“What are you thinking about, Leo? You did not even say one word since we left the villa.” Gennachs words took me back to reality and made me realise, that I have ignored everyone while in thought.
“Nothing much really, uncle. I just thought about what I have relearned the last weeks and I am troubled.” I replied while Gennach knocked a rhythm on the carriage and the coachman changed direction.
“Troubled? About what? I thought we are in a great situation, are we not?” Uncle asked me curiously.
“Well, I mean that we need to develop our duchies, our logistics are sea-based and prone to attacks from pirates and fleets, and the merchants are just the middleman to themselves and the other dukes, and they just want to get our resources. And we really lack manpower. Do we even know how many settlements and people we have?”
“Nephew! I did not know that you have an urge for drama! Ha! Do you know how much the other dukes need to wrestle control over their own territory from their vassals? Most of them cannot even pass laws without the majority vote from the knight, bishops and mayors, that are supposedly in their “service”. Relax Leo!” He laughed at my concerns, as if they were just silly thoughts.
“You need to get out of your books Leo! I know you cannot go an hunts or spars since your incident but look at the bright side of life! Enjoy this sunny day and the hustle of the city. It is amazing how many spices and exotic clothes are sold here!” Gennach eyes shined as he thought about the wonders from the foreign merchants.
Then a smirk appeared, he leaned forward as if he was a conspirator “Or look at the fair maidens walking along our streets, summer is the best season of the year as you can see yourself. Let’s talk about the real important things, what is the type of girl you desire?”
While he looked as if he was really into discussing these kinds of conquests, I then saw only a calculating look in his eyes.
I tried to change the topic. “Uncle, look, I think I really need to concentrate on more important things now. Especially since I can not lead troops with my injury, I should be at least prepared.”
“So, you do not give up, huh? Ok, then let us do it your way: you are already 17 and eligible for marriage, so when will you sire an heir to the ducal throne?” Gennach shot back to me.
“I... eh… I mean, I am still young, right? Would it not be too soon? And marriage is an important thing, for sure, but I should find someone I like. I… really did not think about that, let us talk another time uncle.”
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“Nice try kid, but I am warning you now.” Gennachs eyes became serious and not even a clue about his carefree and lecherous demeaner was left. “You are a noble heir, which means that there are only three things important for your marriage: a healthy heir as soon as possible, a noble status of your spouse and a strong alliance based on that marriage. Love or even friendship is a nice bonus, but ultimately that is what mistresses are for. And since Ma is old and tired, she will not give you much time to think. So, if you want to think about problems, find for yourself a good woman.”
I gulped and nodded at that. If I used the excuse of a weak body to read more and be prepared with knowledge, well then, I should not be surprised that my weak body would be a factor of instability. “How much time do I have?” I asked.
A happy face returned on my uncle’s face as he relaxed back on the seat of the carriage. “As you know, the two princes are preparing for a war over the throne. A marriage with one of the dukes could guarantee our neutrality or be a reason to join one of the sides. So, you should find a proper candidate until the king dies, or else we would have to resort to one of the daughters of the local knights. And last time I was out drinking with an old friend of mine, a captain, he said that the king is not leaving his private chambers due to his health.”
“So not much time. But… why do you think we should side with one of the princes?”
Gennach stopped grinning and stared at me for a moment, as if lost in thought. “Several reasons really. First, even if we remain neutral, we will have to concede something to both sides because of the possibility that both could become king, but in turn we will get almost nothing. Secondly, although we did not much on the stage of Mitalica, we did earn some rivalries, it would be a good moment to pay some of them back.” He looked me in the eyes with hateful eyes as he said the second point.
“And lastly: while they call themselves kings and duke and claim that their ancestors were for generations rulers over their lands, which is true, they also come from families that began to rise after the Empire broke up. Which means they are not Empyrians.”
He looked at me with pride and determination. “But our family dates back to the descendants of the old empire, that were allowed to rule in the name of the imperial dynasty of the New Draconic Empire. Sure, most of the times we were local mayors, but do you not think we should remember these peasants, why they should fear us?”
I was intrigued by such a revelation. I did not know this from the memories of my old me, or the books I read in the library. “Are you sure uncle about that? I did not know anything about our… roots.”
“Hah! Of course, I am sure, it is one of the secrets of the Sarembrian judges! But while this is a very good claim to any throne in the Great Sea, it is also makes you a target of all the kingdoms, that were once governed by the Empire. Do not forget that.”
As I thought about such a revelation, a commotion broke outside of the carriage. As I looked outside, I realised that we had come a big stone building, the bailiff’s office. A young man in colourful and sophisticated clothes and a young woman in a tasty, but slightly too revealing dress were talking with one of my guards. They were both of my age and… wait isn’t that…?