bookpub Chapter 578 The Intruding of Royalty - Part 6
Chapter 578 The Intruding of Royalty - Part 6
"Well, you see, I am in agreement with Minister Hod. I think him to be wisely chosen as the Minister of Logic. My uncle said much the same. These are times of change, they are times of strength. I am not particularly fond of fighting, but we have a duty to our people to keep their lands free from strife. Oliver Patrick, whatever we might think, is strong.
Unusually so. One could make the claim that he is unlikely to progress further in the future, that there have often been cases of one showing talent when they were young, and not showing any sort of further potential when they grow older..."
She looked at Oliver then, as if to reevaluate him, and reconfirmed to herself what she was about to say. Her eyes were bright and trusting. Dangerous eyes, Oliver thought to himself. Different eyes to Verdant. Verdant's eyes saw through a man. Asabel's eyes seemed to see all that a man could be.
They were hopeful eyes.
"But I do not think such a thing can possibly apply to Oliver, given that he is already at the centre of an axle at such a young age. Even without strength, his mere title has brought him here in chains today, when others would have been dismissed, for it was quite evident what had occurred at the scene of the crime.
I state my intention to work with such a man, and I ask for the assistance of House Blackthorn and House Idris in doing so. I would ask that you Lord Idris take my Pillar of Information, to handle matters of politics and governance and I ask that you, Lord Blackthorn take my Pillar of Iron, to handle matters of conflict and of war," Asabel said, slamming home that which she had built up.
She made her declaration, and she proposed the finalization of her Quarter Inheritance.@@@@
The five pillars of a royal house – and a noble house at that – mirrored the same five pillars that were meant to support an Academy. The same five roles, of information, logic, war, coin and of rule.
I can state now that I believe our two Houses would be friends, and if Oliver agrees to it, I would like to move forward with an alliance."
"An alliance..." Idris murmured. "An amusing proposal, Your Highness. A Quarter Inheritence your House might be, it would still be unmatched by any other noble house – only other royalty could rival it. For an alliance of all things, when the power of your two Houses is so unequal... You seem to place quite the amount of worth in him."
"Whatever happens here today, good Lord, the tides have shifted," Hod declared. Lord Idris seemed to take the meaning of his words, for he gave a gentle nod of acknowledgement with his head.
"It is as Minister Hod says," Asabel continued. "I do not doubt that the poor state of the Patrick House will be short-lived. Under Oliver, the Patricks shall no doubt rise again. He has already secured the fealty of your son, after all."
"And that does not bother you, Your Highness?" Idris pressed. "If Verdant is to be my heir, then you would lose the fealty of the Idris House. It would all go to the Patricks. Do you have such trust in a man that you have only met – by your own admission – once or twice?"
"I shall dare to, Lord Idris, if you would do me the honour," Asabel said.
"Your Highness, we both know that I am hardly in a position to refuse. You offer me a station that any Lord would dive at, given the slightest opportunity. It is you that do me the immense honour, and despite that, knowing that I have no right to add any further conditions, for I have nothing to leverage, I would ask to secure a promise through you," Idris said, his eyes lowered respectfully.
He'd stood up to speak to her, and his body was inclined humbly as he did so, the very picture of modesty.
"And what would this promise be?" Asabel asked cautiously.