"So, what about you then?" I asked the lady who had seemingly given me some interesting information.

"Oh? I'm one of the ten lords, although the only lady." She chuckled. "Although, I've already been married once. I'm not looking for another, but if you want to be a lover, I might be amendable."

"This woman!"

"So shameful!"

Although the younger girls were angry, they made sure to mutter under their breaths so it wasn't clear who was saying what.

"I'm sorry, but I'm already in a relationship with the princess of Aberis." I declared, making sure to include all of the girls and trying to end this quickly.

"Please." The lady snorted. "I've already heard the princess has become your subordinate, and thus can't be a wife. Political marriages are extremely common in Jespain. My marriage was political, and all of these girls will also be married off for political reasons for one reason or another. They merely wish to find the best candidate to maximize their happiness."

"How am I the best candidate?" I blinked. "I'm only an Earl."

I decided to undersell myself. There was no point discussing my meteoric rise, the fact that I was a Duke in all but name given the amount of territory under my control, and my extremely close relationship with Aberis, Jespain, and the Ost Republic. If I had to play a clueless yokel, I would play the part.

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"You're a wild man from the east." She laughed. "Just looking at your build, you seem like the kind of man these girls dream about while reading their fantasy books to each other during sleepovers." Her words struck a nerve with the girls, who either looked angry or shy as she unveiled their secrets. "Furthermore, you seem to have many lovers, so your expectations for them in bed would be lower since you can get your satisfaction elsewhere. Furthermore, although barbaric, the lands to the east are potentially wealthy, and their married and sacrifice would be extremely beneficial to their families. It's that kind of thing."

"I see…" I looked down at the girls, and not a single could meet my eyes. "None of the other lords have approached me, but sent their daughters instead. Where does that put you? You're on the side of the Refluents, aren't you?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh? You have done your homework. I'm quite surprised."

Had it not been for Cici, I would have had no clue what that was, but thanks to her spying, I knew that there were two rival factions in Jespain. The faction with the post votes called themselves the Prepotents. That smaller faction that contained more territories was known as the Refluents. I had also remembered that there was a female lady among the lords on the Refluent side, which could only be the lady before me.

"Her name is Lady Seeired," Alysia said.

"I know many things, Lady Seeired." I explained.

It wasn't that she remembered where I didn't, but that she resided in my soul world where the notes Cici had left me were also placed. She was able to check on that information and relay it to me without me needing to reveal my ignorance. That was a subtle skill I had rarely used, but in this game of politics, I had to use every skill at my disposal to learn what I could.

For example, I knew Lady Seeired was talking to me because she hoped I allied with the Refluents. My influence and power might just be enough to tip the balance in Jespain. This was ultimately why Jespain was so eager for a cultural exchange. This situation was only getting more complicated.

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