Chapter 2: The Conspiracy of Political Marriage

The Chancellor's Move

The political tension within the Canglang Empire continued to rise. Chancellor Bismarck, the mastermind behind the imperial court's power struggles, had spent years plotting against the Haipoli Merchant Guild. However, a direct attack on the wealthiest and most influential family in the empire would be reckless.

Instead, Bismarck preferred subtlety, manipulation, and deception. He needed to weaken the Haipoli family from within, and for that, he devised a plan—one that would exploit the most delicate of human emotions: love and trust.

At the heart of this scheme was his granddaughter, Aisha, a woman both beautiful and intelligent. Unlike the fragile noble daughters who lived for luxury and pleasure, Aisha had been raised to understand politics, diplomacy, and strategy. She was well aware that as Bismarck's heir, her marriage would be a tool for political gain.

One morning, in the grand chambers of the imperial palace, Bismarck summoned Aisha for a private discussion.

"You have always understood the nature of power, my dear," he said, sipping his morning tea. "Now, I need you to prove your loyalty to our family."

Aisha kept her expression neutral. She knew this was not just a conversation—this was an order.

"What is your command, Grandfather?"

Bismarck placed a letter on the table before her. The golden seal of the Haipoli Merchant Guild glistened under the light.

"You are to marry David Haipoli," he said, his voice calm but firm. "And through this marriage, you will ensure our control over their influence. Gain his trust, understand his weaknesses, and when the time is right… you will help us bring the Haipoli family to its knees."

Aisha hesitated. She had heard much about David—his intelligence, his strength, his almost mythical reputation. If he was truly as brilliant as they said, deceiving him would not be easy.

But she also understood her duty. She had been trained for this.

"I will do what must be done," she replied, bowing her head.

Bismarck smiled. The first step of his plan was now in motion.

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A Marriage Proposal

At the Haipoli estate, David and his family were caught off guard when an imperial envoy arrived bearing an official proposal from the Chancellor himself. The message was clear—the empire wished for David to marry Aisha, Bismarck's granddaughter.

In the grand hall of the estate, David sat with his father, Duke Haipoli, along with several senior merchants and advisors. The air was thick with suspicion.

"A marriage proposal from Bismarck?" one of the elders muttered. "This is highly unusual."

Duke Haipoli narrowed his eyes. "Unusual? This is a trap. Bismarck has been plotting against us for years. Why would he suddenly extend a hand in friendship?"

The room fell silent. The chancellor had never shown goodwill toward the Haipoli family before—if anything, he had always treated them as a rival, a threat to the imperial throne.

David, who had been silent, finally spoke. His voice was calm, measured. "It is not a trap," he said, "but a move in a much larger game."

The elders turned to him.

"Bismarck does not wish to attack us outright, at least not yet," David continued. "Instead, he seeks to bind us to the empire. A political marriage would ensure that we become dependent on the imperial court, making it harder for us to act independently."

His father frowned. "And what do you propose? Do we reject this alliance?"

David considered this carefully. Rejecting the proposal outright might provoke Bismarck into more aggressive action. Accepting it, however, could buy them time—time to prepare, to strengthen their position.

"We accept," David said at last. "But we do so on our terms."

The room erupted into murmurs of concern.

"Son, you must be careful," Duke Haipoli warned. "A marriage binds families together, but it also gives them power over us."

David nodded. He was fully aware of the risks. He would marry Aisha, but he would also make sure she could never be used against him.

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A Union of Shadows

Days later, a grand banquet was arranged at the royal palace to announce the engagement of David Haipoli and Aisha Bismarck. The halls were filled with nobles, merchants, and foreign dignitaries, all eager to witness this unexpected alliance.

Dressed in regal blue and gold, David arrived at the banquet with the confidence of a prince. Beside him, Aisha stood tall, her crimson dress a symbol of her noble lineage. Their engagement was the talk of the empire—many saw it as the merging of two powerful forces, but those who understood the true nature of politics knew that it was nothing more than a dangerous gamble.

David and Aisha faced each other for the first time.

"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Haipoli," Aisha said with a soft smile.

David studied her carefully. She was beautiful, yes, but there was something in her eyes—a sharpness, an intelligence that told him she was not just a pawn in this game.

"The honor is mine, Lady Aisha," he replied smoothly.

Their words were polite, their actions graceful, but beneath the surface, both were already trying to read the other, searching for weakness, measuring the depth of their opponent's mind.

As the night went on, David could sense Aisha's hesitation. She was not eager for this marriage. But then, neither was he. Both knew they were merely playing their roles.

At the far end of the hall, Chancellor Bismarck watched them closely, his expression unreadable. He knew that David would not be easily controlled, but that was fine. This was only the beginning.

The game had begun, and neither David nor Aisha knew just how deadly it would become.