While the High King of the Dwarves was leading his army back to Eight Peaks, and the High Elves were swiftly retreating north from Nagashizzar to the Border Princes, a lengthy meeting that had lasted several days finally concluded in the Palace of Fontainebleau in Bretonnia.
After much discussion and voting, the marshals and governors decided against launching any new military campaigns for the time being. Firstly, the Albion Expedition had resulted in significant losses, and the army needed time to reorganize. Additionally, the spoils and dividends from the expedition had yet to be fully digested, making another large-scale campaign inappropriate. Secondly, the forests of Bretonnia, much like those in the Empire, were now teeming with Beastmen. While the Forest of Châlons remained peaceful thanks to Angron and the four Custodes, the Forest of Arden was rife with reports of large-scale Beastmen activity.
Furthermore, news from the Empire and the Wood Elves indicated that the Shadowgave, Morghur, had been sighted again in the Grey Mountains. It seemed Morghur was planning another invasion of Athel Loren. The Wood Elves warned Ryan to be prepared, as a joint force from Athel Loren and Bretonnia would need to be assembled immediately to eliminate Morghur once he appeared.
Queen Ariel of the Wood Elves, who had now entered a deep slumber within the Oak of Ages, specifically requested Ryan's participation. This had been agreed upon in their previous treaty, and Ryan naturally complied.
With these matters settled, the Winterfest celebrations arrived. Despite the grim situation in the Old World, Ryan ordered several grand Winterfest celebrations to be held.
The merchant princes of Marienburg immediately caught the scent of opportunity. A flood of merchants and traders descended upon Bretonnia. The past two years of disasters, Beastmen incursions, and Chaos cult activities had made business difficult for the merchant princes of Marienburg. Goods were harder to sell, but with Ryan hosting the celebrations, the wealthy merchants quickly seized the chance.
Everyone knew the Bretonnians had money!
Ryan didn't refuse them. Merchants were essential for the flow of goods and contributed to the economy and tax revenue. Ryan issued several permits, allowing the wealthy merchants of Marienburg to set up markets in designated areas. Five Grey Knight recruits were sent to closely monitor the markets and ensure taxes were collected.
The wealthy merchants, seasoned in their trade, immediately launched promotions like "Winterfest Shopping Carnival" and "Million Subsidies, Great Discounts." Mousillon, in particular, became quite lively.
It's worth mentioning that Devonshire specifically went to apologize to Angron, but the World Eater Primarch simply laughed it off. Angron placed a hand on Devonshire's head and chuckled, "It's fine, it's fine. At your age, it's normal to be hot-headed, rebellious, and not listen to your parents. My dear nephew, you need to understand that most of the time, we're doing what's best for you. You need to understand..."
Devonshire said that Angron suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his expression growing distant as he kept repeating, "You need to understand," his eyes reddening.
Ryan simply sighed deeply and, after a long silence, told Devonshire to spend more time with Uncle Angron, as he was quite lonely.
With all these matters handled, Ryan finally found some time to rest during the Winterfest holidays.
However, just as he was about to relax, Ryan received a lunch invitation from Aurora, the head of the Seventh Intelligence Bureau.
Sitting in the oval courtyard study of the Palace of Fontainebleau, Ryan held Theresa, his private secretary, in his arms and showed her Aurora's invitation. "What's this about? Why is your mother inviting me to lunch?"
The Sun King's private secretary was dressed in a black stockings, high heels, white blouse, and glasses—a look Ryan had personally chosen for her. Theresa, utterly exhausted and half-asleep in Ryan's arms, gave him a weak glare and pleaded, "I can't take it anymore, Ryan. Please, let me rest. If this goes on, I'll die. Really, I have no strength left."
The sorceress had thought that after advancing to the Saint Realm, she was no longer the same as before.
But reality proved her wrong. Theresa was still as weak as ever. Ryan, with his mischievous streak, had specially designed several office outfits for her, and the sorceress was often left weak-legged, occasionally taken away by Olica for "maintenance."
"I'm asking about Aurora," Ryan said with a smile, lifting Theresa and sitting her on the couch. The Knight King asked, "Why is your mother specifically inviting me to lunch?"
"Hmph!" Theresa snorted, turning her head away. "You know exactly why! It's not the first time!"
"Don't be like that. If it were that kind of situation, she would have invited you too," Ryan chuckled, holding the sorceress who was entirely his. He whispered, "What is your mother planning now?"
Theresa felt utterly wronged. Her mother sold her out, and now Ryan was doing the same. Did everyone think she was easy to bully?
However, Ryan's words seemed to carry a strange, irresistible power, making Theresa's thoughts fragmented. She looked into Ryan's eyes and stammered, "Rewards... the matter of rewards."
"I see," Ryan called out, "Olica?"
"Master," the dark elf maid entered.
