Sovieshu was rendered speechless, his eyes transitioning from a blazing fury to a stunned disbelief. "You want to partake in the war?"
Claude offered no verbal confirmation, but the intensity of his gaze conveyed all that needed to be said.
It prompted an immediate comprehension from Sovieshu, yet instead of acquiescence, his indignation flared anew.
"What leads you to believe I would entertain such a proposition? Never in a million years. I see through your plan; you want to pursue Navier and take credit for yourself."
A heavy sigh escaped Claude's lips as he massaged his temples with closed eyes, reopening them to fix Sovieshu with a steely glare.
"Your accusations are baseless. Navier desires to keep this empire safe, and I'm well aware of that. Hence, I stand before you, making this appeal. Do you not feel a sense of honor in this?"
Sovieshu's retort was swift and cutting. "Honor? Hardly. I am perfectly capable of managing the war, unaided. Your assistance is unnecessary."
Claude's response was measured, delivered with a cool composure. "This marks your inaugural campaign without the assistance of Lady Navier, whom you divorced. Are you certain your military strategy would be as formidable as you presume?"
An irate growl rumbled in Sovieshu's throat, his glare intensifying. "What do you take me for? A fool? A coward?-"
"Yes, precisely," Claude interjected, his tone unwavering. The unexpected declaration elicited stunned silence from both Felix and Sovieshu.
"Which is why I extend this offer. If my love for Navier troubles you, know this: I have already confessed my feelings, but she rejected me."
The revelation left Sovieshu and Felix equally dumbfounded. Claude leaned forward, his hands clasped as he fixed Sovieshu with an earnest gaze.
"Do you not, too, wish to ensure her safety? To prove that success can be achieved through collaboration?"
Despite his outward calm, Claude's hands trembled imperceptibly, betraying the internal conflict raging within him.
He despised the words leaving his lips, yet he understood their necessity in securing Sovieshu's cooperation.
Sacrificing his own principles for the greater good was a bitter pill to swallow, but one he was willing to swallow if it meant success.
"Consider this," Claude continued, his voice steady and measured. "This isn't solely about Lady Navier. By joining forces, you stand to protect your people and garner their support. Don't let selfishness cloud your judgment. Your own life hangs in the balance, as does the safety of your child with your concubine."
The Eastern emperor remained at a loss for words, grappling with the conflicting emotions stirred by Claude's persuasive arguments. His usual confidence wavered under the weight of uncertainty.
A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by Sovieshu's resigned sigh. His gaze, once filled with anger, now held a steely determination as he relented, albeit begrudgingly.
"Very well. But let it be known, this alliance is temporary. I have no intention of forging a lasting bond with you or your empire."
Claude's expression softened slightly, a flicker of satisfaction dancing in his eyes as he acknowledged Sovieshu's reluctant agreement.
"So do I."
♛
Upon departing from the emperor's chambers, Sovieshu's mind churned with plans, his steps carrying him swiftly towards the Trovi estate.
As he neared the imposing gates, his gaze lingered upon them, contemplating the significance of his impending visit.
'Seeking Navier's advice will not only strengthen our bond but also pave the way for our reconciliation,' he mused, a subtle smile gracing his lips, though hidden beneath a veneer of determination.
Accompanied by a vigilant knight, Sovieshu approached the gates with measured confidence, his resolve unwavering.
'In times like these, communication is the key.'
Upon reaching the gates, he cleared his throat and straightened his attire, signaling his readiness to proceed.
With a commanding yet respectful tone, he addressed a passing knight. "I want to talk to Lady Navier."
The knight, taken aback by the unexpected visit, hesitated momentarily before bowing in acknowledgment.
"As you wish, Your Majesty. I shall convey your request to her at once..."
As Navier was busy reading a political book, the moment was momentarily disrupted by a gentle knock at the door.
Setting aside her reading material, she rose gracefully from the couch, the rustle of her dress accompanying her movements.
