"...I'm sorry, but this is preposterous, Lady Castellia."
Viviane rolled her eyes at the baron's statement, her arms crossed as she stared down at him haughtily. Medrauta had no idea where her lady had learned such behavior, but Viviane looked very much the part of a ducal heiress at the moment and the knight found it... strangely attractive. Perhaps it was the contrast between Viviane's usual gentleness and her imperious attitude now, but Medrauta couldn't help blushing even though Viviane's glare wasn't directed at her.
"Preposterous, you say? What's truly preposterous is how everyone gathered around you fought and shed blood on this battlefield but you dare downplay their accomplishments in the battle? I thought better of you, Baron Dietrich."
The baron flinched, not expecting Viviane to take such a hostile stance against him when she had been one of his staunchest allies mere seconds ago. "O-Of course not, Lady Castellia! That's not what I meant at all! I meant it would be preposterous because it would set precedents! I mean... They're soldiers, Lady Castellia. You can't expect us to—"
"To pay them?" Viviane raised an eyebrow, cold fury burning in her eyes. Honestly, she had no idea why the baron was acting like this. Based on all their interactions thus far, the baron had been a true noble who held his people's interests dear to his heart. The baron had even acquiesced to Viviane's demands almost immediately so long as he remained a chief official, but just several minutes ago, he had vehemently objected to Viviane's idea of paying the soldiers a percentage in the ducal treasury.
"Yes! I mean, no! Lady Castellia, they... They are soldiers of my barony! They are paid a stipend every month for serving in my army! If you suddenly gave everyone a small fortune, we would have no troops!" Baron Dietrich protested.
"There are soldiers who fight for more than just money, Baron Dietrich. I'm surprised you still don't understand that after seeing the destruction here." Viviane replied. "Though we have taken the capital, we have lost a great deal of troops today, and many families in your own territory have lost a member. Surely you cannot oppose me when this concerns your own people as well?"
"I... Lady Castellia. Perhaps we should speak in a place where we are surrounded by fewer people? I hardly think the battlefield is the place where we should be having this discussion."
True enough, Viviane had forced the baron to dismount upon reaching their position, setting up a few benches in what used to be the rear lines before immediately launching into negotiations. Medrauta had absolutely no idea why her lady had chosen such an inappropriate location to hold such a detailed discussion, but now the knight was fairly certain that Viviane wanted to provide transparency for all the troops who had fought courageously in the battle.
"This is where battles are fought, and I daresay our conversation could be called a battle itself." Viviane shrugged. "You needn't avoid the heart of the matter, Baron Dietrich. I know why you oppose my decision."
"...Is that so?" Baron Dietrich asked, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek. He really didn't want to be dealing with this, especially when he was surrounded by so many armed men and women who clearly appeared to be on Viviane's side. Secretly, the baron was incredibly impressed with Viviane's talent to create a favorable environment for herself, but he also hated it at the same time.
After all, he was more than aware of his own position in this entire debate. The only reason why he had willingly accepted Viviane's assimilation of the duchy was because she had managed to earn the respect of every soldier and knight on the battlefield by not only fighting alongside them, but being instrumental in defeating Bastiche. Surrounded by such a large force in support of Viviane, the baron had no choice but to agree to her demands.
Even now, he was unable to voice his true problems with Viviane's method of payment thanks to the surrounding soldiers who supported her. While his own men were loyal to him, their loyalty was born out of coin and the relative safety he provided to them inside the confines of his barony during times of peace. Fresh from battle, memories of their tranquil times at the barony were far from their minds. The only thing the troops could recall was the carnage they somehow managed to survive and emerge from, as well as the promise of a reward.
And Viviane publicly declaring that she would pay them each a sum drawn from the ducal treasury was more than enough to earn their undying loyalty for the moment. In other words, the baron had been swiftly checkmated by Viviane. Of course, it wasn't a complete checkmate. He could still challenge her to a match alongside his knight, but after witnessing Medrauta's incredible prowess with the sword on multiple occasions, he doubted he would even stand a chance.
Now, Viviane nodded in response to Baron Dietrich's question, remaining silent as a gesture of mercy. After all, the noblewoman's goal wasn't to completely destroy Baron Dietrich and entrench herself in a seat of power. No. Viviane simply wanted to demonstrate that she was not simply a child lusting for power, not only to the baron, but to Marilyn as well. After all, the senior knight was actually the greatest threat to her at the moment, and not the baron.
While Baron Dietrich was technically the only noble other than Viviane herself who could rightfully inherit the position of acting duke at the moment, Marilyn was the former duke's knight and her actions in the war gave her a claim to the position as well, especially if she decided to call upon the soldiers and temporarily invoke her right to safeguard the duchy as the former duke's champion.
That was the primary reason why Viviane had chosen to hold the discussion in front of all the soldiers. Not only would she be able to display her prowess before her greatest opponent, but also weaken both the baron's position as well as Marilyn's. Normally, Viviane detested such manipulative tactics, but even she had to recognize their value in situations like these.
Marilyn nodded approvingly, almost as if recognizing Viviane's efforts. However, the senior knight still wasn't completely convinced yet. Viviane gulped as she discreetly watched Marilyn in her peripheral vision, noting that she would either earn or lose the senior knight's support with her next words. Upon taking a deep breath and gathering her thoughts, she returned her full attention to Baron Dietrich.
"As I said, there are soldiers who fight for more than just money. I will see that such soldiers are compensated appropriately upon refusal of their share from the ducal treasury. For those who accept the monetary compensation, we will work together with the knights and determine an appropriate sum to be divided throughout those who fought bravely today and the families of those who have been lost."
"You will ensure that such soldiers are... compensated appropriately?" Baron Dietrich repeated.
Viviane nodded. "Indeed. They will receive their rewards per their contributions to our victory. I trust that will not be an issue for you, Baron Dietrich? Regardless of their origins, the blood and sweat they have shed for us is just as real as my own."
Baron Dietrich nearly flinched at Viviane's subtle jab. Instead of saying "our own", she had specifically chosen to exclude the baron and emphasize how he had done nothing during the actual battle aside from giving orders sporadically from a place of safety. While this was traditional in the empire and would have been perfectly acceptable in any other situation, Viviane's presence on the battlefield coupled with her impressive marksmanship caused both the soldiers and knights to completely forget about tradition in the heat of the negotiation.
"A-Ahaha... Of course, Lady Castellia! I wouldn't dare imply otherwise. I believe that will conclude our discussion for today, yes? I'm truly glad that we have such a knowledgeable and wise duchess in our midst!" Baron Dietrich said, quickly retreating from his seat once Viviane gave him permission to leave. Though he had been soundly defeated, a bud of irrepressible pride began blooming in his heart. The strength and finesse Viviane had displayed during their negotiation told him that the duchy was in good hands, and that was all he could really ask for.
As the soldiers and knights dispersed, so too did Viviane and Medrauta, the pair heading off to rest in a nearby tent before they had to move to the castle and begin consolidating Viviane's power in the duchy. It would be a messy process, but one that would ultimately strengthen the empire against whatever had spawned in the capital.
"...That was exhausting." Viviane slumped against Medrauta, leaning her head against her knight's shoulder.
Medrauta patted her lady's head lovingly, wrapping an arm around Viviane and holding her close. "You were amazing, Vivi. Honestly, you've grown so quickly I'm scared you'll end up leaving me behind one day..."
Viviane giggled, drawing closer and planting a kiss on Medrauta's cheek. "There's no need to worry, Medrauta. The only future I want is one where you're beside me."