Chapter 8 First Meeting (4) (1/2)
Chapter 8 – First Meeting (4)
Translator: Gold
Cedric covered his mouth with his hand and coughed for a while, wincing. He had burned the inside of his mouth with the hot tea.
“Oh my goodness. I never thought I would hear that from a young lady I just met today.”
Artizea offered him a handkerchief with a blushing face.
Cedric took it, and wiped his mouth and hands.
Artizea wasn’t talking about a real marriage proposal.
Even if she had changed, Cedric didn’t know it.
So she thought that by telling him about the proposal, he would take it as a scheme. She never imagined that he would misinterpret it as a real marriage between a man and a woman.
Artizea admitted that she herself had made a mistake. At this moment, Cedric was not only unaware that she had changed, but he didn’t even know her. No wonder he misinterpreted her words.
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She spoke, pressing her blushed cheeks with her closed hands.
“I’m not asking you to marry me for real. I say it as a way of solving the problems Your Grace has been struggling with.”
“What problems are you talking about?”
“You haven’t entered the capital for the last two months because of the ceremony of the triumphant return, have you? I know Your Grace is concerned that the soldiers will not be treated as they deserve, as this could lead to the collapse not only of the Western Army but also of the Southern Army.”
The treatment of the local troops by the Imperial Family was not new.
However, the discontent that had been building up in the army was slowly exploding, because they had not been recognized despite risking their lives to make contributions.
The soldiers were beginning to desert from the Southern and Eastern Armies. In contrast, the Western Army had not had many problems under Cedric’s leadership.
“The longer Your Grace persists, the less willing His Majesty the Emperor will be to recognise the army’s military merit. He hates losing to others and losing face more than anything else. Perhaps Your Grace is here to ask the Archbishop to act as mediator?”
“Yes.”
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“The Emperor has an inferiority complex about the Archbishop. That is not a wise choice.”
Artizea continued.
“If the Archbishop intercedes, even if he succeeds in having the ceremony of the triumphant return, there will be reprisals in the future. Not only is he likely to block any possibility of Your Grace becoming involved in the Western Army, but key Western Army personnel who are helping Your Grace could be expelled or purged. Still, you should be glad that there is only a delay in the replenishment of troops and supplies.”
Artizea said this because she knew perfectly well what had happened in the future.
The Western Army became weaker and weaker. And seven years later, when the wave of monsters came, the western region of the country became a real hell.
Because of the loss of the cereal fields other regions suffered from famine.
Cedric’s face darkened. He knew it too.
But still, he could not bow and yield to the Emperor.
It’s not just supply that constitutes an army. If pride and military discipline disappeared, then the organisation he managed to rebuild would disintegrate.
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“His Majesty cares for my brother Lawrence. But at present my brother Lawrence has no military support. It is clear that this will become a great weakness in the future for him, when the fight for the throne begins. His Majesty is worried about this.”
She continued to speak.
“Though of course, His Majesty has no intention of sharing his power.”
“I know.”
“So Your Grace is the right person. You are in the line of succession to the throne, you can strengthen my brother Lawrence’s legitimacy, and also give him the military support he needs.”
Artizea took a sip of tea and said.
“If Your Grace will leave open the possibility of supporting my brother Lawrence, His Majesty the Emperor would be willing to bestow the appropriate honours on the Western Army and organise a ceremony of the triumphant return to match the achievements made.”
“I understand what you mean, lady. But it is impossible for that to happen. I will not collude with the Marchioness Rosan, that is completely out of the question. Much less marry her daughter.”
Cedric said firmly.
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“Lady, the only reason I’ve listened to you so far is because you seemed intelligent, but you’re still young. Also, probably because you don’t know me very well, when you listened to your mother and brother hatch that scheme, you thought it would be feasible.”
“Your Grace.”
“I’m not angry with you, lady. I hope you will excuse me for leaving in the middle of the conversation, but I do not share your ideas.”
“No.”
Artizea grabbed him by the sleeve as he stood up.
“I’m not done talking. And I’m not asking you to actually support my brother Lawrence.”
Cedric looked down at her. Artizea said quickly.
“By showing His Majesty the Emperor the ‘possibility’, it is enough.”
“Lady.”
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“Your Grace may or may not support Lawrence, leaving this uncertain will allow the Western Army to receive the treatment it deserves. And yet you will throw it all away for personal reasons?”
“I have no intention of begging for the recognition that soldiers deserve for their military merits.”
“So, what about the ‘Village of the Rebels’ in the Grand Duchy Evron?
Cedric frowned and looked at Artizea with fierce eyes.
“Are you trying to blackmail me, lady?”
“No, I am offering my advice with all sincerity. The fact that I know this, means that others may find out too, Your Grace.”
“I deduce that at least the Marchioness Rosan and Lawrence must know.”
“My mother and brother are not very good at such delicate work. You needn’t worry. Right now, I’m the only one who knows.”
“They are not guilty.”
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“I know, too. But this is a problem that could trigger a serious situation at any time.”
Artizea now knew he couldn’t leave.
This allowed her to relax and pour herself another cup of tea.
‘I’m thirsty.’
Cedric sat down again when she finished talking.
Then he asked her in a low voice.
“What do you want?”
“Your Grace should pursue a more practical benefit.”