Kingdom's Bloodline, page 349
'Indeed.'
Whoever that was sitting there was not the helpless Little Rascal. Rather, she was the young lioness who kicked his leg while holding the hem of her dress.
'"Saroma, do you remember? Choose the person you want to become."'
"Not Lisban, not the City of Faraway Prayers, not anyone else but me! It is I, your archduchess, who needs this war!"
The girl said through gritted teeth, and her eyes scanned the hall with anger.
"I need this war to secure my position, to strengthen my governance, and to warn my enemies. And I need your support, vassals of Dragon Clouds City."
Every count turned around. Their eyes were fixed on the same person—Regent Lisban. It was as if he began it all.
The archduchess, however, had once more acted beyond their expectations.
"Please do not look at Ciel, gentlemen." Saroma's voice trembled a little, like twigs that bore the weight of snow and swayed in the cold wind. "He never taught me this."
Regent Lisban was taken aback.
While she spoke with determination, anger sparked in Saroma's eyes, which was something that had long since never appeared. She gazed at the entire hall, especially the six counts. Thales was also surprised.
Count Nazaire's gaze froze slowly, and finally fixated on the archduchess' hand which held on to the armchair.
A few seconds later, he said softly, "Very good. You surprised me somewhat, My Lady."
Saroma took a deep breath. She thought that Nazaire's strange gaze seemed to have the power to read one's mind. But the strangeness in Nazaire's eyes only lasted for a moment before his initial seriousness and composure took over, as if the surprise brought on by the archduchess was merely a random accident.
Silence was restored in the hall.
Only Thales and Ian carried with them completely different feelings while they observed the development of the event. The archduchess' face was as still as water. The vassals' gazes were like swords.
Very soon, Count Nazaire heaved a sigh before rejoining the conversation, "Of course, as a count, I have no power to object or even stop your decision."
Nazaire, like a slightly disappointed old man, shook his head and said softly, "But when we are faced with the crisis of the Alliance of Freedom, please pardon my objection to what you just expressed, and I would even advise you with my actions. This is not a good way to establish your might. It is wiser to stay out of this chaotic duel between the City of Faraway Prayers and Black Sand Region."
Saroma held her breath subconsciously and her arms tensed up. Nazaire stared at her calmly without a word. Thales breathed out through his nose unknowingly.
'Well done, Saroma. We're almost there. In this game, if we form the most important connection linking the war and marriage together, we win.'
Lisban, who was seated across him, scoffed. "Are you saying that you, Nazaire, in the face of the Alliance of Freedom's crisis, are about to reject My Lady's request, and you would rather… you would rather refuse to collect taxes for the Lady, just like the vassals of Black Sand Region who went against King Chapman?"
Nazaire was not bothered by him in the slightest.
Count Cotterson, who had always been straightforward, narrowed his eyes while watching the archduchess before he said with a furrowed brow, "I certainly do not wish for that outcome, My Lady. We, however, may not have a choice under these circumstances."
Saroma's expression changed.
The archduchess started speaking a little faster, "The deployment of soldiers to the Alliance of Freedom is to protect the dignity of the Walton Family, to whom your ancestors vowed to serve loyally."
The archduchess clenched her teeth and said coldly, "If we stay out of the Alliance of Freedom's war and refuse to extend our help to the City of Faraway Prayers, then we, regardless of myself, the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City or you, the vassals of Dragon Clouds City… We will become the laughingstocks. Whether it is me, a weak girl who cannot even defend her forefathers' legacy, or the cowardly Northlanders who do not even dare to face the opponents they once defeated!"
The other four counts, be it the merciless Cotterson, the straightforward Lyner, the quiet Karkogel, or the gentle and polite Hearst, looked away, avoiding Saroma's gaze.
Only Count Nazaire looked at the archduchess with his bright eyes, and he could not help but sigh. "Although the Walton Family and our reputation may be jeopardised if we refuse to deploy soldiers, this guarantees that we will not drown in the vortex.
