Chapitre 84: Chapter 84: The Bastard Daughter
Just as John was about to erupt in anger, Jacques' words held him back.
"People from His Majesty the King?" John stood up, walked out of the large tent, and saw Forger arguing with Guillaume.
Forger shouted at John, "Your Highness, the King has ordered me to deliver a message to you alone."
William followed him out, curiously asking, "What order must be delivered only to His Highness?"
"The King demands that you release the detained Aquitaine priests and send them to Nantes to grant them their freedom." Forger's words were firm, and each word struck John deeply.
At this moment, John could only be glad he hadn't led his army to seize control of London.
The reason Henry II issued such an order was essentially a test. Releasing those priests was a minor issue for Henry II, but it would reveal whether John would obey his command.
In essence, this was purely a test of obedience.
From this, it was evident that Henry II had begun to doubt John and needed to test his loyalty in this manner.
"I understand... You're Forger, correct?" John pointed at Forger and asked.
Forger nodded, "Yes, Your Highness, I am Gilles de Forger from Saumur."
"Rest here for now, then return and inform His Majesty that I will release the Aquitaine priests. Since it is the King's order, I have no reason to disobey."
John's straightforward response left little Roches and William stunned.
Once Forger had left, little Roches anxiously asked, "Your Highness, why are we releasing those Aquitaine priests?"
Little Roches had no goodwill toward the priests colluding with the Duke of Aquitaine. In his view, these people were merely the enemy's lackeys.
"It is the King's request, Roches," John turned to little Roches. "Would you defy His Majesty's orders?"
Defying the King's orders... Almost without hesitation, little Roches shook his head.
John showed the same expression as little Roches, "Even if I am a prince, the King is my father. Despite my poor relationship with the Duke of Aquitaine, I must obey the King's orders."
After John's words, little Roches lost his spirit.
Beside them, the Earl of Derby, William, clenched his fists, his heart filled with resentment.
"Bréton, let's return, to Dublin," John suddenly said. "We'll go to Gloucester first, then take a ship from there to Waterford. England is still unsuitable for us."
These words basically represent John's current thoughts. He still needs to bide his time in Ireland, waiting for the right opportunity. This time, he had gained enough benefits in England, and it was time to pull back.
After the order was issued, John's army began to slowly withdraw from southern England. They passed through Oxford, where John had grown up, and stayed there for only two days before boarding ships back to Ireland. The troops in Lancaster were also completely withdrawn, leaving only Chief Justice Lucy to handle affairs in England.
When John returned to Dublin, he was immediately welcomed by the citizens of Waterford. These citizens had greatly benefited from John's campaigns in Ireland, having enjoyed the spoils of war. Like Dublin, they were undergoing city renovations. This was a spontaneous effort by the citizens, and the entire Waterford resembled a massive construction site, with dust everywhere.
"This place will soon be unrecognizable," John said, standing in the square where he had arrived last year. "Where's Martin?"
Breton shrugged. "He's no longer working here. He made a lot of money before, then bought large tracts of land outside the city. Now he's a big landowner, collecting rent every day."
Well, he directly switched to farming.
However, Martin's choice was not bad. At least he left an inheritance for his descendants while he was still wealthy.
"Breton, take your troops to Thomond and take over the castles in the Earl of Thomond's territory," John ordered Breton.
After resolving affairs in England, John's focus had shifted. He now aimed to strengthen his power in Ireland.
As the temperature gradually dropped, the entire Northern Hemisphere was approaching winter. This season was a taboo for military operations, but it was the best time for John to stay home and ponder his plans.
Breton's army marched westward, while John's troops headed north, arriving in Dublin.
The Duke's Palace of Leinster in Dublin was undergoing expansion. Apart from the original structure, the additional sections were designed in John's favorite Gothic style.
The workers on the site watched as John entered the Duke's Palace without the slightest intention of acknowledging him. The entire construction site was bustling, and no one had time to salute. John merely glanced around and then went into the palace.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, you're finally back."
The head steward of the Leinster Palace, upon seeing John's return, was overjoyed, a reaction that took John by surprise. Before John could respond, the steward continued.
"You wouldn't believe it, Your Highness, but the Duchess has given birth to a child, a girl." The steward hesitated slightly when he mentioned the girl.
John, on the other hand, was at a loss for words.
How had he suddenly become a father?
Everyone's eyes were on John. They all knew this was undoubtedly John's child; the question was whether John would acknowledge this illegitimate child.
The most problematic issue was that John was accompanied by the Countess of Gloucester, Isabella.
She was his fiancée.
Guillaume subtly signaled the steward to stop talking, but the steward didn't seem to notice and continued, "This is such great news…"
"Why is it good news?" Isabella asked John.
"This is His Highness the Prince and the Duchess's child. She hasn't been baptized yet, so she doesn't have a name…"
Before the steward could finish, Guillaume slapped him heavily, knocking him to the ground. Pierre and Valkaerin, seeing the situation, stepped forward and dragged the steward away.
John, clutching his chest, said, "What was he talking about? My God, it's terrible…"
Indeed, John had forgotten about this, nearly leading to a domestic drama.
Isabella, standing beside him, said nothing.
Although she was only fourteen, her education had taught her not to meddle too much in her husband's affairs. Moreover, she came from a top noble family and was very familiar with her own father's background.
Simply put, John now had an illegitimate daughter.
Thus, in this peculiar atmosphere, John led Isabella to their room.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone