Kingdom's Bloodline, page 319
"If the vassals refuse to oblige and only Walton's immediate territory is willing to answer the call for war, should they still fight?
"If an army is indeed recruited, which experienced and honorable vassal should lead the troops?
"If the troops are deployed to the west, how much should they fight to show off the Waltons' dignity and protect the city's interest at the same time so that the vassals will not be displeased?
"To what extent should an archduchess do before her acts can be considered as protecting the honor of the Dragon Spear Family?"
Thales was stunned.
'The predicament King Kessel faced years ago…
'What Kessel faced…
'Which means…'
An eerie thought surfaced in his mind.
"If the archduchess cannot keep her promise to the City of Faraway Prayers, she will only obtain a bad reputation of being an indecisive and weak-willed leader," Putray's speech was uttered in an odd rhythm, which made one uncomfortable. He went on, "But if the archduchess keeps her promise yet cannot fulfil it at a critical moment due to the internal disputes of Dragon Clouds City, such as the vassals' objection, insufficient number of soldiers and resources, or perhaps the army recruited by Dragon Clouds City returns in disgrace…
"Then under the scrutiny of the whole of Eckstedt, this matter will have a destructive influence on the archduchess' governance."
Thales frowned. "So, if Saroma only sends the army under Walton without the forces of her vassals…"
Putray gave a cold snort and shook his head. "When an influential archduke with countless vassals can only deploy his own immediate army onto the battleground, then in the eyes of many, that archduke's reign has come to an end."
Thales sighed deeply.
At least, with Putray's guidance, he found the clue that linked everything together.
'Apparently…'
"In conclusion, all these problems can be summarized into one sentence." Putray took a puff of the pipe. The wrinkles on his skinny face tightened. "Now, under the archduchess' governance, can Dragon Clouds City return to its days during King Nuven's reign, where the city shook the Western Peninsular, where the ruler could control the entire city like an arm controlling the fingers, uniting the entire city to the point where it is invincible from the inside out and able to move with ease?
"At the moment, Dragon Clouds City, the Walton Family, the archdukes and the vassals are watching her right now. At the moment, Dragon Clouds City and the Walton Family need their prestige to muster their army. The time to test her power has come."
Putray let out a cold snort of laughter. "To defend the name of her family; to protect the honor of her country; to stand against King Chapman, the archduchess, whose position is sensitive in nature, must represent Dragon Clouds City and make a promise. Then, she has to ensure that this promise can be fulfilled."
Thales stared open-mouthed at Putray.
Putray's gaze was focused on Thales' gray eyes. His tone of voice was daunting, "How much is the archduchess, who has been in power for six years, willing to pay to make sure the vassals will support this promise?"
Thales inhaled deeply, clenching his fists.
Thales exhaled a puff of air, and said in great difficulty, "Pay?
"Such as…"
Putray nodded. He observed the prince's facial expression and emitted an emotional sigh before he softly said, "Such as, whether or not she's willing to show her vassals the sign of good faith and trust.
"Such as, the archduchess marrying below her status to one of the vassals…
"...to maintain the focus of power within Dragon Clouds City in exchange for the vassals' trust and cooperation.
"With her husband's support and the continuation of the bloodline, she can reinstate the pride and honor of the Walton Family. The cost will be turning from an archduchess to the wife of an archduke."
Putray's voice was soft, but it bore so much weight in the prince's ears that it sounded like a thunderous thump.
Thales closed his eyes feebly.
He furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his teeth.
The Little Rascal from six years ago rose in his mind.
He recalled that day six years ago, where he met a girl covered with dust reading in the library, as though she was addicted to the pages.
He recalled that in the Hall of Heroes, the girl had trembled with a face full of tears while she helplessly stared at the Ring of Triumph on her hand.
He recalled that on the street of Shield District, the girl screamed while she pulled him out of the tentacles.
He recalled…
"Tell me, Putray," Thales opened his eyes and said weakly, "now that the conflict between the king and the archdukes has escalated, the Alliance of Freedom is looking for trouble, the City of Faraway Prayers may seek military assistance from Dragon Clouds City, and Saroma is in desperate need of the vassals' support…
"Someone used this chance to cause a dispute on the day of state affairs hearing, latching on the subject of the archduchess' marriage. That someone caused trouble, reminding everyone that their suzerain is unmarried…"
Thales raised his head and sighed wearily as he flatly said, "Is it really a coincidence?"
Putray did not answer immediately.
He turned his head around and looked at a towering tree in the courtyard, staring at its rotting roots.
At last, Putray sighed. "There is a rather bold saying, but it is mostly true. I advise you to keep it in mind."
The noble tightened his grip on his pipe with a cold look in his eyes. "It is this: there is no coincidence in politics."
Thales lowered his head dejectedly.
A breeze blew across the Blood Court. In the distance, Wya seemed to be complaining about something to Ralf. The Phantom Wind Follower was seen folding his arms again with a look of contempt.
"I see," the prince began softly. "It all lines up."
He raised his head to gaze at the sun above him.
