Chapter 64 – Misunderstanding?

Then he saw the questioning expression of Hazel. He was surprised to see her care enough. However, anyone could see that she was not in a place to reject this. Although she was powerful, her influence was limited. Nonetheless, her action was noted down by Aile, and he knew that in times of need, she would not totally abandon him.

There was someone that rejected the proposal, and it came from an unexpected person.

"That is preposterous, the princess just said to put the whole incident behind. She does not seem to like this whole premise. I object to this proposal," shouted Duke White.

Then there was a short silence, and then a constant murmur started everywhere. Aile listened to them.

***

"It seems the rumours are true, he is the Duke's son."

"Yeah, he is definitely being groomed to be the next heir of the White Clan."

"Aye, did you see the Duke became so defensive!"

"Why would he not become defensive, the heir of the White clan is being married off to a blind person and that other one without much talent or drive for cultivation. I mean that will devalue him if he marries those two first."

"That is true if his son is devalued then all his effort of grooming him will be lost."

"Makes sense after all his other son is not much!"

"Aye, he had all of his eggs in one basket, he has got to protect that egg..."

***

"That smart old fart, he is gaining such a good trade for that blind one and the useless one."

"Yeah if only I had brought my granddaughter, I would have tried to bring them together."

"He seems to be quite decent, he was protective of the other kid, Sara, and he had a lot of rage built up when she was being used."

"Do not forget, he maintained his calm even though he was against it. He seems calculative and smart to not oppose his majesty."

"And now he might be the heir to the White Clan, a perfect candidate for a marriage union."

"Yeah but chances are that old fart will get his wish."

"He always does."

"We better forge some connection with him, it seems that the Duke cares for that kid a lot."

"At the very least, I should tell my grandson to introduce himself and form a friendship with him."

"That is a good idea, better to show him some goodwill."

***

"Inform the master, the White clan has a competent heir now."

***

Several discussions were going on in different places. Aile was surprised to see how everything unfolded. He finally understood why Sara's half-brother hated him so much and why the assassin was sent after him. Based on the current circumstance, everyone believes that he is definitely related to Duke White and there is talk of him becoming the next White clan's heir. Of course, this would evoke the jealousy of the Duke's other wives, and their influential families will target him. After all, the influence of the White clans runs very deep, any clan that has a close tie with them would remain prosperous.

Now the question was, why did duke white allow people to think that he is his son?

Aile thought about it for a while and came to the conclusion that his control and decisions based in the current event would fall in the hands of Duke White. Thus, he believed that Duke White was letting the misunderstanding going on so that he could control him in the political space better if he is under his name. If that was the case, it has certainly backfired now.

He stopped thinking when he felt a few drops of tears from Sara drop on his hand this time, giving him a wet sensation. He looked and noticed the teary Sara again. She looked down and said, "I am sorry! It was all because I wanted to be friends with the princess that you are getting forced into this. I will tell them... that I am ok with the previous arrangement if they do not force you."

Aile sighed, and he reached for her shoulder with one hand and hugged her tighter with it, "Do not do something stupid like that. It is not your fault. You look so pretty many people will propose to you, if you were not friends with the princess there would have been many more. Look, she even helped you when you needed it, she seems to really like you. So, you did a great job, and none of this is your fault."

She brightened up a little after hearing Aile not blame her, "Maybe I should ask for her help again, I am sure she will help you too. She said she is now your friend too."

Aile knew that the princess would not be able to help him even if she voiced out her opinions, and he was quite sure that she had already been told not to interfere. As he saw someone sternly talked to her and Prince Yegon after the noble proposed the marriage to Aile.

Aile said, "The princess cannot voice her opinion on all aspects because the nobles will not be happy. She made an exception for you."

Sara was quiet for a bit and then she said in an unsure voice trying to console Aile, "You know Laila was not bad when she talked to us. Maybe it will not be too bad."

Aile smiled back at her, she seemed to have run out of solutions. He finally calmed down and started to think about the current complicated situation.

He did not want to be used for a political battle. However, after some thinking, it seemed that he would have some achievement if either side won.

If Duke White succeeds, he will not be used as a trade between the nobles.

If he loses, he will gain two wives, and the Duke's influence would take a hit. He will also get some sort of an ally from the weird noble that he could possibly use.

Not to mention that the current event is to his advantage as the tension between the king and Duke White is rising.

The only downside is most people now are thinking that he is the son of Duke White. Although it had not changed from before, as most of them had already assumed that. But his current behaviour will become a sort of evidence to secure their doubts. Thus, he needs to find a way to not become enemies of the royals by default. Gaining the favour of the princess and prince has already given him a step forward in that direction.

Shortly after an argument between the weird noble and Duke White started. It became more heated up as they both tried to debate their points.

However, Duke White was getting the short end of the stick as the noble said something hard for Duke White to refute.

The noble said, "He can marry more people, nothing is stopping him, so why are you trying to stop this goodwill celebration in the honour of the princess."

The king immediately interjected and allowed the union to happen. He simply repeated the words of the noble.

Then there was a huge cheer. The person clapping with the most enthusiasm was the Duke son next to him. Duke White was seething in anger. Not only at the noble but also at his son.

This was a big slap on the Duke's face. His son was married even though he was against it, from the point of view of the commoners and nobles.

"Quiet," shouted one of the royal guards at the commoners after a commotion rose after they heard the news.

His shout quieted down the whole area.

Then a royal envoy stepped forward. The royalty's colours were a mix of black and red. Anyone wearing that at an official gathering would be a royal. The envoys had a special golden neckless that was proof of their identity.

He then loudly said, "Aile White step forward!"

Aile had no choice but to step forward.

"His majesty has blessed your union to Laila and Leia of the Noland Clan. As per the customs of the kingdom, they are now under your care as your companions. Congratulations!"

Aile did a little bow showing respect. He could not change the situation, being rude would only make more enemies for him. He had plenty of those and now was not the time to make more.

Woooo

Clap, clap, clap...

The crowd burst with cheers of happiness.

The joy of a union that is blessed by the king was a huge honour. Such an event easily got the cheers of the commoners. The cheers were a mix of celebration for the nobles and anticipation.

As the celebrations are usually followed by some sort of gift to the commoners. The more celebrations that happen, the more likely they will receive something. Therefore, they loved it.

Then came the loud voice of the envoy again, "Laila and Leia Noland step forward."