Chapter 227: Side Story 5: The Slathan Court

Three weeks passed since the attack in Far Mile. Alfred sat alone in one of the many chairs before Chri’s coffin, the service having ended. "Alfred," Isra called out gently, returning for her husband and taking a seat next to him.

"I’ve always wondered Isra. Did he realize?" Isra looked at him confused as Alfred sighed and grabbed his head. "That the one he was serving wasn’t the boy he taught as a child. That he was serving someone else."

"Alfred," Isra said his name softly as she grabbed his hand. "It doesn’t matter anymore."

"I know." His voice was bitter as he said that. "I just wonder. Maybe I would have told him the truth at some point, but now. I never can." Alfred wrapped his arm around her, bringing her in.

"What now?" Isra looked up at his face. Despite still feeling the loss he no longer was heavily affected by it.

Alfred smirked at her question. "What else can I do? I just have to push forward. It was the same with Raven."

"I mean, what do you wish to do now?"

His eyes went sharp looking at the coffin. "There’s only one thing I can do now isn’t there? Prepare for the coming war."

Isra grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly as the two sat in silence. It was calming for both of them. They both had their troubles but in that moment the world felt peaceful, as if nothing else mattered.

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Issac strode through the Slathan Palace. Each step carried the dignity and power that one would expect from a man in his position. Reaching the double doors before the throne room he was stopped.

"Excuse us Prime Miniter Flanders. But your Guards will have to wait outside." One of the guards said looking at the two Unyeilding soldiers with Issac. They couldn’t help but feel slightly intimidated by them. Their faces covered only showed emotionless eyes that made one wonder what they had experienced in life.

Issac nodded as he waved the two away, before fixing his appearance. "Introducing, Issac Flanders, Prime Minister to the Ammary Empire and Heir to the Flander Duchy." The announcer cried the words as small horns echoed in the Throne room.

Walking in the sight was mystical. The entire room seemed to be carved out of marble as a large painting depicting a glorious battle covered the roof. Hundreds of nobles stood parallel to the path that was created down to the throne, each one analyzing every movement Issac made.

In the end, the only sight out of place in the whole room sat. A stone throne lacking any of the luxury found around the room. Issac walked forward, holding his chin high not daring to belittle his Empire. His eyes were sharp and radiated immense self-pride and power. he could hear the small whispers from the side.

Some complimented his looks, others belittled the Empire and a few gave slight praise for the way he carried himself. Issac paid none of them any mind only focusing on the one goal in front of him. The old man on the throne. He reminded him of his father but carried himself with much more grace and pride.

The golden crown sat atop his grey hair and felt like it belonged, with his grey beard making him appear younger than he really was. His clothes weren’t overly glamorous but each piece fitted eac h other perfectly. Looking below him his children stood. They all had caramel and each was as beautiful as the other.

Issac counted his final steps stopping at the fifth. In place he gently rested his hand on his heart and took a knee, putting on a warm smile. "I greet the Emporer Henrich von Goltz, Emporer of the Slathan people." Issac kept his head low, his eyes darting across at the nobles at his side.

They watched with cold judgment waiting to pounce like hyenas. "Rise, Minister Flanders." The old voice called out as Issac waited a second before taking to his feet. Much like how Issac was analyzing him, the Emporer did the same, his eyes a mix of curiosity, caution, and subtle acknowledgment.

"I hope I have not kept you waiting your Majesty." Issac remained respectful and seeing the small shake of the head from Henrich he smiled.

"There is no need for an apology." looking around at his vessels the Emporer nodded. "Forgive me Minister. Whilst your intentions are clear to me, my vessels have no knowledge of the reason for your arrival."

Issac suppressed his chuckle as he nodded. He had expected something form of hassle when he came and reached into his pocket taking out a small letter. The Emporer sent forward one of his guards to take it as Issac spoke.

"Under the decree of His Majesty the Emporer, Alfred Lindonfall, The Blessed One, I have come to propose a marriage between me and a princess of the Empire," Issac said calmly as the muttering between the nobles erupted.

