Chapter 96: Marriage Proposal
Male servants kept their eyes glued firmly to the floor.
Passing the royal columns, Kane noticed several men shaking under the burden of silver wine trays, utterly terrified of spilling a single drop.
One unfortunate servant accidentally brushed a noblewoman’s silk sleeve while passing.
"MY APOLOGIES!"
Dropping to his knees instantly, the man pressed his forehead against the cold stone in a silent, desperate apology.
’This place is a literal nightmare for anyone without a womb,’ Kane thought, keeping his own posture straight and defiant.
Reaching the elevated dais, he met the Empress’s icy stare.
She wore a crown of woven platinum and offered no polite greetings. She certainly did not offer him a seat.
"Your Elven Queen wants my warships," the Empress stated, her voice echoing sharply through the vast chamber.
"She sends a barbarian to ask for my fleet just to counter Morvak’s little naval project."
"I’m offering a mutual alliance that sinks his ships before they ever reach your coastal borders," Kane corrected smoothly, flashing a highly confident smile.
"You provide the galleons. My people provide the bleeding. It saves your soldiers."
Tapping a ring against her throne, the matriarch studied his face.
"I accept your military logic, Barbarian. You will have your armada. But my fleets never sail for mere promises. They sail for family."
Kane narrowed his eyes, sensing the trap closing.
"What does that mean?"
Gesturing vaguely with her left hand, the Empress signalled the back doors.
Two paladins escorted a young woman into the grand hall.
Wearing a simple white dress, the girl with white hair possessed hollow eyes that stared at nothing at all.
She moved like a wandering ghost, completely detached from the physical space around her.
"This is my youngest daughter," the Empress announced softly.
"You will formally betroth her."
’A hostage exchange dressed up as a wedding,’ Kane realised, crossing his arms.
Focusing his attention on the frail girl, a blue screen flared across his vision.
[System Scan Initiated]
[Target: Princess Misha]
[Status: Cursed / Shattered Divine Core]
[Note: Target is incapable of vocal communication or mana regulation.]
’She’s broken inside,’ Kane noted, feeling a rare flicker of genuine pity.
’Her own mother is trading a cursed child for a convenient border buffer.’
"I accept the betrothal," Kane answered without hesitating a single second.
"Draw up the papers."
The Empress finally smiled, a chilling, triumphant expression.
"You are far more pragmatic than you look, barbarian. We have an accord."
Leaving the throne room an hour later, Kane felt the political tension bleeding slowly out of his shoulders.
Walking alongside Seraphine through the open courtyard, his gaze naturally wandered.
Everywhere he looked, mature, authoritative women conducted the empire’s daily business.
Priestesses in flowing robes discussed theology, paladin captains trained without their armour, and aristocratic noblewomen walked by with sharp eyes and lush figures.
’This entire city is just filled with gorgeous, dominating older women,’ Kane realised, feeling his cock tighten around his pants.
’It’s genuinely distracting. I came here to plan a naval war, but my mind is definitely wandering elsewhere.’
Adjusting his sword belt to hide his growing problem, he tried to focus on Seraphine’s lecture regarding proper court etiquette.
"You managed to not insult her," Seraphine muttered, looking almost impressed by his restraint.
"But tying yourself to the Silent Princess will surely enrage your existing household."
"Thora will accept her," Kane dismissed easily.
"And Lyssel loves political drama anyway."
Something small suddenly crashed right into his shin.
"Ah."
Looking down, Kane found a tiny girl sprawled on the stone path.
She had dropped a carved wooden doll, her lower lip trembling as she looked way up at the towering, battle-scarred warlord.
Dropping to one knee, Kane picked up the toy.
"Here you go."
Handing it back with a gentle, reassuring smile, he softened his rough voice.
"Slow down, little warrior. These stones are slippery."
Sniffling quietly, the child hugged the doll tightly against her chest.
"Elara!" a panicked, melodic voice called out.
Footsteps hurried across the courtyard.
Standing back up, Kane turned just as the child’s mother arrived.
She was breathtaking.
Rich brown hair cascaded over one shoulder in a messy, elegant side-braid.
Her plush curves were barely contained by a fitted azure gown that left her collarbones beautifully exposed.
Her chest heaved slightly from running, and her flushed cheeks only amplified her striking, mature beauty.
’A mom this hot should be illegal,’ Kane thought, captivated by the way her dress hugged her hips.
"I’m sorry," the woman breathed, pulling her daughter safely behind her leg.
Looking up at him, her wide brown eyes took in his scars, his height, and the dangerous aura radiating effortlessly from him.
"No apologies needed," Kane replied, his voice dropping into a smooth, low register.
"I always enjoy running into beautiful women."
A blush spread rapidly across her neck.
Biting her lower lip, she seemed clearly affected by the blatant flirtation from a dominant male, something profoundly rare in this strict matriarchy where men usually kept their eyes firmly on their boots.
"I am Lady Vanya," she introduced herself softly, her gaze lingering on his chest.
"Border Lord Kane," he smiled, taking her hand and brushing a polite kiss across her soft knuckles.
"It’s a genuine pleasure, Vanya."
Seraphine grabbed his elbow, her grip tight enough to bruise bone.
"We have a strategy meeting to attend, Kane."
"Meetings can wait," Kane waved her off, never breaking eye contact with the blushing mother.
Leaning close to his ear, Seraphine hissed quietly.
"Don’t you dare."
Watching Vanya offer an inviting smile before slowly leading her daughter down the garden path, Kane adjusted his belt one more time.
"Already too late," Kane whispered back.
Leaving his fuming paladin bodyguard behind, Kane casually strolled down the cobblestone path, following the gorgeous mother right into the gardens.
High above the courtyard, Princess Misha stood by a narrow slit in the wall, her hollow gaze fixed on Kane’s retreating figure as he disappeared into the greenery with Lady Vanya.
The Empress stepped up beside her cursed daughter, her platinum crown gleaming in the afternoon sun.
"He’s a brute, yes," the Empress murmured, studying the girl’s utterly expressionless face.
"But a necessary one. Tell me, Misha, do you already despise your future husband?"
Lyra turned slowly, looking at her mother with eyes that held no light, offered no answer, and carried no sound.
She simply stared, a silent ghost trapped in a silver cage.
