Chapter 82 - The Wedding (Part 2)
Everyone present understood perfectly why His Majesty Leopold had required them, his great vassals, to attend this wedding.
The four men already gathered in the side hall, despite their differing positions, shared one commonality: none of them intended to rebel.
Even King Alphonse Murat of the Kexin Kingdom and Duke Jose Mellerfield of the Green Plains, both of whom had friction with Emperor Leopold, were highly unlikely to join Ethel Holloway in rebellion.
Jose Mellerfield simply believed that an imperial civil war would bring more harm than good to the Green Plains Duchy; he wanted no part in any conflict, on any side.
Although the conflict between Alphonse Murat and Emperor Leopold hadn't been resolved, the Queen was, after all, his daughter. Whether their personal relationship was good or bad was irrelevant; the fact that the Queen was his daughter signified a political alliance with the Emperor.
It was similar to how, despite Alphonse Murat's coolness towards Rosie, Jose Mellerfield's marriage to her represented an alliance between the Green Plains Duchy and the Kexin Kingdom. This was the fundamental way of noble politics.
As for Marquis Brown Lekman of Blackstone and Duke Fernandez Paste of Bonan, their positions were even clearer. Both leaned towards Emperor Leopold and would certainly support the future Emperor, Henry Holovin.
In fact, if Emperor Leopold decided to resolve the Gatu Kingdom problem once and for all, these two would likely join the crusade against Gatu without hesitation.
It seemed that within this spacious side hall, there was actually no place for His Majesty Ethel.
The four seated lords merely watched Ethel enter in silence. They neither rose nor spoke, but their intention of keeping him at arm's length was expressed with utmost clarity.
However, Ethel could not retreat now. Today, whether welcomed or not, he had to enter this room. It wasn't just about maintaining his consistently uncompromising image…
Though Ethel showed little outward emotion, Charlotte could tell from his tightly pressed lips that her grandfather was in a very foul mood today.
Charlotte then realized her grandfather had been thoroughly outmaneuvered by Emperor Leopold twice today.
First was the sudden arrest of Duke Panma, Madachi Tone. Although Madachi Tone likely wasn't an ally of the Gatu Kingdom, his mere presence significantly alleviated pressure on Gatu, preventing the Marquis of Blackstone from turning his attention southward. Now, with the troublesome Madachi Tone gone, Brown Lekman was unshackled and could finally cast his gaze towards the Gatu Kingdom in the south.
The second was the current situation.
Gerhard Palace was sizable, with at least dozens of rooms. Arranging separate resting rooms for each of these five great lords should have been easily achievable and, indeed, more in line with proper etiquette, especially since each King, Duke, and Marquis had arrived with their families. Although this side hall was large, cramming five families together would still feel constrained. Could the palace's protocol officers truly overlook this?
No, they certainly considered it.
Yet, they made the arrangements this way.
Therefore, it was undoubtedly deliberate.
The current tense, confrontational atmosphere was precisely the outcome Emperor Leopold desired: using this "coincidental" meeting to have the other four great lords clearly draw a line between themselves and Ethel Holloway.
Prior to this, although the other four vassals did not support Ethel's rebellion, none had publicly condemned him – not even Brown Lekman. Because once explicit opposition was voiced, there would be no room left for maneuvering.
Always leaving room for maneuvering was the custom of noble politics.
But if Ethel Holloway were collectively rejected by these four today, forced out of this room, then before the wedding even concluded, the entire nobility of Platinum City would know that His Majesty Ethel had been utterly isolated by the other four great vassals.
Ethel Holloway stood at the entrance, surveying the room, seemingly searching for a seat that belonged to him.
The side hall was spacious, with many empty seats.
But Ethel couldn't simply take one. He could only sit where he was invited.
However, who in this hall had the standing to invite Ethel to sit, and who would invite him…
Brown Lekman sat rigidly upright, his expression impassive, betraying no emotion.
Alphonse Murat held his teacup, gently blowing on it, a slight curve playing on his lips.
