He walked in, sweating, as I took a seat on the sofa and spoke. 'What deal? And why would you sell out your own Princess? Do you have no loyalty to your Kingdom?' I said, pouring the whisky into my glass.
'Loyalty? To what that coward that doesn't declare war on the people who raid and kidnap our people. He is a fool who is scared of war.' Fredrick said with disdain. Glaring at me while squeezing his fist together, making me shake my head. For someone so old, he is so stupid. I only know the light story about everything and could easily tell why the King hasn't gone to war.
'So why do you want me to call off the marriage? And doesn't this help you, I mean, if you want a war with them, then I can easily do that. What is your end game?' I asked, taking a sip of the whisky as he looked at me.
'I want to replace the King of Avalon, Aurther. I and other nobles find him unfit for the throne, and with the help of Noki and its army, as well as trade might, I can take it.' He said with a grin, making me chuckle at his stupidity. You want to take the throne and get outside help because you're afraid of the Uma Caliphate taking a chance to take land from you. So, if you have another army within Avalon, you believe they wouldn't risk making an enemy of two kingdoms. That is stupid, as they would also have allies.
'And what are you going to offer me to break the marriage?' I said, wanting to know what he planned and if it was worth it. 'I will give you the first two terms and let you marry my granddaughter, who isn't any worse than Roselie.' He said with a smile on his face, and I just stared at him. Is that all? I don't gain anything worth anything more than what I have already gained from Roselie. Is this man a Duke? Or are the leaders of this world just that stupid?
'Is that it? Nothing else? If so, you may go, I have to check everything for the treaty with King Aurther.' I said, standing up, making him angry. 'WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!" He yelled, slamming his hand on the table as I rolled my eyes. 'You haven't offered anything new, meaning there isn't a point in breaking my agreement with Princess Roselie, the fact that you disrespect her by not addressing her as a Princess also annoys me. Why would I switch sides for nothing worth doing it for?' I said, looking at him. 'So you plan to stand against me?' He said once he cooled down. I laughed inside; he acts like he is a threat.
'It would seem so, no, please enjoy the rest of your stay on my ship. I have other important things to deal with.' I said, showing him to the door as he looked at me, then scuffed before leaving. I could hear small cries coming from the deck area, and I walked out with another glass of whisky for Roselie. 'Here,' I said, handing it to her. 'He was like a teacher and a father figure to me.' She said, looking at the glass of whisky.
'Thirst for power brings the worst out of people; You shouldn't cry for what you have lost, Roselie. You should smile for what you have gained.' I said, lifting her chin and kissing her. 'Why did you still stand by the deal with me?' She asked after I sat down next to her, looking out at the sea.
'The reason your father didn't declare war was because of your three neighboring kingdoms. The fact that they didn't try to aid your father, with enemies that hate your people who believe a different religion, when your neighbors have the same religion as you, tells me that they would have invaded Avalon if your father had moved his army out of the Kingdom.' I said before taking a sip as she looked at me. Now it made sense why they would give so little to help and claim they were having issues within their Kingdom.
'The reason I asked for the first two things is because of that fact. Your father wouldn't refuse me taking the Land of Uma and the other three kingdoms around Avalon, which would make it a big deal about me slaughtering the males. This will give me a Justifiable reason to invade those three kingdoms, as they have no right to tell me what I can and can't do when they themselves just sat back and watched. Plus, they are land greedy, and they will slip up and do something I can use.' I said, sipping the whisky.
Roselie sat there in wonder. Roderick had already figured out a way to not only claim one land but also three more with a justifiable reason, as their condemnations would be seen as an act of aggression by many kingdoms around the area. As he is only doing the things that the Uma Caliphate was doing to Avalon, no one condemns them for it. So to condemn him would be an act of war.
She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder, looking out into the sea, only to stand up quickly with her mouth hanging open. 'Is my 3rd, 5th, and 7th fleet wonderful. I have over 25 fleets comprising more than 15,000 warships and numerous supply and troop carriers. To own the sea is a major empire; most do, along with the sky.
Roselie had never seen so many ships and so many massive ones at that. She was already happy about giving her first time to someone who had shown great foresight, but even now, she was sure that her Kingdom was saved and her people could start to live happily once more. 'Thank you, Roderick.' She said, swaying over and letting the blanket fall to the floor. 'Let me reward my love.' She said, pushing me into the room. Roselie desired this man's baby.
The next morning, as the sun shone into the room, Roselie opened her eyes as she had slept in his room. Watching the man who has changed her fate as she ran a finger up his stomach and chest. 'You are Aoi, correct?' She said, looking over at the maid who had entered, waking her up. 'Yes.' Aoi said this without formality, as they were equals. 'Can you tell me more about him as we eat breakfast, just us girls?' She said with a smile, making Aoi smile and nod as Roselie got up.
I opened my eyes once the girls left and smiled. Everything is falling into place. Roselie is love-struck, and I can easily handle her father, but I will need to do some house cleaning in Avalon before I take it for myself, I said with a wicked grin.
Our trip didn't encounter any issues, as four days later, we were about 150 miles away from Avalon. Fredrick was still glaring at me with eyes that could, if they had the power to do so. But he didn't risk doing anything on my turf as I had already informed my guards that if anything were to happen to me, it would be him who did it. 'Emperor!' A soldier yelled as I was enjoying the deck with Roselie, Aoi, and Li. 'Report.' I said.
'The drones we sent out have picked up a fleet of 30 ships, with the flag of Uma moving towards Avalon's coast.' He reported making me smirk. 'Dispatch, 45 F-35. They have the go-ahead to sink those ships, and any ship that flies that flag.' I said before he ran off. 'Well, shall we go watch the fun ladies?' I said, standing up, making Roselie confused as to what I meant.
We walked towards the command room on the yacht and opened the door as I ordered the officer inside. 'Pull up the drone feed.' I said as he nodded, and the picture showed up on the screen, shocking Roselie and her maids. 'What is this, Roderick?' She asked, sliding her hand on the big TV. Making me chuckle, 'It's called a TV, think of it as moving paintings that are about what's happening somewhere else right now. I have something that sees the fleet from Uma, and this shows what it sees.' I said.
They are wooden ships, looking to be around the 14th century, maybe a little more advanced, but nothing that is a threat to me or my fleet. 'Your Majesty, the F-35s have taken off. They will be there in ten minutes.' The officer said. 'Good, it's time to get a little payback for Avalon.' I said, watching the screen.