169 The Grand Ball of Vanadis (2/2)
Timothy paused to let his words sink into their minds.
”Ten ships” a merchant said. He looked at Lucia ”The Queen shall have ten of my galleys”
”Seven” another merchant said.
”Thirteen for me and a steady supply of cotton”
The merchants pledged resources to them one by one. Timothy looked at the ambassador of Borondi.
”I cannot promise anything but I shall write to my liege” said the ambassador.
Timothy nodded. He knew that Borondi cannot refuse his offer anyway. He looked at Lucia and coiled his arm around her waist. With a burning stare he looked at their guests.
”We did not want these wars. We are the defenders and they are the aggressors. They have invaded our land. They have butchered our people. We have always been on the defensive. But starting today the Union will be on defensive no more. We will attack them. We will make them bow. After the last flake of snow falls, our armies will march into their lands and root them out of their castles until they yield. When the spring wind finally blows, our navy will ravage their shores. Coalition. They are forming a coalition against us. They think numbers can save them from our steel. They think that they could just look down on us. We will make them think nothing”
Lucia tightened her grip on Timothy's hand.
”Castonia and Vanadis are one. King Timothy and I are one. Will to serve us?”
The Castonian and Vanadian guests slowly offered them salutes. With hands balled into their chests, they looked sternly at Lucia and him. And thus the biggest and most extravagant ball in recent memory ended with a show of loyalty and a declaration of the renewal of war.
**********
Timothy lay on his back. Lucia was huddling on his arm. The night was already deep. The ball had ended and the two of them were left exhausted.
”How is Arthur?”
”Not good” Lucia said, shaking her head. From her voice it was apparent that she was saddened by what happened to her brother ”His left eye is done for”
”A pity. I heard he saved one of my guards. I never expected that to happen”
”Well he finally learned courage. Foolish courage but courage nonetheless”
”At a great cost. Abraham still couldn't look at me”
”Not his fault. I heard he's wounded too.” Lucia said.
”Yeah. But you should have seen how thrashed the Bear's face is. We could finally question him”
”And what about William?” She asked
Timothy sighed ”I haven't spoken to him. But I heard he's shaken too. Tomorrow we should meet with all of them. Include Sylvie too. She will be important tomorrow. We will discuss the spring offensive”
She nodded, showing her agreement.
”Tim” Lucia huddled closer to him ”I've made my decision. I have named you my heir”
”Heir?” Timothy looked at Lucia
”Yes. You will be my heir until we have a child of the right age. It will spring you rebellions left and right but you are the only one that can secure Vanadis if something happens to me”
”Thank you. But let's not waste breaths in this”
”This is important Tim. Tonight we did everything. We planned it as best as we could. And yet your brother William was put in danger and Arthur lost his eye. Things can go wrong. We must be prepared for anything that might happen. If I...”
”You will not” Timothy scolded ”I will hear none of this. You want me to be your heir? Fine. But it's useless because you will rule by my side until we are old”
She kissed him ”Alright. Don't be angry now”
”You started it” He turned to the other side.
Lucia embraced him from behind ”You can be like a child sometimes, you know that? I know you want to hold me in your arms”
”I do. But my mood is soured by what your said”
”Fine. We will talk about it another time”
Timothy rolled towards her and wrapped her in his embrace. He kissed her forehead.
”I'm sorry for being too emotional. I know we must talk about this. Someday perhaps”
”Yes, someday”