Chapter 426: The Battle for Dmitry (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 426: The Battle for Dmitry (2)
They moved to a different room.
Once the matchmakers were gathered in the private parlor, Rihanna Dmitry spoke with a calm expression.
"I am sure you all know why you are here. Let me be frank. My second son, Rodwell, has declared that he has no intention of taking a wife, but as his mother, I wish to change his mind. If any of you can introduce a woman capable of capturing Rodwell's heart, I will reward you handsomely upon the name of Rihanna Dmitry."
Her demeanor was polite and respectful. Despite having risen to the exalted position of Empress Dowager, she showed no hint of arrogance, nor did she treat anyone as an inferior.
She was exactly as the rumors described. The matriarch of the Dmitry family was a wise woman, and her humble nature had played a crucial role in helping Dmitry—a house originally of commoner stock—establish itself among the high nobility.
In truth, this gathering was a calculated move. When Rihanna first broached the subject of marriage, Rodwell Dmitry had made his disinterest perfectly clear.
Normally, she would have respected her children's wishes. But her second son was always departing for far-off lands, and he returned from every campaign severely injured. She couldn't just let him continue like this. Still, she had no intention of forcing him into a political marriage. She believed that if she presented Rodwell with enough appealing options, his heart might waver. Thus, the moment her conversation with her son ended, she intentionally leaked the news, prompting the continent's top matchmakers to rush to Dmitry.
The matchmakers were well aware of the situation. Just because Rihanna Dmitry was polite and refined didn't mean she could be easily swayed or manipulated to suit their whims.
"So, who would like to go first?"
The stage was set. Under the weight of everyone's gaze, one woman boldly stepped forward.
"I shall begin."
She was a woman of imposing stature. Dressed in dazzling, extravagant attire, she was famous throughout the Frank Kingdom and its surrounding regions for never failing to secure a match. The jewels she had received as rewards for her successful pairings adorned her body. These expensive ornaments were not merely a vulgar display of wealth; they were undeniable proof of her skill and status.
Her name was Georgina.
As if declaring war on her competitors, she slammed down the card she had prepared.
"Lord Rodwell Dmitry is none other than the brother of His Majesty the Emperor. Therefore, only a woman of equal stature would make for a marriage the world can recognize and bless. If it is Princess Gabriella of the Frank Kingdom, I can confidently assure you that they will make a truly perfect match."
* * *
A princess.
The daughter of a king.
The moment Gabriella's name was uttered, the other matchmakers were visibly shaken.
Look at her go.
Princess Gabriella, of all people.
Georgina smirked. The reason for their shock wasn't merely because the candidate was a princess.
"As everyone here knows well, the Frank Kingdom strictly forbids members of its royal family from marrying foreigners," Georgina continued. "Yet, the reason the King of Frank has expressed a positive stance on this union is because of the devotion Lord Rodwell Dmitry displayed on the battlefield. Knowing that such a man—and the second son of the Dmitry Empire, no less—is more than worthy of a princess, His Majesty personally instructed me to pursue this marriage."
Just the previous evening, the Frank Kingdom's royal court had been thrown into an uproar. When Georgina delivered the news from the Dmitry family, the King of Frank had practically lost his mind with excitement.
‘Spare no effort or expense to make this marriage happen. Whether it is Gabriella or anyone else, if there is a woman in this kingdom who matches Rodwell Dmitry, you must use all your experience to capture his heart. This is a monumental opportunity. Since Emperor Roman Dmitry has shown little interest in women, whoever becomes the wife of his second brother will undoubtedly hold the keys to the future.’
It was a golden opportunity. The King instinctively knew that with Dmitry at their back, the Frank Kingdom could leap to unprecedented heights.
However, the public had a misunderstanding. Just because the Kronos and Valhalla Empires had knelt to Dmitry didn't mean the competition among the remaining nations had ended. Rather, a new era had begun. To stand at the center of power alongside the Dmitry Empire, the nations had to engage in a new rivalry from a fresh starting line.
