After Alexander asked for Vlad's help, silence fell over the hall, and every gaze turned toward him with heavy anticipation.
Vlad exhaled, speaking in a calm yet firm voice:
"If I help you now, Alexander… what do you think the Empire will say? The two strongest duchies suddenly forming an alliance? Do you expect them to believe we're doing it purely to protect your people? Of course not. They'll assume we're making a move for power—and that could drag us into disaster. I cannot risk leading my duchy to ruin."
Irina slammed her fist on the table, fury bursting from her voice:
"And what about our people? What about the weak who are dying every day? We are part of this Empire, yet our warriors fall constantly, and no one spares us a glance!"
Vlad replied with a cold, brutally realistic tone:
"I am well aware of that… but if we help you openly now, we would be opening the gates of destruction upon ourselves. Do you think the Empire will simply overlook such an alliance?"
Irina lowered her head, tears streaming despite her struggle to maintain composure.
Alexander intervened, his voice carrying the weight of a wise father:
"Enough, my daughter… he is right. If I were in his position, I would choose the same path. Only a fool invites war onto his own land."
He then turned to Vlad.
"Then… what about providing food and weapons only? Nothing large enough to raise suspicion."
Vlad thought for a moment, then answered:
"Very well. If that is all, it shouldn't harm us. But don't expect large quantities. You know our situation."
Arthur listened quietly, a heavy storm raging inside him.
He—more than any of them—understood the brutal truth of war. Children… women… shattered homes… the merciless trail of destruction.
Alexander thought grimly:
This is my final chance. If I fail… my duchy will fall for good.
He lifted his head.
"Vlad… I have one last proposal."
Vlad smiled faintly.
"You truly don't give up easily. What is it?"
Alexander spoke with calculated confidence:
"That our families be bound together. An official union that makes cooperation natural and justified—just like the other duchies do."
Everyone was stunned… but Arthur was the first to speak:
"That actually makes sense. A marriage alliance makes support expected and acceptable. No one harms a family they're bound to."
The adults stared at him in surprise—such political clarity from a boy his age was unsettling.
Vlad smiled with pride.
"Well said, my son."
Alexander thought with genuine admiration:
Incredible… his reasoning is sharper than many commanders I've met.
But Vlad suddenly asked:
"And who is the proposed bride?"
Alexander answered without hesitation:
"I initially intended for Vern to marry my daughter Irina… but I changed my mind."
Irina trembled, thinking with a painful sting:
I was ready to sacrifice my love… but not like this…
Alexander continued:
"It would be better… for my daughter Irina to be engaged to your son Arthur."
Shock hit the room like lightning.
Irina gasped silently:
Impossible… marry this nobody? Never!
Arthur rose to his feet, voice steady:
"What do you mean by that, sir?"
Alexander answered coolly:
"Exactly what you heard. This is what's best for our duchies."
Irina tried to protest,
"Father, you—"
But her brother placed a hand on her shoulder, speaking sternly:
"This is for our duchy."
Her tears flowed harder, but she remained silent… sacrificing her heart for her people.
Vlad said simply:
"A good proposal. I accept."
Alexander brightened.
"Truly?"
But before he could savor the victory, Victoria's voice cut through the hall like a blade:
"Have you all forgotten something?"
Everyone turned toward her.
She continued, icy and sharp:
"No one asked for my opinion… nor my son's. Is this how you handle decisions that will shape our future—without even looking our way?"
The air froze.
Alexander took her words as a challenge… but before he could respond, Vlad burst out:
"This is a crucial decision! And the Northern Duchy desperately needs assistance, and—"
Victoria silenced him with a single burning glare:
"Crucial? Wonderful. Yet you made it without speaking to your own son. Is that the value you place on being a father?"
Silence engulfed the hall… then Victoria unleashed her aura.
An overwhelming pressure exploded outward, shaking the entire room.
The wooden floor cracked beneath the table, the windows shuddered violently.
Irina trembled, her body collapsing under the crushing weight.
Alexander struggled to remain standing, shouting:
"Please… we meant no disrespect! We knew nothing about him!"
Victoria spat with disdain:
"If you knew nothing… then why did you look at him with such contempt the moment we entered?!"
Alexander froze, sweat pouring down his face.
Damn it… she's nearly my level… maybe stronger.
Morgan tried to scold Arthur:
"Watch your tone! You're defying your—"
Victoria turned toward him with a murderous gaze:
"If you ever threaten my son again… it will be the last time. Understood?"
Morgan nearly collapsed in terror.
In the back, Luna and Isabelle were seconds away from fainting under the immense pressure.
Arthur slowly stepped forward.
"Mother… please. That's enough."
She looked at him, fury burning in her eyes.
"After what they tried to do to you? You want me to stop?"
He placed his hand gently on hers.
"It's fine… Let this pass—for the first and last time."
She closed her eyes, breathing harshly.
"…Fine. Only for you."
The pressure vanished instantly.
Everyone exhaled in pure relief as Arthur wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"What a power… I can finally feel my body again."