Chapter 212: Leave Now!
The atmosphere at the poetry gathering grew tense.
The scholars stood frozen, afraid of being implicated, quickly distancing themselves from Donald.
Prince Gal’s face darkened, but there was nothing he could do.
"Donald, any last words?" Reece sneered, cracking the whip now in his hand.
Donald glanced desperately at Prince Gal, but the prince remained indifferent. Donald seethed inwardly; it was Prince Gal who had goaded him into this! Without his backing, he would never have dared provoke Prince Simon. A hundred lashes would kill him!
"It was Prince Gal!" Donald blurted. "He told me to do it!"
Gasps filled the room. All eyes turned to Prince Gal. Simon smirked. The scholars of Eldora had no backbone; he had known Donald would crack under pressure.
Donald was just a pawn. The real target was Prince Gal.
Though he had mobilised the people of Brambleford to collect saltpetre, it wasn’t a long-term solution. His demand for gunpowder would only grow, not just for his own armies, but also to sell to other feudal lords. Relying on scattered civilian sources wouldn’t suffice. Prince Gal’s presence in the capital surely meant he was behind the saltpetre obstruction. Now that Simon had caught him red-handed, he could appeal to Emperor Alaric, forcing Prince Gal to lift the restrictions.
"Liar!" Prince Gal roared, kicking Donald to the ground. He rained down blows, venting his fury.
"Enough!" Princess Lisa’s voice cut through like ice. "Prince Gal, you dare cause trouble at my gathering? I will report this to your father."
Prince Gal paled. Even he feared the Emperor. "Aunt, this snake deceived me! I had nothing to do with it!"
"Silence! I’ve heard enough. Leave at once. We will settle this later."
Prince Gal clenched his fists but dared not disobey. As he stormed past Simon, he hissed. "This isn’t over."
Simon didn’t even turn his head, just spat on the ground.
"As for Donald." Princess Lisa declared. "Stirring strife among imperial princes is an insult to the royal family. Guards! One hundred lashes!"
Donald collapsed like a corpse.
With the conflict resolved, Princess Lisa turned to Simon. "Prince Simon, as today’s victors, you and your friends shall join me on the lake cruise. I have matters to discuss."
The other scholars sighed and dispersed.
Reece, Daniel and Maxwell were overjoyed, gazing at Simon with gratitude. After five years, he was still their protector.
Simon exhaled. His efforts today weren’t just for show.
First, he had hoped to catch a glimpse of his betrothed.
But more importantly, this was about strategy.
The battle against the reavers had been a narrow victory. In truth, the enemy commander, Fern, had used Simon to weaken a rival tribe. Had Fern committed fully, Brambleford’s limited ammunition would never have held.
The ’glorious’ victory had drained Simon’s resources. A few more such battles, and his domain would starve.
Thus, he had devised a two-pronged plan, first to develop Brambleford’s industry and commerce, and second to build a pro-Brambleford faction in Eldora.
Both served one goal: capital accumulation.
He needed allies in the court to shield Brambleford from political storms.
Moreover, Eldora sat atop vast coal reserves, critical for future steam engines. Local mines alone wouldn’t sustain industrialisation.
Most crucially, without political backing, his trade ventures would face endless sabotage.
Economically, blocked exports would strangle Brambleford’s industries. No profits meant no investments, just as powers had once forced open markets with cannons. Even today, trade wars spark global conflicts.
By winning over Reece and others, Simon was carving out his influence in Eldora, just like other feudal lords.
These men were his first pieces on the board. More would follow.
His true mission in Eldora was only beginning.
Lost in thought, Simon barely noticed the bead curtains parting.
Princess Lisa sat at the centre. Below her, Princess Elowen smirked.
And across from them, a veiled woman met his gaze.
"Brother!"
A gentle breeze stirred the beaded curtains as Princess Elowen’s crisp voice called out to him.
Simon finally tore his gaze away from the veiled woman and turned to his sister. "You seem in high spirits, little sister. Though I suppose this year’s gathering must have disappointed you, no dashing talents to catch your eye."
Reece and the other two immediately protested. "Your Highness, are we not talented young men?"
Maxwell and Daniel nodded vigorously.
Their attention, however, wasn’t on Princess Lisa, but entirely fixed on Princess Elowen, their expressions oozing flattery.
Princess Elowen had heard plenty about the trio’s notorious reputations in Eldora. Despite their victory today, her disdain for them remained unchanged.
Ignoring them, she simply held out her hand to Simon. "What?" Simon blinked.
