Free Web NovelChapter 126: Here’s My Decision
"Your Majesty has already made arrangements?"
Empress Gretchen was genuinely surprised, her expression one of astonishment. Lady Isolde was equally taken aback, as she had never heard Alaric mention this before.
Alaric nodded. "The marriages of the princes of the Eldorian Empire are no trivial matter. They must be considered with the stability of the empire in mind."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Empress Gretchen bowed, her expression tinged with disappointment. Her plan to further win over Simon had failed.
Seemingly unwilling to dwell on the matter, Alaric turned to Lady Isolde with a smile. "My Lady, I hear that Simon has created something called ’glass’ in Brambleford. Princess Lisa was so intrigued that she went there to see it. I, too, am curious. What exactly is this glass?"
"Your Majesty has been busy with state affairs these days, and I dared not disturb you. The treasures Prince Simon sent have been kept with me." Lady Isolde replied, her face showing a hint of guilt.
Alaric chuckled. "Perfect. Since I have some free time today, let’s go and see what this glass is."
Then he turned to Empress Gretchen. "Empress, please continue your stroll. Don’t let my presence spoil your enjoyment." freēwēbnovel.com
"Yes, Your Majesty." Empress Gretchen replied, understanding that Alaric wanted to be alone with Lady Isolde.
As they walked to the Golden State together, Alaric’s expression darkened, and he said sternly. "My Lady, do you know your crime?"
"I... I know my crime." Lady Isolde replied. Alaric was a man who had weathered many storms, and it was impossible for him not to have guessed the general situation.
Alaric’s anger flared. "Isn’t the struggle among the princes chaotic enough? Now you’ve dragged Simon into it. Do you realise you’re harming him?"
Tears welled up in Lady Isolde’s eyes. "How could I not know Empress Gretchen’s intentions? But Simon is far away in Brambleford, and so many ministers in court are slandering him. I am powerless to defend him. What else can I do?"
Alaric sighed. "Do you really think I’ve grown senile? Do you think I can’t discern the truth from the ministers’ words? I have indeed been harsh with Simon, but that’s because I was frustrated with his lack of ambition. If I truly hated him to the core, would he still be alive three years ago?"
"Your Majesty..." Lady Isolde was stunned. "But..."
"But why did I send him to Brambleford, right?" Alaric shook his head. "You often say that parents who love their children plan for their future. If a powerless prince were given a prosperous domain, it would only harm him. Now that he’s far from Eldora, which prince would see him as a threat?"
"Your Majesty’s coldness and harshness toward him were to prevent Simon from becoming the target of other princes’ jealousy?" Lady Isolde asked, puzzled. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Alaric smiled with satisfaction. "If I hadn’t been harsh and strict with him, would he have curbed his unruly behaviour? Now, his actions in Brambleford are like night and day, proving that my decision back then was correct. He has finally turned over a new leaf."
Lady Isolde wiped away her tears and smiled. "It was my and Simon’s misunderstanding of Your Majesty. It turns out Your Majesty truly had his best interests at heart."
Alaric helped Lady Isolde sit down. "That’s why I don’t want Simon to be dragged into the struggle for the throne. I will ignore the rumours and slander in court."
"If that’s the case, I thank Your Majesty on behalf of Simon." Lady Isolde said joyfully.
Compared to Empress Gretchen, the Emperor was the true pillar of support for the Eldorian Empire. With Alaric’s promise, she no longer needed to worry.
However, if not for today’s events, Alaric might never have revealed his true thoughts.
Having been married for over a decade, Lady Isolde knew Alaric well. He was a man who kept his thoughts hidden deep within. Without this ability to endure, he would never have attained his current position of supreme power.
"We are husband and wife. There’s no need for thanks. But now, Simon has finally proven himself useful." Alaric said with a smile.
The reason for his good mood today was not unrelated to the ministers’ impeachment of Simon for massacring the noble families in his domain.
As the ruler of the empire, Alaric was well aware of the deep-seated issues plaguing the Eldorian Empire. After nearly two hundred years of rule, some problems had become too entrenched to resolve, like a disease that had spread too far.
The most serious of these issues was the six major families carving out their own territories, while local noble clans dominated the counties.
Having ascended the throne with the support of Prince Ravencrest, Alaric understood better than anyone the dangers posed by these non-imperial princes.
The current struggle for the throne might appear to be a conflict among the princes, but in reality, it was a power struggle among the non-imperial princes. As their influence grew, they were no longer content with merely manipulating the princes. Their ambitions were becoming increasingly apparent.
Thus, when Alaric learned that Simon had eradicated the noble families in his domain, his initial reaction was shock, followed by excitement. It was as if the frustration he had long harboured toward the non-imperial princes had found an outlet in Simon.
Lady Isolde smiled. "I wouldn’t say he’s proven himself useful, but as long as he doesn’t cause trouble for Your Majesty, that’s enough."
Alaric chuckled. "This time, he has truly impressed me."
In front of the other concubines, Alaric rarely spoke so candidly, as his words would quickly reach the ears of the princes behind them.
Only in front of Lady Isolde did he feel at ease, free from the need to overthink his words.
Though the harem was filled with beauties, how many of them had he truly chosen himself? Most had been accepted to consolidate his power, women he did not truly care for.
Only Lady Isolde had caught his eye during the selection process, as she was a woman whose thoughts he did not need to constantly decipher.
It was precisely because of this that his love for Simon was deep, but so was his frustration. Being a man who disliked explanations, this had led to a situation where father and son did not understand each other.
Lady Isolde smiled faintly, recalling Alaric’s mention of selecting a wife for Simon. "Your Majesty, earlier, you mentioned selecting a consort for Simon. Was that truly your intention?"
At this, Alaric frowned. "The consort I have in mind for him is not from a noble family, but from the Baker family. This way, his safety in the latter half of his life will be assured. After all, no matter what, he will only ever be a feudal lord. Do you understand?"
Lady Isolde nodded. She understood Alaric’s meaning. While he was not as cold toward Simon as he appeared, among all the princes, Simon was not his favourite.
This was simply a father’s love for his son. In the end, Alaric’s primary concern was the stability of the empire, and at this point, Simon was not particularly significant, as he held little weight.
"The Baker family?" Lady Isolde exclaimed in delight. "The Baker family, known for producing three generations of high-ranking officials and having disciples and former subordinates all over the empire?"
"Exactly. Although the Baker family is not a local power or a prince, their reputation is unmatched. If Simon marries into the Baker family, no matter who becomes emperor in the future, they will have to consider the Baker family’s influence. Of course, this is assuming Simon has no intentions of rebellion." Alaric explained.
Lady Isolde’s heart swelled with joy. The Baker family was a prestigious clan that many princes had sought to marry into but failed.
