Chapter 94

A few days later.

Somehow managing to arrange a schedule, Queen Aura set up a meeting with Lucinda, the eldest daughter of the Gazier Margrave, in one of the palace rooms.

The official reason for the meeting was to discuss the "preparations for the wedding of General Pujol and Nilda Gazier, scheduled a year from now," but that was not the main topic.

"Thank you for coming. I apologize for calling you so often. Please, have a seat."

"Yes, thank you."

Once Lucinda gracefully sat down on the opposite sofa, the queen began with the official topic as per protocol.

"Is the wedding preparation going smoothly? I hear that Primus from the Gijen family is being quite active?"

Lucinda chuckled and nodded at the queen's somewhat veiled words.

"Yes, fortunately, we still have nearly a year, so the preparations are progressing without major issues. We don't plan to request work from Prince Francesco and Prince Bonaventure like Lord Primus does."

The Gazier Margrave family intends to commission the wedding gifts for the groom, General Pujol Gijen, from local craftsmen in their territory.

The Gazier Margrave's domain is a large territory in the region. Except for certain unavoidable materials like salt, they have a self-sufficient system within their domain.

General Pujol is a renowned warrior.

If the best craftsmen in the domain are commissioned to create weapons and armor using valuable materials like the fang of a steel dragon or the hide of a tyrant dragon, the gifts will be well-received as wedding presents.

"I see. Then there should be no problems. This is a joyous occasion for both the Gazier Margrave family and the Gijen family."

The queen deliberately spoke with a veiled tone.

While it is a joyous occasion for both families, it is not necessarily so for the royal family.

Even without saying it outright, the underlying meaning was clearly conveyed.

Lucinda, after a moment of respectful silence, slowly opened her mouth.

"Thank you. Thanks to the grace of Queen Aura, my sister Nilda Gazier will be able to have a successful wedding. On behalf of the Gazier Margrave family, I would like to express my deepest gratitude."

"Hmm, on behalf of the Gazier Margrave family, you say. Does that mean I can take your words today as the consensus of the Gazier Margrave family?"

The queen, pressing with a forceful gaze, confirmed this, and Lucinda nodded slightly.

"Yes. I have been formally entrusted by my father, the head of the household, to represent him. Furthermore, I have come here with the audacious request to once again seek your assistance, Your Majesty."

"Hmm, you need my assistance, you say..."

Queen Aura narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking.

The Gijen family, which had been bound by the engagement of General Pujol as a royal marriage candidate, is one thing, but in this matter, the royal family is rather in a position of owing a favor to the Gazier Margrave family.

Lucinda, understanding this, has come here to request further "assistance."

It's not hard to imagine that this is not a straightforward request.

"First, let's hear what you have to say."

Encouraged by the queen, Lucinda began her "request."

"Yes. The matter I wish to discuss is about my brother, Xavier. Fortunately, my sister Nilda's marriage has been decided, but Xavier is also at an age where it would not be unusual for him to settle down. Therefore, I thought it might be possible for Queen Aura to introduce a suitable match for him."

"I see."

At Lucinda's words, Aura exhaled deeply.

Lucinda's intention with this "request" is clear.

The Gazier Margrave family is a typical regional noble family with a strong independent spirit.

Therefore, in matters of marriage, they usually do not need the "introduction" of others, including the royal family.

In fact, they often avoid such connections.

However, with Nilda Gazier marrying General Pujol, the head of the Gijen family, the Gazier Margrave family has inevitably become a kind of backing for General Pujol.

The alliance between the prestigious Gijen family in the capital and the large regional territory of the Gazier Margrave family is something that can easily raise the royal family's suspicions, as anyone could easily predict.

Therefore, by having the next head, Xavier, marry a bride chosen according to Queen Aura's wishes, the Gazier Margrave family intends to demonstrate that they have no intention of opposing the royal family, both internally and externally.

In form, it is a "request," but in substance, it is a significant concession from the Gazier Margrave family.

This could be a fruitful discussion.

Sensing this, the queen deliberately put on a thoughtful expression before speaking.

"Indeed, it is natural for Lord Xavier to be at an age where such matters are discussed. As the next head of the prestigious Gazier Margrave family, it is not easy to find a suitable match for Lord Xavier, but if it is a heartfelt request, I cannot refuse."

The queen's tone was quite exaggerated, but the content was not a lie.

In fact, the Gazier Margrave family is one of the top ten noble families in the great kingdom of Kaupa.

Finding a suitable match for Xavier, the next head, who is of a suitable age, is not an easy task.

Who would be a suitable match? The queen began to list the noble families she had influence over in her mind, and Lucinda interrupted her thoughts.

