Chapter 80: The Crown's Purge. (5)

Chapter 80: The Crown's Purge. (5)

Gabriel felt that slight rumbling again as he spoke to the emperor. The citizens were cheering beyond the walls, he felt that he would probably be able to hear them shout his name if he strained his ears. The common people loved a good show, that was the entire reason the emperor was taking his time with Gabriel, slowly going through everything he had so that he could show it off to the populace.

In that regard, the name Gabriel had chosen for himself was perfect for the emperor’s purpose. He was already trying to set Gabriel up as a hero to make the commoners rise up for the empire, having a name associated with something as mythical as a dragonslayer would only make that easier.

"It’s a good name, Gabriel Sakra Indra. It speaks of ambition and power, of the capability that can be found even in the most common man. You have chosen well, my child."

The emperor was not shy about doling out praise, speaking slowly and clearly so that everything was transmitted properly. The citizens had to hear and understand every word to ensure that their hearts were set alight.

"Normally, to prevent others from blaming me for favouritism, I would end the rewards here. But, Gabriel Sakra Indra, what you have achieved and done for the empire is no small feat and is worthy of all our admiration. I may have made you a Viscount of War, but as it stands, in this very moment, you will have no territory. Now, how could I possibly allow something like that?"

The emperor kept looking down at Gabriel with a warm smile, still leaning on his blade as if it was a cane. He drew out his words to draw the attention of everyone watching the broadcast, he had to make them hold their breath as they tried to decipher what other rewards they could possibly receive if they fought for the empire.

"Marquess Elias Rutherford."

The emperor did not keep them waiting for long, turning his gaze towards the nobles that were gathered beyond the podium. His voice was commanding, regal, three people swiftly stepping out from the crowd as they gave a respectful greeting.

"We heed your esteemed call, your exalted highness."

Elias Rutherford, a marquess who held territory in the western reaches of the empire, had stepped forward with his daughter and wife. The emperor flashed them a smile, using a hand to gesture for Gabriel to follow his gaze.

"This must be little Juliet. I hardly recognise you after all these years, but you have grown into a splendid woman."

Juliet Rutherford, eldest daughter of Marquess Rutherford. She was a girl who had just celebrated her 18th birthday and her coming of age ceremony, she was ripe for marriage.

Long brown hair that had been curled with great care, clean and smooth skin that was dotted by a handful of freckles around her nose, slightly narrow blue eyes, a small nose, and a full figure. She had indeed grown into a splendid woman, one who had received more than a few letters requesting her hand in marriage.

"I am unworthy of your praise, your exalted highness."

But none of that mattered. Her family had been loyal to the imperial family since the time of their progenitor, when he came with a request there was no way they would refuse him. Thus, her marriage and future had been settled. After all, who would dare refuse something set up by the ruler of the empire?

"Gabriel Sakra Indra. Little Juliet has not been able to sit still ever since news of your achievements reached the capital and has simply been dying to meet you. I may not be able to grant you any land at this moment, but I have spoken with Marquess Rutherford in hopes that we can prepare something for you."

The emperor smiled as he spoke, his gaze turning slightly so that he could look at Gabriel, who was currently looking at Juliet. The emperor could feel the faint tremors that ran through the ground. Good, the citizens were sufficiently riled up, they were burning with fervour for the empire.

"Little Juliet is the eldest daughter and the jewel of House Rutherford, in the future she will take over their estate and all their lands. In truth, she already has a hand in running it all, the marquess simply hasn’t publicised it."

The emperor was taking his time, dragging it out to string along everyone watching. It was a farce. Among those in the room currently, only the lowest of nobles didn’t know exactly what was going on here, what the emperor was trying to set up. But he cared not for any of it and kept going.

"We have spoken about it at length already and have come to the conclusion that I, Marquess Rutherford, and Juliet herself, would like to offer you her hand in marriage. You will learn how to rule a territory alongside her, and in time you will take over the Rutherford estate alongside her, merging it with the Viscounty that I do not doubt that you will build in the future."This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

The emperor brought out the final reward he had prepared, a suitable wife and land beyond compare. He would not only jump from a Viscount to a Marquess, but he would also acquire well-established land and a spouse desirable enough to make other men jealous. This was a move that would make not only the common populace cheer loudly, it would entice Gabriel enough to win him over no matter what.

The emperor made a gesture with his hand, allowing Juliet Rutherford to walk up to the podium. She extended her hand to Gabriel with a bright and warm smile, a liar’s smile. All he would have to do was take it and the deal would be sealed, the voice of the emperor reaching everyone in the capital.

"Gabriel Sakra Indra. Citizen of my empire. My child. Let me give you a home, let me give you a family."

A family and a home, the final weapons that the emperor had prepared to chain down the poor and sad orphan that had been raised alongside a neglected daughter.

Ah... What a beautiful picture he painted for the citizens, what a wonderful tapestry he had put together.

Ah, but what a shame it was that the paint he was trying to use was already ruined by a different painter.

Gabriel looked at the hand offered to him. It was clean, its skin smooth and unblemished, her nails neatly trimmed. Well, he could spot the faintest traces of ink underneath her light blue fingernails so it wasn’t really right to call it unblemished. But over-all, it was a clean and neat hand.