Fernandez Paste leaned sideways against the sofa armrest, looking askance at Ethel Holloway, his fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest.
Jose Mellerfield's brow was slightly furrowed, his gaze lowered, avoiding Ethel's eyes.
None of the four lords showed any intention of compromising.
In his heart, Jose Mellerfield might not have wanted relations with Ethel to become too strained. But here, both Fernandez Paste and Alphonse Murat were political allies of the Green Plains Duchy. Since neither of them wanted Ethel to enter, José could only maintain a united front with his allies.
This was likely also what Emperor Leopold wished to see.
One man confronted four, the standoff growing increasingly tense. The accompanying family members stood anxiously, afraid to speak. The musicians playing nearby couldn't bear the pressure, their performance becoming riddled with errors.
Anger began to show on the faces of Ethel's retainers behind him; some instinctively placed hands on the hilts of their ceremonial daggers. Seeing this, the retainers behind Brown Lekman and the others also tensed, adopting defensive postures.
Invisible flames flickered in the air.
A conflict seemed imminent…
Suddenly, a clear voice broke the taut, near-snapping atmosphere.
"Grandfather, you're here too!" Charlotte scampered over, cheerfully hugging Ethel's arm. She peeked behind him and asked, "Where's Laina? Didn't she come?"
Facing his granddaughter, His Majesty Ethel finally managed a smile. "How could Laina possibly come to an occasion with so many people?"
Charlotte smoothly took Ethel's arm, led him to sit beside Jose Mellerfield, and even poured him a cup of tea herself, acting just like an innocent young girl eager to host her own grandfather.
"It truly has been a long time since we sat together for tea, Your Majesty Ethel," Jose Mellerfield deftly seized the opportunity Charlotte had created, raising his own teacup with a smile.
Ethel snorted but picked up his teacup as well. "If little Charlotte hadn't poured this tea, do you think I'd want to sit and drink tea with you?"
His Majesty Ethel's words were still far from polite, but the previous confrontational tension was rapidly dissipating.
However, what surprised Charlotte was that, immediately after Jose Mellerfield, Alphonse Murat also spoke up. The King pointed to his own teacup and chuckled, "Little Charlotte, how can you only pour tea for this old fellow Ethel? I'm your grandfather too, you know."
His tone was so unusually warm that it was hard to believe the words came from the typically cold Alphonse. Didn't he see Rosie beside him practically bulging her eyes out?
Both Fernandez Paste and Jose Mellerfield cast peculiar glances at Alphonse.
Though surprised internally, Charlotte reacted quickly. She instantly slapped her forehead with a smile, "Ah, I forgot!"
Then, she flitted over to Alphonse's side like a butterfly among flowers and refilled his cup.
Hearing Alphonse's words, Ethel's eyebrows twitched slightly. He then retorted subtly, "You old thing count as little Charlotte's grandfather too? I heard you didn't even send a decent gift for Charlotte's birthday last year."
"Ah," Alphonse clapped his hands together. "That was my oversight. Things were hectic last year, it slipped my mind to have something prepared. Here, Charlotte, this is for you."
Alphonse casually plucked a brooch woven from pale pink pearls from his formal attire's chest and handed it to Charlotte.
Listening to their exchange, Charlotte felt the urge to roll her eyes.
Ethel probably didn't know that Alphonse hadn't sent Charlotte a single birthday gift in years, though André and Sean occasionally received something. This definitely couldn't be explained away as a mere "momentary oversight." It simply reflected Alphonse's character.
However, Charlotte knew she was just being used as a tool, a common topic for the two kings to banter over, so there was no need to take it too seriously. She thanked Alphonse earnestly, accepting his gift with a face full of delight.
As the pearl brooch settled in her hand, a sense of clarity gradually filled Charlotte's mind. She immediately recognized it as a Wondrous Item. A Wondrous Item carried personally by Alphonse must be extraordinary, but since Alphonse showed no intention of explaining it further, Charlotte didn't press with questions.
