...
Worse still, critics started questioning the Marquis's ability to manage wealth and responsibility. Political rivals began using this crisis as ammunition to attack the Valmont name. Opportunistic nobles tried to cozy up to the King, hoping to carve a piece of power for themselves.
The kingdom of Aisman was turning upside down, all were originally caused by one missing brat.
And it wasn't just the Marquis who had unraveled. Lady Isadora, their mother, had completely broken down. She locked herself in her chambers, refusing food, barely sleeping, and rejecting visits even from her maids. The atmosphere in the estate was so heavy, it was as if someone had died.
The situation was spiraling out of control.
The knights were stretched thin. The estate's affairs were in disarray. Even the border territories under Valmont control were suffering from reduced security.
In short—Eren's disappearance had left a gaping hole in everything.