"At first, it was the denouncement of the king, which the City of Faraway Prayers started; then it was the ceaseless troubles King Chapman faced; followed by the incident on the day of the council hearing; soon after, there was Kentvida's arrival; and lastly, the Alliance of Freedom…"
Putray gazed at the prince in silence, listening to his speech.
"Looking from the point of view of an outsider, the Alliance of Freedom caused this ruckus because of the conflict of interest between them and Eckstedt, which was prompted by brewing internal turmoil within the Great Dragon Nation over the past six years."
Thales then firmly said, "In actuality, it is the rift left by the strange king selection six years ago. It is the intellectual grapple between Chapman and Roknee, Black Sand Region and the City of Faraway Prayers, the common-elected king and the archdukes. It will not stop until one party is completely wiped out, and now, it is time for them to make the next move…"
Thales pressed onto his saber and took a stride forward. His facial expression was rather unpleasant.
"From within, it is the discord caused by Nuven's death and the unconventional line of succession, resulting in Archduchess Walton being in power. It is the rough waves that have been repressed by Lisban's influence and the other archdukes' support. Now, six years later, it has finally risen in the most frenzied fashion." The prince clenched his teeth. His tone of voice became increasingly anxious.
"Lisban must be furious. As the highest vassal under the archduchess and the regent of Dragon Clouds City, someone—regardless of who he is, has attempted to contact the other vassals without his knowledge, trying to interfere with the line of succession to the throne."
Putray's lips curled up in a barely noticeable fashion while he stood behind Thales.
"You are right about this.
"Though there may be someone pulling the strings in the dark, this is indeed the seed of discord we planted in Dragon Clouds City six years ago by running around Heroic Spirit Palace, then breaking its rules and tradition," the skinny nobleman said with great emotion. It seemed as though he was back in that time of despair in Dragon Clouds City, where he had to flee in fear for his life.
"This seed has sprouted after six years to lash back at Eckstedt."
With a stiff expression, Thales clenched his teeth, nearly crushing his fist.
'F*ck
'It's not over.
'The poison-like Dragon's Blood…
'Not only has it not dried yet, it still flows in Dragon Clouds City.'
The two of them fell into silence.
Just as Putray thought that the prince was agitated by the newly-acquired intel…
"There is one thing I cannot understand." Thales turned his head to look at Putray. He was oddly calm when he asked, "Why me?"
The nobleman gawked at Thales in astonishment.
Unexpectedly, the prince did not panic. He was not agitated. There was no significant change in his facial expression, not even a show of nervousness.
'This little fellow…
'Compared to six years ago…'
Thales pursed his lips, and the spot between his eyebrows moved ever so slightly. He was pondering over something.
"This is a fight between King Chapman and Archduke Roknee. Dragon Clouds City has been dragged into the storm." Thales' gaze started to gain a sharp edge, making Putray rather uneasy and wanting to look away. "But why?"
Thales simply asked, "Why did Kentvida request to see me? To meet up with a Constellatiate prince?"
Holding the prince's gaze, Putray inhaled as he raised a stiff hand and held his pipe.
"I do not know." Putray blinked, then averted his gaze.
"Perhaps it was a… coincidence."
'Coincidence?'
At that very second, Thales narrowed his gaze, as though he was searching for something in Putray's eyes.
Putray smiled and took a deep puff of his pipe, but this old chain smoker who smoked tobacco like his life depended on it suddenly found out that his pipe had been extinguished.
He sighed. "I suggest that you don't concern yourself with this affair in Dragon Clouds City too much—Frankly speaking, due to the incident yesterday, your current position is rather awkward.
"After all, this matter has nothing to do with you for now." Putray shrugged. "Unless you cannot bear to see your young lover's…"
Thales was momentarily taken aback.
Putray smiled.
The prince's expression turned as dark as thunderclouds. He looked at the nobleman and frowning while he wore a dubious expression. "Young lover?"
Putray blinked again. "It was just a joke, Your Highness."
Thales let out a snort of frustration with his arms crossed.
But he was suddenly startled.
Thales frowned, eyeing Putray's facial expression closely.
"Wait a minute, Putray.
"Your wording earlier…"
The prince gazed at the skinny nobleman with a dark look. His voice was filled with confusion.
"What do you mean by 'this has nothing to do with you for now'?"
Facing Thales' inquiring gaze, the skinny nobleman let out a cough before his expression became solemn.
"It is time for your meeting with the archduchess—you should be on your way to the library now," Putray said with a serious look.
"You should not let the archduchess wait too long."
Thales was immediately astounded.
Chapter 289: Dragon Breaker One |
When Thales summoned up his courage to walk past the heavy layers of guards, he endured pairs upon pairs of eyes, which were fiercer than usual, especially when it came to a warning look from Nicholas. He passed through the heavy, old-fashioned, arched doorway to step into the incomparably familiar Raikaru's Library. Once he did so, the Prince of Constellation fretted over the supposedly casual and relaxed meeting.
'Does Saroma clearly know about the political whirlpool she's in?'
Without her knowledge, the young girl was already part of an inescapable chess game. What she faced were shrewd and ruthless chess players the likes of Lampard, Roknee and the vassals of Dragon Clouds City.