Approaching the door with a hint of curiosity, Navier's brow furrowed slightly as she regarded the knight who stood before her.
His solemn demeanor hinted at the gravity of his message, piquing her interest further. With a polite inclination of her head, she greeted him, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue.
"Yes?"
The knight bowed respectfully before delivering his message with utmost deference.
"Greetings, my lady. Emperor Sovieshu awaits your presence outside the manor. He seeks an audience with you."
Navier's curiosity was piqued further by the knight's words, her expression betraying a subtle hint of perplexity.
The maid, who had been in the midst of preparing tea, paused in her task, momentarily stunned by the unexpected revelation. Despite the momentary distraction, she quickly recovered her poise, deftly maneuvering to complete her duties.
"For what purpose?" she inquired, her tone tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"I don't know either, my lady.."
Navier's frown deepened, her mind racing with possibilities. 'Is this concerning the war?' she wondered, her thoughts swirling with anticipation and concern.
With a decisive nod, Navier resolved to meet with Sovieshu without delay, her curiosity overriding any hesitation. "Thank you for informing me. Inform His Majesty that I shall join him presently."
Once Navier exited the manor, Sovieshu's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, a flicker of hope igniting within him.
However, his anticipation was met with a chilling reception as her cold glare pierced through him.
"Navier," he greeted her with a warm smile, only to be met with a stern rebuke. However, his hopeful demeanor was swiftly met with a frosty reception as Navier's response carried a palpable chill.
"What is it that you want to tell me, your majesty? Please don't call me by my name."
Suppressing his disappointment, Sovieshu exhaled a resigned sigh, his expression softening with understanding.
"Of course," he acquiesced, swallowing his wounded pride. "I wish to speak with you privately, regarding the war."
♛
In Navier's bedroom, Sovieshu found himself seated across from her on the plush couch, the air heavy tension. Sipping his tea in silence, he couldn't help but feel the weight of their strained relationship.
Navier, her legs neatly folded, broke the silence with a weary sigh, her gaze fixed on him. "Don't beat around the bush, emperor. We're practically strangers now," she stated, her voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion, urging him to cut to the chase.
Surveying the elegant decor of the room, Sovieshu's eyes wandered over the ornate portraits adorning the walls, momentarily lost in thought.
"Strangers? I mentioned to you that we are only divorced for a brief period."
Navier's frown deepened at his response, her patience wearing thin. This wasn't what she had anticipated. She had hoped for a direct approach, not a nostalgic detour down memory lane.
"And I told you that it won't be possible. I no longer want to remarry you, your majesty. I am already content with my life here."
As Navier's words echoed through the room, a heavy silence settled between them, punctuated only by the soft rustle of fabric as she rose from the couch, her eyes ablaze with defiance.
Sovieshu felt a pang of fear gnawing at his heart, though he masked it with a stern facade.
"You find contentment in seclusion, with no purpose to guide you? Is that truly what you desire?" His voice carried a note of disbelief, prompting Navier's eyes to widen in response to his pointed question.
With a steely resolve, she met his gaze head-on, her tone unyielding. "If all you have to offer are insults, then I have no interest in entertaining your presence," she declared, her words laced with a hint of disdain.
Sovieshu's panic bubbled to the surface, his desperation evident in the urgency of his plea. "No, please, allow me to explain. Just... give me a chance to get straight to the point."
As Sovieshu observed Navier's cautious demeanor, a spark of determination flickered within him.
'I'll be able to persuade her,' he resolved silently. 'Despite her current stance, I know she still wants to reclaim her title as the empress. I just need to speed up the process by marrying Rashta immediately after the war.'
Despite the weight of his thoughts, Sovieshu maintained his composure, his gaze unwavering as he met Navier's cautious stare.
Slowly, she relented, easing back into her seat, her earlier glare softening slightly.