Although Alphonse had merely exchanged a couple of barbs with Ethel using Charlotte as the subject, anyone could see that Alphonse was actively extending goodwill towards Ethel.
This was astonishing!
Jose Mellerfield's personality was widely known – a moderate, or less flatteringly, a fence-sitter. He didn't want to fatally offend anyone. So, it was perfectly normal for him to be the first to greet Ethel Holloway; no one else found it surprising.
Alphonse, however, was entirely different.
The Gatu Kingdom and the Kexin Kingdom had experienced considerable friction, even resorting to arms against each other. Both Alphonse and Ethel had cursed each other with extremely harsh words on different occasions; they were old nemeses. Given Alphonse's character, for him not only to refrain from making things difficult for Ethel in this situation but to actively show goodwill was exceptionally abnormal.
It was so abnormal that even Duke Bonan, Fernandez Paste, who had just displayed the most obvious aversion to Ethel, couldn't help but straighten up from his lounging position.
Charlotte was also extremely curious about what Alphonse was planning and pricked up her ears to listen intently.
However, Alphonse and Ethel couldn't exchange more than a few sentences before being interrupted by an unexpected intruder.
A flurry of urgent footsteps and the clatter of armor plates echoed.
A tall, thin man in black formal attire appeared at the entrance to the side hall. It was Earl Wolfheart, Gilmore Butler, whom Charlotte had met once before.
Behind Gilmore Butler followed a contingent of palace guards clad in ornate armor, sharp blades hanging at their waists.
Seeing the relatively harmonious atmosphere in the side hall, and Ethel Holloway chatting and laughing, Gilmore Butler's expression shifted slightly, a peculiar glint flashing momentarily in his eyes.
Although it was fleeting, Charlotte clearly perceived Gilmore Butler's surprise, almost as if he had worn it plainly on his face. She immediately realized this was the effect of the Wondrous Item, the pearl brooch Alphonse had given her.
In the presence of this brooch, even a professional engaged in "espionage" like Gilmore Butler couldn't completely hide his emotions. Charlotte had to marvel inwardly once again; a Wondrous Item carried personally by Alphonse was indeed remarkable.
The atmosphere in the side hall tensed once more.
Jose Mellerfield frowned again.
Alphonse also displayed a look of disgust; it was clear he genuinely detested Gilmore Butler.
Ethel Holloway wiped the smile from his face, his expression turning grim. His gaze swept over Gilmore Butler and the palace guards blocking the doorway. He took a sip of tea and asked calmly, "Earl Wolfheart, what is the meaning of this? Bringing so many soldiers, who are you planning to kill?"
"Certainly not, Your Majesties and Your Graces," Gilmore Butler hastily bowed to each of the five vassals in turn. Then, making an inviting gesture, he said with a smile, "The guests have mostly arrived. The wedding is about to begin. His Majesty the Emperor sent me to escort our five honored guests to their seats. These men are merely the honor guard."
"Is that so…" Ethel gave a slightly sarcastic smile, stood up, and straightened his attire. "In that case, let us proceed to our seats quickly."
Some of the palace guards couldn't help but show hostility towards Ethel, yet he remained fearless, striding out with large steps.
"Hmph, His Majesty Leopold sends a dog like you to greet guests? Ridiculous. Is there no one else left in Platinum City?" Alphonse remarked with disgust, then flicked his sleeves and also rose to leave.
Gilmore Butler, despite being called a dog, said nothing, merely maintaining his inviting posture, even bowing lower.
Following Alphonse out was Jose Mellerfield.
Charlotte naturally followed behind her father to take her seat. As she passed Gilmore Butler, she made a point to observe him closely.
The little finger on Earl Wolfheart's outstretched left hand was fake. Though crafted very realistically, it was indeed a decorative prosthetic finger.
It seemed the story Jose Mellerfield had told was true. Although Charlotte didn't think her father would deceive her about such things, she had found it somewhat hard to believe.
Now, the story was verified.
That fellow Gilmore Butler had actually bitten off his own little finger and eaten it!