Thales did not know how much Lisban had told her. He also did not know the archduchess' current state. He did not even know what sort of attitude and standpoint he should use to face Saroma, that lady who was once a girl.
The library looked the same. The arched cloister filled by rows of tall bookshelves flitted past his field of view amid the interweaving light and shadows. The passage by the bookshelves was bright and clear under the illumination of braziers as well as reflective gemstones, which were suspended from the ceiling. On the other hand, the spaces between the bookshelves that blocked light were left in darkness and obscurity.
Just like that, Thales walked among the light and shadows in anxiety. He walked past row after row of bookshelves to arrive at the place he met the two girls for the first time six years ago—the glass cupboard that stored the first treaty between the two countries.
"You're late."
The Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City was sitting in a chair in silence. A thick book lay open on both her knees, which were pressed together.
Thales looked at his surroundings hesitantly. Unsurprisingly, he saw the figures of Ginghes the female officer and two maidservants on both ends of the corridor. The former was like a statue. She had her hands placed together as she looked straight ahead with grace and an air of nobility.
The prince took a deep breath, walked over to Saroma and lowered his voice.
"Saroma, listen, I—"
Without even raising her head, the archduchess interrupted him. Her expression could not be seen clearly, but her voice was calm, "This batch of books was just brought here by merchants from Dragon-Kissed Land. I heard that most of them are ancient texts and hand-copied manuscripts."
Thales raised his brows. He was a little surprised at the matter that Saroma interrupted him for.
He merely hesitated for a while before he pulled a wooden chair over. Then, he turned the back of the chair towards Saroma before he sat down with a heavy expression, placing both arms on the back of the chair.
In that instant, the prince felt like his mouth was dry.
"Hey," he spoke stiffly. It was a rare sight on him when he spoke to his old friend of six years. "I… I heard about what happened on the day of the council hearing."
The teenage girl did not reply, but her hands had stopped flipping the pages.
"I want to say, uh..." After truly seeing Saroma, Thales found himself tongue-tied. He had a bellyful of words, yet he did not know how to start. Nonetheless, he awkwardly said, "Thank you—for protecting me."
The archduchess still did not raise her head, but she let out a small snort from her nose. If it was not for Thales' outstanding hearing, he would have thought that she was lost in thought.
"But." Thales sighed. "I also heard that—"
"I just flipped through the index for the new batch of books..." Yet, the archduchess interrupted him again. "The contents are all things you care about, like the Battle of Eradication… Also, the Great Dragon…"
Saroma still had her face deeply lowered. It was nearly parallel to the books.
Thales' face tensed.
'She's not in a good emotional condition.'
"Saroma, about the day of the council hearing..." Thales recalled the two segments of conversation he had with Putray and clenched his jaw. "You… I…"
"Yes, marriage."
Thales was stunned. "Huh?"
Saroma slowly lifted her head and revealed a smile laced with a faint bitterness.
"This was what you wanted to talk to me during today's training, wasn't it?" The archduchess sneered softly.
Thales could not help but notice that there were traces of red in the young girl's eyes.
He subconsciously nodded. "Yes."
Saroma closed the book on her knees and sighed softly.
"So, what do you want to say?"
She put the book on a table by the side, then cut straight to the point, "How about you recommend me a husband?"
When she finished saying that, Saroma raised her brows, making her appear rather overbearing.
Thales' words were a little stagnated. He opened and closed his mouth, but could only spit out a few words in the end. "I-I want to ask…"
Saroma tilted her head slightly and stared motionlessly at Thales with her jade green eyes behind a pair of pince-nez.
For the first time, Thales found that even this young girl's gaze could be overbearing.
A few seconds later, the prince, who was still unable to form a single sentence, could only let out a breath. He pretended to be relaxed as he said, "So, what did they say… about your marriage? Do you have any candidates in mind?"
This time, Saroma only stared at him firmly. She stared for a good ten seconds, causing Thales to feel nervous in his heart.
In the end, Saroma exhaled a puff of air from her nose. She shook her head and averted her gaze.
"Those people, the lords of the immediate vassals such as Count Hearst," she said faintly.
"Hearst?" Thales scowled. "The Count of Flatiron County? That golden beard?"
"Yes."
Saroma added expressionlessly. "Among the immediate vassals of Dragon Clouds City, his age is about the same as mine."
Grabbing the back of the chair, the prince straightened his lower back.
"Your ages are about the same?"
Thales widened his eyes and exhaled subconsciously. He spoke in disdain after his initial astonishment, "Right, he's only twenty years older than you."
Saroma glanced at him with a thought-provoking look.
"Or perhaps one of the noble's sons. Count Nazaire has a son in his early twenties. He's the family's heir.
"Nazaire junior?" Thales frowned again. "Hah, I heard that everyone, from the city maidservants to the sows in the outskirts, knows about his womanizing reputation…"
The archduchess narrowed her eyes. "How did you know?"
Thales snorted lightly and shook his head. "Gossip from the scullery. At the banquet, the maidservants all wanted to… Never mind, it's not important."
Saroma pursed up her lips. She appeared dissatisfied. "If it really doesn't work, there's still Ciel—"
