They are all characters I control.

"I'll ask you one more time, who came up with this tax system?"

Bishop Simon spoke in a low voice, squinting as he looked down at Elena, his seemingly gentle face devoid of any smile.

Anyone could see that the bishop was quite dissatisfied with Elena's answer at this moment.

The Marquis de Rost and the Marquis de Marla were also stunned. Prince Alvin was also seeing the bishop so displeased for the first time. Only His Majesty and Earl Orlando watched the scene with enigmatic smiles.

"I... I came up with it, really! This wasn't my sister's idea!" Elena's tone grew increasingly certain, as if these new taxes were truly her own idea.

"It really was my idea! I swear to the goddess in the name of the Rost family!"

However, her words did not change Bishop Simon's attitude.

Bishop Simon snorted coldly.

He waved his hand dismissively, uttering a cold pronouncement: "You, the daughter of a mere marquis, dare to deceive the bishop and make false vows to the goddess! You are utterly hopeless! Your Majesty, I suggest that this heretic who insulted the goddess be imprisoned!"

Captain Karl did not move when he saw this, but several knights behind him immediately walked to Elena's side and made a move to pin her to the ground.

Such a scene instantly chilled the atmosphere of the entire banquet to an extreme degree; no one had expected it to end this way.

Prince Alvin was frantically trying to rush over to protect Elena, but Earl Orlando blocked his way.

"Deceiving His Majesty and the bishop is a serious crime. Marquis Rost, you should explain to His Majesty and the bishop who came up with these new taxes. Surely it was someone of high moral standing who came up with them?"

Earl Orlando's words jolted the Marquis Rost, whose mind was in a state of confusion.

Seeing this, the Marchioness Mara quickly tugged at her husband, while the Marquis Rost had already put his hand inside his robes.

"Your Majesty, please calm down! Your Excellency, please calm down! Lord Karl, please understand! Elena actually learned this from this family notebook."

The Marquis of Rost's forehead slammed heavily against the smooth, cool marble floor, producing a dull thud.

The entire hall was silent, all eyes focused on the slightly old-fashioned notebook that was being held high.

The previous praise, discussion, and even gloating whispers all vanished, leaving only a solemn silence awaiting judgment.

Bishop Simon finally shifted his gaze from the ashen-faced Elena to the notebook.

He showed no surprise on his face, only nodding slightly to the attendant beside him.

The attendant stepped forward, respectfully took the seemingly immense notebook from the Marquis of Rost's hand, and turned to present it to the bishop.

Bishop Simon took the notebook and glanced through its contents.

The contents of the notes were exactly the same as what Elena had just said.

"Your Excellency, it would be best to submit the new tax you proposed to the 'Holy Council' as soon as possible. That way, you'll probably be promoted to archbishop faster, right?"

Earl Orlando's words smoothed out the wrinkles on Bishop Simon's face, making him look several years younger.

The other nobles, upon hearing this, immediately realized what was happening.

"Only someone as esteemed as Bishop Simon could come up with such an ingenious new tax!"

"With Archbishop Simon here, our empire will surely flourish and present a vibrant and thriving scene!"

"This new tax is a stroke of genius! We couldn't have come up with a single word of it! No wonder it's Bishop Simon's idea!"

"..."

One sycophantic line after another, which Bishop Simon accepted with a smile.

At this moment, only the Marquis of Rost and his family were completely bewildered.

They haven't quite realized why their family's proposed new tax has become the bishop's. The bishop wasn't questioning Leah just now, but rather demanding that his signature be added before the new tax proposal?

"Your Majesty, since the Marquis of Rost has shown remorse for his mistakes, why not forgive them this time?"

Earl Orlando promptly reminded Marquis Rost and his companions of their presence.

How could His Majesty Darian, being such a kind-hearted man, possibly continue to pursue the matter?

Meanwhile, Bishop Simon was chatting with the nobles with a satisfied smile, completely ignoring the Rost family.

"Well, Marquis Rost, we'll let this mistake go. Just remember not to repeat it next time, understand?"

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty Darian! Thank you, Bishop Simon!" Marquis Rost felt as if he had been granted a pardon and thanked him repeatedly.