Therefore, Rodwell Dmitry was an incredibly attractive prize. Backed by the full support of the King of Frank, Georgina naturally put forward Princess Gabriella.
"Rodwell Dmitry and Gabriella Frank. The union of these two represents a new future," Georgina proclaimed. "Furthermore, the King of Frank has made it clear that even if this marriage is realized, he will not make an exception to Frank's succession laws."
This was her trump card. This was the true reason the other matchmakers were so shaken.
The reason the Frank royal family normally forbade foreign marriages was because the kingdom recognized female succession. While some conservative nations strictly barred women from ascending the throne, the Frank Kingdom allowed any child of the king to claim the crown, regardless of gender or birth order.
The implications were massive. Princess Gabriella's maternal family was highly prestigious within the Frank Kingdom, making her a strong contender for the throne. If she gained the backing of Dmitry, she would instantly possess the power to leap to the very top of the succession line. Of course, this also carried the risk that Dmitry might eventually swallow the Frank Kingdom whole.
Yet, even knowing this risk, the King had approved the match. If it was Rodwell Dmitry—the man who had performed so impressively in the war against the Kronos Empire and the beloved younger brother of the current Emperor—the King believed a union between Dmitry and Frank would yield a highly favorable future.
My thoughts exactly, Georgina thought. Roman Dmitry is not the type of ruler to play the same tyrannical politics as the Kronos Empire. Given his tendency to respect the domains of others, intermarrying with Dmitry is a monumental opportunity.
"...That is all."
Having finished her presentation, Georgina offered a smug smile and walked back to her seat with a confident stride. She had seized the initiative. No matter what cards the other matchmakers had prepared, they couldn't possibly top her offer, which practically laid the entire Frank Kingdom at Dmitry's feet.
It was then that another voice spoke up.
"I shall speak next."
A slender woman stepped forward. It was Melissa, the renowned matchmaker of Kronos.
* * *
Melissa spoke. "The lady I wish to recommend is Lady Victoria of the Bellatro family."
A mere noble family.
On paper, a noble house couldn't possibly compete with the royal family of Frank. Yet, the moment Georgina heard the name, her face instantly stiffened.
That sly wench...!
Melissa's intention was glaringly obvious. Wearing a subtle smile, Melissa continued.
"Count Bellatro, the head of the Bellatro family and Lady Victoria's father, is the maternal uncle of the current Emperor of the Kronos Empire. When the nation was tottering under Alexander's conspiracy, he was one of the key figures who risked his life to lead the revolution alongside Dmitry. If a marriage with Lady Victoria is realized, it would represent the perfect union of two great empires: Kronos and Dmitry. Furthermore, Lady Victoria is a renowned beauty, widely celebrated in the high society of Kronos. Wouldn't you agree, Georgina?"
She cast a sidelong glance at Georgina. It was a blatant provocation. Princess Gabriella's sole flaw was her plain appearance, and Melissa had deliberately highlighted this weakness.
"...Indeed."
Georgina nodded with great difficulty. She couldn't afford to lose her temper in front of Rihanna Dmitry. She fanned her flushing face furiously, while Melissa wore a triumphant smile.
"Dmitry is now an empire. To match the dignity of such an empire, a brilliant flower like Lady Victoria should stand by his side. Above all, I am certain that the Kronos Empire will be of immense help in all of Lord Rodwell Dmitry's future endeavors in Arcadia."
It was a flawless pitch.
The Emperor of Kronos, Jowelson, the sole survivor of the Croit family, would never have ascended the throne without the backing of his house's loyalists. His maternal uncle, Count Bellatro, had been at the very center of that support. Since the Count had worked tirelessly to stabilize Jowelson's rule and guide Kronos in the right direction, marrying his eldest daughter was practically equivalent to forming an alliance with the Kronos Empire itself.
By invoking the Kronos Empire, Melissa had effectively demonstrated why Victoria was a far superior choice compared to Gabriella of Frank.
