Free Web NovelChapter 127: Winning
A gentle, warm breeze wafted through the Golden State, carrying with it the faint scent of spring from the newly sprouted greenery in the courtyard.
Lady Isolde’s delighted expression did not escape Alaric’s notice. He smiled and spoke. "However, don’t get too excited just yet. The Baker family is not an easy one to deal with. Prince Simon’s marriage will have to wait for some time."
"As long as the lady is a daughter of the Baker family, it will be worth it even if Simon has to wait a few more years. But Your Majesty, please make sure to choose a good one from the Baker family for him."
"Of course. At the very least, it must be a daughter from the main branch of the Baker family to be worthy of my son. Although Simon had many faults in the past, a prodigal son who returns is more valuable than gold. Now, he must be worthy of the Baker family."
Lady Isolde nodded. "But Your Majesty, what about Empress Gretchen..."
"You don’t need to worry about that. The Crown Prince’s wife is the daughter of the current Grand Chancellor, Baker Hughes. If Prince Simon also marries a daughter of the Baker family, it will only strengthen the relationship. Empress Gretchen won’t oppose it."
"Then I can rest easy." Lady Isolde said.
After discussing Simon’s marriage, Alaric changed the subject. "By the way, where is the glass that Prince Simon sent me?"
"It’s right here." Lady Isolde led Alaric to an inner room, where a delicate wooden box contained nine crystal-clear glass goblets. Alaric’s eyes widened in amazement as he picked up one of the goblets and examined it closely. "Pure as water, smooth as jade. Was this glass really produced in Brambleford’s workshops?"
"There’s no doubt about it. These days, many merchants have flocked to Brambleford just for this glass." Lady Isolde replied.
"Prince Simon... In the past, I refused to give him silver to squander. Now, it seems the one million caps I gave him are probably beneath his notice. But engaging in commerce is one thing; he must not neglect the governance of his domain. After all, a calamity is about to strike." Alaric frowned.
"A calamity?" Lady Isolde felt a sudden sense of foreboding.
"This year, the reavers of the grasslands suddenly banned the sale of warhorses to the Eldorian Empire. I’ve received news that the reavers intend to cross Dunmere and continue south. Last year’s heavy snow caused significant losses for the reavers, and they now covet the lush, fertile lands of the south."
Lady Isolde covered her mouth in shock. "Your Majesty, if that’s the case, what should we do?"
"When the founding emperor established the system of enfeoffment, it was to have the princes guard the borders, protecting the nation above and bringing peace to the people below. As a prince and feudal lord, Prince Simon must defend Dunmere. Otherwise, what use is his title as a feudal lord?"
"But Your Majesty, Brambleford was ravaged by the reavers three years ago and has yet to recover its former glory. How can Prince Simon defend it now?" Lady Isolde, concerned for her son, knew all too well the dangers posed by the reavers.
Currently, there were four feudal lords guarding the northern borders: Prince Ravencrest, who guarded Valekris; Prince Lionel, who guarded Dravon; Prince Augustus, a member of the imperial clan who guarded Preston; and Prince Simon, who guarded Dunmere.
In the north, these four feudal lords guarded the key entry points for the reavers into the Central Plains. Among them, Prince Ravencrest’s domain was famous for its Lockhead cavalry, which had fought the reavers to a standstill in numerous battles, with victories and defeats on both sides. Behind Prince Ravencrest was Eldora, the seat of the Eldorian Empire’s emperor.
It was precisely for this reason that Alaric placed such importance on Prince Ravencrest.
Prince Lionel’s Iron Guards were equally renowned. Unlike Prince Ravencrest, who relied on cavalry to counter cavalry, Prince Lionel had built numerous fortresses along the border with the reavers, garrisoning them with his Iron Guards. Over the years, several fortresses had been breached, but his domain remained secure.
Prince Augustus of Preston was Alaric’s youngest brother. His domain bordered Prince Simon’s to the east. Compared to Prince Lionel, Prince Augustus’s situation was somewhat worse.
However, relying on fire tubes and crossbows, Prince Augustus had repelled several reaver invasions. As a member of the imperial clan, he received support from the imperial guards sent by Alaric, as well as large quantities of fire tubes and crossbows from the Eldora Artillery Bureau.
Compared to these three feudal lords, Prince Simon was clearly in the worst position. Brambleford was far from Eldora, and by the time reinforcements arrived during a reaver invasion, it would already be too late.
Moreover, the events of three years ago had left Brambleford severely weakened, its people impoverished, and its army reduced to a fraction of its former strength.
Thinking of this, how could Lady Isolde not worry?
Alaric frowned at Lady Isolde’s words. "You underestimate your son too much. In the past six months, Prince Simon has earned enough silver to make up for the losses of three years ago. Moreover, he has reorganised the Brambleford Army, equipping them with a strange type of armour and restoring a military system similar to the militia system. Now, his domain’s army numbers at least twenty thousand. Both you and I have underestimated his capabilities. With the incorporation of the local militias, I believe his forces now number at least thirty thousand."
"So many?" Lady Isolde could hardly believe that in such a short time, Simon had rebuilt the Brambleford Army to half its former strength at its peak.
A strange smile played on Alaric’s lips. "Is there any doubt? That boy even managed to win over Baldwin, the Chief Secretary I sent to him. He probably thinks I don’t know anything, but he’s still too naive."
"This child... There’s nothing in the world that Your Majesty doesn’t know. But Your Majesty, although Prince Simon is not the most filial, he would never dare to defy you." Lady Isolde’s heart raced as she thought about how reckless Simon had been to poach someone from the emperor’s side.
Seeing Lady Isolde’s worried expression, Alaric suddenly laughed. "It’s fine. I never liked Baldwin anyway. Let him stay in Brambleford. He probably knows he can’t return to Eldora. That blockhead has finally come to his senses."
"So, Your Majesty means to let Prince Simon defend Dunmere on his own this time?" Lady Isolde probed.
"Exactly. Three years ago, he brought great shame to the royal family. If he can’t defend Dunmere this time, he might as well die there. If he succeeds, he will prove his worth. No matter who ascends the throne in the future, they will still need him to guard the north. Otherwise, he will still face death. And if he succeeds, I will swallow my pride and send him a daughter of the Baker family."
Lady Isolde’s heart ached. She understood that Alaric was not targeting Simon specifically. Even if it were the Crown Prince defending Dunmere, Alaric’s attitude would be the same. freewebnσvel.cѳm
A prince fleeing from battle was a disgrace to the royal family and would bring ridicule from the entire empire. She finally understood why Alaric had said that Simon’s marriage would have to wait. fгeewebnovёl.com
A family like the Bakers, with four generations of high-ranking officials, would never willingly marry their daughter to a prince who abandoned his domain and people to flee back to Eldora.
She also finally understood why Alaric had repeatedly said that he would rather Simon die than see him return to Eldora in disgrace.
Looking in the direction of Brambleford, Lady Isolde thought. "Simon, this time you must prove yourself. From now on, success or failure depends on this."