Princess Lisa laughed. "Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten her habits? An outstretched hand means only one thing: gifts. You did bring plenty of Brambleford specialities to Eldora, didn’t you? Your aunt is quite curious herself."
Vampires, the lot of them. Simon sighed inwardly but kept his smile. "No need to worry, Aunt. I’ve brought gifts for you as well, and of course, little sister won’t be left out."
"I knew he wouldn’t forget me!" Princess Elowen beamed. "Where are they?"
"You’ll have to wait a couple of days. I’ll send someone to deliver them." Simon had no intention of letting her pick through his goods; she’d walk off with the best items.
Princess Elowen pouted but finally nodded. "Fine. Let’s go boating then."
Reece and the others, barely containing their excitement, hurriedly agreed.
As the four stepped past the beaded curtains, Princess Lisa rose. The veiled woman exchanged a few words with her before turning to leave.
Simon had only glimpsed half her face earlier, but even that was breathtakingly beautiful.
Scanning the gathering, he noticed neither Joan nor Ysabeau. They must have been eliminated in the second round.
Watching the veiled figure depart, Princess Elowen giggled. "Brother, that was Elin."
"That was Elin?" Simon stared at the retreating silhouette.
Princess Elowen nodded. "You’re a lucky man. She’s a real beauty."
"Brother isn’t so shallow."
Simon craned his neck for one last look at Elin’s graceful figure.
Princess Elowen rolled her eyes and boarded the boat without another word.
Glancing at the ornate vessel, Simon suddenly lost interest. His goal was accomplished, though he’d only seen half her face; his mind was now at ease.
But since Princess Lisa wanted to speak privately, he couldn’t refuse.
The gathering had selected four scholars and four noblewomen, plus Princess Elowen tagging along, making ten in total for the lake cruise. The chosen ladies all wore light veils, their refined manners marking them as daughters of elite families.
In the Eldorian Empire, commoners rarely received education, let alone women. True talent belonged to the wealthy.
Reece and the others, barely containing their excitement, scrambled onto the boat. Simon followed at a leisurely pace.
As the boat glided across the lake, the trio swarmed around Princess Elowen, competing to pour her tea.
Meanwhile, Princess Lisa summoned Simon to the bow.
"Prince Simon, it’s been over half a year since we last met in Brambleford. I never imagined you’d shake Eldora so soon; it seems I underestimated you."
Dressed in resplendent peony-patterned robes, Princess Lisa exuded regal elegance.
"You flatter me, Aunt. It was merely luck."
Simon’s humility masked his unease. He had manipulated her during the Goldwynd family incident.
Princess Lisa snorted. "Luck? Hardly. Your schemes are meticulous; even I might have been fooled. I’ve pondered the Brambleford affair often, but with no proof, I’ll say no more."
Simon’s stomach dropped. Her bringing this up now surely preceded a demand, a classic negotiation tactic.
Without evidence, this was merely pressure.
"How could you think such a thing, Aunt? I’ve always respected you deeply."
Princess Lisa turned, her smile knowing. "Enough. That act works on others, not me. My nephews have exploited me often enough, but true or not, I’ll let it pass. You are family, after all."
Simon stiffened. What game was she playing?
After a pause, she continued. "When you were in distant Brambleford, I couldn’t protect you, not from lack of care, but from distance. Don’t resent me for that."
"I wouldn’t dare." Simon remained guarded.
He frowned. Princess Lisa was sharp, close to Emperor Alaric; her actions always aligned with his. She must have learned of Simon’s rising importance.
This gathering was likely her olive branch. The Cedric incident in Brambleford had terrified her; had Simon held a grudge, she’d be in danger.
With his newfound status, the shrewd princess was diversifying her bets.
She got along well with the other princes. Having once dismissed Simon, she now adjusted her approach.
Reviewing today’s events, her favouritism toward him, even inviting Elin, it all fit.
Sure enough, Princess Lisa said. "Your father has proposed to the Baker family on your behalf. Though I can’t intervene, I could arrange for you to see her. I sent word summoning you, only to learn you’d already come. I worried you might miss the gathering, needlessly, it seems."
Simon welcomed her peace offering.
Right now, he needed growth, not conflict. "Your thoughtfulness moves me, Aunt. I’m deeply grateful."
"Think nothing of it. We’re of the same blood, no need for such formality."
Princess Lisa’s serene smile confirmed her message had been received.
Standing at the bow, aunt and nephew chatted a while longer before rejoining the others.
The afternoon passed lazily on the boat. For once, Simon relaxed, soaking in the autumn beauty of Swan Lake.
By evening, the party dispersed ashore, each going their separate ways.