Blood Holy Scripture: True Ancestor Charlotte de Castel-Chapter 539: -49- Enfeoffment Ceremony_2

Seated upon the throne, adorned in his lavish royal robes and wearing a golden crown, Louis V looked sternly at the beautiful girl who captured the eyes of the entire gathering.

With poised grace and modesty, the girl lifted the hem of her skirt and replied softly,

"I am willing."

Louis V paused before continuing,

"Do you agree to abide by the ’Royal Authority Contract,’ to uphold its principles, to keep in mind your rights and duties, and to support the rule of the Valva Family?"

Charlotte bowed again in reply, her voice crisp and pleasant,

"I am willing."

Louis V nodded slightly and asked once more,

"Do you agree to obey the ’Holy Code,’ to accept the scepter of honor, and become a direct vassal of my Valva Family, to be bestowed the title of Honored Knight?"

Charlotte continued her courtesies, her melodious voice echoing through the hall,

"I am willing."

Louis V’s expression gradually softened.

He looked at Charlotte with satisfaction, a hint of a smile added to his eyes, and even the formidable aura of authority he usually projected seemed somewhat diminished, appearing more affable.

"Then... congratulations, from this day forward, you are now a formal direct vassal of my Valva Family."

He spoke gently.

Having finished speaking, Louis V gestured to a Royal Knight standing at the side, who promptly stepped forward, holding a long tray draped with golden silk in both hands.

On the tray lay an ornate Honorary Knight Sword.

"Charlotte de Castel, this is the Honorary Knight Sword that symbolizes honor and inheritance; it is now yours. I hope you will remember your oath and become a competent Lord, a true Noble."

Louis V regained his dignified composure.

He picked up the honorary sword and rose from the throne, approaching Charlotte and personally handing it to her.

At this sight, the surrounding Nobles paused and then widened their eyes.

"By hand! The King actually handed the Honorary Knight Sword to her personally!"

"Divine Lord above! Isn’t this a treatment only Dukes have? Could it be the King wishes to appoint her as a Duchess?!"

"No, it shouldn’t be, perhaps it’s on account of her esteemed status as a Saintess..."

The Nobles murmured among themselves, their gazes filled with wonder and envy towards Charlotte.

Being central Nobles of the New Moon, they were very aware that it was rare for the King to personally bestow the Honorary Knight Sword, a symbol of power and responsibility, upon the corresponding Noble at an Enfeoffment Ceremony.

In the New Moon, only those powerful Dukes and greatly admired Nobles by the King were granted such honor!

Clearly, even without mentioning the inherent strength of the Northern Land, this act alone had already confirmed that the young Earl of Castel had received the King’s recognition.

Charlotte accepted the sword, turning to Louis V with a bow,

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace."

Seeing her compliance, Louis V was even more pleased.

He nodded slightly, then scanned the entire hall before stating in a deep voice,

"Charlotte de Castel is upright and courageous, loyal and fearless. In accordance with the ’Holy Code’ and ’Royal Authority Contract,’ I, Louis de Valva, the thirty-seventh King of the New Moon Kingdom, hereby announce the conferment upon Charlotte de Castel as a New Moon Honored Knight. The inherited territory of the Count Castle Domain officially becomes a direct vassal land of the Valva Family, with the rights of the Kingdom’s direct vassals; Charlotte de Castel bears the title of Countess of Castel and is granted the advisory title of New Moon Kingdom Cabinet Advisor!"

Hearing Louis V’s official proclamation, the Nobles were stunned yet again, falling back into discussion:

"Advisor? Cabinet Advisor? Does His Majesty truly hold the Earl of Castel in such high regard to directly bestow upon her the Cabinet Advisor title?" freēwēbnovel.com

"Is she really just an Earl from the Northern Land, or is she the King’s illegitimate daughter?"

The Nobles were visibly shaken, astonished beyond measure.

Charlotte viewed in the great hall was somewhat surprised herself.

In the New Moon Kingdom, the King was the supreme ruler, but the country was not governed solely by the King; there was also the Cabinet.

