Free Web NovelChapter 420: Chapter 39: Heavens, A Match Made in Heaven
A political marriage?
Westheid never expected to hear those words from Eilvette’s mouth. For a moment, he wondered if he had misheard.
’I’m not sure. I’d better ask again to confirm.’
"This political marriage... are you referring to me?"
The stern-faced Grand Law Officer nodded and said,
"Besides you, who else is worthy of a political marriage with the Royal Court?"
Westheid teased, "As I recall, you don’t have any daughters or sisters, do you? You’re a solitary man."
If he had, Duke Qinghui would have ruthlessly exploited that opening long ago, filling them up like cream puffs. It was a shame the Grand Law Officer had no such weaknesses, leaving Westheid no opportunity to apply his Revolving Wheel Technique.
Eilvette frowned.
"Why would it be my relatives? As two separate political entities, a political marriage is naturally a matter between ruling families."
"The two parties in this marriage are you, Duke Qinghui, and Her Majesty Ailorus."
Westheid fell silent for a long moment upon hearing this. Then, the corner of his mouth twitched as he asked,
"...Isn’t this a bit... heretical for the Pure Blood Faction?"
’Is this even proper? Don’t forget, you’re the leader of the Pure Blood Faction! Aren’t you the one who despises Half-Elf hybrids the most?’
"Personally, I do not entirely approve."
Eilvette made no attempt to hide his resignation, saying,
"But this is Her Majesty’s will... While it may not align with my own wishes, I will not openly oppose it if it benefits the future of the Royal Court."
’So it was Ailorus’s idea.’
Now Westheid understood. He wasn’t particularly surprised; in fact, this was the exact outcome his deliberate seduction and guidance were meant to achieve. In the Mortal World, no woman could resist a targeted conquest by Westheid. Even the precocious Wind Law Queen was bound to fall under Duke Qinghui’s Charm.
’I just didn’t expect Ailorus to jump straight to marriage... Hmm, then again, I suppose it’s to be expected.’
Eilvette looked at Westheid. "Her Majesty is very keen on this matter. And from what I know, you are not yet wed, Duke Qinghui. Is that correct? Do you consent to this marriage?"
Although most realms in the Mortal World did not restrict a man to one wife, there was still a distinction between the principal wife and concubines. If Westheid were already married, it would be quite troublesome. After all, the Monarch of the grand Realm of Order could not be expected to take a subservient position.
Fortunately, neither Reiya nor Mivana had much interest in marriage. The latter’s culture had no concept of it at all; in Beastman society, powerful males claimed nearly all the females and relentlessly sowed their seed. There were only breeding partners, no such thing as husbands and wives.
As for the former... Reiya could be said to utterly despise marriage, especially political marriages. The Imperial theory of ultimate selective breeding, which valued only bloodlines, was rampant, and she had seen too many emotionless marital unions. As a result, she had completely lost faith in such social contracts.
’Marriage? Don’t you dare defile the sanctity of pure love with such a messy, filthy contract, you bastards!’
Over the past few years, Westheid had received numerous marriage proposals. Various factions, optimistic about the Qinghui Territory’s development, had proactively offered up their own sisters and daughters.
But he had rejected them all, knowing that the position of his principal wife was an extremely valuable bargaining chip to be played at the right moment.
For example, now. If Westheid were already married, a political marriage would be out of the question, and Eilvette would have absolutely opposed it. But it was precisely because Westheid was, for all intents and purposes, a bachelor. Never mind the countless ’enemies’ the King of the Wheel had vanquished with his ’rod’—at least on paper, he was unattached, and that was all the law-abiding Grand Law Officer cared about.
Westheid smiled and lied through his teeth. "I would be honored. You could say it was love at first sight for Ailorus and me."
But Eilvette was clearly unconvinced. The Grand Law Officer said flatly,
"It is merely a political marriage... Emotions are not required."
Westheid shrugged. "Even if there aren’t strong feelings now, they can be cultivated over time."
"Hm. In that case, once you and Her Majesty are bound by a marriage contract, the Thousand Laws Royal Court can accept more reinforcements. Her Imperial Highness, the Imperial Princess, and the Beastman Commander under your command... does each of them possess power on par with your own?"
There was no reason to hide it. Westheid nodded immediately.
"Of course. Once Reiya and Mivana join the fight, everything will turn around."
The Grand Law Officer gave a noncommittal glance into the distance and said,
"In that case, please return to the Central Royal Court for now, Duke Qinghui. I still need to patrol the borders and repel the invaders."
Westheid wasn’t the one most troubled by the Demon Forces’ fierce counterattack. As Duke Qinghui, he was only responsible for offensive campaigns; the defense of the rear was not his concern. As long as he was back within the range of the Royal Court’s Grand Ensemble, he would smash any ordinary Demons that dared approach without hesitation.
’Let them see what a home-field advantage really means!’ The buffs Westheid received from an ordinary Royal Court Mage were already powerful, to say nothing of the amplification granted by the Tuner Group.
’Dare to invade, and I’ll send you scurrying back in utter defeat!’
In contrast, the Grand Law Officer was the one working the hardest during this counterattack. As the leader of the Tuner Group, he was also the one responsible for reinforcing the Barrier and correcting the Melody. He hadn’t dared to relax for a moment during this time, rushing from one crisis to another to put out fires.
It was foreseeable that as long as the Demons’ counterattack did not cease, Eilvette would have to remain stationed at the border.
Eilvette had agreed so readily to the marriage because he felt overwhelmed. He wanted to eliminate Westheid’s outsider status and render Duke Qinghui harmless, even if it was just a way of deceiving himself.
