Chapter 46: A Hard Choice

"As you are aware, I have not been blessed to have a daughter, but if I had one, I would have proposed you marry her. In the end, it seems you made an excellent choice for your wife. However, I have 3 sons, who are all unmarried and you have a sister who is unmarried. My sons are of a similar age to you and your sister, Duke Luxenberg, she could choose any of them as a suitable husband."

This proposal sent a shiver down the spines of all who sat at that table. The Cassells withheld their objections even though they were willing to voice them. They could not act to undermine Victor who in a sense was Veronica's guardian. 

Victor wanted to flat-out refuse right there, however, his next words could cost him dearly. For a few moments, he sat in silence. He began to unpack the consequence of each answer. Saying no immediately would sour the relations between the realms and could impact his future plans of going to war with them. If he agreed to the proposal he would be giving the Maximillian family a weapon to use against him.

Before allowing anyone else to speak Victor tried to stall for time, "It is a good proposition Grand Duke Maximillian, but this is not something I could answer immediately. As you know Veronica is the only family I have in my territory, excluding my new wife. I would like to see how she and our grandparents feel about such a proposal."

Visibly annoyed at such a vague and unassertive answer the Grand Duke replied in the deep and cool tone he introduced himself with. "What is there to think about? This is a union that could continue the good relationship our territories already have. Plus Veronica could marry into a prestigious family like mine."

Annoyed by the Grand Duke's attitude Victor had to take a few deep breaths before responding but his grandfather, Duke Lucious Cassell beat him to the punch. "Truthfully Grand Duke, I can not believe the audacity you have to make such a proposal on a youthful couple's wedding day. All my grandson should be focusing on right now is his beautiful wife, not a serious proposition that would usually take someone days to make a decision on," Lucious said in a controlled and authoritative tone.

Marquis Dupont was quick to follow up on Duke Cassell's words, "I agree with Duke Cassell. Although I can not fault you for wanting to strengthen your bond with Duke Luxenberg, but there is a time and place for such propositions. This is my daughter's wedding, such a matter can surely wait for another time."

Victor finally collecting his thoughts stood up from his set and gestured for his father-in-law and grandfather to relax. "I apologise for their bluntness, but at the same time, they do have a good point. All I should be focusing on this evening is my lovely new wife. I could not even give you a proper answer to your proposal without considering many factors, it could take me days to come up with an answer due to the importance of such a request, Victor said firmly.

Met with resistance and proper reasoning the Grand Duke knew that he would not receive an answer. Annoyed that the 3 nobles disregarded his status and spoke like an equal to him he looked at them with contempt. 'How dare these lower nobles treat me as an equal. That brat should have eagerly accepted that proposal," Thought Osmund.

"So be it then,I will take your hesitantness as a rejection to my proposal. Veronica would be privileged to marry 1 of my sons," Grand Duke Maximillian said before he and his family stormed off and exited the palace. 

Infuriated by the Grand Duke's sheer arrogance, the table was visibly furious and paid no mind to the onlookers who could see them. In a low and calm tone, Victor told his family they were going to have a meeting tomorrow to discuss the Grand Duchy of Maximillian. With that night went on like nothing happened. 

The reception had finished and now Victor and Clarisse were in their bedroom. Awkward and nervous the couple sat on the bed. Wanting to be gentlemanly and start the marriage on the right foot, Victor turned to his wife and spoke. 

"I am sorry our reception was spoiled by the rudeness of the Maximillian family. My sister invited them out of courtesy, we could not imagine them showing up." 

With a soft smile, Clarisse grabbed her husband's hand and gently said, "You do not have to apologise for the arrogance of that family. My father and I have hated them for years, we are used to their arrogant antics."

Relieved that his wife was not upset or mad at him the couple began to lay in bed talking for hours. They did not know each other well. During the 4 and a half months leading up to the wedding, Clarisse and her father had returned to their territory to prepare for the wedding. Victor had not been able to properly get to know his future wife so, what they were doing now was playing catch up.

During their talks, Clarisse had drifted off to sleep while Victor was still awake. Processing today Victor was happy that mostly everything went well. It was a beautiful ceremony and their first dance was something Victor would grow to cherish for the rest of his life and now he was laying in the same bed as his wife. Appreciating his new wife a blue system screen appeared.

'Hidden Quest Complete!: Get Married!

'Rewards: 1x Medium-Level Commander Summon, 1x 100-Man Bodyguard Unit Summon and a Fertility Boosting Pill.

Victor was both happy and embarrassed because of the cheeky system. The Fertility Boosting Pill was a consumable that would permanently boost his chances of having children. The last pill he took was the Body Revitalization Pill and that had him experience a hellish pain. Victor was hesitant to experience such pain again.

Regardless of how he felt about the inappropriate pill, Victor was more focused on using his summons. Just like usual Victor selected the French Imperial Guard soldiers. This now boosted his elite guard battalion to 225 French Imperial Guard soldiers and 120 Royal Scots Grey cavalrymen.

Satisfied with the growth of his elite guard battalion, Victor now turned his attention to the Medium-Level Commander Summon. If he got someone who held the rank of Marshal, he would install them as the military commander of the Luxenberg army. 

The current holder of that title is General Rapp, but with him now as a governor as well as a general, it was cruel to give him such a busy workload. General Bertrand would be a candidate but Victor had planned to give him command of the troops from the Dupont Marquisate.

Holding his breath, Victor used the summon, hoping that someone extraordinary would come out. As usual the animation began, this time around an orange smoke enshrouded the screen. Victor had not seen this colour but assumed its meaning.

Yellow mist was always associated with someone with a 3-star ranking. Red smoke was associated with someone with a 5-star ranking, so it was only logical to assume that orange smoke meant someone with a 4-star ranking.

As the figure began to be visible Victor was shocked. In a quiet yet excited voice, Victor muttered. "How are you only a 4-star commander?"