"It must be made known that in the six years of internal conflicts and disasters, Dragon Clouds City is already on the verge of collapse…"
At the side, Lisban snorted, incredibly disdainful.
The archduchess ground her teeth in anger and said, "But you knew that, Count Nazaire, and all of you. You know that we must deploy soldiers! Even if it is not for the Dragon Spear Family or to help the City of Faraway Prayers, the simple act of suppressing the king's ambition will allow us to not be kept floating helplessly in the vortex known as the internal conflict of the country! This is for Dragon Clouds City!"
The next moment, old Nazaire suddenly spoke in a louder voice and interrupted Saroma!
"If that is the case, for the sake of the Dragon Clouds City, why could you not understand?"
Saroma was confounded. Downstage, Thales clenched his fists repeatedly.
Nazaire suddenly changed the way he looked at the archduchess. There was a sharp glare in his eyes. "Resolve cannot be formed solely on the power of spoken words. If you can be open-minded and clear-headed while choosing your husband, the future of the Dragon Spear Family will be secured again, then all hardships will be resolved. We will then enlist soldiers. Deployment of soldiers east to the Alliance of Freedom in the name of Dragon Clouds City will come after your wedding."
The count continued coldly, "Restoring the reputation of the family, upholding the dignity of Dragon Clouds City, winning over the support of an ally from the City of Faraway Prayers, even dampening the king's insolence and arrogance, and showing off our existence and power… Are all these not better solutions?"
The archduchess bit her lower lip. Before her twenty or so vassals, she seemed a little shaken.
At that exact moment, Saroma's regent, Count Lisban spoke out in a timely fashion.
"To deal with the king? Really?" Regent Lisban snorted. "At this critical moment where the City of Faraway Prayers and the king are in conflict, you are here stirring trouble on the topic of the suzerain's marriage. So, are the benefits given by Black Sand Region and the bone thrown by King Chapman that alluring?"
At that moment, Nazaire turned around suddenly to glare at Lisban, as if he was a ferocious beast whose tail was stepped on.
"Watch your tongue, old friend. Lampard did indeed come to me before." Count Nazaire's words were cold, as if there was an unresolvable enmity between him and Lisban. "But Dragon Clouds City's Nazaire Family are not people who a kinslayer like him can command, no matter how good he is with his words or how diabolical he is.
"However, please believe me, My Lady, this is the best future for Dragon Clouds City." Nazaire continued speaking. "The power you should have in possession will not be affected in the slightest. As long as you choose a noble in Dragon Clouds City as your husband, you are free to choose whoever it is you want as your husband with whatever method you desire. This is Dragon Clouds City's—"
Lisban cut him off in anger, unable to tolerate his words any longer.
"Enough, Nazaire!" The regent spoke coldly, "You keep going on with all your empty words about this being for the sake of Dragon Clouds City, but to have the archduchess marry one of you? This is how you want to solve this problem?"
Lisban shook his head. His gaze was like sharp gaze. "Do you truly know what this will bring to Dragon Clouds City?"
The focus of the argument seemed to have returned to the two counts.
"Of course."
Nazaire's voice was low, but his gaze did not leave Lisban. "My Lady, I know what Ciel-Count Lisban has been telling you. It is definitely some nonsense about the archduchess needing to keep the balance of power between the nobles in check, to maintain the balance of power in Dragon Clouds City, that having a suzerain recklessly marrying one of her vassals is not beneficial for Dragon Clouds City's internal rule, and something about you not handing over your status and power to the internal power of Dragon Clouds City and other such reasonings for you to not marry below your status.
"Indeed, it is not without reason that he said those things. I have worked with Ciel for many years. I know more than anyone else that he is no fool. There are indeed these sort of problems lurking around."
Nazaire watched Lisban with a complicated expression, but when he turned towards the archduchess, his gaze became even more peculiar.
He said softly, "I originally did not intend to say my next words, My Lady, but I suddenly realized that I should not treat you like an ignorant child. After all, you are an archduchess."
