Chapter 219
The murmuring that filled the chamber grew even louder.
As though completely detached from the uproar around him, the Grand Duke calmly sipped his wine. The Chamberlain, who had been staring intently at him, spoke in a probing tone.
"Do you already have a particular young lady in mind?"
"Must I decide even that myself?"
The Grand Duke replied indifferently as he set down his empty goblet.
"The Northern Noble Alliance can select whichever young lady it deems most suitable to become Crown Princess."
"If His Majesty grants his approval, we shall immediately begin selecting a worthy candidate."
The leader of the Northern Noble Alliance stepped forward as though he had been waiting for precisely that moment.
The Emperor's Chamberlain stroked his chin in silence for some time, his eyes calculating the gains and losses.
"At present, I cannot give you any definite answer."
"I have no intention of demanding one immediately. Simply convey my proposal to His Majesty."
The Grand Duke spoke with his usual gentle composure.
After glaring at that relaxed expression with obvious displeasure, the Chamberlain finally rose from his seat.
"Very well. I shall report your proposal to His Majesty exactly as you have presented it."
* * *
It did not take long for the marriage arrangement between the daughter of House Bleston and the Crown Prince to become reality.
Privately, even the Imperial delegation had begun to feel uneasy over the increasingly volatile public sentiment throughout the North.
They immediately dispatched a messenger to the capital to seek the Emperor's opinion, and before long, a favorable reply arrived.
House Bleston wasted no time spreading the news across the North.
They hoped that the announcement that the future Empress would come from Valto would calm the people's anger.
The results far exceeded expectations.
Almost as soon as word of the engagement spread, the unrest that had been boiling throughout Valto began to subside.
The Northern Noble Alliance had also contributed by sending agitators to influence public opinion.
Before long, the people of Valto had begun accepting the engagement between Lady Bleston and the Crown Prince as a sign that peace was finally approaching.
The growing desire for peace spread like wildfire, quickly isolating the remaining rebel forces.
One after another, the militias that had been taking up arms against the Imperial Army began disbanding.
Now, the only forces still resisting the Empire were a handful of territories along the northern frontier and Bjorn Blodar Heimdal's army entrenched within Jotungar.
"This is all thanks to Your Grace stepping forward on our behalf."
The second son of House Bleston said cheerfully after entering the Grand Duke's tent.
Considering that he would soon have to face one of his oldest allies on the battlefield, his bright tone was almost unnervingly cheerful.
Seated beside a brazier, carefully oiling his weapon, Varkas lifted his blue eyes briefly toward the man.
Having led the Northern Alliance Army all the way to Jotungar, the noble looked remarkably immaculate for someone who had marched hundreds of miles.
Varkas's indifferent gaze drifted over the man's gleaming armor and velvet cloak before lowering once more.
"It seems the preparations for the engagement ceremony are proceeding well."
"So far, everything has gone smoothly."
The man answered in his customary relaxed tone before glancing toward the crates stacked near the entrance.
"There has been some opposition from a few nobles, but the majority of the senior members of the Imperial Central Council appear to support the marriage. As soon as His Highness the Crown Prince returns, a grand engagement ceremony will be held."
"Will Your Grace be returning to the East?"
"As soon as the Northern Alliance Army arrives, the Imperial Allied Army has been ordered to withdraw to the rear."
Sliding the polished sword back into its scabbard, Varkas rose to his feet.
"We will remain encamped near the Jotungar Mountains for the time being, but we are unlikely to take the front lines again. The task of eliminating the remaining rebels now belongs to the Northern Alliance."
"That was the price Anastair had to pay to become Crown Princess."
The man let out a small sigh before looking at him with unexpected seriousness.
"In any {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} case, allow me to thank you once more for making this marriage possible. Thanks to you, the peace treaty also appears likely to proceed without difficulty."
"There's no need for thanks."
Varkas accepted the gratitude with complete indifference.
"I simply judged that it would also benefit me."
Picking up the cloak he had left aside, he walked outside.
Beyond the endless rows of tents and the towering defensive palisades, steep dark-gray mountain peaks rose into the sky.
