บท 5: Meeting
Mikail POV
Her long hair went right in my face as she pulled me along to join the others. The Bradleys settled in quickly, but it was announced that my fifth year of life would only be celebrated next week. This would likely make a lot of people wait at the gates.
For the past five years, I've tried to avoid interacting with other children. The castle was large, and a good portion of it was dedicated to the commoners, much less neat and colorful, but they had a roof and food. And with a roof and food, there were many children. Not to mention the countless visits from the vassals. Of course, I could have one or two moments of childishness with my parents; it was embarrassing, but I don't think it would be the best thing in the world to act like an adult now. But I don't think I can avoid acting like a child in the coming week.
I was in a large room, sitting next to my father and my mother, who was perhaps now in her last month of pregnancy. In front of me, the Bradleys.
"I must apologize, I heard that due to our campaign in the Baltics, you missed the birth of your son. While I had many months to prepare for the arrival of my little Eve." Klaus lowered his head to apologize. I presume witnessing the birth of children is something important in any world.
"Raise your head, Lord Klaus, that was inevitable. More importantly, from what I heard, there were very few casualties on the battlefield. My husband returned safely, and he made sure to repay for every lost second." Verena chuckled at the last comment. I felt a hint of double entendre in those words; I looked at the girl Klaus called Eve. She seems to have noticed Verena's tone, not only that, but she made a face and even blushed before straightening up. No one else seemed to have noticed her reaction.
"If that's what madam says, then I won't feel guilty. Despite that, I brought something that I felt would be a waste if you didn't accept as an apology." He seemed to be quite generous, to say the least. Even Heinrich and Verena looked curious. A Bradley servant knelt down and opened a compartment full of silver.
"A silver mine was found under a village of the people there. I planned to give you this amount earlier, but coming here is quite challenging."
"You really didn't need to do that; we are allies after all."
"Cut the crap and just accept, old friend. In the eyes of the Emperor, we cannot be allies, at least until now." Anelise then stood up and said a few words to a man serving the Bradleys. She left the room and returned with a sword that surprised both Heinrich and Verena.
"It's exactly what you're thinking, Lord Heinrich. This is the treasure of the Hohenzollerns. The sword that belonged to Saint Demetrius, the first Emperor of our Empire."
Heinrich seemed to gulp; there must be a lot of history behind this sword. Did they steal it from the royal family?
"So... Did you really come to discuss this, huh... Should we talk privately and leave the children outside?"
"Yes." Klaus seemed serious and stroked his daughter's hair. Heinrich sighed.
"Very well." Anelise sat back down, placing the sword in the center of the table. "Return when I call you." Eve and I were kicked out of the room. Damn, just when it was getting interesting! Along with us, my mother came, it would probably be a stressful conversation for a pregnant woman, and it wouldn't be good for the baby. She was smart to get out of there.
Narrator POV
"We have here something that belonged to a saint. May what we are about to do be in total alignment with the God's will." said Anelise.
Everyone nodded and made the sign of the cross. The guards and servants left the room at the command of Klaus and Heinrich, Klaus who was smiling confidently, now looked tense, with the head down.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's been almost three hundred years since the Sigmaringen and Bradleys families were strictly forbidden from forming military alliances. We always had the right to the throne and prevailed despite what was done to us. Do you understand what I'm saying, Heinrich?"
"Yes, the main family has come to the point of weakening themself's in recent events, while we, the secondary family, have strengthened. It's time to claim the crown, isn't it?"
"Hahahah, I remember when we became friends; we were really a figure. You and I ended up becoming war children under my father's guardianship. Because of that, the Hohenzollerns punished my father severely, both of us were extremely isolated from Aachen. Even so, we promised to marry our children and put them on the throne. I can't believe the day has finally come."
"You know, from the moment we promise our children's hands, we'll have a target on our backs, don't you?"
"At the same time, many will support us."
"It's a civil war."
"Fuck it!"
The room fell silent for a moment. Both were gathering courage. Suddenly, they stood up at the same time.
"The Hohenzollerns won't have the courage to attack their most powerful vassals head on because of an alliance, all this prohibition is informal. Even so, we will be rejected; everyone will know the moment the word spreads: The Bradleys and the Sigmaringens will now become one family, so they are also Hohenzollerns." Klaus extended his hand for a handshake with Heinrich, who shook it back.
"We had already talked about marrying our first sons and daughters many years ago. We never changed our minds; we won't do it now." With Heinrich's words, Klaus nodded and sat back down.
"Well, we can't take this lightly, what do you plan to do?"
"Well, the borders on my side are well guarded, thanks God for that. The war never reached my lands as the Hohenzollerns intended, besides, the expansion we managed to promote in Aquitaine gave us very good lands. There will be a problem: In the case of any conflict, foreign powers will try to harm us."
