He Who Covets the Abandoned Bride (10 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 152

It goes without saying that Fitzroy is the second-wealthiest nation on the Damvernant continent—so much so that calling it merely second would be an insult.

However, the reason differed slightly from Harkin’s.

Harkin possessed abundant resources from its vast territory, a large population, and most of its lands lay within favorable climates, making it largely self-sufficient.

In contrast, half of Fitzroy’s territory consisted of land unsuitable for farming. Instead, it controlled crucial trade routes connecting multiple nations, giving it a significant advantage—especially in intermediary trade.

So commonplace was the saying that “Fitzroy’s history began with plunder” that it hardly felt like an insult to them anymore; indeed, they had always written their history by taking what belonged to others.

They invaded foreign lands without warning and aggressively expanded their territory.

Thus, their accumulated wealth naturally belonged, for the most part, to the upper class.

Of course, wealth disparity existed in every nation, but in Fitzroy’s case, it was said to be especially pronounced.

The reason she was thinking about all this was the reflection of her own attire in the mirror.

Over the past few days staying at the baron’s house, Laila had realized that this family wasn’t particularly wealthy.

She had assumed that even if they weren’t as distinguished as the Orson comital family, a baron was still nobility and ought to live comfortably enough—but that didn’t seem to be the case.

Perhaps it was best to understand them simply as ordinary farmers who happened to hold a title…

In fact, precisely because of their title, they were bound to maintain a certain dignity, which prevented them from taking on just any work; thus, they barely scraped by tending their vegetable garden and occasionally selling knowledge to other noble houses.

Yet her own clothing told a completely different story. Laila stared wide-eyed at her reflection, looking dazzlingly ornate from every angle.

With an embarrassed expression, she muttered toward the baron,

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