With a sense of urgency, Sovieshu seized the opportunity to address the matter at hand. "I have entered into an alliance with Emperor Claude," he began, his tone tinged with a hint of displeasure.
"He mentioned that you were the one who informed him. When did that happen?"
Navier's brows furrowed slightly as she contemplated his question. "Does the timing truly matter?" she countered, her voice measured. "What's important is that he has expressed his willingness to assist."
Sovieshu's irritation surged, evident in the exasperated sound that escaped him. "And what if we emerge victorious? Will you rush into his arms, embracing him like long lost lovers?" he uttered in frustration, his tone laden with annoyance.
Navier's eyes widened in disbelief, her hands involuntarily tightening into fists in her lap.
Though every fiber of her being urged her to demand his departure, she fought against the impulse, instead meeting his accusation with a steely gaze.
Her eye twitched imperceptibly at his accusation. 'Even after our divorce, he still treats me like this?' she mused incredulously.
Raising her teacup to her lips, Navier's voice remained steady, her words laced with an underlying resolve.
"Even if I were to do so," she began calmly, "it would be of no consequence to you. We are no longer bound by the ties of marriage. So why do you continue to cling to me and my affairs?"
Sovieshu's eyes widened even further, his heart wrenching with an indescribable pain that filled his entire being.
He looked away, his gaze clouded with a mix of hurt and disbelief, rendered momentarily speechless by Navier's words.
"You are still my wife, Nav- Lady Navier," he corrected himself hastily, his voice strained. "The only man you've ever married is me. I have the right to care."
Navier's frustration was visible as she met his gaze firmly. "Just how absurd must you continue to behave?" she retorted, her voice tinged with exasperation.
"I am not in the mood for this. Yes, we were once close, ever since we got engaged, but you divorced me. Which means, I am no longer your wife. Must I repeat it a thousand times?"
Once again, Sovieshu found himself at a loss for words, his mind grappling with the weight of Navier's declaration.
Eventually, a scoff escaped his lips, his expression twisting into a sarcastic smile as he turned to face her.
"But you did admit that you would run up to him and hug him like long lost lovers," he countered, his tone laced with bitterness.
"So you are interested in him, even when he told me that you rejected him? He must be lying then."
Navier's eyes widened as she froze in disbelief, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She cast her gaze downwards, her expression a mixture of regret and hesitation.
"I did reject him. It's true," she admitted softly, her voice tinged with a hint of remorse. "If you're bothering him because of me, then..." she paused, taking a quiet breath, "don't. He has nothing to do with us."
Sovieshu's features hardened, his resolve evident as he spoke. "That's why the moment this war is finished, he will leave the empire, whether he likes it or not. This is not his home for him to stay."
"I'm sure he just wanted to visit."
"What? To see you?"
"Is your alliance with Emperor Claude the only thing you wish to tell me?" Navier cut in, her tone firm and direct, her words tinged with annoyance.
"If so, that's good news. Goodbye."
His breath hitched, a furrow appearing on his forehead as he processed her words. "No, that's not the only thing," he replied hastily, his tone shifting. "I want you to help me plan how I can strategize for the war..."
Her brows furrowed deeper in confusion, her head tilting slightly at the absurdity of his request.
"Your majesty, you are an emperor. Surely you can handle this on your own. You've studied extensively, including warfare, for more than a decade."
Despite his stature, he couldn't deny the underlying truth that his main motive was to see her.
As his hands clenched around his knees, he couldn't shake off the feeling of inadequacy that washed over him.
'Who am I kidding? If I want to impress her, winning this war is extremely important,' he mused, biting his lower lip in contemplation.
With a resigned sigh, he rose from his seat, conceding defeat. "You're right. I shall be leaving now... as you wish."
She nodded silently, watching as he slowly made his way towards the door. Unwilling to depart just yet, he secretly hoped for some sign from Navier to halt his exit, but none came.
Instead, she merely gazed at him for a fleeting moment before redirecting her attention elsewhere.
