Chapter 563: Chapter 33: Roping In

Princess Yifulei had been very opposed to this plan before.

She felt it was an insult to the love between her and Prince Noah.

Lumian Knight Commander looked at Princess Yifulei and, just as he expected, her gaze was evasive.

"Princess, you haven’t... drunk it yet, have you?" Lumian Knight Commander’s eyes turned cold and sharp.

"I... I..."

"But... that thing is a fake. What if Uncle Louis finds out? The entire Frank Kingdom will laugh at us."

"Your Highness need not worry. It is the work of Mage Krus. It’s impossible for it to be discovered," Lumian Knight Commander said.

"But... but, it’s still a fake in the end.

I’m not carrying Noah’s child, so eventually..."

Before Princess Yifulei could finish, Lumian Knight Commander’s face filled with rage, and he suddenly shouted.

"Your Highness!"

In the past, Lumian Knight Commander had always shown a gentle demeanor.

When had Princess Yifulei ever seen him like this? She was instantly stunned into silence.

Seeing Princess Yifulei trembling, Lumian Knight Commander realized he had overreacted and softened his expression.

"Your Highness, we can figure out what to do about that when the time comes."

"For now, all you need to do is pretend to be pregnant."

When Princess Yifulei still didn’t respond, Lumian Knight Commander continued to persuade her.

"When the time comes, we will say you had a miscarriage. You can then support His Highness Prince Noah’s youngest brother, Prince Omari, and rule as Queen Dowager Regent."

"Think about it. Now that Prince Noah is dead, the succession to the Frankish throne really only comes down to two people: an heir of Prince Noah, or Prince Samon.

"Prince Samon is from a collateral branch of the Frankish Royal Family. Do you think Prince Noah would have wanted to see the throne fall into the hands of a side branch? You would be helping the Prince protect his kingdom," Lumian Knight Commander continued to persuade.

Princess Yifulei remained silent.

This time, Lumian Knight Commander grew truly anxious. He knelt on one knee by Princess Yifulei’s bed, his aged face filled with a pleading expression.

"Your Highness, think... think of His Majesty. Think of the people of Selmander..."

"The kingdom is already at war with the Giant Demon Alliance, and the Tilia Kingdom is eyeing us covetously from behind. We need the Frank Kingdom to guard our rear!"

"With sixty million in fiscal debt, the Frank Kingdom isn’t having an easy time either. They need to follow us and profit from the war to cover that sixty-million-coin debt."

"We have no path of retreat, Your Highness! Whether it’s you or His Majesty, whether it’s the Frank Kingdom or the Algeria Kingdom, none of us can afford to lose!"

Hearing Lumian Knight Commander’s words, Princess Yifulei felt an immense pressure crashing down on her like a mountain. She finally broke down and burst into tears.

"Noah would curse me to death, I know he would.

He hated betrayal more than anything..."

Seeing this, Lumian Knight Commander let out a sigh of relief.

’Based on what I know of her, when the princess shows this kind of face, it most likely means she has agreed.’

’This is good. At least for the next ten months, we won’t have to worry about being stabbed in the back.’

Lumian Knight Commander took a Potion out of his Space Ring.

"Your Highness... the kingdom needs you."

Princess Yifulei looked at the Potion and cried for a while longer before finally taking it with a trembling hand. Under Lumian Knight Commander’s watchful gaze, she drank it.

At this, Lumian Knight Commander finally let out a true sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, please get some rest. I will remain here for a while to clear the path for you."

"I must first report the news to His Majesty. You should sleep for now," Lumian Knight Commander said.

A large part of the reason the Algeria Kingdom had dispatched Lumian Knight Commander was his connections in the Frank Kingdom and his own political acumen, which they valued for handling unexpected situations.

It seemed those skills were certainly needed now.

After Lumian Knight Commander left, Princess Yifulei clutched the empty potion vial and began to sob silently.

She felt a surge of resentment, wondering why the Magic Crystal Cannon hadn’t taken her along with Prince Noah.

Now her husband was dead, and her family wanted her to play a dangerous political game in a foreign country...

She felt like a rootless duckweed, adrift and unsure of what to do.

...

Lumian Knight Commander left Princess Yifulei, intending to find a few handmaidens to keep her company. However, there were no women in the Frankish army, save for some low-class prostitutes who would have nothing in common with the princess.

The only suitable woman was, perhaps, Valentino.

Recalling how the princess hadn’t asked Robson and his wife to stay when they visited her tent not long ago, Lumian Knight Commander felt a headache coming on.

But he couldn’t really blame the princess. Princess Yifulei had always been a "decorative vase" used by the kingdom for a political marriage, sheltered and protected, with absolutely no political experience.

Regardless, he had to pay them a visit.

Lumian Knight Commander arrived before Robson’s private tent.

That’s right—Robson kept his office and living quarters separate.

It couldn’t be helped. Lord Robson had brought his wife on a military campaign, so some privacy was necessary.

At the entrance to the tent, Lumian Knight Commander was stopped.

"I am Lumian. I am here to see General Robson," said the Knight Commander.

...

Inside the tent, Robson was lying on the bed with Valentino underneath him. The two were reading a joke book by the dim candlelight. It was hard to imagine that the usually unsmiling Earl Fengman actually liked such childish things.

In the words of his previous life, the two of them were currently in the honeymoon phase.

Robson himself didn’t feel it that strongly. After all, he wasn’t truly twenty years old. In his past life, he’d been in his early thirties, and being somewhat precocious, he was long past the age of being driven by hormones.

It was just that the Countess had become much clingier than before.

Robson himself valued family a great deal.

There was no active battle anyway, and Robson did have a knack for managing large armies. He could finish his military duties in a flash and then spend time with Valentino, treating it like a government-funded vacation.

