Everyone was blinking inside when they thought of how much money they would lose because of these dumb rules.

Their estates had hundreds and thousands of slaves alone that did everything for them and the other branch members in their clan.

So if they started paying these slaves, wouldn't their income drastically reduce?

They already had to pay their knights heavily, as well as ensure that their wives and children get the best clothes and other luxuries goods.

Additionally, several of them were branch leaders of their noble clan.

So there were many more nobles in the clan estate that needed money for their monthly upkeep and daily needs too.

The reason they got slaves and not hired peasants was because it was 100 times cheaper to buy slaves than to pay people monthly.

Just a few coins, and these people's lives will belong to them for as long as they desired.

30 years, 50 years, or 100 years... these people will work under their clan until they said otherwise.

So slaves were just perfect for them.

And even if there were no slave traders around, some peasants would willingly sell their dead relative's children for just a few coins.

This was a perfect transaction.

The lives of those stinky slaves would belong to them.

Even if they stabbed, killed, raped or abused these people, no one would ever point a finger at them.

But now, his majesty was saying that these people had rights and deserved to be treated well and paid?

What a load of crap!

What about them?

What about their feelings as nobles?

How was any of this fair?

In their minds, they were the victims here!... especially those who owned slave-trading businesses.

What were they supposed to do now?

Change their profession?

Not a chance!

No way!

They would never allow this to happen!

.

"Your majesty, we don't agree with you."

"That's right!

Just because we have been courteous to you doesn't mean that you can push us around as you want.

We are Arcadinian nobles and not Baymardians.

So we have no obligations to listen to you."

"Hmhm.

You didn't conquer this land by battle.

And we haven't received any letter from our king.

So how can we be sure that you aren't lying when you said that this was given to you by our king?"

"We have pledged our loyalty to arcadina.

So why should we now follow you?

Do you want us to rebel?

We come from noble families back in the Capital.

And out residences here are branch families of those mighty families.

So how can we separate from our ancestral home back in the Capital?

What you're asking us to do is a taboo.

And we will never agree to it!"

"Yes, this is Arcadina and not Baymard, so you have no right over us."

(*^*)

Viscount Fabian squinted his eyes and sneered at Landon.

That's right!

Before coming here, he and those who opposed Landon had already come up with the perfect strategy to counterattack Landon if the rules weren't changed.

So they were sure that even if they retaliated, everything would still go according to their main plan or backup plan.

They all looked at Landon ruthlessly.

Since he didn't want to take their olive branch, then so be it!.

.

Viscount Fabian was the main head that speared this retaliation.

After doing their research, they knew that Landon was a foolish principled man who wouldn't kill at whim like Alec.

And since they had indeed pledged their loyalty to Arcadina, then why did they need to follow him through?

More still, they all knew Alec Barn would never give up any land to Baymard.

Additionally, no war has been fought to make them concede as a real man should.

So who was Landon fooling by telling that obvious lie?

This town was Arcadina's property, and not Baymard's

So their backup plan was to stick their guts out about their loyalty to Arcadina since they knew that Landon wouldn't touch them.

Because if he ever did, their clan would make the matter huge and make up several allegations against Landon.

The little imp could only blame himself for acting too self-righteous.

Fabian smiled merrily when he thought of how smart he was.

"Your majesty Landon...

We all swore an oath to be loyal towards Arcadina till the day we die.

So are you asking us to betray our empire when you haven't subdued us with battle?

Do you see us as cowardly men who would do as you say on a whim?

How can we who are proud Arcadinian nobles follow you without a fight?

Your majesty, even you have to agree that this is an insult to us!"

Landon listened to Fabian's heroic speech and chuckled.

"Oh?

Then why didn't you mention all this when you were praising me earlier on?"

--silence--

Everyone looked around the room awkwardly.

How could they say that this was their backup plan?

Anyway, since they were here no, then there was no going back.

.

"Your majesty, surely you jest.

We had wanted to bring that up, but the timing was never right."

"Hmm... you don't say."

"Your majesty... even though we've all pledged our allegiance to Arcadina, we only gave you respect because you were once an Arcadinian prince.

Your majesty...

Since King Alec had openly accepted you back and allowed all Arcadinians to visit Baymard... we only chose to stay here and give you a bit of support.

In short, we would have overlooked the fact that you were robbing Arcadian land if you had just agreed to abolish these ridiculous rules of yours.

But since you don't want to, then you leave us with no choice!

Your majesty, you of all people should know that we the nobles here have all the knights and guards within this town within our camps.

We make sure that the town is safe, and we also provide business as well.

We know everything about this town and are the reason why the town can flourish to this level.

So it's safe to assume that without us, your plans for development might not come to pass.

After all, you and your men have been requesting for us to provide ample workers to aid in this development plan of yours.

So your majesty can see how important we truly are here.

That said, if you don't agree to our request, then we will truly withdraw from this town with our forces and report your actions to Alec Barn himself.

And I believe you of all people should know how terrifying he can be when he gets mad.

immediately.

So your majesty, what's it going to be?

You pick!"