CHAPTER 610: THE KING’S ARRANGED MARRIAGE 1

TL: Rui88

In the King’s study in the Crystal Shine Palace, a group of people was gathered, discussing important matters.

“Your Majesty, how much longer are you going to wait?”

Count Walsh McKee, one of the current king’s important supporters, anxiously asked the lord seated on the throne.

“Wasn’t it planned before? To marry your sister to a place far from the kingdom’s center of power. This is good for us, good for her, and more importantly, good for the entire kingdom.”

“I…” King Rodney XVIII of Ordo’s tone was clearly hesitant. He stroked his chin and said softly, “I think this matter needs to respect Catherine’s own opinion.”

Count McKee sighed and said, “Your Majesty, although she is a princess, she is still your subject. Legally speaking, she must obey your command.”

The count looked at the others in the room and said, “Of course, we all know that Her Highness Catherine is a person who adheres to the law. She will certainly obey the command from her lord and brother.”

A chorus of agreement sounded in the room.

“Yes, Your Highness, you can just arrange the marriage for her.”

“As long as she remains in Crystal Shine, no one can rest easy.”

“We hope you will make a wise choice as soon as possible.”

Among them, the most important person was the king’s younger brother, Yuriko Rodney. He very much hoped his cousin would leave Crystal Shine quickly.

But there were also opposing voices.

“Wouldn’t doing this now provoke her subordinates?”

“The old king has only just passed away. Doing this is too unkind.”

The opposing voices were only a few.

As everyone debated, Rodney XVIII did not respond to anyone.

“Gerd.” A steady voice came from the window.

Gerd was Rodney XVIII’s name before he became king. The only person who could address the King of Ordo by this name now was the King’s father, Prince Jassim Rodney.

While the others were discussing and arguing, the prince just stood by the window looking at the scenery, as if he were indifferent to the content of their discussion.

Only after everyone had expressed their opinions did the prince speak, calling the king’s name.

“Father, what is your opinion?”

Rodney XVIII looked at the prince still standing by the window and asked respectfully.

Prince Jassim turned around and walked slowly to the king’s side. Rodney XVIII stood up, wanting to give his seat to his father, but the prince pressed his shoulder and made him sit back down.

“Everyone’s worries are reasonable. Catherine herself is trustworthy, but her supporters are an unstable force. As long as she is in Crystal Shine for a single day, these people will not give up hope and will harbor dissent towards your rule.”

“Unfortunately, most of her supporters hold important positions. If we were to drive them out one by one, it would cause turmoil in the kingdom’s government.” 𝙧𝘢₦ÔꞖËṠ

“So, the only way is to have Catherine leave Crystal Shine, and to leave far, far away. Only then will her supporters give up hope, and only then will they turn to serve you loyally, becoming a force in your hands.”

Rodney XVIII said doubtfully, “Are you sure? Just by having Catherine leave, they will pledge their loyalty to me?”

Prince Jassim said with certainty, “Catherine leaving on your command will be a signal…that she is already loyal to the new king in her actions and will carry out the orders the king assigns her.”

“This will be clearer than any verbal oath, especially for her supporters. If the person they are loyal to is already completely loyal to the king, what else can they do?”

Seeing his son still hesitating, Prince Jassim continued:

“Are you worried that some with ill intentions will take the opportunity to cause trouble?”

Rodney XVIII nodded. “Father, you know, an entire order of knights is loyal to Catherine.”

The prince patted his kingly son’s shoulder, conveying his confidence to him.

“I have already contacted several powerful lords near the royal domain. They will lead their armies to Crystal Shine to provide you with support. If anyone takes the opportunity to cause trouble, we can also take the opportunity to eliminate the clowns who jump out.”

Rodney XVIII looked at him with some surprise. “You contacted the armies of the provincial lords?”

The prince nodded. “Yes, my child. A king should have an army loyal to him.”

“Oh, that is a matter of course, it’s just…”

“Just what? My child.”

Rodney XVIII glanced at the people present and said, “Nothing.”

Some things were better discussed privately with his father.

He cleared his throat and continued, “Since that is the case, Catherine is a princess after all, and my sister. Which family do you think we should choose for the marriage alliance?”

“The Furnal family?”

“The Bradley family?”

“The Clifford family?”

…

Several great families renowned in the Kingdom of Ordo were mentioned, all from outside the capital, of course.

But all these nominations were rejected by the king with a shake of his head.

Finally, the king himself proposed one…the Grayman family of the Northwest Bay.

“Grayman?”

Prince Jassim chewed on the name the king had proposed. He knew that his son held the current master of this family in high regard.

Before the others could voice their opinions, he said, “I recently made a special effort to look up this surname. The Graymans are indeed an ancient family that has existed since the kingdom’s founding, but their current title is merely that of a count. To have a direct member of the royal family marry into this family, wouldn’t that be a bit of a slight to Catherine?”

Rodney XVIII looked at the prince and said, “We should look to the future, shouldn’t we, Father? The matter of the Northwest Bay, I believe I have already explained it clearly to you. It is a vibrant land.”

The prince nodded. “Oh, and that is my second concern. If, as you believe, that place has great potential, the addition of a royal family member with immense influence would transform that potential into strength. Are you sure it will not threaten us?”

The king replied, “Count Grayman is a loyal and reliable nobleman. If he could become a royal in-law, he would undoubtedly become even more reliable. This is very important for the royal family, whose influence is currently declining.”

Loyal? Reliable?

A meaningful glint flashed in Prince Jassim’s eyes.

However, in front of so many subjects, there were some things he could not say directly.

He patted his son’s shoulder and said, “Then do what you want to do. You are the king now, are you not? But remember, you must have a backup plan for any choice you make. I believe you are wise enough to understand this.”

Rodney XVIII nodded. “I will, Father.”