelings during the marriage process... From his recent performance, it's clear that under the authority of the Duke of Borde, it's meaningless.

It's obvious the Duke has bigger ambitions. He not only wants Leno to successfully inherit the Duchy, to glorify the family, but also wants to legitimately and reasonably swallow everything from Castell!

At the same time, Charlotte also realizes the Duke's other intention.

No, rather it was... a threat.

Accepting the marriage alliance means accepting sincerity, successfully inheriting the territory, and becoming the mistress of the Duchy. But if she doesn't accept, it's a direct slap in the face to the Brde family.

If that happens, it also means rejecting the protection of the Borde family, and the Duke's mansion will turn a blind eye to the actions of other nobles towards Castell.

By then, Castell will probably become the bait that feeds the nobles of the Duchy, in order for the nobles to obtain support for Leno's inheritance of the Duchy.

The fate of the young girl is likely to be quite tragic.

And in the division of the Castell family, it is undoubtedly the Duke's mansion, which is the most powerful, that will take the biggest share.

Nobles stand under the holy light, accepting the blessings of the gods, draped in splendid attire. But at the same time, nobles also hide the world's most barbaric and primitive darkness under their clothing.

Accepting the marriage alliance means accepting blessings. But refusal will bring darkness.

This is not only an extremely sincere marriage proposal. At the same time, it's also a threat hiding malice!

In such a situation, for the Castell family heir who is difficult to protect, there is no choice!

However... Is it really so?

Under the gaze of everyone, only the girl in the white dress smiled brightly.

That innocent smile was like a spring breeze, brushing through the hearts of every noble, making everyone who saw it unable to help but feel happy, unable to move their gaze away from her enchanting appearance.

Just as Charlotte pinched her skirt and gracefully bowed towards the Duke of Borde, her voice sweetly said.

"Your Grace, thank you very much for your kindness..."

Seeing the obedient girl, the Duke of Borde showed a satisfied smile.

"But..."

Charlotte's tone suddenly changed.

Just as she slowly raised her head, she looked past the Duke, towards the archbishop on the side.

More accurately, she looked towards the old dean of the hospital beside the archbishop, Raoul, and the black cat, Nice, next to Raoul.

Meeting Charlotte's gaze, Nice nodded slightly, giving the girl a reassuring look. And Raoul smiled slightly, under the archbishop's discreet hint, revealing an encouraging smile.

At that moment, Charlotte's lips curved up slightly, her pure blue eyes carrying a childlike eagerness and a hint of mischievousness.

With her cheeks slightly flushed, appearing shy and timid, her voice was soft and sweet, and her expression seemed to carry innocent joy as she looked at the old archbishop.

"But... Charlotte's heart has already found its belonging."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze focused entirely on the old archbishop, who was old enough to be the girl's grandfather, their expressions strange.

Raoul's face darkened, unable to help but twitch his mouth.

The smile on the old Duke's face froze instantly.