"Theresa is tired. She needs... 'rest,'" Ryan said meaningfully.
"Understood~" Olica's hand glowed, and Theresa obediently followed her out.
"Alright, let's see what this woman wants to talk about," Ryan stood up.
Half an hour later, in the King's Suite of the Bulgari Royal Hotel within the Palace of Fontainebleau.
The Sun King and the Saint Realm sorceress sat across from each other, the table laden with an array of exquisite dishes, clearly prepared by Aurora herself. Emma, Theresa's apprentice and a formal ice sorceress, stood behind Aurora.
The table was set with dishes Ryan had only occasionally enjoyed during his childhood in Nordland.
"Oh, it's been so long since I've had this. I didn't expect you to know how to make Margherita steak," Ryan said, cutting into the classic and luxurious dish. Unlike a regular steak, Margherita steak, also known as "puff pastry steak," was a delicacy.
The dish used premium filet mignon, seared at high heat, then wrapped in a layer of mushroom paste with foie gras, followed by a layer of ham, and finally encased in puff pastry brushed with egg yolk before being baked.
The baked steak was rich in flavor, with a crispy golden crust, a layer of dark brown ham and mushrooms, and a tender, juicy pink steak inside. The side dishes included winter royal vegetables like asparagus, green beans, carrots, potatoes, and leafy greens.
Paired with a glass of high-end Bretonnian red wine, the luxurious experience was beyond words!
In addition to the Margherita steak, Aurora had prepared several northern-style dishes, such as the Kalar open-faced sandwich, Nordland crab cakes, mango and avocado pizza, and Bretonnian truffle mushroom soup.
This immediately put Ryan on high alert.
Such flattery could only mean trouble!
"Your Majesty, how do you find my cooking?" Aurora asked. Today, her long, lustrous black hair was tied up in a bun, hanging at the back of her head. She had a classic oval face, with carefully groomed, slender black eyebrows and long, charming phoenix eyes. Her soft, red lips were adorned with imported lipstick from Ulthuan, and her swan-like neck was pale and straight. She wore a gray knitted sweater and a gray satin pencil skirt, with a white fox fur coat draped over her shoulders, exuding an alluring charm.
The Saint Realm sorceress was tall and slender, yet her chest was remarkably ample, stretching the gray knitted sweater into a beautiful curve.
Beneath the gray pencil skirt, her legs, encased in crystal-clear flesh-colored stockings, radiated temptation. Her ten delicate, silkworm-like toes and her pink-white feet rested in a pair of red peep-toe stiletto heels.
Emma, standing behind Aurora, found it strange. Over the past few years, Vice President Aurora seemed to be aging in reverse. Her skin had become increasingly smooth and fair, her hair more lustrous and black, her figure more voluptuous, and even her magical energy had grown purer.
It was odd. Aurora's strength hadn't improved; she had been stuck at the high Saint Realm for decades.
"It's excellent. The food is good, the atmosphere is good, and the company is good," Ryan said, placing a piece of steak in his mouth. The Knight King's expression remained neutral, revealing little emotion. "But it's so good that I'm afraid to eat too much."
"Your Majesty, why are you afraid to eat too much?" Aurora's heart burned with frustration, but she forced a smile. The Saint Realm sorceress ladled a bowl of truffle mushroom soup and handed it to Ryan with both hands.
Ryan accepted it and took a sip. "Hmm, truly delicious... I'm afraid to eat too much because I might eat something I shouldn't, do something I shouldn't, and give someone leverage over me."
You bastard! Is there anything you wouldn't dare to do? Aurora's forehead twitched, but she maintained her smile. "Your Majesty, your wisdom and martial prowess are unmatched. I haven't yet congratulated you on the victory of the great expedition. A few days ago, you hosted a grand banquet in the conference hall, rewarding everyone. It was quite the spectacle."
Ah! Ryan finally understood what this woman was after and smiled. "Rewards for merit and punishment for faults are normal. Nothing particularly noteworthy."
"Yes... Your Majesty, reports say the High Elves have gone to Nagashizzar to rescue the Little Queen. It's said the Dwarves have also sent troops. They must be fighting by now. I wonder if the Little Queen will be rescued," Aurora continued.
"Indeed," Ryan pretended to recall. The Sun King finally got to the point. "Speaking of which, you and Theresa helped us uncover the locations and possible headquarters of most Chaos cults in the Empire. That was well done. Merit deserves reward, Lady Aurora. What do you think I should reward you and Theresa with?"
"Your Majesty, as your loyal servant... we have already received the highest honor of residing in the King's Suite. What more could we ask for? It's just..." Aurora's heart raced with excitement. Ryan had taken the bait. She hesitated, feigning reluctance.
"Just what?" Ryan's inner smile grew colder.