Having finished her explanation, Melissa took a step back. Rihanna Dmitry looked genuinely intrigued as she pondered the two candidates.
"You have recommended candidates far grander than I anticipated, giving me much to ponder. Is there anyone else who would like to speak?"
Silence fell over the room.
The previous candidates were simply too formidable. Even Susan, who had managed to win over Marquis Valentino, could only look on with a grim expression, unable to utter a word.
* * *
Susan hung her head. A wave of frustration washed over her.
From Gabriella to Victoria... these wenches really went all out.
The two matchmakers, Georgina and Melissa, both far more renowned than Susan, had brought forth the absolute strongest cards they could play within their respective spheres of influence—and they had done so in the span of a single day. Initially, Susan believed that by securing the information first and bringing Marquis Valentino on board, she had a guaranteed victory. Now, she couldn't even bring herself to speak.
It's a guaranteed loss. There's no way I can beat those two.
The Valentino family was indeed formidable. As the wealthiest family in Cairo, an alliance with them carried immense weight. But Gabriella and Victoria represented alliances on a national scale, offering advantages that a mere merchant family could never match. Besides, the Dmitry Empire was hardly strapped for cash. If Valentino was the greatest tycoon in Cairo, Dmitry itself was practically the wealthiest entity on the entire continent.
It had been a massive miscalculation. Had she known it would turn out like this, she would have put forward a candidate from the Cairo royal family instead.
It's over.
The moment she arrived in Dmitry, Susan instinctively realized it. Without the advantage of exclusive information, her connections—which were only effective within Cairo—stood no chance against the likes of Georgina and Melissa. Still, she had to say something. If she wanted to have any excuse when she returned to Marquis Valentino, she needed to show that she had at least tried.
Just as Susan opened her mouth to speak, a voice called out from beyond the door.
"Prince Edwin Hector has arrived. Shall I show him in?"
It was an entirely unexpected guest. Prince Edwin Hector!
Unlike the startled matchmakers, Rihanna Dmitry calmly gave him permission to enter. Soon, the heavy doors swung open, and Edwin Hector stepped into the room.
* * *
It was indeed Edwin Hector. Stunned by his sudden appearance, the matchmakers stared at him, unable to hide their agitation.
Rihanna Dmitry spoke. "Thank you for making the long journey here."
"Not at all," he replied smoothly. "When such an important matter is being discussed, how could I consider it a trouble?"
In that moment, the matchmakers exchanged swift, knowing glances. They instinctively realized something. Rihanna Dmitry had clearly anticipated Edwin Hector's arrival, which meant his visit had been arranged beforehand.
The issue was that there was absolutely no reason for the Prince of Hector to be here. Edwin Hector was not a matchmaker, and more importantly, he wasn't known to have any sisters of marriageable age. In other words, he had no business being at this gathering.
Sensing their confusion, Edwin Hector spoke.
"I shall get straight to the point. I heard that the Empress Dowager wishes to find a suitable match for Lord Rodwell Dmitry, the second son of the Dmitry family. It just so happens that we have a lady in Hector who would suit him perfectly. I would like to humbly recommend my sister, Catherine Hector."
"...Catherine Hector?"
"Who is that?"
The matchmakers began to whisper among themselves. It was a name they had never heard before.
Even outside their usual territories, these matchmakers kept meticulous track of the family trees of every royal and noble house on the continent. Yet, they had absolutely never heard the name Catherine Hector. Had Edwin Hector possessed a sister of marriageable age, they would have been on high alert the moment he walked through the door.
But Catherine? Who on earth was she?
Aware of their questioning stares, Edwin Hector added, "It is likely an unfamiliar name to you. Catherine is from a collateral branch of the Hector family. We were unaware of her existence until recently, but she is my lovely sister whom we have only just welcomed into our family."
At those words, sparks practically flew from the matchmakers' eyes.
It was clear. The fact that he was putting forward a relative from a collateral branch meant that Edwin Hector was willing to use any means necessary to secure this marriage.