Chapter 196 Alvannia’s standing in this War (1/2)
Back in Alvannia, prince Gladiolus has already left the palace with his new bride the second princess Elizabeth. In the latest discussion between Jennova and Alvannia, King Edward only agreed to send half of his army to lend a hand to Jennova in this war if Prince Gladiolus honors his previous word to marry his second daughter Princess Elizabeth therefore making a union between these two countries by marriage.
King Edward was sitting in his office with his head nestled in his closed fists deep in thought. He looked very troubled and seemed to have aged within such a short amount of time.
”Father!” Richard came inside abruptly. King Edward looked at him with irritation.
”Didn't you learn how to knock first before entering someone's office?” King Edward frowned.
”That isn't important now!” Richard said with a raised voice. ”Why…why did you lend Jennova half of our army? And why did you make my sister marry that perverted prince?! He openly says that he loves my sister Alicia but he is marrying my other sister Elizabeth. Isn't that just weird or what?! And he was the one that kidnapped Alicia. Do you remember that father? They are using my sister Alicia as a hostage!”
Richard was visibly frustrated with his father's decisions right now. The war of Jennova and Grandcrest is a big matter to this continent right now. The result will shift the balance of power in the continent. Alvannia should decide cautiously to whom they will side because the future of their own country hangs in the balance.
”I know that!” King Edward also raised his voice in anger. ”Don't you think I am in a tight spot right now? Jennova has your sister Alicia as hostage and Prince Gladiolus wants her so badly. And your sister's fiancé, that damn brat just became king of Grandcrest. He is also pressuring me about this war. I do not know who to ally with at this state.” The king sat back on his sit and sighed.
Grandpa Robert also entered the room and closed the door behind him.
”Calm down Richard, your father is troubled with the situation right now.” Grandpa Robert patted Richard's shoulder.
”But grandpa…” Richard wants to object but Grandpa Robert looked at him seriously. And so he shut his mouth and looked over to his father the king.
”I saw the army you have dispatched to follow the crown prince of Jennova back to his country.” Grandpa Robert said. ”That was the newly formed army that replaced McGregor's army, correct?”
King Richard looked at Grandpa Robert with a defeated look and sighed once again. ”Yes, that's the new unit.”
”You sent the new recruits to Jennova rather than sending my army which is more experienced in the battle field.” Grandpa Robert said calmly. ”That just shows who you decided to side with in this war.”
Richard looked at Grandpa Robert and then his father. ”You send the new unit to Jennova? But that isn't even half of our whole army? That means… you don't intend to help Jennova win this war?”
”Yes, I intend to ally with Grandcrest.” King Edward looked at his young son. ”I understand what you are feeling right now, but as a leader of course I should not let my emotions affect my judgement.”
Richard's frustration vanished and a smile crept on his face. It was evident that he also wanted to side with Grandcrest in this war. Not just because he is fond with his soon to be brother in law but also because of what the crown prince of Jennova has done to the capital in his wake and of course his sister's kidnapping.
”Tell me your majesty, what made you decide to side with Grandcrest?” Grandpa Robert asked. He was curious what made the king's mind change because at first, King Edward was about to ally himself with Jennova.
”With the way the war is going on right now, you would know who is at the advantage.” King Richard replied. ”By just that, as a leader I know where our country will most benefit with.”
”And?” Grandpa Robert knew there was more.
King Richard sighed. ”This reason is a bit personal. Jennova wreaked havoc inside the capital and they kidnapped one of my daughters and kept her as hostage. Do you think I will just take their hand and shake it?!” The anger in the king's voice was heard clearly. ”Many of our citizens died and were injured with that Prince Gladiolus's attack and they expect me to send reinforcement to them? And there is still no word from your sister. Do you think I will trust that Jennovian prince's words that she is doing fine? The heck, I don't even know if she is sleeping and eating well! Just thinking that damn prince holding Alicia burns me with rage.”
”Hahahaha… So you called for him to come here because you don't want him to get near to Alicia. Is that why the negotiations in lending the army took months? Hahaha…” Grandpa Robert laughed out loud. The king looked at him in confusion. ”I am happy that you have already changed now. You are thinking of your citizens, even though your decisions have some personal vendetta.”
”Hah…” King Edward sighed. ”I feel that I got so old this past year because of worries.”