In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Michael shook his head, maintaining his silence. The more he held back, the more agitated the duke became. Finally, the duke clenched his teeth and began to divulge his reasons for pushing this match.

"The queen is an ambitious woman," Capone began gravely. "There are several young ladies residing in the royal palace, all of whom are her nieces."

Michael's eyes widened slightly. This was an unexpected revelation. The duke continued, confirming Michael's suspicions.

"It's no secret that she has long sought to marry one of her nieces to the crown prince."

The duke paused to sigh, the frustration evident in his voice. Though the queen had framed her actions as a way to broaden her nieces' horizons, it was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to secure power. Fortunately, the queen's nieces, stiff and unremarkable in demeanor, had failed to capture the crown prince's interest.

"The queen has only one nephew," Capone continued. "Now that things have reached this point, she will likely try to marry the princess to him instead. Unlike the crown prince's situation, His Majesty might approve of such a match."

Feigning indifference, Michael replied, "If they are mutually inclined, wouldn't that be a good thing? Her Majesty surely wants her daughter to be happy."

The deepening furrows on the duke's face told a different story. Shaking his head, he let out a heavy sigh. "That's not the case. The queen has little interest in the princess. Her Majesty raised her under the strict belief that she should never overshadow the crown prince."

The duke's gaze grew distant, a hint of regret flickering in his eyes. If only he had paid more attention earlier, he thought. But it was too late for regrets now.

"If the princess marries the queen's nephew, she will be pressured to produce an heir immediately. Should a son be born, there's a strong possibility he would be positioned as the successor."

Michael's expression hardened. Though he said nothing, the thought of Princess Astrid bearing another man's child unsettled him deeply.

"What sort of person is this nephew of hers?" Michael asked, striving to keep his discomfort hidden.

The duke sighed again before answering. "That's the problem. Should their child be made the heir, the nephew would likely ascend to the position of duke. But he is utterly unfit for such a role."

While the queen adored her nephew and treated him like a precious treasure, public opinion was far less favorable. He was notorious for his frivolous ways, indulging in debauchery and showing no interest in scholarly or political pursuits. The idea of such a man becoming the father of the kingdom's future ruler and holding a duchy was intolerable to the duke.

Raising his eyes to Michael, Capone studied the young count. The duke couldn't think of anyone better suited than Michael. He possessed not only striking looks and exceptional abilities but also the reputation of a war hero, making him an ideal figure to unify public sentiment.

"Think carefully, Count Michael," the duke urged, his tone earnest. "The princess needs a strong consort. While His Majesty's reign is stable now, once she ascends the throne, the accomplishments of his rule may be undone."

Though his voice was filled with urgency, Michael remained silent, his thoughts turning inward. Seeing this, Capone pressed on.

"The monarchy would weaken, and the nobility would grow increasingly fragmented. The queen's family belongs to the aristocratic faction. Think about how territorial conflicts have decreased since His Majesty took the throne."

Capone's voice trembled as he clung to Michael's sleeve. "I can't bear to see this kingdom fall into discord. To prevent that, I need your strength."

Michael listened quietly, discerning the blend of practicality and principle behind the duke's words. Should the marriage come to pass, Michael would secure an undeniable place in the royal family, while the princess would gain a steadfast supporter to stabilize her rule.

Here's the translated and restructured passage, rendered in high-quality English and shifted to the third-person narrative:

But that alone wasn't enough.

Michael's silence thickened the air in the room. Observing him deep in thought, Duke Capone attempted to lighten the mood with a jest.

"Above all, doesn't the princess possess an undeniable charm? She is, after all, incredibly beautiful."

For a fleeting moment, the image of Princess Astrid's gentle smile crossed Michael's mind. It would be a lie to claim he was indifferent to her. Yet, there were certain matters that needed to be settled before any formal discussion of marriage could proceed.

Michael studied Duke Capone's face. Having shared numerous experiences together, he had come to understand the duke's character to some degree. In the duke's eyes, Michael saw genuine conviction and an unspoken tension, a plea for his response. Recognizing the sincerity devoid of ulterior motives, Michael finally spoke in a low, measured tone.

"I have no woman to whom I'm pledged, nor am I bound by any familial engagement."

Though indirect, it was as good as a partial agreement. Relief flooded Duke Capone's face as he clasped Michael's hands with a grateful expression.

"Thank you. Once we return to the palace, I will do everything in my power to persuade His Majesty."

Michael nodded slightly and added in a calm voice, "For now, I will focus on the war. I trust you to handle the political matters, Your Grace."

Duke Capone's determination to involve Michael wasn't solely driven by personal preference; it was a political necessity. The death of Crown Prince Randolph had created a power vacuum, and while both Capone and Michael bore some indirect responsibility for the events leading to it, the queen's emotions were unpredictable. Having lost her only son, she was likely consumed with grief and hatred. From everything the duke had observed and heard, the queen was not a woman to be underestimated.

To establish a new power center around Princess Astrid, it was imperative to have Michael on their side. After reaching a tacit agreement, Michael left the drawing room. His next step was to inform his father of this development and to begin pursuing plans he had long held close to his heart.