A thought came to Saroma. Lisban furrowed his brow even deeper.
"That is why you think that your marriage is just what a certain person said, that it is under our control and it is just for us to tie the Walton Family to one of the families in Dragon Clouds City?
"No." With slight fatigue, Count Nazaire whispered softly,
"It is for a greater, more important purpose."
Chapter 316: Plan |
Saroma looked like she was deep in thought.
The old count leaned back slightly and subconsciously looked at the inscription of the Cloud Dragon Spear on top of his crown.
"Everyone!" Nazaire said loudly and attracted the attention of the vassals in the hall. He did not sound like an old man at all.
"It has been six years. Without the Born King's power and influence, the so-called balance, equilibrium, peace and unity of Dragon Clouds City have already been broken due to all sorts of ridiculous reasons." Nazaire looked weary. It was as though he was talking to himself.
The hall went quiet. Many of them were deep in thought after hearing those words.
"The six strongest vassals have been in continuous disagreement with regard to the power King Nuven left behind upon his death."
The four other counts stirred in unison. Other than Count Karkogel, the three other counts instinctively avoided Lisban's eyes.
"On one hand, we are suspicious of Lisban, who holds great power. We suspect that he is monopolizing the political scene, keeping the Archduchess out of the loop and trying to drain the great legacy King Nuven left behind.
"On the other hand, as the regent, Lisban despises us for not following orders after the Born King's death, for lacking the spirit of cooperation, for being selfish and only caring about our own survival."
Saroma was stunned.
Nazaire stared coldly at Lisban, who had an icy expression. There was disappointment and hatred in his eyes.
"Conversely, the slightly smaller families rule their territories in a conservative manner. They're fearful and torn between both sides while they're caught up in this stalemate, afraid to take a wrong step."
The buzz from conversations between the vassals quieted down for a moment.
"The arrival of the calamity and Queen of the Sky, the Born King's sudden passing, and the suspicious crowning of King Chapman that took place here; how much chaos did these incidents stir up among the common people, causing them to be in constant unease?"
Saroma bit her lower lip and she subconsciously looked at Thales. However, Thales only stared at the floor tiles with his head lowered, even though Ian tried to signal him a few times by making faces at him.
There was a glimmer of grief and fury in Nazaire's eyes. It was hard to tell if he was being sincere. "The even more saddening fact is, throughout these past six years, this is the truth that the people outside Dragon Clouds City see. The Walton Family that once was extremely powerful and had matchless influence, now has no other direct descendant than an orphaned girl.
"Hence, after the common-elected throne left Dragon Clouds City… the wildly ambitious King Chapman became increasingly greedy; the City of Faraway Prayers''Long-Haired' Kulgon Roknee became increasingly untameable; Beacon Illumination City, which has always been in good terms with us, is now indifferent to us; and we are unclear as to what the other territories such as Defense City feel about us. Conflicts with the local nobles under other archdukes with territories bordering Dragon Clouds City are increasing in number."
Count Nazaire raised his head in indignance and straightened his body, no longer leaning against his seat.
He coldly said, "Not to mention our neighbours from the Empire in the south. God knows how many times they've celebrated the decline of our city."
Thales scratched his head, still feigning ignorance.
Nazaire's tone grew increasingly stern. "My Lady, it has been six years. After losing King Nuven, Dragon Clouds City is not able to unite anymore. We fell from the top of the clouds to the bottom of the valley of embarrassment, indignance, grief and pain. As the archduchess, do you really not see it at all?
"Our so-called equilibrium and balance was shattered to pieces together with King Nuven's death during that earth-shattering change six years ago!"
The atmosphere in the hall turned from strange to grim.
Lisban's face darkened.
Thales exhaled loudly and deeply. 'Count Nazaire…
'...is indeed an outstanding individual who once worked under King Nuven.
'If only he wasn't standing on the opposing side.'
Nazaire shook his head with a pained expression while he faced the archduchess' pale face and the vassal's thoughtful gazes.