After quietly surveying the snow-covered ridges and the valleys nestled between them, he headed toward the edge of the encampment.
Upon reaching the far end of the camp, he saw the soldiers of the Northern Army establishing their own positions.
Once they had fully secured their camp, he intended to lead his own forces to the southern edge of the Jotungar Mountains.
From there, he would be able to monitor the eastern frontier territories, including Tarlin, while remaining close enough to respond immediately to any developments in the North.
More importantly, Kalmor lay only a little over ten days away.
He would be able to receive news from Laedgo Castle far more frequently.
Leaning against the wooden fence, Varkas pulled a flask from his belt and took a swallow of strong wine.
He had never particularly enjoyed drinking.
Yet somehow, it had become a habit before he realized it.
Feeling the burning liquid flow down his throat, he slowly released a long breath.
Then, amidst the howling wind, came the thunder of galloping hooves.
His first thought was that the camp was under attack.
Moments later, however, he spotted a cavalry unit in gleaming golden armor charging down the northwestern slope of the mountains.
His brow furrowed.
The Emperor had already ordered the Crown Prince's main force to proceed immediately toward southwestern Valto.
At this very moment, Gareth should have been on his way to Sevron.
Why, then, had he appeared here?
Varkas immediately crossed the camp toward the checkpoint.
Passing through the entrance, he found Gareth Roem Gwirta seated atop his golden warhorse.
The instant he saw the murderous expression on the Crown Prince's face, Varkas quietly pressed two fingers against his temple.
Apparently, Gareth had ridden all this way for the sole purpose of venting his fury.
"Your Highness."
Varkas stepped to the head of the long cavalry formation and bowed.
Gareth swung down from his horse in one fluid motion before leaning close enough for their faces to nearly meet.
"You look perfectly healthy."
His dark emerald eyes slowly traveled over Varkas from head to toe.
Varkas could clearly read the rage on the verge of exploding within them.
Twisting his lips into a savage smile, Gareth growled,
"I was beginning to wonder whether that poisoned sword had left your brain permanently damaged."
"I deeply regret causing Your Highness such concern."
At the indifferent reply, Gareth ground his teeth audibly.
After glaring as though he intended to kill him on the spot, he abruptly turned toward the checkpoint entrance.
"People are already saying things between you and me aren't what they used to be. There's no need to fuel those rumors any further."
His voice became a growl.
"Come with me. Now."
Without another word, he strode through the camp toward the large command tent at its center.
Varkas silently followed.
The moment they stepped inside, a large bronze hand with bulging veins seized Varkas by the front of his tunic.
At the same time, Gareth's furious breath crashed against his face.
"I'm not even going to waste time asking what the hell you were thinking."
His grip tightened.
"You will submit a petition to His Majesty opposing this marriage immediately. Do that, and I'll forgive you for pulling this stunt on your own."
"I must respectfully decline."
Varkas gently removed Gareth's hand from his collar as he answered.
His composed demeanor only caused the veins along the Crown Prince's thick neck to bulge even more.
"So you're refusing to obey me?"
"Yes."
Varkas calmly straightened his rumpled clothing.
"This marriage has already received His Majesty's approval. Even if I were to submit such a petition now, the likelihood of reversing the decision would be exceedingly small."
"Cut the bullshit!"
Gareth roared.
"You created this entire situation! The whole Robiden continent is talking about how you've been playing matchmaker, and you still think you can fool me?"
"I did indeed propose the marriage."
Varkas met his gaze without flinching.
"But the ones who approved it were the Imperial Council and His Majesty himself. Had they concluded that this union offered neither the Empire nor Your Highness any benefit, then no amount of maneuvering on my part would ever have made it happen."
By now Gareth's face had darkened far beyond a simple flush.
It had become almost black with fury.
With one powerful kick of his muscular leg, he sent a large supply crate crashing across the tent.
"For my benefit?"
He shouted.
"Don't feed me that load of crap! You just want this damned war over as quickly as possible! You think I don't know you're desperate to get back to the East where that woman is waiting for you?"