CHAPTER 240: A MOTHER’S DECISION

Quintus heard the heavy sigh. He understood her feelings.

"I thought she might settle down at last, but now she’s set on a bear. And from a commoner, of all people. It’s beyond improper. I’d almost prefer if it were actually a real bear. Camilla never listens to me. She’s stubborn and pigheaded, just like you, brother. Why did she have to take after you in that way?"

No need to point that out, he thought wryly. She’s the very image of you, Henrietta.

"You’re her superior, Quintus. Say something to that ’bear.’ Order him away. If that man backs off, perhaps Camilla will give up."

Quintus smiled inwardly at her straightforwardness and tried to measure his answer carefully. He could see the image she painted: the Prime Minister whose stern in council brought to his knees by his headstrong daughter’s pleas.

Henrietta was right, the Prime Minister was clever in statecraft but soft for his child.

"Well," he said calmly, "I was actually thinking of doing just that."

"Eh?"

It was clearly not the reply Henrietta had expected. Watching her puzzled face, Quintus crossed one leg over the other, his movements slow and deliberate.

"In the end," he continued, "Camilla and Louis are simply from different worlds. No matter how much Camilla likes him, no matter how kind or honest Louis may be, their birth and upbringing are too far apart. The end of that relationship is already clear. Their connection was doomed from the start. The difference in class cannot be ignored. I plan to tell Louis directly to stop seeing Camilla. You may rest easy."

"Ah... well... I—"

Henrietta faltered clearly taken aback.

Quintus pressed on, his tone cool and firm.

"Yes, indeed. Louis is, after all, a commoner. He’s not one of us nobles. He lacks refinement, has no true education in manners and his behavior is coarse. He may have risen to become the Captain of the Second Division, but that’s as far as such a man will ever go. He’s unfit for Camilla. And besides, he eats like a beast. Watching him shovel down food is just plain vulgar, don’t you think so sister?"

"Oh, but isn’t that part of his charm?" Henrietta shot back her green eyes flashing. "He opens that big mouth of his and eats with such joy. It’s actually delightful to watch. Hardly anyone can eat with that kind of energy and happiness. Our head chef is absolutely thrilled about it!"

Quintus raised an eyebrow. His sister’s tone was openly defiant.

"If you enjoy watching someone gobble food, you might as well keep a large dog," he replied dryly. "That man is no good. He’s a commoner, not a noble. A marquis’s daughter should marry someone of equal rank and status. I’ll find a proper noble match for Camilla myself."

"That’s completely unnecessary!" Henrietta snapped. "Just because someone is a noble or has a title doesn’t mean he can make Camilla happy. She’s strong-willed and knows exactly what she wants. She won’t act meek or hold back just because her partner is of higher birth. Do you think one of those spoiled, pampered noble sons could ever handle a woman like her with patience or kindness?"

Hmm, Quintus thought. She certainly understands the nature of the nobility well.

"You seem to be getting along fine with Dunyarzad," he said with a faint smirk.

"That’s because I handle him well!" she shot back. "Men like Dunyarzad are rare among nobles!"

Her face flushed bright red. She lifted her teacup quickly and pretended to sip, hiding her mouth behind it, but Quintus caught the hint of a smile she was trying to conceal. If she noticed he had seen it, he would surely face a storm of scolding.

"In any case!" Henrietta said sharply. "I refuse to meet any of those nobles you’d pick for Camilla. I can already tell what kind of useless men they are, judging by how you talk about Louis! I’m disappointed in you, brother. Truly disappointed. Still clinging to outdated nonsense like class and birth! And you call yourself Supreme Commander? The man who leads the army and the knights of this nation? How can this country be safe with such a narrow-minded leader at its top?"

"But, Henrietta," Quintus replied with dry amusement, "weren’t you saying the same thing just a few minutes ago?"

"I would never say such a thing!" she snapped, glaring at him. "I’m not as narrow-minded as you are, brother!"

Henrietta bristled and fired back, as only Quintus’s sister Henrietta could.

"Even though he’s a commoner, Louis is a good man! He’s a fine knight, serving as Captain of the Second Division. His character is honest, straightforward, and even charming. That’s exactly why it work, if he were a noble, he wouldn’t behave like that. No matter what Camilla says, no matter how unreasonable her demands, he always smiles, always looks genuinely happy, almost foolishly so. Watching them together is like seeing a princess and her loyal knight. It’s incredibly endearing."

Then she jabbed a finger toward Quintus. Her golden eyes glittered with determination and resolve.

"Listen carefully. No matter how much you oppose it, brother, I will see to it that Camilla and Louis are married. Even if all the nobles object, even if the social circles criticize us, I will not care. I will stand my ground. Camilla wants this. How could I, as her mother, refuse her deepest wish? Even our head chef will be overjoyed! It’s practically settled. This is a decision, final and absolute."

Quintus raised an eyebrow, noting her energy. "And what about their living arrangements? Louis is a knight. He can’t just live in the Londonderry estate, can he?"

"Of course not! You don’t intend to kick him out of the Knight Order, do you? If you did, I would sever all ties. I would despise you. Louis will move out of the dormitory and establish a proper home. Captain Dominic himself did the same. We can provide a house for him as part of the dowry. Camilla also has a significant inheritance, so she won’t want for anything. We’ll assign plenty of maids and attendants to make sure their household runs smoothly. You needn’t worry about their well-being at all."