"However, ultimately, matters of the heart are a matter of compatibility and emotion. If possible, I would like to set aside some time before the formal marriage, if that is acceptable?"

"Hmm? In other words, you're saying that before the marriage, the fiancé should be entrusted to the Gazier Margrave's territory for a while, right?"

At the queen's puzzled question, Lucinda shook her head calmly.

"No, not in our territory, but in the capital. Next year, Xavier is scheduled to move to the capital. My father will return to the territory, so it will be a swap."

"Hmm."

At Lucinda's words, Aura let out a low sound.

In the Kingdom of Kaupa, in principle, one of the former head, current head, or next head of a noble family is required to reside in the capital.

Considering this, it is not particularly unusual for the current head, Miguel Gazier, to return to the territory and the next head, Xavier Gazier, to move to the capital.

However, the capital is not only the seat of Queen Aura but also the base of General Pujol.

If Xavier were to live in the capital, General Pujol, who has married Nilda Gazier, would not remain silent.

He would likely send a woman under his influence to Xavier without hesitation.

(I see.)

The message that Lucinda was conveying without words was clear to Aura.

The Gazier Margrave family is prepared to accept a person in line with Queen Aura's wishes as the next head, Xavier's wife, as a sign of loyalty to the royal family.

However, if this goes too far and becomes a marriage that is unfavorable to the Gazier Margrave family, they are also prepared to resist by strengthening their ties with the Gijen family.

(As a noble family in the region, this is a natural, or rather, a sincere attitude, given their previous declaration.)

Aura made this judgment.

In fact, by saying they are willing to accept a person in line with the royal family's wishes as the next head's wife, they are indeed making a significant concession.

It is a normal and expected self-defense measure for a noble to assert that they will not accept just any woman.

"Understood. Then, I will arrange a meeting in the capital. I will try to make a good match for both the Gazier Margrave family and Lord Xavier personally, but if there are any issues, I would appreciate it if you could let me know before the potential bride is directly informed."

"I understand. I will convey this to my father and brother."

Lucinda bowed with a relieved smile, and the queen, seizing the opportunity, pressed further.

"However, with your sister and brother, it's the sister's turn next. Although it goes against the natural order of age, shouldn't we also consider your own marriage seriously?"

At Aura's words, Lucinda, for the first time that day, blinked several times as if caught off guard, then smiled wryly and shook her head.

"No, I am already this age."

Lucinda, who remained unmarried well into her late twenties, had already given up on marriage.

Otherwise, she would have been more eager to seize the opportunity when it was mentioned that "Zenjiro was interested in Lucinda."

However, Queen Aura deliberately let a twisted smile play on her lips as she spoke to Lucinda.

"No, that's premature. To be frank, you are indeed past the prime age for marriage by this world's standards. It is difficult to find a suitable match for the eldest daughter of the Gazier Margrave family. However, if we do not limit the match to a family of equal status, there are still potential suitors. How about it? Would you consider entrusting your marriage to me, along with Xavier's?"

"That is..."

At the queen's offer, Lucinda's expression stiffened.

Although she had passed the prime age for marriage and could no longer expect a proper match, this also meant that there were still options for less conventional matches.

The Gazier Margrave family is one of the top ten noble families in the Kingdom of Kaupa.

It would be difficult for a noble family of equal status to accept Lucinda, who had passed the prime age for marriage, and even a slightly lower noble family would be reluctant.

However, a noble family two or more ranks lower would likely accept the marriage to the Gazier Margrave family's name.

Marry into a lesser noble family.

Understanding what Aura meant, Lucinda took a long, deep breath.

"That is not a bad proposition, I suppose."

Lucinda spoke these words, having made a rational decision as much as possible, detached from emotion.

Lucinda herself had already given up on marriage.

If Aura and the other family desired it, Lucinda had no objection to being used as a pawn.

The only issue was that if Lucinda were to marry into a lower-ranking family, it might diminish the prestige of the Gazier Margrave family. However, this would be somewhat offset by Nilda's marriage into the Gijen family.

The royal family is likely concerned that the marriage of General Pujol and Nilda Gazier will make the Gijen family and the Gazier Margrave family too influential.

If this marriage can maintain a normal distance from the royal family, it would not be a bad deal.

In any case, unlike Xavier's marriage, which was proposed by the Gazier Margrave family, there had been no prior discussion about Lucinda's marriage, so she did not have the right to answer immediately.

"I understand your offer. I cannot answer on my own, so I will need to discuss it with my father before giving a formal response. Is that acceptable?"

At Lucinda's words, the queen nodded graciously.

