144 – 1 as planned
Sudden call from Count Thurn
About this. Santana and Dust hurriedly gathered in the lord’s office.
Count Thurne and his wife, the Countess, were already waiting there, and the two of them carefully sat down while watching them.
“What is it, father? He called us all of a sudden…”
“Ho… did you find out about your older sister? If something happened to my sister…”
Santana and Dust show embarrassment and doubts due to the sudden summons.
In response, Earl of Thurn put on a serious expression and held out a letter in front of them without saying anything.
“..Read it.. It is a letter from the Dragona Empire.”
“In the Dragona Empire… you mean?”
Santana asked in a voice full of tension at Count Thurn’s words.
Then he slowly began to check the contents of the letter, and so did Dust, who was sitting next to him.
and…
“This.. this.. what the hell do you mean?
“I don’t know… I really don’t know… Why did they suddenly make such an outrageous request…”
Santana asks a question while showing deep bewilderment, and Count Thurn responds in a frustrated voice.
After confirming the contents of the letter like them, Dust opened his mouth with a voice full of complicated feelings in many ways.
“I want to arrange a marriage ceremony between my brother Santana and the Princess of the Dragona Empire… why is this happening all of a sudden…”
To be honest, considering the circumstances, it wasn’t a very impossible story.
Although it was an indirect method using commerce as an excuse, the current Dragona Empire and Bohemia were practically allies.
However, despite this relationship, there was a fundamental difference between the two forces.
That was the difference between the basic roots of heresy and paganism.
Although they have escaped from the existing church forces, the heretical forces still focus on God and the contents of the Bible, while the pagan forces fundamentally view the concept of God and the sacraments negatively.
From that point of view, Bohemia was also Bohemia, but it was quite conceivable that the Dragona Empire also needed some kind of guarantee to strengthen its ties with Bohemia.
In particular, this ‘deal’ now will continue for a long time to come.
However, apart from that fact, such a sudden marriage conversation could not help but be very embarrassing to the people, including Count Thurn.
Crucially, Santana currently has a decent fiance named Estelle.
Regarding this, Dust spoke in a voice filled with deep dissatisfaction.
“I am… no matter how drago or empire it is, this is too shameless. How can you talk about marriage with your brother who has a fiancé? Nothing to see. Of course, this should be rejected.”
Dust spoke resolutely as if the answer had already been decided.
however..
“Um… ”
“… ? father?”
Contrary to Dust’s expectations, Count Thurne did not show any sympathy for her reaction.
“Why is that, Father? Are you having any problems? Of course, this is something you don’t have to worry about. Obviously, it is rather rude to talk like this to someone who has a fiancee.”
A warm and lukewarm father figure different from what I thought
In response, Dust spoke in a voice that felt warm, but Thurn Baekjeok did not give a clear answer.
‘Engagement.. Our Santana is engaged to the Dragona Empire..’
Of course, the first time I heard the story, I started to feel embarrassed with the thought of what nonsense this was.
However… apart from these feelings in the beginning, Count Thurne and his wife were thinking that they could not easily refuse this job.
‘The power of the Dragona Empire is definitely great.. Besides, even though it belongs to the pagan forces, the emperor there is a person who does not oppress or discriminate with a specific end. It may be a great fortune for our son to marry such a powerful empire’s high-ranking aristocrat.’
Speaking of princesses, even Turnun, who had the command of a count, was an existence that could only be looked up to because of her status.
If Santana were to marry such a person, it would be like giving wings to Bohemia.
And… the gains they could get would be on a different level from Estelle, the sister of Lord Rhapsody, who had a little more power than them.
Of course, breaking the pre-arranged engagement was a burden in many ways, and if this was done wrong, the relationship with the Rhapsody region, which was the de facto second-in-command of the heretical alliance, could be greatly shaken.
Crucially, from Count Turnen’s point of view, who doesn’t take trust between people lightly, he would normally have firmly refused to do what Dust wanted.
It is said that it is an insult to oneself to have one betray one’s trust for gain.
however..
This was a story when the surroundings were stable.
In the current situation, even if it was Count Turnen, the story had to be different.
Although there was a lull for a while after Mansfeld’s riot, Bohemia was still exposed to the danger of war.
If he did something wrong, the lives of Count Turnen and his family, as well as many of his people, might fall into abyss.
In these dangerous times, the reality was that inevitably, strength was indispensable.
And from that point of view
The marriage story between Santana and Princess Dragona that is in front of him this time…
It was a job that could gain too much power to refuse with faith.
‘If the marriage talks between Santana and the princess of the Dragona Empire are indeed successful… Bohemia will be able to prepare a foothold to completely escape from the influence of the Holy Empire Emperor. No matter how much I am the Emperor of the Holy Empire, I can’t touch a place that has that powerful Dragona Empire on its back.’
Unlike Dust, who is feeling such displeasure and burning emotions, Count Turnen begins to think seriously about this matter.
Then, he asked a question to his son, Santana, who is sitting in front of him and has the real decision-making power.
“Son, what do you think? Regarding this marriage story… what choice do you think our Bohimei should make?”
“Ummm..”
It was Santana who seemed to be seriously troubled by Count Turnen’s words.
Certainly, the gains at stake were that great, and it was a sufficiently shaky matter for Santana, who valued gains.
and..
Seeing him like this, Dust began to feel nervous inside.
‘Sir… no way… are you really saying that even your older brother will abandon Estelle? Ah.. I’m not sure… No matter how hard my brother would make such a heartless decision… ‘
Durst impatiently waits for his answer while thinking about that.
And after a while…
From Santana’s mouth in front of her, the answer she had been waiting for finally began to flow.
“..for now.. I want you to give me a little time to think about it. No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think this is a matter for me to decide alone. First of all, we will discuss it with Lady Estelle and then make a decision.”
“Ummm..”
Santana did not show an attitude of flatly refusing, but for now, Santana expressed his intention to take a step back and think.
In response, Count Thurn gave permission for now…
At the same time, while feeling a little relief inside, Durst began to feel deep concern about the element of anxiety that still persisted.
‘I think Estelle’s intentions will be reflected for now… I hope it will be resolved well. No matter how great the princess is, Santana’s brother must be with Estelle’s sister.’
Estelle looks at Santana as she leaves the room while thinking about her wishes.
But at this moment… she didn’t know.
Santana opened the door and walked out of the corner of his mouth, knowing that a gentle smile was instantly drawn.