To anyone looking on, it would appear that a certain very young count is beset by too many enemies, especially considering that his Gift has nothing to do with combat. It's as if the northern region that houses his county is a magnet for offworld invaders. But his enemies also include his competitors, and, of course, neighboring aristocrats who seek to seize the lands and assets of this impudent upstart, this Count Bulatov.
Only what does the count himself think about all this? It would seem that he shrugs off any concerns. You see, he knows full well that it is he who is a threat to his enemies. And if they fail to understand this, that's their problem.
