volume 3 - Chapter 208 (1/2)
– Rose, brambles, and l.u.s.t for power
================ Royal Faction ==============
Madara was here.
Not only that, Count Randner had gathered an army of twenty thousand men in just two months in the Palas region, including three retainer knights with land deeds and soldiers.
With the addition of the mountain natives and other tribal forces, this force was no longer looking like a simple subjugation, but a show of force towards the people who dared to mock the Count.
This level of mobilization proved that Count Randner was a long way off from ‘retirement’.
He was still like a tiger that was narrowing its eyes, and once it opened them, it would be able to cause the entire southern mountainous region in Aouine to tremble, which happened several decades ago.
The entire Trentheim region was still under the tiger’s paws, and many people were starting to mock the fools who dared to tug at the tiger’s whiskers.
Grphyine’s Knight Commander, Count a.s.sel immediately took this report when he received it, and promptly left his office for the Princess’s. Lord Cobb saw and followed him:
“My greetings, Knight Commander, I’ve heard the news from the south.”
Cobb’s position within the royal faction was not high, but he worked under Grandmaster Fleetwood. Since Fleetwood was princess Gryphine’s teacher and a court wizard, his position amongst the Royal Faction was respected. Even the bigwigs in the Royal Faction had to lower their heads when they saw this wizard.
a.s.sel did not wish to deal with the trouble from Copp’s superior, so he nodded to acknowledge the latter’s words:
“Her Highness favors the rebellion army greatly but it’s a pity; she will be disappointed. In truth, many of our superiors doesn’t support the idea of getting involved with these rebels. It’s too dangerous since Count Randner is someone with strong military might.”
Kopp faked a sigh and nodded:
“Her Highness isn’t willing to speak with Duke Arreck. She’s just a child, regardless of how much the outside rumors that praise of her intelligence. Indeed, a girl is still a girl, it’s unavoidable that she would cling on to a few wishful thoughts.”
Aseel raised an eyebrow and replied:
“Politics is politics. The future of the kingdom is more important than anything else, and I believe that Her Highness will be able to see this point. Achieving an agreement with Count Randner is our best outcome. Only with it would the princess have enough clout to negotiate with that old duke.”
“Yes, but I’m worried about the princess being stubborn about it. Do you know this piece of information, Lord a.s.sel— I heard that she secretly communicated with the rebels. If the evidence of her collusion gets to Count Randner’s hands, we will be placed in a pa.s.sive position.”
“Don’t worry, Duke Lantonrand and Grandmaster Fleetwood and our knights do not agree to support these country b.u.mpkins that are lurking in the shadows. I am certain Her Highness will not continue her ways that in light of this new information.”
Cobb secretly laughed. Princess Gryphine was much more stubborn than a.s.sel thought, and it was not as if everyone was against her support for these rebels. But he was a smooth person and would not say this thought directly, and instead asked slyly:
“What of Lord Oberbeck’s position in this matter?”
“He……” a.s.sel became quiet.
Indeed, that person who had the nickname of a ‘Wolf’ had an ambiguous att.i.tude, making it impossible for anyone to know his thoughts. What was even more of a headache was that Oberbeck was the leader of his own clique, and his mind was no weaker than Makarov the ‘Cunning Fox’.
Because of Oberbeck’s silence in this matter, the opposition to the princess did not truly register.
And if all these voices were not aligned, then it meant that there might be a change to the perception of these rebels. But a.s.sel did not favor them at all and even thought that putting the fate of the kingdom on them was akin to treating it like a game.
Cobb and many others had the same thought. In their eyes, Count Randner who controlled a large territory and forces was a hundred times more likely to win against a bunch of thieves.
Perhaps they were even more likable than these d.a.m.n rebels—
Although the princess’s plans were feasible, it was just too dangerous. The alternate plans that she had were treated like a young girl’s naive hope to control her own fate.
The n.o.bles had seen such acts in history one too many times and did not make a fuss about it, and instead had faces of pity and understanding.
A princess’s fate was to be used as a p.a.w.n for a political marriage. If the little girl wanted to struggle, then they would allow her to do it as long as it did not affect the overall outcome.
a.s.sel made a signal to Cobb to get the latter to leave as they approached the princess’s office, before pus.h.i.+ng the wooden doors open.
There were quite a few people in the study.
Oberbeck, Fleetwood, Makarov, Count Barre, and almost all the core members of the Royal Faction were there. a.s.sel was not surprised. Ever since the southern situation became tense, a meeting was held almost in the study every day.
But the silent atmosphere in the room was a little stifling and uncommon. a.s.sel presented the report in his hand to the princess amidst the glares.
“Thank you, Ser a.s.sel.” The crisp voice of the princess was calm, but a.s.sel felt a little guilty upon hearing it.
He was considered as a half-teacher to the princess since the skillful swordsmans.h.i.+p of hers was taught by him.
“It’s my duty, Your Highness,” a.s.sel lowered his head and answered.
The princess and the others did not look at the report, and he knew that they had received this information already.
He could not help but steal a glance at the calm half-elven princess. She was still as composed as her usual self.
Her beauty seemed to stand out in this oppressive atmosphere with her silver hair reflecting a soft sheen from the candlelight, while her hands were placed on her thighs with an unflinching gaze and pursed lips.