Mrs. Mara also collapsed to the ground, joining her husband in expressing their gratitude.

Elena remained standing there, and her first reaction after relaxing was to burst into tears.

Regardless of the Marquis de Rothschild family's feelings of relief at this moment, Bishop Simon raised his glass.

"Now that we have a new tax system, we will surely be able to illuminate every corner with the Goddess's radiance! Ladies and gentlemen, let us drink this cup together, wishing the Empire prosperity and the Church glory!"

"May the goddess's glory shine forever! Respect to Your Majesty! Respect to the Bishop!"

The nobles responded in unison, raising their glasses as beautiful music began to play.

Smiles returned to everyone's faces, and toasts were exchanged, as if the incident where the Marquis of Rost and his two companions almost became prisoners was just a trivial episode.

The banquet finally began at this moment.

But the Rothschilds were like drowned dogs pulled from the water and then thrown into an ice cave.

They forced polite smiles, raised their glasses before they could even process their turbulent emotions, and then watched helplessly as Bishop Simon stuffed the notebook into his pocket.

Chapter 40 Earl Orlando

The beautiful music flowed again, the crystal chandelier shone brightly as always, and the air was filled with the aroma of fine wine and delicacies.

The Rothschilds were completely bewildered by the banquet.

The nobles who had previously been so enthusiastic, as if they were old friends, now mocked them.

What new tax? That groundbreaking new tax was naturally conceived by the esteemed Bishop Simon!

For the Marquis of Rost, this was tantamount to being stripped naked in public and made a clown in front of so many nobles.

Even so, the Marquis of Rost dared not express any dissatisfaction.

He managed a stiff smile, his hand holding the wine glass still trembling slightly.

Even with her exquisite makeup, Mrs. Mara couldn't hide the panic and lingering fear in her eyes. She clung tightly to her husband, completely oblivious to the conversations with the other ladies.

Elena huddled behind her parents, her eyes red and swollen, no longer daring to look up at anyone.

With things having developed this way, who cares about being appreciated by His Majesty and then taking the opportunity to replace Lia as Prince Alvin's fiancée?

Feeling the gazes cast upon her by the other young ladies attending the banquet not far away, Elena, feeling somewhat ashamed, couldn't help but complain to her mother.

"Mother, it's all your fault for making me take Liya's place at this banquet. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't be suffering like this today."

Hearing her daughter say this, Marquise Marla retorted with displeasure, "Elena, you didn't say that back then. Weren't you quite pleased?"

"That's because Mother said it was an opportunity! Who knew..."

"Alright! You two, stop arguing! Don't you feel ashamed at His Majesty's banquet?!" Marquis Rost irritably stopped the mother and daughter from arguing.

It's no use saying anything now; even if he's stupid, he can see that the bishop had planned to do this from the very beginning.

They claimed they wanted to understand the new tax in more detail, but in reality, they were planning to claim the new tax as their own.

If he had taken the initiative to attribute the new tax to the bishop at the beginning of the banquet, he might have been rewarded, which would have saved face and even won the bishop's favor.

However, although the new tax has now been appropriated by Bishop Simon, the Rost family has not received any benefit from it, and has simply not pursued Elena's responsibilities.

In the end, he did nothing after all his hard work and almost got arrested.

"In the end, it's all my sister's fault! If she hadn't proposed any new taxes, we wouldn't have had to attend this dinner!" Elena said, mentioning Lia's name.

"That's right, we shouldn't have listened to that Leah guy's talk about the new tax in the first place!"

Marquise Mara nodded in agreement, finding it easier to blame others than to blame herself.

Even the Marquis of Rost thought so at this time. He thought this banquet would be an opportunity for his family to take off, but he did not expect to almost lose his life.

It would be better if nothing had happened at all.

"I think we should go back and give Liya a good scolding, don't you think, sir?!"

"Maybe she did it on purpose, deliberately coming up with some new tax design to frame us!"

"So why was she so honest as to write the new tax down in her notebook?"

"Yes, she'll only cause us trouble if she stays at home! Father, what do you think? We can't let Leah stay in the Rost family any longer!"

Seeing his wife and second daughter about to drive away his eldest daughter, the Marquis of Rost remained silent.

