Shadow Oath

Chapter 28:  The Duke’s Daughter (1)

“……So, the Bormont family still possesses an enormous army, and that army is a thorn in your father’s side, is that it?”

Jedric asked.

“Exactly. Then, anyway, this northern conquest war broke out…….”

Ram wished Demion hadn’t referred to it as ‘this conquest war.’

It was the war where Jedric’s kin were killed, the Gerans’ territory was stolen, and his father had died.

However, mentioning it didn’t seem to bother Jedric particularly.

Maybe he was just good at hiding it, but at this moment, his eyes betrayed more curiosity than anything else.

At first, Ram found Demion’s story dull, but gradually, his interest grew.

“……Father seems to have requested reinforcements from Duke Bormont while simultaneously proposing a political marriage. He probably intends to use this marriage to smooth over conflicts surrounding the Cention region.”

“A common and expected tale. ‘Ikahm’ also married the eldest daughter of the Nak tribe within half a day after our father’s passing.”

It was the first time Jedric had brought up his family.

“Ikahm?”

Demion asked.

“My elder brother.”

“And the Nak tribe?”

“Among the three tribes that surrendered this time, aside from our Elum tribe, the Nak is the largest. The largest tribe is actually called the Tagda. My brother was initially set to marry the eldest daughter of the Tagda tribe, but the surrender negotiations changed that.”

It wasn’t particularly confidential information.

People like Terrdin or Adjutant Adun would already be aware.

Still, Demion looked grateful that Jedric shared it directly.

“Do you dislike the idea of marrying the duke’s daughter?”

Jedric asked.

“Something about Father’s intentions on this campaign feels insidious. It’s like he’s using me.”

“Marriage is always like that, isn’t it? A transaction between families.”

“Well, when you put it that way, there’s nothing more to say.”

“Isn’t it a decent deal? An army, territory, and dowry—all significant gains. Or is it that you don’t like her face?”

“I haven’t seen her face! And I don’t care!”

Demion exploded in frustration.

Though Ram had only known him for less than three days, it was the first time he’d seen him angry.

He had expected noble children, like Zenri, to always be on edge, but Demion wasn’t particularly like that.

“What I hate is how calculated this feels. We’ve been here less than three days, and they’ve already arrived? Born is much farther south than Triton. That means they set out before we even left, and the date only works if they were summoned in advance. It’s as if Father views my marriage as some chore to be dealt with quickly. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if my wedding were held right here at this camp.”

At Demion’s grumbling, Jedric’s expression became complex.

Having lost his own father in this war, it couldn’t have been pleasant to hear.

But as always, Ram didn’t seem to care about the prince’s feelings.

“It’s not just me being handled this way. In Born, twins are considered ominous. Especially male-female twins—one is said to carry a fate that cuts off the family line. So, for the current duchess, who remarried, her goal must be to raise her son as the duke’s heir and quickly marry off the ‘unlucky’ daughter to get rid of her.”

Demion drained the rest of the wine in his cup and reached for the bottle.

But it was already empty.

“I should’ve brought another bottle.”

He spoke with a look of regret.

“Though it’s a foolish dream, I want to marry someone I love. Marrying someone I’ve never even met, just for family conditions? It’s the easiest way to begin a lifetime of unhappiness.”

Ram began to worry.

The kind of information Demion was openly sharing could be the type of intelligence an enemy spy would risk their life to acquire.

“Then what do you want to do, prince?”

Jedric’s voice softened.

His usually cold and stoic expression relaxed.

Was it the alcohol?

No, it was the prince’s voice.

It carried a strange charm that disarmed those who heard it.

Even Ram felt the same way.

“I’m looking for the safest, gentlest way to decline.”

At Demion’s words, Jedric asked.

“Is it so easy to refuse a politically arranged marriage? What about Cention?”

“That’s Triton’s conquered territory as it stands. Whether tied through marriage or not, the duke can’t touch it. Besides, I have a duty to govern the northern region. That would make me the ‘Marquis of the Northern Border.’ Cention would no longer concern me, so what’s the point of the marriage?”

“How will you convince your father? From what I hear, he’s quite stubborn.”

“If both parties object simultaneously, not even Father could force it. If the lady herself speaks out first, that’d be ideal. They say Duke Bormont listens to his daughter’s every word. If she suggests canceling the engagement herself, he might propose it directly. Or what if instead of me, she marries Ramuel? Though my brother is already engaged, he often complains he doesn’t like his fiancée. He could break it off and pursue marriage with Lady Charlon instead. From her perspective, marrying the elder brother would be better than the younger one. Wouldn’t becoming the queen of the kingdom be far more appealing than being the wife of a humble northern lord?”

“Weren’t you just saying you’d be the Northern Border Marquis who could persuade even the king?”

“I did……”

“What will you tell the lady in question? ‘Let’s not get married’? Is that your plan?”

“I’ve thought of something. Want to hear it?”

“Go on.”

Demion cleared his throat and spoke with serious sincerity, as if Lady Charlon were standing right in front of him.

“You are beautiful, Lady Charlon.

You possess the dignity of a queen, with a fragrance that could envelop the world.

I fear I am unworthy of you.

I am merely a warrior of the battlefield, ignorant of how to treat a woman or care for a family.

