章 54: Plans in Motion Pt.1

Arthen Rivider, Month 10, Day 23, Year A.F 652. The city of Ivrid, Grand Dukedom of Rivider, Kingdom of Rosalia.

The City of Ivrid, the only city rivalling Rosalia in size, wakes up on a new day. I watch the peasant in my city greet the sun rising up from the horizon as the ships are ready for another bout of shipments.

There was never a question on whether I would ever sit on the throne at the time of its greatest conflict. Since House Rivider was a house founded by the founder's brother, a house that has held Royal bloodline for centuries.

Now in such grim times, it is up to us to step up once the Royal family falters. The noble's indignation at King Avares blatant disrespect of the nation's tradition.

His marriage with Anastasia, a spit in the face of every Devus fearing noble. My blue eyes are filled with rage and indignation at his insinuation of my sister's status being beneath that of a human woman.

He chose to disregard the outrage, disregard the nation's indignation. A chuckle escapes my lips and he thought no one would try to kill her? It was only a matter of time, after all, I didn't even need to move to have it done, one of his countless suitors would have done it for me.

The only thing that mattered was in the end he would end up marrying my household.

Yet despite all the evidence of logical thought, he continues to be persistent in having that lowly hybrid as his heir and has even decided to take in a heretic as his advisor and make a prince of the kingdom learn his heretical magic.

How is this not a spit on our face!? How can a kingdom survive if its king continuously antagonizes its people? Breaks down its religion and tradition, expecting us to allow it to happen, destroying everything our forefather's built

Even now he continues, intend on pushing a nation to the brink of civil war and now he decides to bring Arasel in his stupid wish to put his son on the throne, all despite my nephew's presence.

I look out the city as ships land by the port, Bruncian flag fluttering above it. Seeing this, a smile graces my feature.

We cannot allow him to ruin this country any further than he already has and if he decides to drag another nation into this, why can't I?

A knock comes from the door as the voice of my son spoke, "Father, Duke Vincent has arrived."

I look to the door and stood, replying, "I see bring him to the guest room, then I shall be meeting with him."

The sounds of footsteps ring out as my son follow my orders. Good, with the influence Duke Vincent delivers to the table, the entire southern side of the Rosalia will be within our grip.

I walk to the door, opening it to see the guards standing by the door. They salute me as I left and I give them a glance of acknowledgement.

It took a minute of walking to reach my office, I glance at the guards, ordering them to open the door for me.

As they do so, I see Duke Vincent. The red skin is a sign of new nobility, a noble whose lineage never made contact with the royal family, a shame really, though that could be easily rectified.

"Duke Vincent." I curtly spoke to him as he stood up with a small bow.

I dismissed the guards with a wave of a hand, "We do not need such formalities here,"

I walk to the seat in front of him as I continued, "I'm sure you are quite the busy man to take such a long travel from your lands, so let us get to the point, shall we?"

He nods before coughing a little, his old age showing itself during such important talk. Perhaps, I should talk to his nephew instead.

He wipes his mouth before speaking, his aging face then looks to me as he spoke, "Apologies for that, but I wish to talk about the worsening situation in Rosalia."

A small smile graces my features, "Yes, I am quite aware of the unrest from the capital and the unrest spreading around the north."

He nods to me, "Yes, I'm here to ask for your help, help to keep the country together."

I raise an eyebrow, "Keep the country together? You say?"

I gesture to myself, "I am not the one you should with, Duke Vincent. If anything his majesty has been bringing disaster upon disaster here one our lands."

The atmosphere darkens as he lowers his head, "I believe his highness would be amicable in finding a compromise," Perhaps his greying hair is a sign of senility.

Holding back a scoff, I reply, "Do you truly believe such?"

I cross my arms as I continued, "Do you really think that after everything he has already done, there's still a chance for change?"

He coughs violently before looking up, "I'm sure his highness is more than capable of caring about his people."

He glances at me as he positions his cane, "If you are to go to him, I'm sure we can deescalate the situation."

The feeling of anger rises within me as I hold it back with a reply, "You wish for me to bow my head for his mistakes?"

I gesture around, "Sorry? But is this a joke to you?"

Vincent sighs, "I apologize if it came out that way, but you are known to be his staunch opponent, if you make amends, the kingdom might be saved from this disaster."

Hearing his words, I chuckle, "Have you really gone senile?"

He looks taken aback by my seemingly rude remark, something which I ignore and continue, "I expected much from you, due to your age, but it seems you are as dumb as I thought."

I gestured around me, "I am not their leader, because I made them follow. I am their leader because they needed someone to help them guide them through the heresies, the indignation and the countless wrongs his Highness has done."

He looks to me, trying to discern something, I continue, "If you take me out? They won't stop, they'll merely find another man to step up."

Vincent nods as he reasons against me, his reasons absolutely laughable "I understand, but if you at least try to compromise, you could at least change the kingdom inch by inch, not throwing it into chaos, letting it consume it."

I intertwine my hands as I glare at him, his expression a bit hesitant, "You wish for us to stay under a tyrant? Who held no wish for a compromise? And one who has continuously spat on the ground whereupon us tread."

I lean back, spoke with a wave of anger present in my voice, "Are we a joke to you?"

Noticing the wave of anger passing through me, I try to calm myself down, hoping to steer him back to my side.

He raises his hand, trying to placate my anger, "I apologize if it seemed that way to you."

I look to him, his eyes boring into mine as he spoke, "All I am suggesting is that there is for sure a better way that can satisfy both of you, a way that will not result in bloodshed."

A chuckle escapes me, such foolish naivete, from someone so old, is certainly surprising.

"Is this how your brother died?"

The shocked expression was a delightful experience, certainly better from the continuous stupidity that has come from his mouth.

I spat vitriol at his face, "Your continuous stupidity must've killed him."

He grits his teeth in anger as he tried to stand up, his cane shaking, "I will not stay here to be disrespected by a boy unable to see his folly."

A snort of laughter escapes me, "Neither would I allow a coward's presence, unable to move against the enemies that took so much from him."

He stood up and walked away, I spoke to him as he reaches for the door, "Are you really ok in allowing the ones that killed your brother, to remain unpunished."

He stops in his tracks as I smirk, knowing this to be his only weak point, "I am the only one that can give you justice, the only one that hasn't sacrificed you brother to let in heretics."

I walk to him, only to see him shake in anger, I whisper to him, "Do you really think Avares cares? When he was even ready to sacrifice his vassals for a smidgen of power?"

Seeing his expression filled with anger and despair, I walk back to my seat, "You may leave now and forever lose your chance for justice."

He opens the door as I spoke, "And besides once war starts, It might not even be your choice."

Vincent spoke as he opens the door, "I shall be returning, I merely wish to cool off."

His expression was hidden but I already knew he was trying to keep his pride, He closes the door as I smirk to myself,

"Good choice."