"That's obvious, the savages from the east are a problem, but you are the only one among us who has borders with well-established and powerful countries. How do you intend to overcome this?"
"The Teutonic Order."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"The Hohenzollerns descend directly from the Teutonic Order. Let's take advantage of our country's situation; let the Pope protect our borders. In case of open conflict, I don't wanna have to fight on two fronts. I presume you can't afford a professional army full time, but as border guardians, we don't have much choice. Our border will have to be guarded by the Pope's arms-men."
"That seems like a very risky plan; aren't you just relying on someone you don't know to protect your own lands?"
"Don't worry, our cavalry will be fast enough to move from battle to battle; I may not split our fronts that way. More importantly, it's Mikail and Evellyn."
"And what about them?"
"Mikail will embark on a pilgrimage after your departure to Rome. I recommend that Evellyn accompanies him."
"Oh, it's a great idea. But... I kinda... don't want to..."
"What the hell do you intend to do with the most important part of your family in this plan?"
"Well... I wanted to pamper my daughter for a little while longer."
Heinrich paused for a moment before realizing that his old friend was serious.
"We have another problem at hand as well," Heinrich continued the conversation.
"And what would that be?"
"Their age. The world is wicked, my brother. People will try to kill them. Your visit here has already triggered an alert; spies will run to inform your majesty that we are meeting. Even if we hide our intentions for some time, it will be a thorn in their side. It's better to prevent than to remedy as they say. The chances of conflicts starting are significant. In the presence of the Pope, that won't happen. Not only is there no safer environment for both oh them, but they will also be nurtured mentally and spiritually. You have nothing to lose, so please, send your daughter on this pilgrimage, and..."
Again Heinrich stopped, Klaus seemed tearful, Anelise tried to comfort him, but now he really seemed like an overprotective father.
"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF, MAN!" Heinrich shook Klaus, who straightened up and cleared his throat before agreeing.
"Very well... Now on my side... In recent years, despite not having very good lands, we've had a lot of contact with valuable minerals, in addition to fishing. Our trade is starting to do very well lately, especially with the spices from the savages. Speaking of them, because of my father, they have been well integrated and might already be a considerable force in our infantry. Considering that their culture allowed slavery, the freed ones quickly became our allies. And of course, they kept their lands, so they seem content. For the most of them..."
"That's good."
Mikail POV
I bet they're discussing strategies and politics... Ugh, damn it, I really wanted to listen. Instead... I have to play with this girl. This seems very strange, seriously! My mother watched us run through the garden. Evellyn had to lift her dress to avoid dragging it on the ground, but she didn't seem to mind doing it, so Verena tried to warn her, even though she was embarrassed by her words, she just forgot to hold the damn dress and dirtied it.
"I'm tired; let's stop." She lay on the grass panting. Finally tired, I can't believe it. Well, I'll join in.
I lay on the grass too; she seemed quite fatigued. Maybe she's not used to play with other children also. She seemed to whisper something, but I didn't hear it very well.
Evellyn POV
"It's not that bad." I whispered.
He seemed more excited than before. If I think delicately, I mean, he's an adorable kid; he'll surely grow up to be a handsome man... It's not all bad to have to marry him... But considering that my father spoils me... Is he spoiled? Oh no, maybe he'll become a jerk! I can't let that happen! Although I don't have the slightest ability to prevent it, soon we'll be going back home, and the next ten years will shape him...
Verena gave me a good impression, but maybe she's the type of mother who lets her son to do whatever he wants. Not to mention he's rich, actually, I think even richer than me. That can be a bad influence.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Ah, I started screaming internally and spinning my body in the grass without noticing. The fear of marrying a future jerk haunted me. But for now, he's still a cute little boy. So I can still live with it.
"Uh, it's nothing, I just had a lot on my mind, hahaha." Damn, I made it too obvious.
"Kids, come back!" I heard Mikail's mother shout from the garden.
"I'm coming!" I shouted. Mikail got up before me and gave me his hand to help me to get up. I didn't think much of it and we just ran back to the room where our parents were.
Now they were drinking wine, and there were sweets on the table.
"Help yourselves, children." My father pointed to the sweets; I sat down adjusting the skirt of the dress and tasted one of the cakes. It was delicious. Mikail didn't seem as excited as I was, didn't even nibble on a sweet...
"Your dress looks dirty, young lady!" Uh-oh, I'm in trouble.
Heinrich cleared his throat and drew my attention; he was looking directly at Klaus, who sighed and began to speak. I think I already knew what was coming.
"All right..." Is he really going to announce that we're engaged like this? I'm only four years old; you should at least think that I wouldn't understand something like this. No! "The two of you will embark on a pilgrimage to Rome!"
WHAT THE FUCK?!
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