Chapter 1 – Broken Engagement (Part 6)
If the House of the North and the imperial family were to unite, the imperial family’s power would become unparalleled. The nobles who valued their self-interests would not remain silent upon hearing this marriage news.
“But I don’t want to marry the imperial princess.”
“What? Why?”
This was as good a match as one could ask for, at least in Reubellina’s opinion.
The North, though militarily powerful, was barren and desolate, and the land itself was difficult in many ways. The imperial family had the means to nurture the North, and a marriage to the imperial princess was practically a way to lift the imperial family’s containment of the North.
“The North I rule is barren but it’s a military stronghold, so it has been under the imperial family’s restraints.”
“I know that. Isn’t it better this way then?”
“Do you think the restraints will disappear just because I marry the princess?”
Reubellina felt she needed to think about it a bit more, hearing Tartenon’s calm, emotionless words. She had only thought of the positive aspects, but if it moved in a negative direction, the situation could change completely.
If she looked closely at the Emperor’s proposal, it was essentially the imperial family trying to seize control of the North’s military power under the pretext of the princess’s marriage. With the princess by his side, the North would no longer be able to oppose the imperial family’s will.
The Grand Duchess of the North holds half the decision-making power in the North alongside the Grand Duke of the North. If the princess took that seat, half of the North’s decision-making rights would fall into the imperial palace’s hands.
As Reubellina’s expression grew increasingly serious, Tartenon lightly smiled and continued.
“The current Emperor may claim to trust and rely on the North, but he is actually afraid of the North’s overwhelming military power. Even though the founding Duke of Speraum cleanly renounced the right to the throne long ago, he is still constantly anxious that his position will be usurped.”
“If the North didn’t have such military power, the Empire would be in peril.”
“Exactly. He covets it, despite lacking the ability to properly rule it.”
Reubellina blinked at Tartenon’s words, which seemed to mock the Emperor. She didn’t know how to react.
Choosing to remain silent rather than say anything unnecessary, Reubellina was met with Tartenon speaking up again.
“He’s trying to bind me to the imperial family by any means, and that’s why he’s orchestrated this whole thing.”
“This whole thing?”
The implication of hidden motives made Reubellina’s gaze turn to Tartenon. She had a feeling she knew why he had become engaged to Bellaruse.
‘The imperial family must have pushed a suitable noblewoman towards Tartenon, intending to later seat the imperial princess beside him.’
As this new possibility dawned on her, Reubellina gripped the teacup tightly.
‘And I got dragged into this mess by bad luck?’
No, she hadn’t just been dragged in; she had been betrayed by Inferno. The imperial family had schemed to kill two birds with one stone. They aimed to secure the northern military power and the wealth of Duke Asillious by giving the second prince and the princess in marriage.
‘But they didn’t expect that bastard to betray me.’
The teacup clattered in her grip out of anger, but Tartenon did not look toward the source of the noise.
“That’s why I need your help.”
“Is that the marriage you mentioned earlier?”
“To be precise, it’s a contract marriage, Reubellina. A contract marriage between you and me.”
***
The northern region of Speraum was one of the most barren places in the Empire. However, it was also the most critical military stronghold. Bordering hostile territories, it had never allowed an enemy invasion, bolstering the reputation of Tartenon Speraum. Anyone from the Freynante Empire would have heard of Tartenon’s name at least once.
In addition to his exceptional swordsmanship, he was also called a genius in military tactics, with an outstanding ability to command armies. His name was frequently mentioned, underscoring his significant influence and achievements, so she knew how powerful he was.
Moreover, he was the one dealing with the monsters that periodically descended from Mount Mipern. Not only the nobles with estates in the North, but also the common people of the Empire held him in high regard, it was no wonder the Emperor was wary of him.
‘Yes, it makes sense.’
Reubellina recalled all the information she had heard about the North so far.
“I have no desire to be associated with the imperial family, but the Emperor will not give up on me unless I am betrothed to another woman. A weak house is meaningless; the current situation will only repeat itself. Hence, my only option is a contract marriage with you, Lady Asillious.”
Tartenon’s logical words made Reubellina ponder. The thought that had briefly crossed her mind resurfaced. The Imperial Family’s plan was to seize both the Duke of Asillious and the Grand Duchy of Speraum.
‘Can that really be true?’
While her rational mind agreed, her emotions, still inclined toward Inferno, resisted accepting this truth.
Reubellina hesitated, her lips trembling.
“I understand your situation, but…marrying someone I’ve never met before, much less being the Grand Duke, is quite a difficult thing.”
“…”
A faint look of disappointment flickered in Tartenon’s eyes, but Reubellina, staring at her teacup, failed to notice it.
Looking up and meeting Tartenon’s gaze, she whispered.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear this offer, so I’m going to ask you to find someone else…….”
“3 years.”
Cutting off her next words, Tartenon said firmly.
“If you maintain the marriage for just 3 years, I will agree to a divorce or anything else afterward.”
“What?”
“Your marriage to the second prince has fallen through, and you’ve already passed the prime age for marriage, so you might end up in a marriage you don’t want.”
“That’s not something Your Grace should be concerned about…”
“But are you okay with that?”
His words, piercingly accurate, left her speechless. Tartenon spoke with a confidence that made it seem as if he could see right through her.
It was an offer she could hardly refuse, presenting the best escape from her current predicament.
If it became known that she was married to the Grand Duke of the North, the nobles would not dare to speak ill of her. Officially becoming the Grand Duchess, even the Second Prince Inferno would not be able to treat her recklessly.
Without waiting for her response, Tartenon continued.
“His Majesty wants to use me to gain control in the northern military, but since he supposedly cares deeply for the Princess, if I were to marry you and then get divorced, he may not insist on marrying me to the Princess.”
Whether the emperor would truly let Tartenon go was uncertain, but it was an appealing proposition for Reubellina.
“3 years at my side would remove the stigma of being a woman abandoned by a prince, and at the end of the contract, you would be a free woman. Returning to the Duchy of Asillious as a divorcee would position you to become the next Duchess without the pressure of remarriage. The heir issue can be solved later by adopting a child from a branch family.”
If she married the Grand Duke, divorced him, and returned to their Duchy, she, as Duke Asillious’s only child, could become the Duchess Asillious. Her succession rights would not change even if she got divorced.
If she married Inferno and became part of the imperial family, the Duke of Asillious would eventually be absorbed into the imperial domain. But a marriage to Tartenon would not lead to that.
The Grand Duke of the North couldn’t claim the Duchy. If she married him, the current Duke of Asillious would either adopt an heir or appoint one of her children as the next Duke. This meant she wouldn’t have to worry about the imperial family seizing the Asillious wealth.
Marrying Tartenon was a double win for her.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Legnakra
Damn emperors, they are all the same, he wanted his second son married to the only daughter of the only duke of the empire, and as the archduke who has royal blood broke his engagement, he wanted him to stick his only daughter to him, so he has the two most powerful families in the empire in his pocket 😏