A Commoner's Authority
I slam my hand on the table, but Alexander merely smiles.
"Do you truly think I would play jokes on a general as busy as yourself?"
"Then what is your angle in telling me this right now? His Grace the Grand Duke has just collapsed."
Alexander shakes his head at my words.
"I am well aware. But surely you understand that we must also resolve the matters that cause us unease?"
A hollow laugh escapes my lips.
"Are you aware that I recently interrogated the assassin?"
"Yes, I am."
Either he has a death wish, or he is completely shameless.
"Do you know who the assassin named as the mastermind?"
At my question, Alexander feigns surprise.
"I have no idea who it could be, but we cannot simply overlook anyone who would dare attempt to assassinate His Grace, a true treasure of the Empire. If you would only tell us who the mastermind is, His Majesty King Yoanes—the Grand Duke's eternal friend—and I will do everything in our limited power to assist the Grand Duchy."
These... absolute madmen...
"Furthermore, we must denounce the assassin in Parliament, and the Grand Duchy and our kingdom must join forces to root out such rebellious factions."
Anger boils inside me at how shamelessly he plays dumb, especially when they were the ones who tried to kill Deviang in the first place.
"So, please, let us know who the mastermind is at any time."
Are they choosing to deny it outright? Have they decided to be this brazen because they know we have no evidence? Watching him offer help so confidently makes me lose all faith in humanity.
"How amusing. The assassin testified that King Yoanes was the mastermind."
He shakes his head firmly at my words.
"That is utterly impossible. It must be the work of some shadow faction attempting to drive a wedge between us and the Grand Duchy. Hmm... I suspect it might be the Neutral Faction. Or perhaps the anti-Grand Duchy forces that fought against the Grand Duke in the past."
As I stand there, dazed by their sheer audacity, wondering how to even respond—
"Surely General Agrippa, the representative of the Grand Duke, wouldn't actually listen to the words of a wicked assassin?"
I remain silent, lost in thought. What should I say?
"Of course not. Surely General Agrippa, the right hand of the wise Grand Duke Deviang, wouldn't be danced around by lies and choose to make an enemy of our Nikaia Kingdom?"
He isn't giving me a moment to think. We aren't about to go to war with the Nikaia Kingdom right this second, so making an enemy of them now would be highly problematic. This is exactly why I hate politics.
"I have no intention of making an enemy of you. However, even so, I cannot hand over Princess Joy."
At my words, Alexander's gentle demeanor instantly vanishes.
"But General, the Grand Duke's bedchamber was just infiltrated. Under these circumstances, His Majesty Yoanes and the rest of the Emperor's Faction believe the Imperial Palace is no longer safe."
"An agreement is an agreement. Unless the Grand Duke himself issues an order, this is currently beyond my authority."
Alexander's face twists with rage.
"Are you saying you are fine with a war breaking out between us because of you, General Agrippa? With the Grand Duke collapsed, can the Grand Duchy even afford a war right now?"
These absolute lunatics! His highwayman-like demands make my blood boil with fury.
"If you want to try, go right ahead. We won't be sitting idly by either."
Alexander scoffs, looking at me as if I am utterly pathetic.
"Haha. With the Grand Duke absent, do you truly believe the commanders of the Grand Duchy will move at the whim of a commoner general? No matter how progressive the world has become, do you honestly think a commoner like you can rule a Grand Duchy with such a long, storied history?"
Unbelievable... Just as I open my mouth to speak, Alexander cuts me off.
"Even if you are betrothed to Lady Mary, how can a general with no background and no authority possibly command a war?"
In response, I pull out the Grand Duke's Signet Ring.
"Before His Grace lost consciousness, he appointed me as Regent. No matter what my status is, the Grand Duchy will follow my command!"
As I flash the signet ring in warning, Alexander's face lights up with a bright smile, and he nods.
"So the rumors were true after all—that the Grand Duke appointed you as Regent. Please, forget everything I just said. I was merely jesting because you claimed you had no authority."
Dammit... Dealing with such insidious bastards is really not my forte.
"Now then, it seems your claim of having no authority was a lie. Why did you tell such a falsehood?"
If I let him drag me along like this, things will only get more exhausting. With that thought, I speak firmly.
"Representative Alexander. As the Regent of the Grand Duchy, I reject King Yoanes's request."
Alexander shakes his head at my words.
"A simple rejection will not settle this. If you refuse, we must at least know the reason so that we can convey the Grand Duchy's stance to His Majesty without any misunderstandings. If you say nothing, it puts me in a very difficult position."
"Our stance remains exactly the same as it was during the peace treaty."
He shakes his head again.
"We could understand that in the past, but the Grand Duke has now been targeted by assassins. If I report back to King Yoanes with the same excuse, his wrath will fall squarely on my head. Surely the General doesn't wish to see this old man suffer, does he?"
Watching him chuckle so casually makes my blood boil.
"I am sorry, but I have nothing else to say."
"Sigh... I am well aware that you are a long-time friend of the Grand Duke."
"I would say I have served him for a long time, rather than calling us friends."
Alexander smirks slyly at my correction.
"The Grand Duke and our King Yoanes will eventually compete for hegemony over the Empire."
"Most likely."
Deviang will eliminate Yoanes to protect the Empire. Conversely, Yoanes has no choice but to keep Deviang in check to swallow the Empire whole.
"The Grand Duke may have united the Anti-Emperor Faction, but the Neutral Faction still does not look upon him favorably. On the other hand, our King Yoanes is highly respected, values talent deeply, and has recently acquired Epirus and Egypt. He is like a tiger that has grown wings."