Looking back now, he also thinks that what Marquise Marie and Elena said makes some sense.

Although he did want to restore his family's glory, he was even more afraid of dying.

This time, the advice did not bring any benefit to the Rost family, and even made him suffer humiliation once again. All of this was caused by 'Lia'.

What's more, Lia is completely disobeying my orders now...

"The three of you, I think I just heard you talking about Leah? Is that right?"

Just as they were pondering how to sacrifice Liya, a figure carrying a wine glass strolled over with elegant posture.

The three turned their heads and saw that it was Earl Orlando.

His handsome face wore a perfectly timed, warm smile, and it wasn't just Elena who had hearts in her eyes when she looked at his handsome face.

Even the Marquise Mara blushed as she looked at that face, feeling a surge of desire.

"I apologize for disturbing you, Marquis Rost, Marquis de Rost, and Miss Elena." Earl Orlando raised his glass slightly in greeting, his voice gentle and soothing.

He even possessed a fragrance that surpassed even the most expensive perfumes.

"Those people really gave us a scare just now, but thankfully it turned out to be nothing more than a false alarm."

"The Marquis's quick thinking in presenting the ancestral manuscript demonstrates his loyalty to His Majesty and the Bishop, and also preserves the family's dignity."

"When His Holiness the Bishop delivers the new taxes to the Holy Council of the Holy City, and the new taxes are extended to the entire Church of the Goddess, I believe His Majesty and His Holiness the Bishop will remember Marquis Rost."

It must be said that Earl Orlando's words seemed to have a magical power, instantly dispelling the anxiety and fear in the Rost family's hearts.

Looking at Earl Orlando before him, Marquis Rost quickly bowed in return, his voice choked with gratitude: "Earl Orlando! We are so grateful for your words of advice! The Rost family will never forget this kindness!"

When the bishop was furious, it was Earl Orlando who reminded Marquis Rost.

Previously, Earl Orlando had been speaking up for Marquis Rost.

This banquet was suggested by Earl Orlando, who also helped out of the predicament several times earlier, and it was Earl Orlando who finally suggested that His Majesty pardon his family's punishment.

For this, the Marquis of Rost was sincerely grateful to the Earl of Orlando.

Moreover, Earl Orlando is His Majesty's confidant, as evidenced by the fact that His Majesty has adopted all of Earl Orlando's suggestions.

"Not at all, I only did something insignificant. It is my honor to be able to help the Marquis."

The Earl of Orlando's humble demeanor deeply moved the Marquis of Rost, a fallen nobleman.

Mrs. Mara squeezed through the crowd and approached Earl Orlando: "Your Excellency, your courage in speaking up for justice at this crucial moment is truly admirable."

Elena, with her head down and back turned, hurriedly touched up her makeup. She didn't want to show her red eyes to the man in front of her, who was considered the 'most desirable nobleman' among the young ladies of the aristocracy.

"It was nothing, nothing to mention," Earl Orlando said with an even more gentle smile.

He glanced at the three of them and asked, seemingly casually, "I think I heard you mention Lia just now? Why didn't Miss Lia attend the banquet tonight?"

Upon hearing the charming Earl mention Lia's name again, the three Marquis Rost were somewhat taken aback.

The other party had shown a regretful expression when they saw that Elena had replaced Lia at the banquet.

Now it seems he really cares about Leah?

Chapter 41 Lia's Followers?

Earl Orlando asked Lydia again, which surprised the Rost family.

Elena, in particular, felt a surge of inexplicable jealousy and confusion as she looked at how this young, promising, and handsome count cared so much about her sister, Lia.

She had no idea that Leah knew this count, nor could she imagine that the two could have any connection.

At this moment, Marquis Rost thought the same thing as Elena. He cautiously asked with a hint of probing, "Thank you for your concern, Earl. Lia is feeling a little unwell today. Have you seen Lia, Earl?"

"Oh? Are you feeling unwell? That's a real shame." Count Orlando gently swirled the wine in his glass.

Looking at the Marquis of Rost, whose face was full of doubt, he slightly raised his beautifully shaped chin and suddenly spoke in a bard-like aria.