Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 162: Another kingdom (2)

Then Lord Jean began talking about his old memories of Harald father. It seems his father left quite the impression on Lord Jean.

'He is charismatic and strong. But he is also full of pride and headstrong and very single minded. When I heard he orchestrated the bloody feast I know what he intends to do. Your father and uncle are not so different.'

He shakes his head.

'No, no, no they are quite different. My mistake.' Lord Jean smiled to himself.

'I know what he was intending to do. He shares his dream with meonce upon a time. Your father intended to create an independent nation, stronger than any other kingdom, but the way he go around about it is wrong. I have always advised him that he would be in opposition in every corner if he goes through with his plan. I warn him that even if he succeeds his Kingdom will be almost bankrupt. But alas, no words of my advice ever reach him. Like I said...single-minded.'

Harald nodded again.

'Yes.my father has always been single-minded in everything. One of his strength and weaknesses.'

Lord Jean just nodded in agreement. There is a bitter smile on his face. There was silence for a few second before Harald then ask Lord Jean

'You mean to say my father end goal has always been the creation of a Kingdom'

He nodded

'Yes, that was his intention' Harald frowned a bit ad then ask another question.

'But my uncle also does the same thing. Does that mean he's also the same as my father?'

'No, he's not.'

'My lord. What makes you say that?'

'He did not want to become king, your uncle, he was forced to. Aries the Kingmaker.' He said and he looks at him. Harald understand.

It is the Vermont that elevate his uncle to the King position with their connection with the Church.

'I met both of them you know and I have my opinion on both your father and your uncle. Your uncle is the peaceful one and he prefers peace than war. Your father is the strong one and he has a vision about what the Dukedom should be. But his vision must spill a lot of blood before it can even be realized. It will even destabilize the region if he has to. But do not mistake me. I cannot fail to mourn his fate, for he is my closest friend. His gifts as an able commander and a lord that can inspire people to die for him raised him above his contemporaries and made him a worthy opponent of the Vermont family, especially Arial the Dragon. He lacked only that final spark of genius that set Lord Arial apart.'

Harald could not help but agree with Lord Jean statement.

'So my lord, you already knew of my father plan?' He nodded

'I suspected. He is always talking about it.' He said calmly. Then for a while there is another silence.

'My daughter?' he asks to Harald like a question

'Yes, my lord'

'Treat her well, since your mother is so insisting in this wedding.'

'I know my lord and Harald bowed slightly. Then he could not help but ask 'but why do you agree with the request of my mother?

He sighed.

'We are both practical person Harald, at least that is how I hope you to be. Right now Vangua King is nowhere to be found and Aetherland has create its alliance with Seren and Zettel. Aetherland are slowly emerging to become a nation of great power.  On the other hand, racial divide is turning our Kingdom divided. Vangua has many problems right now'

'Then why does no lord march to the capital?' he asked. Lord Jena only smiles bitterly at this question but he answers the question nonetheless.

'Because we can't. We all conspire to oust the King from his throne on the grounds of his race domination over us. But I am Frankish blood but I also have the blood of Anglais from my mother side. If I march to the Capital then the Raxons, Loth and the Etrushk will all have a problem with a Frank lording it over them. We have been accustomed to being ruled by the Caelum that we did not even let other race take that place. Ironic isn't it? We don't like that the Caelum has always been lording it over us, but we hate it even more when our equal supposed themselves as our lord King. No offense' he looked at Harald and smiles.

Harald smile. After all, if they are talking about Caelum race, Harald ancestor is one of the purest bloodline of Caelum.

But not him. Harald is half Caelum. Caelum from his father side, Anglais-Raxons from his mother side.

'None taken' Harald reply

'So?' Harald asked still not understanding the reason why Lord Jean agree with the arranged marriage.

'So if you married Emilia, your son or daughter will have the blood of Caelum preserving the line of Kings which would appease the other kings in the Human Continent. Cori, Vern, Dostov and the rest of the Continent can be pacified, which will deter them at least to invade this Kingdom under the pretense of installing a Caelum King on the throne' and he smiles

It is not the first time it happens. In the time of Vern Empire, the Ragged King is of Eastian descent, and many of the other Kings sworn to the Imperial family were displeased.

Emperor George the Wise even had to personally lead the army that put down the Ragged King.

Renasia is different in that they intermarried so much in their royalty that it is hardly a matter of race for them but more a matter of pride.

So to say that if one King in the Human Continent could not establish their descent to at least a Caelum descent, the throne can be claimed.

The domination of the Caelum race over all the races of the Human Continent has never been questioned.

After all it was their ancestors that created settlements and with Levitia, the greatest of the Caelum saves the people of the Human continents from the tyranny of the Demon Lords.

It is what Emperor George did when he wants to claim Eastiana which is now Vern. It is also the same move he used when the Etrushkan Council has political power in Cori.

Caelum race were even thought were divinely chosen. Lord Jean continues as he spoke about Harald Uncle.

'King Adrian called himself Aether but that doesn't change the fact that he is a Caelum, pureblooded,'

Lord Jean said remarking on his uncle decision to change the name of Caelum race which has only been change once and that is from Levitia time. 'and at the same time your claim to the throne, or to be more precise my claim to the throne, does not offend the other lords of other race. Brilliant isn't it Harald nodded as he finally understood why Lord Jean agreed to the marriage.

Then he looked at him and ask

"It is magnificent isn't it?

'What is, my lord?'

'The Caelum is one of the minorities in this Continent, not many of them even come from a pure bloodline anymore. But every administration post of importance is always held by their race. It invites envy and induces bitterness.'

Harald nodded. So this is what Lord Jean wants from him. An heir to the throne. Which means he is eyeing the throne of Vangua. One that can trace back their descent to Caelum descent.

Such lofty ambition. But he has another daughter called Amelie. And he did not seem to want to marry her away yet.

If Harald did not come, Lord Jean will probably find a suitor of Caelum descent to take the hands of his other daughter.

Amelie is young and prim. Harald met her once in the courtyard accompanying her sister playing the harp. Maybe she will get married to some of the lords that might prove favorable to Lord Jean ambition.

'What about Cori, my lord?'

'That I can handle.'

Then as they were talking a middle aged woman come to Harald and handed him a letter. Emilia nurse. Harald looked at the letter and read it. He then turns to the lord and say

'Forgive me, my lord it seems your daughter wants to meet me in the courtyard.'

The lord nodded with understanding

'Go then.' Then he grinned at him

'My daughter doesn't like being made to wait.'

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See you tomorrow and this is Harald part of the story. let just say that Harald and Arial matter will not end so easily.