Chapter 99: All or Nothing?
"Your Highness, this man has been secretly staring at you throughout the banquet. Such disrespect is unacceptable!"
The sudden outburst caught everyone off guard. It was only then that Cedric realized what had happened. He quickly stood up and apologised. "Your Highness, my son meant no harm. It’s just that Your Highness’s beauty is unparalleled, and he was momentarily captivated."
Princess Lisa chuckled upon hearing this. "You certainly know how to flatter. Since everyone here is a prominent family from Brambleford, who might you be?"
"I am Cedric Goldwynd, and this is my son, Walter Goldwynd." Cedric replied respectfully.
Princess Lisa’s reputation was well known to him. In the Eldorian Empire, few dared to provoke her.
Princess Lisa’s expression shifted slightly, and she nodded gently. "So, you’re the head of the Goldwynd family, one of Brambleford’s great clans. Very well. Since I’m here in Brambleford for leisure, it would be inauspicious to spill blood. Zephyrus, release him and let Young Master return to his seat."
As she spoke, Princess Lisa glanced at Walter.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Zephyrus dared not disobey the princess’s orders.
Across from Cedric, Lothair and his son couldn’t hide their disappointment. If the princess had been truly angered, the Goldwynd family would have faced serious consequences.
Simon had been watching the scene unfold with interest, though he too felt a twinge of disappointment. He had hoped to use this opportunity to further weaken the Goldwynd family’s influence.
However, Princess Lisa’s reaction to learning about the Goldwynd family’s status in Brambleford had been peculiar. Her leniency toward them now made him wary.
This princess was as politically astute as any man.
The banquet continued after this minor incident.
An hour later, the banquet concluded. Simon said. "Auntie, your resting quarters in the residence have been prepared. Please retire for the night."
"That won’t be necessary. I’ve found a villa outside the city and won’t trouble you further." Princess Lisa suddenly announced.
"A villa outside the city? Which one? Perhaps I could visit sometime." Simon inquired.
"Funny enough, I happened to pass by it and took a liking to it. After discussing it with the wealthy owner, I decided to stay there for a few days. It’s on an island in the middle of a lake outside the city." Princess Lisa explained as she walked toward the exit.
Simon nodded. "In that case, let me escort you."
"No need. It’s late, and you should rest." Princess Lisa said as she boarded her carriage.
Simon maintained a polite smile, but inwardly, he was suspicious. Princess Lisa was not following the usual script.
As the carriage slowly departed, Baldwin, who had been standing beside Simon, said. "My Lord, Princess Lisa must have come to Brambleford with some purpose, right?"
"Indeed, and her appetite is far from small. She wants the entire glass-making technology." Simon replied coldly.
"Although Princess Lisa appeared cheerful during the banquet, it was clearly forced. It seems her wishes were not fulfilled." Baldwin observed. "By choosing to stay elsewhere instead of the residence, she’s avoiding our surveillance."
"My aunt is a meticulous woman. The changes in Brambleford won’t escape her notice. What worries me is that she might collude with the Goldwynd family and plant a thorn in my territory."
"Your Highness has noticed it too?" Baldwin asked.
"Hmph, the Goldwynd family may be a local powerhouse, but they’re still of low status. My aunt is extremely proud. In Eldora, she would punish anyone who showed her disrespect. Yet this time, she let Walter off. My influence alone wouldn’t have warranted such leniency."
"I share the same thought, Your Highness. The empire is in turmoil, and with the reavers halting the sale of warhorses, they’re likely preparing to take advantage of the chaos. When the emperor first ascended the throne, the reavers launched a massive invasion. To stabilise his rule, the emperor signed a humiliating treaty with them at the gates of Eldora, agreeing to pay annual tributes and ceding the lands north of Dunmere to West Hollow. Only then did the reavers withdraw."
Pausing for a moment, Baldwin continued. "This time, the reavers will likely repeat their tactics. With each cycle, they grow stronger while the empire grows weaker. Moreover, the reavers have long coveted the Sixteen cities of Aurelia. With West Hollow and other regions already lost, they won’t let go of the remaining territories. Once the natural barrier is breached, their cavalry will sweep through the land unopposed."
"I understand all this, but what does it have to do with Princess Lisa?" Simon asked.
Baldwin explained. "It has everything to do with her. Your domain borders the Alkamite tribe of the reavers to the north. If you can drive out the Alkamites and reclaim West Hollow and other regions, you can block the reavers’ path into the Central Plains. By holding these strategic locations and gaining control of the cities and populations there, you can significantly strengthen your own power. But to drive out the Alkamite, you must first eliminate the hidden threats within your domain."
"Are you suggesting it’s time to deal with the local powerful families?" Simon asked.
Baldwin bowed. "Yes. Now that Your Highness has begun to show your capabilities, even Princess Lisa has taken notice. The other princes will not underestimate you either. The best way for them to hinder you is to support the local powerful families, as these families have wealth, grain, and private armies, enough to pose a serious threat to you."
"But the influence of these families is still substantial. If we act now, it will be a costly battle, with heavy losses on both sides." Simon frowned. "Moreover, we need at least three months to train the new army properly."
Baldwin suddenly smiled. "My Lord, have you forgotten about the Chandlier family? If they learn that you plan to eliminate the Goldwynd family, how do you think they’ll react?"
Simon’s brow furrowed. "I understand your point, but we still need a legitimate reason to move against the Goldwynd family. Acting without justification would be unwise."
"My Lord, the opportunity is right before us," Baldwin said softly. "Richard."
"You mean..." Simon’s expression shifted.
Baldwin nodded. "Richard is a member of the Goldwynd family. If he were to attempt an assassination on the princess, wouldn’t that give you the perfect excuse to deal with the Goldwynd family? Moreover, the golden-armoured guards by the princess’s side could assist you. What’s not to like?"
Simon slowly nodded. Baldwin certainly had a devious mind. "Once Richard attempts to assassinate the princess, it won’t matter whether she believes it or not. After all, Richard is Cedric’s nephew."
"There’s no time to waste. The princess will likely summon the Goldwynd father and son tonight. If Richard acts now, the princess will surely believe that the Goldwynd family is retaliating for Zephyrus’s humiliation of Walter during the banquet." Baldwin said.
Simon couldn’t allow potential threats to remain so close to him. The local powerful families had long been a thorn in his side, and this was the perfect opportunity to deal with them.
Even if he couldn’t eliminate the Goldwynd family, he could at least severely weaken them.
With this in mind, he immediately summoned Richard and explained Baldwin’s plan to him.
"My Lord, leave this matter to me," Richard said excitedly. "Cedric, no matter how capable you are, let’s see how you wriggle out of this one!"