Marrying me would bring you a lifetime of suffering.

So, even now……”

Jedric burst into laughter before Demion could finish.

Demion scolded him with a stern face.

“Don’t laugh.”

Jedric waved his hand apologetically.

“Sorry. I’m not mocking you.”

Ram never thought he’d hear an apology from Jedric’s mouth.

“But you laughed!”

“I wasn’t mocking you; I laughed because it was genuinely amusing. If I were a woman, I might be moved by your clumsiness and accept your proposal.”

Demion thought it over and shook his head.

“Where in what I said did you hear the word ‘proposal’?”

“Wasn’t that sweet talk a proposal? If I translated even the first sentence of what you said to our tribe’s men and asked them to repeat it, they’d sooner drop an axe on their necks than say it out loud.”

“Then how do you barbarians refuse a woman’s proposal?”

For the first time, the prince, who always referred to them as Gerans, used the word “barbarian,” a sign of his frustration.

Of course, Jedric wasn’t the least bit offended.

“Basically, we don’t refuse a woman’s proposal.”

“What? Then what if you already have a wife and another woman approaches you to share her life?”

“Then she becomes my second wife.”

“My god, what about the first wife?”

“She shouldn’t be neglected. The second wife may be, though. The second must accept that risk upon entering.”

“I can’t accept such barbaric customs. When I rule here, I’ll abolish those barbaric practices first.”

“You can rule us, but you can’t change us. I fear you’ll go around Geran tribes saying things like that. I’ll have to follow you around to stop you from speaking such nonsense……”

Jedric trailed off with a smile but abruptly closed his mouth.

Demion clasped Jedric’s shoulder, his face glowing.

“Yes, that’s it!”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ll become my advisor. If I’m to rule this place, I need help. Of course, I’ve received royal education, but it’s all for the Kingdom of Triton. Even if I were to become emperor, that education might suffice—but not here. As you said, my knowledge and skills won’t work here. To unite your people and ensure peace without future conflicts with the kingdom, I need a mediator.”

Demion spoke quickly, as if reciting lines, shaking Jedric’s shoulders.

“You’ll do it, Jedric. From now on, you’re my strategist. My advisor. My chancellor. What do you think?”

Jedric turned to Ram as if seeking help.

“Your prince is excited. Take him away.”

Ram agreed.

“I’ll escort you out, Prince. You’ve had too much to drink.”

“True. There’s no use in us discussing this here. It’s something to consult with General Terrdin. No need to tell Father. He only cares about fish and gold here, anyway.”

Without a goodbye, the prince walked out.

Ram hurried after him.

But Demion was already far ahead, accompanied by two escort knights.

Ram realized he had no reason to guard Prince Demion.

His duty was to protect Jedric.

Inside the tent, Jedric’s muffled laughter could be heard.

Though unlikely, it sounded like genuine amusement.

Two days later, troops from the Duchy of Bormont truly arrived.

Their numbers weren’t large compared to the reinforcements brought by the king, but they had a significant number of cavalry.

They likely arrived so quickly because most of the soldiers were mounted.

Adjutant Adun grumbled as soon as he saw the forces.

“If we’d had that army from the start, this war wouldn’t have dragged on so long.”

Terrdin replied cynically.

“Then we wouldn’t have had the chance to be treated this well.”

Ram deliberately stood apart from General Terrdin.

He could hear them perfectly well from a distance but didn’t want to risk being close, lest the general ask unnecessary questions.

“By the way, I hear the prince isn’t fond of this marriage?”

Adjutant Adun inquired.

Terrdin abruptly turned around.

Ram flinched as their eyes met, but Terrdin was looking for Demion.

Only after confirming the prince’s absence did the general speak.

“He’s still young. He dreams of love, but he’s being told to make a political choice. It’s natural for him to sulk.”

“Dreaming of love isn’t a crime. Could the prince refuse the engagement, then?”

“Could he defy his father? That timid man?”

“Is the prince timid? From what I’ve seen, running around everywhere, he seems to have a strong spirit. No matter the rank, he meets with anyone—even common soldiers. The troops already adore him.”

It was the first time Adjutant Adun had spoken so positively about anyone.

“He does that because he’s timid. He can’t bear the thought of someone disliking him, so he tries to please everyone. That good nature shouldn’t be exploited by someone.”

Terrdin’s voice revealed genuine concern for the prince.

Ram heard the sound of approaching hooves from behind.

It was Demion, deliberately slowing his horse, as if dragging himself to do something he didn’t want to.

“General, the prince is arriving.”

Ram announced in advance.

Terrdin nodded but didn’t turn, continuing to speak to the adjutant.

“Even if the prince dislikes it, this marriage will happen. Duke Bormont is giving up the Cention region in exchange for a pretext to divide the northern lands, and His Majesty gains hostages and reinforcements to tighten his grip on Bormont. Do you think the prince’s refusal will stop that? It’s impossible.”

“I feel sorry for the prince.”

“Do you, really?”

“Why not?”

“Rumor has it the prince won’t refuse.”

“What rumor?”

“Don’t you know?”

“I don’t.”

Terrdin gestured toward the approaching Bormont forces.

“It’s awkward to explain. You’ll understand when you see.”