The second princess

It turns out the letter was signed by none other than Princess Yandelle. Second princess of the land. Obviously you cannot ignore a summons like this. Should you do so it would be a personal insult to the royal house. Strangely, the princess specifically requests you to come alone.

Sometime later you enter the princess’s personal living space. It is a large room filled with wealth and splendor with a separate bedroom connected to it. The second princess is there, waiting for you while sipping from a glass of wine.
“Count John.” She greets you. “Thank you for answering my summons. Please, have a seat.”
You come in and sit down in a large chair. It is more comfortable than any chair you’ve even graced. Cleary magic was involved in its construction.
“Thank you for considering me worthy of your attention, princess.” You say. “How may I be of service.”
“I see, straight to the point.” The princess says. “No matter, that will make our business quick. Hopefully also smooth.”
The princess sits down on a pillow laden bench in front of you. She crosses her legs, leans back and makes herself comfortable. Her position leaves her chest pushed out, causing her breasts to press tightly against her dress. Despite you knowing she’s using her assets to distract you, you can’t help but take a good look at her boobs. People like you generally don’t get to see a lot of female royals nude, let alone touch them.
“I have an issue with your neighbor, Count Kellan. His leadership of his county has been quite unsatisfactory.” The princess explains. “Revenue from his lands has decreased by more than 25%. If that’s not enough bandits raid the traders causing me quite a headache among the merchants. While they can find safe passage through your lands, and happily do so, some goods can’t take the increased transportation time.”
Lord Kellan was a count who controlled the county that borders yours to the south. He and a large portion of his people are dark skinned. Beyond that is a desert which their ancestors came from a long time ago. Before this kingdom was as large as it is today, they settled the southern counties, made their independent counties and over time were incorporated into the kingdom. Sometime through war, some through marriage and some through political leverage.
“You want me to go in there and take care of the bandits?” You offer.
The princess sips from her glass and says, “Hmm, in a way. You see, Count Kellan did not spend any of his troops on the war. He kept complaining that he couldn’t, his finances did not support it, he needed them to take care of the bandits and other excuses. Either he is shirking his duties or he is simply not qualified to lead his county. But the final drop was when he didn’t come to pledge his loyalty to by brother.”
You cock your head and say, “I beg your pardon?”
“Just like everybody else, Count Kellan was given a summons to appear in front of my brother. You did this, thank you for that. Lord Kellan on the other hand … That is why something must be done about him and I think I have a proposal that you would like.”
“Please, princess.” You smile. “You are keeping me in suspense.”
Princess Yandelle leans forward and says, “What if Lord Kellan’s title were to go to you?”

You already hold the title of a county, hence why people refer to you as a count. But if Count Kellan’s county were to go to you, you would hold the title of two counties. You would have control over the resources of two counties. Taxes to be levied from two, soldiers that can be recruited from two. It would double your power and not indirectly like the Duchess’s marriage proposal. You wouldn’t have to use a wife as medium.
And Count Kellan? At best he can be a baron of a large city. At worst, he is stripped of all nobility. Leaving nothing for his children to inherit.
“Count Kellan would never give up his claim to those lands.” You say.
“Indeed.” The princess says. “It would take an army to get him out of his castle. You have quite a powerful personal guard. All battlemages, I heard. And of course you yourself are a one man army.”

So that’s the catch. You will receive ownership of Count Kellan’s title and in theory own the land, but practically you will need to send in your army and take it from him. There is however a slight problem.
“What about Duke Richard? He is the Duke both of us need to answer to. And count Kellan is married to the Duke’s niece.” You say.
“The Duke will not interfere. Not if the order comes from my brother.” Princess Yandelle says before she sips her wine again.
“The prince is in favor of this?” You ask.
“He will be. After I convince him.” The princess says. “Which I will do for you, for but a small favor.”
You were mistaken. The catch was not earlier, it is here. Damn those royals and their byzantine schemes.
“All I ask of you,” The princess says as she looks into your eyes, “Is one night with your foxgirl.”