Exiled Young Girl’s Territory Development Record: The Result of the Villainous Young Lady Who Was Exiled Before the Scenario Began and Did Whatever She Wanted for the People.

Ten days later, Theodore visited the private quarters of the Marquis of Southberry.

“Theodore Dawson! I have just returned from Scarletford!”

“Ah, come in.”

When Theodore entered the room, he saw the Marquis of Southberry sitting on a sofa, enjoying red wine despite it being daytime. The Marquis was clearly quite intoxicated, his face already flushed.

The Marquis glanced at Theodore’s feet.

“Hey! Where’s the Baroness of Scarletford?”

In response, Theodore knelt before the Marquis.

“I report to you! The Baroness of Scarletford has refused my lord’s proposal!”

“What!?”

The Marquis shouted loudly, his words slightly slurred.

“What do you mean by that!?”

“I delivered the letter to the Baroness and conveyed my lord’s words, but she refused. I persisted, but her stance remained unchanged. I judged further negotiations to be impossible and have returned to report. I deeply apologize for failing to fulfill my duty!”

Theodore lowered his face as he spoke.

“Hey! Brian! Is Brian here!?”

“Yes, sir!”

A voice called out from afar, followed by the sound of running footsteps.

“You called for me?”

“Hey! She refused! Send the knights immediately! Bring her back by force!”

“If I may, sending soldiers to an independent barony would require a valid reason. If we act without just cause, it could lead to severe consequences.”

“Enough! That’s your job, isn’t it!? Bring her back immediately! If she refuses, take her by force! Understand!?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Understood.”

With that, Theodore and Brian bowed to the Marquis and left the room.

The day before the Thanksgiving festival arrived. Scarletford was bustling with preparations, but I wasn’t participating in them.

That’s because I had a special task—welcoming distinguished guests for the first time.

Dressed to the nines, I waited for their arrival at the newly renovated gate tower on the Bitterley side of the main entrance.

Now, who were these esteemed guests? The first group was Lord Edward and his wife from Bitterley, and the second group was the future Duke and Duchess from the Duchy of Bicester.

The Duchy of Bicester, located southwest of the Earl of Lazlo, which Bitterley belongs to, is a vast territory founded by the former king’s younger brother, a highly prestigious noble family. Though their claim to the throne is quite low, they technically still have royal succession rights.

So why were such important people coming to Scarletford? Apparently, it was Lord Edward who invited them.

It seems the Earl of Lazlo and the Duke of Bicester are close, and despite their age difference, Lord Edward and the future Duke are good friends. They decided to take the opportunity to renew their old friendship and foster diplomatic relations with our barony.

If anything were to happen, the skeletal bird would notify us, so I wasn’t too worried.

While I anxiously watched the road, a group of knights appeared in the distance on the now-cleared path.

A large number of knights advanced in two columns. The lead knight on the left carried the flag of the Earl of Lazlo, while the knight on the right held a flag featuring a lion-like creature I had never seen before.

Could that be the Duke of Bicester’s flag?

Behind the knights, several carriages followed in a row.

They slowly made their way toward us and stopped in front of the drawbridge spanning the moat.

The knight bearing the unfamiliar flag stepped forward alone, walking to the center of the drawbridge.

“We are the official delegation of the Duke of Bicester and the Earl of Lazlo! At the invitation of Baroness Scarletford, we have arrived! Open the gates!”

The knight declared in a clear voice.

“Patrick.”

“Y-Yes…”

Patrick, visibly nervous, couldn’t hide his tension, but unfortunately, he was the only one capable of handling this task.

That’s because he was the only non-prisoner in the vigilante group. No matter how short on manpower we were, it would be seen as an insult if word got out that we had allowed a prisoner to greet nobles.

Ideally, knights should perform both the gate-guarding and escorting duties, but given our shortage of personnel, there was no other option.

“Just do it as Marie taught you. Don’t worry, Patrick, you can do this.”

“Y-Yes…”

“You’ve got this! I’ll head down now.”

“Yes.”

Leaving the situation in Patrick’s hands, I rode side-saddle on the skeletal Forest Deer and descended from the gate tower to the ground below.

There, goblin skeletons and Crescent Bear skeletons lined up in formation.

“We have received your message! Scarletford welcomes you all! Open the gates!”

At Patrick’s words, the double wooden doors on the inside swung open, followed by the raising of the outer portcullis.

“Let’s go. Move to face the man in front.”

I walked forward alone to stand before the knight.

“I am Olivia Ainsley, Baroness of Scarletford. Welcome, and thank you for coming all this way.”

The knight immediately dismounted and bowed to me.

“We are honored to be greeted personally by the Baroness. I am Sir Keith Godwin, cousin of Alfred Godwin, the future Duke of Bicester, and leader of our delegation.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

When I extended my right hand, Sir Keith performed a courtly kiss on the back of it.