The cabinet assisted the royal family in governing the kingdom; its power was immense, with nine seats in total, covering responsibilities in the kingdom’s military, foreign affairs, finance, religion, and vassal management, and even had the authority to directly decide the convening of the Central Council, including positions like the Military Chief, Foreign Minister, Finance Director, and the Royal Family’s Patriarch.

Entering the cabinet meant stepping into the true center of power of the New Moon Kingdom.

Although the title of Cabinet Advisor was somewhat honorary within the cabinet, lacking the direct authority of positions like the Military Chief or Foreign Minister, the advisor still participated in cabinet meetings and could influence much of the political direction of the New Moon Kingdom.

It was clear that this was Louis V further courting Charlotte.

Although Charlotte wasn’t particularly interested in joining the New Moon Kingdom’s cabinet, snagging a cabinet advisor title for free was still a good thing.

What nobles cared about most were their circles, meaning she could get closer to the power center of the New Moon, not only timely learning critical information but also further expanding her influence.

This was helpful for Charlotte in dealing with other nobles of the kingdom and developing her own territory.

Especially since the advisor title was honorary, perhaps for other ambitious nobles, it didn’t offer tangible benefits, but for Charlotte, it was just right.

Her own territory still had a multitude of matters needing attention, and the faith also had to be spread; she was busy with things yet to come and would rather not divert energy to worry about anything else.

Not having to manage affairs aligned perfectly with Charlotte’s inclinations.

Even knowing that Louis V was doing this out of concern for the church’s influence on her and thus further currying favor, in a moment, the aging king seemed endearing to Charlotte.

"Thank you for your generous favor."

She pinched the corner of her dress and curtsied once again.

Louis V nodded slightly, saying warmly,

"Dispense with the formalities, and remember this day’s covenant, to become a true noble."

After speaking, his gaze fell on Charlotte, with profound meaning,

"Lady Castel, the Saintess’s status is divine favor, but also a shackle; attention... is not always a good thing."

"Since you declined the church’s invitation, I believe you have your own views and understanding of life; I hope you maintain your essence, and always remember the meaning of your own life."

Remembering the meaning of life, huh...

Charlotte pondered as she listened to Louis V’s seemingly pointed implication.

...

The enfeoffment ceremony went smoothly.

After the ceremony, Charlotte received congratulations and invitations from various noble families, quickly becoming a sought-after figure in the noble circle.

For her part, Charlotte felt little actual sensation about the enfeoffment, as an transmigrator and of "Demigod" rank, her sights were not only set on the internal affairs of the New Moon Kingdom, and although satisfied, she wasn’t overexcited.

No, or more precisely, after reading Albrecht’s memories about the Holy Presence Day two days prior, she felt that other matters seemed less important in comparison.

After thanking the nobles for their good wishes and declining many invitations, Charlotte rode a carriage, taking the gifts of appreciation back to her estate.

Before long, the royal family too sent a caravan; it was Louis V’s additional compensation for the Bold-Castel war.

The compensation was a carriage full of transcendent materials, mostly for mage meditation, obviously intended for Charlotte herself, given that her known transcendent identity was that of a mage.

Sebastian estimated their value to be around fifteen million gold tanas, clearly showing the royal family’s sincerity and wealth.

Charlotte naturally kept everything and expressed her gratitude to the royal palace’s envoy.

But after the envoy left, Charlotte’s expression turned solemn.

"God’s favor is both divine grace and a shackle..."

Mulling over Louis V’s words, Charlotte was contemplative.

She recalled Albrecht’s memories from the day before, remembering the Holy Presence Day mentioned in the memories.

She wasn’t sure if Louis V’s words were related to the upcoming Holy Presence Day, but it was highly likely.

Thinking of the Holy Presence Day, Charlotte’s gaze hardened again.

Holy Presence, the descent of the Saints.

By definition, Holy Presence Day is the day the True God’s incarnation descends upon the earth.

In other words, it’s when the stars return to their places, and the slumbering gods each awaken.

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