This was a rare moment of relaxation. Once they reached the Royal Capital, they would be plunged into a political vortex.

Coming to a funny part, Valentino let out another chuckle. Sensing the person behind her was quiet, the Countess turned her head.

"What, is it not funny?"

It was a Frankish joke about Louis II: "Under the brilliant command of the great His Majesty Louis, we have successfully lengthened the Beastman Empire’s supply lines, greatly increasing the pressure on their logistics. Victory is at hand..."

"I never would have guessed you like such childish things," Robson said with a laugh.

’It really doesn’t fit the Countess’s persona.’

Valentino paused at his words, then chuckled softly.

"The pressure to study from my family was too much. One time, I just couldn’t take it anymore, so Lady Julian brought me these things from outside to cheer me up."

After speaking, the Countess turned her head and feigned anger at Robson.

"Not like you, you old soul."

Seeing this, Robson just smiled, grabbing the Countess’s hand and lacing their fingers together.

"From now on, you won’t have to feel so much pressure," Robson said.

Valentino’s face instantly turned red, and she pretentiously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Then you should read it with me. What if... the baby likes it..."

The mood was set, and the timing was perfect.

But just then, a shout came from outside the tent.

"Sir, Knight Lumian requests an audience."

The atmosphere was instantly shattered.

’Lumian?’

Robson was rather puzzled. ’What’s he doing here at this hour?’

Although he didn’t know why Lumian Knight Commander had come, Robson certainly couldn’t turn him away, so he sat up.

The Countess also quickly straightened her appearance, adopting a dignified posture.

Once they were both presentable, Robson and Valentino walked out of the tent.

At the entrance, they found Lumian Knight Commander, who had been waiting for some time.

"My apologies. I hope I didn’t disturb you," said Lumian Knight Commander.

’What do you think?’

Lord Robson, having had his "spell" interrupted, felt a flicker of anger.

But of course, he couldn’t show it.

"Not at all. It is my honor to receive a visit from you, Knight Commander. Please, let’s go inside and talk..."

"No need," Lumian Knight Commander refused.

"Actually, I came to ask, General Robson, what are your thoughts on Princess Yifulei?" Lumian Knight Commander asked.

’The princess?’ Robson was baffled.

Lumian Knight Commander nodded.

"If I were to say that after the war, Her Highness the Princess will not be leaving the Frank Kingdom... I wonder, what would your thoughts be on that, General Robson?" Lumian Knight Commander asked.

"Not leaving..."

Now, this surprised Robson.

He didn’t even need to think too hard about such a veiled statement to understand what Lumian Knight Commander meant.

"That’s right. I’ve heard that you and Prince Noah were close when he was alive, General. And Count Valentino, you graduated from King’s College, did you not? The thirty-fifth class, if I recall?"

"I was actually in the thirty-sixth, but something came up with my family," Valentino said.

"Knight Commander, if you’ve come to ask about this matter...

I can only say that I don’t have the power for that. This is a matter for His Majesty Louis III," Robson said, shaking his head.

"Of course, of course..." Lumian Knight Commander nodded.

"I only wish to say that after Prince Noah’s death, Princess Yifulei has been overcome with grief.

As an elder, it pains my heart to see.

Therefore, I would like to ask you and Count Valentino to spend more time with Her Highness when you are free. There are no other women to be found in the military camp."

"I recall your territory is also newly established, General? My Algeria Kingdom has some unused wealth and legions in the Frank Kingdom. When the time comes, I will hand them all over to you," Lumian Knight Commander said.

’Legions!’

Robson was tempted by the offer.

The Algeria Kingdom had the best relationship with the Frank Kingdom and was also the nation most invested in seeing the war end quickly. Thus, they had provided the most legions in aid—a full twenty thousand regular troops.

Robson had access to the army’s data. Of those troops, twelve thousand remained. Excluding the three thousand men under his own command, that was still nine thousand.

It would double his forces outright.

And moreover...

Robson hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Valentino and I will go and pay our respects to Princess Yifulei," Robson said.

Valentino had wanted to ask something, but hearing Robson agree, she kept her mouth shut.

"In that case, I thank you."

"We are also friends with Princess Yifulei. It’s what we should do," Robson said.

After Lumian Knight Commander left, Robson and Valentino returned to their tent.

Valentino leaned against Robson, but he no longer had his earlier playful mood.

"Thinking about Princess Yifulei?" Valentino asked.

Robson nodded.

"What’s there to think about?" Valentino said with a smile.

"We never had a choice to begin with. Given our relationship with Prince Noah, if Princess Yifulei has his posthumous child, we have no choice but to support her.

Now we’re even getting numerous benefits for free. Are you still not satisfied?" Valentino said.

"Besides, given the current situation, if the princess has a posthumous child, she will most likely rise to power. This is the merit of enthroning a new ruler, handed to us on a silver platter."

Hearing this, Robson fell silent for a moment. How could he not know? He had agreed so readily precisely because he understood this point.

"That may be true, but one must always think carefully about these things. One wrong step, and the consequences will be severe," Robson sighed.

At his words, Valentino scoffed, which Robson found baffling.

"You just told me not to feel any pressure. Does that mean you were just going to take it all on yourself?" Valentino asked.

"Sigh... I suppose so. It’s just... I originally wanted to relax with you."

"I didn’t expect all these matters to chase after us, not even giving us a moment to breathe."

Hearing this, Valentino’s heart filled with happiness, and she leaned against Robson’s chest.

"For people of our status, there’s no such thing as true relaxation."

"Actually, I feel that as long as I’m by your side, I’m already relaxed enough."

Robson looked into the Countess’s eyes.

Suddenly, he felt his interest stirring once again.

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