"That is correct, your highness."

The mana in the air moved, Alice could feel it. The mages responsible for transmitting the events of the ceremony had moved their focus onto the duke. Arthas wanted the empire to see this, the duke probably wanted the same. Naturally, she was no different.

"What you have said is true, your highness. Alice De Vritara was born of a tryst between the deceased duchess and one of our servants, she is not of my blood. Now, naturally, I am sure that you are all aware that the deceased duchess was of the Vritara lineage, so despite the tryst, Alice De Vritara holds as much Vritara blood as her siblings. But I will not deny that my own distaste and anger has led to her being neglected, not receiving the proper training and nurturing that she should have gotten as a Vritara."

The duke spoke slowly and calmly, as if the truth of his wife cheating on him didn’t phase him. He shared it openly, admitting his wrongs without batting an eye.

"But naturally, with the situation being what it is, I would be committing a grave sin towards the empire if I allowed something like that to continue. As such, I wish to take this opportunity to officially declare, to nobles and commoners alike, that Alice De Vritara, though no daughter of mine, has just as much claim to the seat of duchess as her siblings. Henceforth, she will be considered an official possible heir to the duchy, and if she proves herself worthier than her siblings, the duchy will be passed to her."

Alice felt the corners of her lips tremble. She almost broke out into a wide grin, barely able to swallow it down. Arthas started speaking shortly after the duke, praising her highly while speaking of the northern battle.

But honestly, it just went in one ear and out the other. Right now, there was only one thing Alice could think of. The promise. Gabriel did a lot of things for her, but there were very few things he had ever properly promised and sworn on.

But the truth was one of them, a deal made as children. When she becomes officially acknowledged by the duchy, when she gets acknowledged by the imperial family, when she gets her first title, when she gets married, and when she takes over the duchy. Five milestones, five questions she could ask that he would answer with nothing but the truth.

Now, Gabriel never lied to her. He had said as much, and she whole-heartedly believed her. But when she as a child asked him how he knew about the fused elements that no one else seemed to know about, he had refused to answer. He didn’t lie, but he didn’t answer either.

So they made the deal. And with this... With this one ceremony she had accomplished three of those milestones, she would get an answer to three of the questions she had held close to her chest for years.

But before that... She had to push that lovable knight of hers a bit more.

Arthas kept talking while Alice was planning, responding with the phrases she had prepared in advance. It continued all the way until the moment she had been waiting for.

"Now then, my child. With all that said, I actually have one last reward in mind for you. I understand that it is hard to live while being neglected, I don’t even dare to imagine how many nights you had to spend alone in a cold room. As such, I wish to offer a little bit of light, a small gesture that I hope can help heal your heart."

Alice felt her face cramp. Ah, she wanted to smile, she wanted to grin so widely that her face would seem like it had split. She felt a gaze. She felt that poison tickle her skin.

"I would be eternally grateful, your highness."

She managed to smile properly as she raised her head and stood up. Now, now things would start to leave the plan she told Gabriel. Don’t propose until I give the signal. Oh what a simple order she had given him.

"No need, my child, it is simply my duty as the father of the empire."

Arthas smiled brightly, gesturing with his hand. The youngest son of the Sorin ducal family stepped forward, as did Arthas’ four sons. They stood there in front of her, lined up as they looked at her.

"The eldest son and middle son are already engaged, but Duke Carthalion Sorin still has his youngest son. Naturally, I also have my own unfilial sons, all of them struggling like headless chickens to find a proper wife. If you are not put off by the idea, we would be more than willing to let you get engaged to whomever you choose among them. Surely, healing a wounded heart is done better together than alone."

Arthas made his offer. The youngest son of the Sorin family wasn’t a strong contender for the inheritor seat, but with a bit of help he should be able to reach a decent level. And naturally, the four princes didn’t even need to be mentioned, getting engaged to them was the same as getting a free pass into the Imperial Family. A ducal family or the Imperial Family, calling it a dream scenario wouldn’t be wrong.

"I am honoured that you care so deeply about my well-being, your highness. We are truly fortunate to have you as the light of our empire. Would it be alright if I take my time in answering? I would like to spend the rest of the ceremony getting to know the young princes’ and Young Master Soring before I make my decision."

Alice smiled as she spoke. She didn’t reject the offer, she simply asked to get the rest of the day to decide. She set a hard deadline to her answer, a stark contrast to Gabriel’s more vague rejection. Naturally, Arthas was more than happy with this.

"Naturally, my child. Take your time, I am sure you can find one among them to help warm you."

Arthas smiled brightly, the nobles in the hall clapping to congratulate Alice. The five eligible bachelors greeted her one by one to introduce themselves. After today, one among them would become her husband and tie their families together.

Alice smiled, barely suppressing a grin as she reciprocated the introduction. She felt the gaze on her back, precious poison staining her skin until her heart started to pound.

Want me, Gabriel. Desire me, Gabriel. Need me, Gabriel. And then look only at me, claim only me, mark only me.

Don’t propose until I give the signal. Such an easy request, such an easy order. But can you go along with it, Gabriel? Can you handle it?

I hope you’ll crumble, Gabriel. Take me. Steal me. Chain me down for all to see.