Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 24: New Proposal

Chapter 24: New Proposal

The Royal Meeting Room was not the place for someone of such a high status as a Duke.

Unlike the throne room, which was designated for holding an official audience with the Royal Family, the Meeting Room only welcomed rich commoners and aristocrats who were granted permission to see the King as the elected representatives of their kind or simply because they were able to make noticeable contributions to the continuous development of the Kingdom.

The silence in the room was overbearing. The King sat at the end of the long, rectangular wooden table, its corners ornamented with bizarre carvings filled with gold – the only thing that indicated that, despite the room’s modest interior, the person sitting at the table was still in the presence of royalty.

’I did not expect any special treatment but this is simply preposterous. If word of this traveled beyond the border, the King would be reduced to nothing but a commoner himself.’

Tillian took his seat at the opposite end of the table and placed both of his fists on its surface, his glaring red eyes firmly fixed on the weathering face of Euris Ruan.

"How was your journey to the Capital, Your Grace? I hear you have arrived without your entourage."

"That is correct, Your Majesty, I’ve come alone. The North needs protection, I – don’t."

A smug expression crept through the king’s fake smile as he assessed the duke’s reply. He interlaced his fingers, resting his elbows on the hands of the chair, and continued,

"So, it appears that both of us were seeking each other’s company, and now that you are here, Your Grace, let us cut to the chase. Send the princess back to her husband. Kidnapping a member of the royal family is a crime enough but holding her hostage while she belongs to someone else... This is more than just morally wrong."

’She ’belongs’ to someone else?’

Tillian raised his eyebrows, his fists clenching even tighter.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, let us refrain from labeling things morally wrong and right. After all, what we are about to discuss here is the proposal of another, more useful marriage of convenience."

"I beg your pardon?"

Euris rounded his eyes almost unnoticeably while his serious, almost unmovable expression still managed to conceal his growing curiosity. He asked again,

"What is it that you are trying to propose, Your Grace?"

The duke curled his lips into a subtle grin, offering the king an explanation,

"It is very simple, Your Majesty. I wish to take Princess Aideen as my wife and I came here to ask for your official permission for her to divorce Count Constantine Crueder, her current husband."

The king could not help but snicker.

"And why, pray tell, I would allow such a thing? If you know that this is a marriage of convenience, then you also know what exactly Count Crueder put on the table. I am sorry, but you are the Duke only in name, you hold no real political power, therefore, I do not see this conversation ending in your favor, Your Grace."

Tillian watched as Euris’s face shone with a strange glow of victory while his own darkened from both anger and annoyance. He knew that the king would be against their unexpected union until the very end, but he knew that he still held something that might tip the scale in his direction in the end.

’It looks like I don’t even have to use my ’secret witness’ card. Well, I guess it’s even better this way.’

He allowed his face to melt into a confident smile and went on,

"Yes, I am aware of the little power I can offer to support you, Your Majesty, however... Despite living so far away from the center of political life, I am by no means a powerless fool. It is no secret that in addition to guarding the northern territory, I also oversee the trading. As you know, I myself am a merchant, I sell the pelts and carcasses of rare beasts to both Utar and Davoor. I am personally acquainted with the esteemed rulers of these kingdoms."

Euris leaned closer, his arrogant expression now changing into a mixture of curiosity and nervousness.

"What are you trying to say, Your Grace?"

"What I’m trying to say is that Geraldion only has Anathaen as its foreign ally. Although the only Empire on the entire Continent, the alliance formed through political marriage is a fragile thing. If Princess Catriona fails to produce an heir, the connection you’ve built might shatter at any moment. Thus," Tillian made a deliberate pause, savoring the lost expression on the king’s face, then leaned back in his chair, assuming a relaxed, confident position, and concluded, "If you let Princess Aideen become my wife, I will make sure that both Utar and Davoor will become your allies as well."

The Meeting Room fell silent again.

Euris Ruan fixed his deep eyes on Tillian’s relaxed face, his frantic mind overwhelmed with a torrent of thoughts.

Acquiring the support of two other kingdoms was an offer far more valuable than a vote of a measly Count who, if unable to procreate in due time, would simply take that vote with him to the grave.

On the other hand, the king was sure that not a single member of the Royal Family, especially the Queen, would want to grant any kind of political power to Duke Valentine.

’As soon as he starts to dictate his terms, his noble status becomes valid. However... The opportunity he is presenting me with is too good to reject. I must admit, this time, I am defeated. Congratulations, Duke Valentine, you have your second victory.’

The king released a brief, almost inaudible sigh and nodded,

"Very well. This shall be approved by the High Royal Council but I do not see how anyone would be opposed to that. I am granting my permission for the divorce between Her Highness Princess Aideen Ruan and His Lordship Count Constantine Crueder. Once the matter is made official, you may take Aideen as your wife, Your Grace."

Tillian could not help but finally stretch his lips into a sincere smile. Leaning over the table as well, he locked his glowing eyes with the king’s, and added,

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Trust me, you’ve made the right decision."