"Yes, that's fine. Please convey my regards to the Gazier Margrave."

"Yes, I understand."

Lucinda, regaining her calm demeanor, bowed politely and left the room.

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With a loud bang, as Lucinda left, only the queen and her close confidant, the slender secretary, remained in the room.

"But, that's quite something, isn't it? To put it bluntly, it's a fraudulent tactic."

The queen, slightly shrugging her shoulders, denied the secretary's harsh comment.

"I'm not lying. What I'm thinking is to have Miss Lucinda become a concubine of Zenjiro. It's not a marriage into a family of equal status to the Gazier Margrave family, is it?"

"Being honest and deceiving someone can coexist, you know."

The secretary, mimicking the queen, shrugged his shoulders, and the queen, perhaps feeling a bit guilty, averted her gaze.

Indeed, if she were to take a statement, it would be fair to call it "fraud" as the secretary said.

"Well, I'll be honest about it when the situation progresses to a certain extent. First, I want Zenjiro to approach Miss Lucinda with the mindset of a potential concubine. If Zenjiro doesn't show any rejection, I'll formally bring up the matter."

"Well, since you know Zenjiro's character best, I'll leave that to you. However, if that's the case, we must ensure that Lord Xavier's marriage is a success. Miss Lucinda is deeply rooted in the value of the family. She won't leave the family unless a bright future is secured for the margrave's territory."

"I understand."

The queen, acknowledging the secretary's point, nodded seriously.

"Then, Your Majesty, do you have any candidates in mind for Lord Xavier's match?"

The secretary asked provocatively, and the queen, raising an eyebrow, replied confidently.

"Yes, leave it to me. The important points are: first, a girl of a family of equal status to the next head of the Gazier Margrave family; second, a girl of a suitable age and with a good personality; and third, a girl from a family that is closer to the royal family. Even with these conditions, there are more than enough candidates."

The queen's words were not a lie. Originally, the Kingdom of Kaupa is a feudal state with an extremely high level of royal power. As a result, Aura, as the queen, has a wide network and many trusted noble families who are directly subordinate to her.

However, the secretary, maintaining his usual expressionless face, poured cold water on the queen's confidence.

"That's good to hear. But, you've forgotten one condition, haven't you?"

"Hmm? A forgotten condition?"

The queen asked, and the secretary nodded slightly.

"Yes, a woman who can adapt to life in a border territory."

"Oh..."

The secretary's point seemed to hit the mark, as the queen let out a surprised sound.

"I see. You're right. It would be too much to ask a noble lady from the capital to bury her bones in a border territory."

There are generally two types of nobles: regional lords who have their own territories and court nobles who serve the royal family directly without their own territories.

Naturally, most of the noble families under Aura's control are the latter—court nobles. Regional lords, who have their own territories and resources, tend to be more independent.

Of course, there are trustworthy regional lords and untrustworthy court nobles, but in general, the court nobles form the support base of Queen Aura.

It is correct that the court noble ladies, who have never left the capital, would find it difficult to adapt to life in a regional territory, as Secretary Fabio pointed out.

The capital of the Gazier Margrave's territory is prosperous in terms of population and finances, but in terms of cultural level, it is several steps below the capital.

If a lady from the capital were to move there, she might act in an ignorant manner and earn the disapproval of the locals.

"Hmm, that narrows down the candidates significantly. The eldest daughter of the Legardo Viscount's family seems to be a good candidate."

The current capital's former regional lord, the Legardo Viscount's family, is a trustworthy family close to the royal family. Moreover, the Legardo Viscount's family, while residing in the capital, values martial prowess, so they are expected to fit in well if they were to marry into the Gazier Margrave's territory.

"What about the third or fourth daughter of the Lala Marquess's family? I think they would be a good match in terms of age."

At the secretary's suggestion, the queen furrowed her brow in thought.

"Indeed, they meet the conditions, but both the wet nurse and her husband are quite stubborn. Since I ascended the throne, they have kept their distance. I wonder if they will accept our request..."

The Lala Marquess and his wife were Queen Aura's wet nurse and her husband, and to Aura, they were like a second family.

They are the most trustworthy of her subordinates in terms of both ability and character, but when Aura became queen, they said, "We have too much influence over the queen. We can't stay in the capital. In exchange, we will protect the north," and have not set foot in the capital since.

They even sent a congratulatory message through a proxy for Aura and Zenjiro's wedding.

"Perhaps we should at least try to communicate with them? The Gazier Margrave family won't proceed with both Nilda and Lord Xavier's marriages simultaneously. So, even if we start the process for Lord Xavier's marriage as soon as possible, it will be more than a year before it happens. If your