Henrich had no intentions of stopping them yet and Issac listened carefully. Some of the comments made him laugh. Words about being unworthy of the marriage or the arrogance of Alfred were common. He had to try his hardest to suppress himself from telling them he was both the duke to a duchy and officially held second highest rank in the Empire.

Whilst he didn’t believe that he was second in terms of power in the Empire, his rank technically made it so. Henrich watched Issac as he stood smiling taking a glance at the letter before handing it back to a servant. "SILENCE!" His voice boomed across the room as every noble instantly stopped talking.

"Minister Flanders." Henrich looked at him, "The proposition is acceptable considering your rank and title, but ultimately it is the decision of my daughter to accept." Issac cursed internally as hearing that. "Which is why I shall host a banquet for your arrival. Please use the chance to get to know my lovely daughter."

Issac bowed. "Thank you, your Majesty." Henrich smiled and got up. He didn’t bother saying goodbye and walked off, followed by his children.

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"Your Majesty." Henrich sat alone in his office working. The butler bowed towards him and continued. "Issac Flanders wishes to speak with you, privately." Henrich thinly smiled and nodded expecting that. The butler turned and opened the door letting Issac in before leaving himself.

Issac bowed as Henrich offered the seat in front of him. Issac looked around his desk seeing what type of man the Emporer was. With stacks of documents and a single cigar box, it made things obvious. "Forgive me for intruding Your Majesty." Issac took out his pipe and raised it to Henrich the Emporer giving a nod to allow him to smoke.

"Why have you wished for a private meeting then Flanders?" enrich didn’t pay much attention, continuing to read his documents.

Blowing a puff of smoke out he smiled. "As we both know the contents of the original letter sent to yourself contained more than a simple marriage proposal." Henrichs’s hands froze as he finally looked away from his work and nodded. "Have you put any thought into it?"

"To work with people we have considered enemies longer than friends is dangerous ask minister." Issac nodded as he thought about the long history between the Slathans and Principality, a tension that existed before the break up of the old empire.

"Yes, it is a dangerous thing, but not impossible." Issac blew a puff of smoke out again. "And the Principality is very cooperative in this ideal."

Henrich looked at Issac struggling to get a read of the man. "Whilst the marriage is fine, it’s not with the Emporer directly. You must understand that my responsibilities within it are less then they should be."

Issac smiled as he leaned back. "What is the relationship with the church in the Empire?" Issac moved on ignoring the previous point as Henrich took out his own cigar. Lighting a match he took a couple of puffs of it giving himself time to think.

"What about yours?" Henrich threw the question back getting Issac to smile.

"Our Emporer is the Blessed One, Your Majesty. He is Sol’s beloved and champion in this world." Henrich stopped himself from rolling his eyes as he watched Issac puff on his pipe. "But, it seems the Church has forgotten that. Now whatever the future holds is still not written, but I do know that whatever is to come, the Principality and Empire stand united."

Henrich smoked his cigar leaning back. His eyes went cold as he seemed to look into a distant world, passed the walls of the palace. "The Church does forget themselves sometimes."

Issac smiled as he leaned forward. "Your Majesty, can we speak truthfully." Henrich looked into Issac’s eyes and nodded. He could see the boy would tell the truth. "The Church has become a threat to His Majesty Alfred’s rule now. Ivan Brantov has already agreed to follow in our cause and whilst I nor the Emporer ask for you to be involved in any future conflicts, he does hope for neutrality in them." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Henrich and Issac sat in silence for a while as he dug into the deeper meaning of Issac’s words. It was obvious when taking into account Alfred’s circumstances. "A schism." Issac’s weak nod and cold eyes told everything and Henrich smiled. "This can happen. But what do the Slathens get out of it."

Issac smiled. "That would have to be discussed with the Emporer." Issac made no promises but didn’t say anything was available as Henrich was forced to make a choice now.

Weighing up the odds he looked into the distance again smoking his cigar. Issac was patient as he watched. He knew it was a big ask and things wouldn’t play out like they did with Ivan. He was an anomaly of a person.

"I’ll talk to your Emporer." Henrich finally broke the silence and Issac nodded standing up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." With a bow, Issac left the office and stood in the halls again. Servants walked about making the palace feel alive at all times.