Chapter 8 First Meeting (4) (2/2)
“Is that practical benefit in joining hands with the unjust to bring about the ceremony of the triumphant return of the Western Army?”
Follow current novels on lightnovelworld[.]com
“Your Grace, you must set aside your honor, so that you may gain the honor of the Western Army and protect the Grand Duchy Evron.”
Artizea said.
“Neither my mother nor my brother knows of this meeting. I did not damage the carriage so that Your Grace would think that our meeting had happened by accident. I did it to deceive the others.”
“…”
“It is quite common that after an accidental encounter between a man and a woman they develop feelings for each other.”
Artizea spoke calmly.
“So, announce that you will stop fighting the Emperor’s will and enter the capital because you have fallen in love with me. Then propose to me. There won’t be many people who will question it.”
She was Miraila Rosan’s daughter. People would misunderstand the whole situation.
Except Miraila and Lawrence, who would know it wouldn’t be a political marriage. Therefore, no marriage alliance would be established.
Visit lightnovelworld[.]com for a better experience
After saying these words, Artizea straightened his back and looked directly at Cedric.
“On the surface, it will seem that Your Grace has abandoned the honour of the Western Army for a woman. But in reality, His Majesty the Emperor will calculate the benefits that Lawrence could obtain when I marry Your Grace. And then, he will allow the ceremony of the triumphant return of the Western Army to take place.”
Cedric was silent.
“Besides, you will also get the favor of the Grand Duke Roygar, Lawrence’s greatest adversary. Your Grace can benefit from both sides.”
Artizea emptied the cold tea from his teacup, and poured out new tea.
Then Cedric finally asked.
“I know that Lawrence will try to get me on his side. But the Grand Duke Roygar is Lawrence’s adversary, what do you mean if I marry you, I’ll get his favour?”
“You want to marry me because you fell madly in love, not to form a marriage alliance in support of Lawrence.”
“So far, Your Grace, the Grand Duke Evron, has been sensible and fair in all that you have done. But what will the Grand Duke Roygar think when he learns that you entered the capital not to bow to His Majesty the Emperor, but for a woman? Well, he may think you’ve given up your pride to get something in return, so he’ll try to persuade you to take his side.
Visit lightnovelworld[.]com for the best novel reading experience
“You mean I can influence both sides.”
“Yes.”
Cedric was never a man without power of influence.
The Grand Duchy Evron was the shield of the empire in the north.
And Cedric was the man who had earned the most merit in the Empire.
He also helped rebuild the Western Army and stopped the waves of monsters.
There were also many people who admired him in the Central, Eastern and Southern Armies.
At the same time, he cemented his reputation by not bowing down to anyone or forming a party faction. In the end, that made the Emperor end up hating him.
He didn’t have enough power to threaten the Emperor, but he had enough influence to make him feel uncomfortable.
Visit lightnovelworld[.]com for a better experience
“If you marry me, the Emperor will not be as displeased with your presence as before.”
“…”
“What His Majesty the Emperor hates most is having his power ignored. And the struggles for succession are what affect that power the most. Consider why he does not support his son Lawrence unilaterally, but puts his brother, the Grand Duke Roygar, on the table as well.”
“I see what you mean. His Majesty is a cautious man, and is deliberately weakening both sides by creating a factional struggle. Therefore, even if someone were to behead me, His Majesty would consider it a simple political dispute and treat it as a minor matter.”
Cedric muttered to himself, deep in thought.
“Is this how she intends to protect me?”
Artizea quietly waited for him to finish thinking.
She ran out of tea, so she called her maid to bring her more hot water.
Cedric remained silent while Artizea poured the hot water into the teapot and turned the hourglass.
Visit lightnovelworld[.]com for the best novel reading experience
“Lady, if it is not to force me to side with Lawrence through a marriage alliance, then what would you gain from this marriage?”
She had no choice but to lie about this, Cedric had no reason to trust her yet.
“I just want to inherit the Marquisate Rosan completely and become independent.”
“Lady, you will inherit the Marquisate Rosan anyway.”
“I can’t wait until then.”
What Artizea said wasn’t entirely untrue.
“I’m currently 18 years old. I can only inherit the title when I turn 20. My mother, who is my guardian, has until the next two years the authority to dispose of the estate of the Marquisate Rosan as my guardian.”
Despite the fact that the Marquisate Rosan had completely lost his political influence, it still had a large fortune.
The power that Lawrence could exercise just for these reasons was enormous.
New novel chapters are published on lightnovelworld[.]com
And there wasn’t much Artizea could do while she was under Miraila’s control.
For now, her first priority was to distance herself completely from her.
“But you can marry with your guardian’s permission. And after you marry, you will be recognized as an adult.”
“Yes, but just because I choose someone, doesn’t mean my mother will let me go. Even when I become an adult it will be the same. Mother would find a way to kill my future husband before letting me marry him.”
Artizea said calmly.
“In that sense, Your Grace, the Grand Duke, is the best candidate I can choose. I am sure His Majesty will be pleased with Your Grace’s proposal of marriage, and my brother Lawrence will not refuse it.”
“Are you thinking of betraying your mother and brother?”
“I am only a tool. If a tool falls into the hands of another person it cannot be considered treason.”
Artizea said bitterly.
Follow current novels on lightnovelworld[.]com
That didn’t mean she didn’t consider others to be tools.
In that sense, maybe she was too much like Miraila.
“Please remain formally married to me for only two years and protect me, Your Grace. If you do, then I will make Your Grace the Emperor.”
Cedric’s eyes grew larger at her unexpected words.
“You must do it. If you want the people of the Crates Empire to live in peace. Lawrence is cruel and Roygar is greedy. If either of them ascend to the throne, the Empire will be a living hell.”
Artizea said firmly.