"Now, My Lady, do you understand what your marriage means? Do you understand the significance behind you having a powerful husband, and how important it is that you and your family have a healthy as well as reliable heir?"
Nazaire's expression was stern. His hair and beard flared due to his anger. His words made the archduchess' expression freeze. She was rendered speechless.
"Is this to you a disadvantageous sacrifice to make and price to pay? Perhaps."
Nazaire shot a glance at all the vassals in the hall. "But, is this something necessary? Definitely!"
Saroma stared at Nazaire in disbelief. She did not seem to know how to react.
"We respect you, My Lady." The old Count Nazaire put on a respectful expression once again. He bowed before the archduchess. "But I believe that the best way to show this respect is by truly treating you as the ruler of Dragon Clouds City.
"I have to show you the truth an archduchess of a city should face, the price she has to pay, and the sacrifices she has to make, no matter how unpleasant they are. Even if there are difficulties and obstacles… marriage is just one of the sacrifices."
Rather at a loss as to what to do, Saroma stared at the seemingly sincere Count Nazaire.
"Instead of seeing you as a marionette who has all the necessary decorations but is locked deep in the palace...
"Instead of treating myself as a tree that shields you from wind and rain, righteously and confidently cutting you off from the cruel side of the world, then claiming to do it for 'your own good'"—Nazaire shot a scornful glance at the steely looking Regent Lisban—"what we need is an archduchess who can protect and rule over Dragon Clouds City, My Lady.
"We do not need a vase in somebody's hands who is labelled as the archduchess and used to decorate Dragon Clouds City."
"Nazaire!" Lisban's gaze became stern. "What are you saying?"
"He's just voicing out our thoughts, 'Prime Minister'," Count Lyner replied coldly. "I really can't imagine what sort of regent would bring up our suzerain and fief lord as a kingdom's princess throughout these six years. Even though she's a girl, she is also the last direct descendant of the Dragon Spear Family."
Lisban clenched his fists. Behind him, the cheeks of the Star Killer, who was protecting the archduchess, flushed.
Thales felt a weight on his shoulders—Ian had leaned on him.
"Now I can tell the relationship between these six vassals," Ian said softly into Thales' ears. "But throughout these six years, has Regent Lisban been shielding your little girl from danger, or bringing trouble upon her by being in Heroic Spirit Palace?"
'You asked the most crucial questions, Your Grace.'
Thales inhaled deeply and forcibly suppressed the assumption in his mind.
"Now, it is time to break that vase, My Lady." Count Nazaire paid no heed to Lisban. He bowed before the archduchess again. His gaze was bright and piercing. "The broken pieces of ceramic may pierce your skin and cause pain. But only blood can cleanse the Northlanders' minds… even though you are just a girl."
While he listened to Nazaire's words, Thales suddenly felt a surge of familiarity.
At this moment, he suddenly had the awareness that Count Nazaire and the four other vassals may not be the selfish, power-hungry vassals that Putray made them to be. They may also not be subordinates who were eager to cause trouble after Nuven's passing, as Lisban had been wary about.
Thales swept his gaze past the shrewd and farsighted Lisban, the level-headed Nazaire, the rather friendly Hearst, the quiet Karkogel, the callous Lyner, and the straightforward Cotterson.
Things were the exact opposite. What King Nuven had left behind for his successor may have been a group of people who were powerful enough to allow Dragon Clouds City to return to its former glory.
It was just that this group of people were experiencing the biggest accident King Nuven had left behind due to his premature death…
An archduchess.
Thales looked at Saroma worriedly.
The archduchess looked at the count in a daze.
It was as if she had not registered what was going on.
She did not seem to know what to say as well.
"The Nazaire Family's dictum says that, 'nobles carry responsibilities on their shoulders, and rulers will definitely have to make sacrifices.'" Nazaire coldly said, "You want to defend your family's honor and hold on to Dragon Clouds City's reputation? Definitely. But at the same time, you have to pay the price… This is your fate, Lady Saroma."
