Bestowing a Marriage

The ship docked off the coast of the Northern Province of the Radiant Continent, forty miles away from the Thunderous City. A troop of Imperial Guards had been waiting there under orders to meet the envoy. Leading the guards was Rody’s old acquaintance, Commander Gordon, who had now been promoted to General Gordon. This was because Gordon had already been the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards after the war with the Roland Continent’s army.

Before Gordon arrived, he was ordered by His Majesty the Emperor to keep the return of the envoy strictly confidential. After receiving the envoy, his orders must be obeyed without exception.

Gordon and his two adjutants waited at the shore when the ship docked at the pier. A group of people then got off the ship.

Leading the group was a large sturdy figure. He had a resolute and melancholic expression. Gordon recognized him as Earl Rody, the one rumored to be the Emperor’s illegitimate child.