"It's just about little Shire..." Aurora carefully chose her words, mixing a hint of resentment with dissatisfaction. "Shire is also your child, Your Majesty. Shouldn't you reward her with something?"
"Pfft!" Ryan burst out laughing. The Sun King quipped, "Of course I know Shire is my child, but she's only three and a half years old. What can I reward her with? Gold and silver are useless to her. At most, I can give her some silk, toys, and books."
"We already have plenty of those at home," Aurora cautiously continued. "More wouldn't make much difference. Shire is used to them and doesn't find them special."
"Then what do you suggest I reward her with?" Ryan took a bite of steak and then picked up a sandwich, signaling Aurora to continue.
"Your Majesty, your other children already have noble titles," Aurora finally revealed her true intent. The Saint Realm sorceress's stocking-clad legs under the table couldn't help but fidget, her heels tapping the floor. "Shire, though only three and a half, is also your child. Could you grant her a title and a fiefdom..."
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
It was well-known that the Sun King had two sons and four daughters. The eldest, though a bastard, was Frederick, Baron of Nuln, born to the Elector Countess of Nuln, Emily. Since Ryan was a king and Emily an Elector Countess, this child was not considered lowborn but rather one of the most noble bastards in the Old World's history.
The second son, the legitimate heir, was Devonshire, Baron of Gisoreux, born to Ryan and Queen Sulia.
It's worth noting that both Frederick and Devonshire's baronies were court titles—honorary and without real power. In both the Empire and Bretonnia, major nobles often granted their firstborn heirs a court barony.
If we were to compare it to ancient China, this court barony would be called a "Yanei."
Of course, Frederick was now gradually taking control of a small portion of Nuln's military, but that's another matter.
Additionally, Ryan and Emily had two daughters: 13-year-old Rem and 5-year-old Rita, both already titled Princesses of Nuln with their own fiefdoms. As for Cecilia, the 4-year-old daughter Ryan had with Sylvie, she had recently been granted a lower knighthood and her own fiefdom.
Counting them all, only Shire Trolovic, Ryan's daughter with Aurora, remained without a title or fiefdom.
"Shire is too young," Ryan shook his head. "Let's wait until she's older, at least in her teens, before considering it. Besides, Shire is of ice sorceress lineage... I'd need to consult the dukes and Morgiana before making such a precedent."
"But..." Aurora grew anxious. "Shire is your daughter too. She's too young? Rita is only five and already has a title!"
"Yes, Rem and Rita have titles, but that's Emily's doing, not mine. If you want Shire to have a title, go ask Emily," Ryan retorted. "She's the Elector Countess of Nuln, with her own province and lands. Whether she grants titles is her business."
"What about Cecilia? Cecilia is your daughter, only four years old. How come she has a title?" Aurora pressed. "This isn't fair!"
"Cecilia is Sylvie's daughter and the legal heir of Baron Vincent (Sylvie doesn't intend to inherit her father's title, and Ryan has other rewards planned for her). Since Vincent only has Sylvie as his daughter, though the barony isn't inherited, it naturally passes to Cecilia, granting her a lower knighthood. There's no issue there," Ryan explained.
"I don't care about all that! I'm asking you, Ryan, this is your daughter. Will you grant her a title or not?" Aurora stood up, her ample chest heaving as she leaned forward, demanding an answer.
"I've said it before. Granting a title to a sorceress isn't something I can do lightly," Ryan calmly continued eating, shaking his head. "Let's wait until she's older, at least in her teens."
"You... you're an unfit father, a scoundrel, a scum, a disgrace!" Aurora's face turned red with anger. The Saint Realm sorceress pressed, "Then let me ask you, if Veronica bore you a son or daughter, would you grant them a title?"
"Of course I would!" Ryan replied naturally.
"Why? Why can her child have a title? Are you favoring her?" Aurora was so furious that frost began to form on her forehead.
"Exactly. I do favor her," Ryan nodded without hesitation. Veronica was the treasure of his heart. Aside from Sulia, who in the harem could compare?
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The Saint Realm sorceress screamed, on the verge of losing her mind.
"Hahahaha," Ryan laughed heartily at his mother-in-law's exasperated expression. "Alright, alright~"
Aurora finally calmed down.
"Here's the deal. Next week, the annual turkey banquet will be held in Sulia's courtyard within the Palace of Fontainebleau. Everyone will be there, even the Lady herself," Ryan smiled. "This year, I'll specially grant you an invitation. You can attend the turkey banquet."
"If you can convince my queen, Sulia, to agree to the title, I'll grant Shire the title of Princess of Mousillon and award her a fiefdom of 100 hectares near the Palace of Fontainebleau. How about that?"
"Do you promise?" Aurora's eyes lit up with determination.
"Yes, I give you my word," Ryan smiled meaningfully.
Let's see how you perform, Lady Aurora. Don't disappoint me.
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