Puzzled, I ask,
"So, what is your point?"
Alexander's eyes gleam.
"If the General were to stand on our side right now, what do you think would happen to the Grand Duchy?"
Thud!
"Are you asking me to betray His Grace right now?!"
What on earth does he take me for to say such a thing? He merely offers an enigmatic smile in response.
"Is there really any need to spill pointless blood?"
Tremble... tremble...
"King Yoanes can offer you far more than the Grand Duke ever could."
"Shut your mouth!"
Every fiber of my being wants to strike this man dead. I want to slice off the head of this bastard who targeted Deviang yet acts so completely innocent... but I cannot. Beheading him right now would be tantamount to a declaration of war. With the war having only recently ended, the anti-Grand Duchy factions might rise up once more. Killing a Member of Parliament, a prominent figure of the Empire, is an act fit only for a tyrant. Yoanes would rejoice at the opportunity and use it to isolate us. I must avoid giving the enemy a justification at all costs. I bite my lip hard, suppressing my rage, as the reality of the situation settles in. This old man is likely provoking me because he knows I cannot kill him. The moment I kill Alexander, the Grand Duchy will inevitably face suspicion and hostility from the other nobles. Cool your head. This is just a cheap trick to provoke you.
"Haha. Why act so naive? Is it because the Grand Duke gave you his younger sister that you wish to remain so loyal? What does a trivial thing like loyalty matter? In the end, the loser simply loses everything."
I suppress my anger as much as humanly possible. The metallic taste of blood seeps past my bitten lips. You absolute son of a bitch... Taking a deep breath, I speak.
"Sigh... If you utter one more absurd remark, I will have you thrown out of this room."
He lets out a sigh.
"Sigh... You are far too rigid, General. Fine. I shall speak of this no longer, but the current situation is far from simple."
"What exactly is far from simple?"
He speaks as if interrogating me.
"I find it hard to believe this Imperial Palace is safe. Yet, the Grand Duchy refuses to send Princess Joy to the Nikaia Kingdom, correct? Since you refuse to give a proper reason to the very end... King Yoanes will be absolutely furious."
"The assassin confessed that King Yoanes ordered the hit, though?"
Alexander bursts into laughter at my words.
"That is obviously the work of a faction trying to drive a wedge between us and the Grand Duchy. Hmm... In our Nikaia Kingdom, we believe someone is pulling these tricks because they look down on the Grand Duchy."
Slam!
"We have the assassin's testimony!"
Alexander wears a peculiar smile.
"Do you have physical proof? Or perhaps a written order bearing King Yoanes's personal seal?"
When we tortured the assassin, we searched for any physical evidence, but they had already disposed of everything cleanly. The circumstantial evidence is overwhelming, but we lack proof. Decisive proof... Dammit. How can anyone be this shameless just because there is no physical evidence? My head feels like it's about to explode from sheer frustration.
"Well, regardless. Our kingdom has come up with an excellent solution. A wonderful way to maintain relations between the Nikaia Kingdom and the Grand Duchy while sending a stern warning to the faction trying to divide us!"
Alexander, the very one behind the assassination attempt, is now inventing a nonexistent faction and acting as if he's doing us a massive favor. I am truly not cut out for politics or diplomacy. To think a noble, a renowned Member of Parliament in the Empire, could be this shameless and insidious. Letting my thoughts show through my cold gaze, I retort sharply.
"We do not see it that way."
At my words, Alexander's expression shifts to one of deep concern. It is incredibly difficult to keep up with his rapid changes in expression and mood.
"Haha. Why do you keep doubting us without any evidence? What reason would we possibly have to assassinate His Grace, a treasure of the Empire?"
I reply coldly.
"Since you already tried to recruit me, I will speak plainly. Didn't you say yourself that you expect us to compete for hegemony over the Empire? Coincidentally, we expect the exact same thing. Which is why we strongly suspect King Yoanes is the mastermind."
A small smile tugs at my lips, knowing I've caught him in his own words and landed a solid blow. Now... what will you do, old man? You were the one who brought up our uneasy relationship first. The key figures of both factions are well aware of this reality, but speaking of it openly has always been strictly taboo. After all, we are nominal allies; bringing up such matters would only give the other party leverage. But since he was the one who brought it up first to sway me... I will use it to my advantage. As these thoughts cross my mind, Alexander smiles as if amused by my attempt.
"Haha. That was merely referring to a friendly rivalry within the Empire, where the Nikaia Kingdom and the Grand Duchy lead the Emperor's Faction and the Anti-Emperor Faction respectively. And precisely because such issues exist, we wish to resolve them smoothly through diplomacy. It seems the General has misunderstood."
He then flashes a sickening smirk.
"Perhaps the General is well-versed in warfare and administration, but knows very little of diplomacy."
I counter his provocative remark without missing a beat.
"Does friendly rivalry usually involve spilling blood these days?"
I am utterly dumbfounded by Alexander's preposterous logic.
"We hope not, but if the competition grows a bit too fierce, blood might indeed be spilled. But in the end, are we not allies, bound by the blood of the Imperial Family? We must work together to prevent war. Just as we are doing right now."
Haha... He is shameless beyond my wildest imagination.
"So, what is it you want?"
Alexander smirks, a look of smug triumph plastered across his face. The sight of his nauseating smile makes me want to vomit.
"We request the betrothal of Her Imperial Highness Princess Joy to the Crown Prince of the Nikaia Kingdom, and we expect a formal, public announcement of this engagement."