'He formed an alliance with Sovieshu because of me. Was he truly that desperate to aid the empire?' A small, solemn smile tugged at her lips, a mix of bitterness and appreciation.
'Even after my rejection, he's still commited to assist us.'
♛
In the expansive meeting room, the knights gathered around the grand, circular table, their faces etched with determination as they awaited their emperor's instructions.
Claude, occupying the prominent seat at the head of the table, commanded attention with his presence alone.
"I task each of you with investigating every corner of the empire. Seek out hidden pathways and secret routes that could provide us with an advantage," he declared, his voice firm and authoritative.
"Once you've all done that, I will compile the gathered knowledge into a comprehensive map, detailing the strategic positions for our formations. Any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly."
As Claude outlined the plan, Felix couldn't help but feel a knot of apprehension tightening his stomach.
'A war... This is our reality now,' Felix thought, his throat constricting with a mixture of apprehension and determination. 'Though perilous, I must guard the emperor.'
With a thoughtful gaze, Claude leaned back in his seat, contemplating their next move. "Given that the birdbrain plans to conceal their forces in the east, preparing to strike at six pm, our best course of action is to preempt their arrival. We will position ourselves strategically and launch a preemptive strike to catch them off guard," he explained, referring to Heinrey as he spoke.
"How were you aware of such information, your majesty?" inquired one of the knights, his curiosity piqued. Claude's countenance softened slightly at the success of his covert strategy.
"I have a spy embedded within the estate where that birdbrain lives in. He eavesdropped crucial details and relayed them to me," Claude divulged, his voice steady and assured.
The knights exchanged murmurs of both admiration and astonishment. Felix swiftly intervened, urging them to maintain focus and attentiveness to Claude's forthcoming directives.
"As emperor, I shall do a disguise and personally lead our forces stationed in the central region," the blonde continued, his tone reflective.
"Meanwhile, birdbrain will be led to believe that the center is our weakest point, prompting him to allocate a significant portion of his troops there. That wimp will have 200 soldiers lying in wait to execute a precisely coordinated ambush," he referred to Sovieshu next.
'Bird brain and wimp... An unconventional choice of nickname, but expected from our emperor,' mused one of the knights with a resigned sigh, recognizing the emperor's distinct character traits.
"Those 200 soldiers will fight birdbrain and his forces, while our remaining 400 troops launch a decisive assault," Claude elaborated, his voice resolute. "This would force that birdbrain into a position of surrender, but I intend to confront him personally."
The unexpected declaration stunned the assembled knights, particularly Felix, who interjected, "Your majesty, I must protest. I insist on fighting by your side!"
Claude's brow furrowed in response to Felix's objection. "It would be better I face him alone. In preparation for the war, I will assign our most skilled knights, including yourself, Felix, to defend the Trovi estate prior to the onset of hostilities. Your primary duty is to protect Lady Navier alone."
'...!'
Felix was visibly taken aback by this directive, his expression a mixture of shock and consternation. "But your majesty, how do you intend to carry out these plans? I doubt Lady Navier and her family will consent to such arrangements. My duty is to protect you, not to attend to another's security...!-"
"And your duty is to obey my orders."
Claude asserted firmly, fixing Felix with a steely gaze. Felix flinched, his eyes widening in apprehension. "I will be sending a letter to her, detailing the situation. I trust she will comprehend the necessity of these measures."
"But what if she refuses to comply?"
"In that case, everyone who will guard the estate must remain hidden," Claude replied tersely. "even if she refuses, I still cannot afford to take unnecessary risks."
With a resigned sigh, Felix's shoulders slumped, and he nodded in reluctant acceptance.
Meanwhile, Claude maintained his composed demeanor, his mind already occupied with further strategizing.
Unbeknownst to King Heinrey, the knight that informed him about Altoise's disappearance was actually a spy in his employ, feeding information back to the Obelian emperor.