The Wolves of the North (7)

Marrying Princess Tessia Aquintaine is also a big headache for Constance, tying the knot with an imperial princess means the Arignon family would be part of the imperial family in the future. That would only spell trouble, not only for him but also for the future descendants of the Arignon family who would be dragged into the imperial politics game.

Emile is trying not to burst into laughing seeing the face of his young liege, who would soon be swept in participating into the bloody mess in the capital. For him, it would be good news to stay in the capital for a while longer after they leave from here.

"How about that young Arignon? Won't it be wonderful to become in-laws with me, the emperor?" Emperor Frederick XI said smugly, even the old man can smug like a young man if given the chance to do so.

Wonderful my ass... the time that I would marry into a royalty would the death of my dream of simple and plain life in my lands...

Constance is dreading such a future of becoming related to the imperial family and being swept away in any troubles and happenings in the empire.

"Uhmmm... I think it would be better if I would consult first with my grandfather, the Margrave of Arignon, about this Your Imperial Majesty. This offer is something not only I can decide on Your Imperial Majesty... this offer is something beyond our capabilities and uhmmm... something Your Imperial Majesty."

The Young Constance is stuttering after such a very jaw dropping offer by the emperor. Everyone in the room knows that the young Arignon is having a hard time processing such an offer in his mind.

No matter how cunning or smart a person is, when faced with something unpredictable, all plans and preparations would fall apart if inexperienced in such scenarios. As the youngest in the room, he is the one with less experience in such dealings.

Luckily, he is not alone, it is Emile replies in Constance's stead, "If I may speak on behalf of the young lord, Your Imperial Majesty, everything I presume this is still unfinalized and still not approve by the council and the imperial assembly?"

Constance immediately recovers from his shock and realizes the possibility that everything is still the emperor's plan and not yet approved by the imperial council or the imperial assembly.

"As you had said Sir Emile, all the terms I offered are not yet approved by either the council or the assembly and there is even the possibility that the assembly would not agree as it is just to congregate of useless and proud nobles of the empire." Emperor Frederick added, "But you should not worry about the details as I had my way to make the council agree of the terms that I had just offer to the young Arignon."

Both sides become silent, thinking and contemplating what the other side would respond to after what the emperor had just said.

Emperor Frederick XI and Aldrik are waiting to see how Constance and Emile would respond, while Constance is thinking about the options offered and Emile waiting to see how his lord would response now.

"Sorry for the unsightly sight of me a while ago Your Imperial majesty. I have just found what you had just said shocking to me and made me speechless for a moment Your Imperial Majesty. In regards with your offer Your Imperial majesty, as I also said a while ago, I implore you to give us a few days to think for our response for I still need the decision of my grandfather about this matter." Constance added and bowed his head to the emperor, "I promise that we would give you a satisfying answer after a few days Your Imperial Majesty."

"Hmmm... it is fine young Arignon. I can wait for your answer when you and your retinue reach the capital, I think that would be enough for the time you are asking young Arignon." The emperor calmly stands up and looks at the window. "Like how you satisfy me in conquering Edeva, I wait for your satisfying answer. You can go now if you want."

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

Both Constance and Emile kneeled to the emperor as he gave them permission to leave already. Emperor Frederick XI only nodded to Aldrik who then ordered them, as the discussion for now is enough and finished, he is already satisfied that the young Arignon gave his word of giving an answer when they would come to the capital.

"Both of you can leave now." Aldrik said.

Constance and Emile then stand up and walk towards the exit. Both are already weary and tired of the activities and happenings of the day; it is a long day indeed for them.

After they reached the exit, Constance and Emile looked back to the emperor and bowed their heads before leaving and closing the door behind them.

"Aldrik, what do you think about that boy?"

It is Emperor Frederick XI who breaks the silent of the two men left inside the room. His face full of weariness and sadness as he is thinking about everything that had happened in the past few months until now. The regal and majestic posture of the emperor had all disappeared and what is left is a sad old man watching the outside of the city hall, maids and workers working and soldiers guarding around the building.

"He is not bad, if anything, he is excellent for his age. He has the achievements and honor to support him... the only thing bad about him is that he is a Slavin, and it is clear because of his white hair and red eyes." Aldrik replies, still standing calmly behind the seat where the emperor had just sat a while ago.

"The empire had become too complacent and corrupt... It is sad really... Gone are the days when the men and warriors of the empire would embark on such campaigns and adventures. Now they had just become drunkard and arrogant men. Men like the young Arignon are very rare nowadays."

Emperor Frederick XI shakes his head as he thinks about the noblemen and the people of the empire who are only sitting on the laurels of the past.

Aldrik closed his eyes and said, "I agree with you, Your Imperial Majesty. We need men like the young Arignon to motivate the people. That's why I understand why you want to bring that man in the imperial family."

"Yes, if we want to create a hero to save the empire, then we must make sure that he would be in our best interests and would not betray us in the future... and that's why a marriage with an imperial princess would be the best course of action for us..." Emperor Frederick said coldly.

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I hope that you would also read my other work - Justinian of Austria.