The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

"I think... it's hard for me to make a judgment on this matter." Ryan kicked the ball back to Morgiana, smiling as he said, "My lady, could you first share the king's opinion and your plans? I need some time to think."

"Come with me." Morgiana gave Ryan a slightly disappointed look. She knew Ryan was quite adept at maneuvering through delicate situations and had reasons not to take a clear stance on this matter.

From any perspective, Ryan indeed wasn't suitable to make a statement. At most, he could offer some private advice.

But that wasn't what Morgiana wanted. She envisioned forming a "small cabinet" with Ryan to discuss this issue.

Morgiana, holding onto Ryan, led him to the third floor. In the small dining room, a variety of pastries and a pot of fruit tea were already prepared, with a fire burning in the fireplace. Morgiana motioned for Ryan to sit at the small table. "I made some pastries. Please try them!"

Ryan sat down and observed the pastries on the table. Morgiana had made several delicate pastries, the most famous being scones and clotted cream shortcakes.

Clotted cream shortcakes are a traditional Bretonnian dessert, usually made by layering fruits, cakes, or biscuits with cream. Morgiana had elegantly served this dessert in a glass, showcasing her exquisite craftsmanship.

Scones, reportedly named after the large stone called the Stone of Scone used during the second Knight King Lewis's coronation, contained raisins, cheese, jam, and cream. This famous Bretonnian snack is indispensable for afternoon tea.

"Delicious!" Ryan's expression relaxed completely after a few bites.

"Do you like it? I made a lot, always waiting for your return." Seeing Ryan's enjoyment, a trace of joy appeared on Morgiana's usually cold face.

She never knew how to express her feelings. As the Fay Enchantress, the highest authority in the Knight Kingdom and the prime chosen of the Lady of the Lake, she was quite immature emotionally. She often found reasons to give Ryan orders or cling to him whenever she could, but beyond that, she didn't know what else to do.

Living a long, secluded life had been quite tedious, so Morgiana had learned many culinary skills from the Lady of the Lake. Suppressing her inner joy and excitement, she sat beside Ryan, leaning on his shoulder. "I'm glad you like it."

Enjoying the winter afternoon tea, Ryan and Morgiana continued their previous conversation.

"Richard finds this matter very difficult to decide. First, Duke Theodoric's affair with his subordinate's wife is indeed a very improper behavior, and the special lawsuit from nineteen nobles needs addressing. However, there's a problem: Richard is unwilling to make a major decision during this period. You know, he's about to abdicate." Morgiana adjusted her skirt, leaning on Ryan.

"Duke Theodoric's case is tricky. If Richard decides to lightly punish or not punish Theodoric, those nineteen nobles will be very dissatisfied. If Richard decides to heavily punish Theodoric, Theodoric will be strongly resentful towards the king. Whether the king has the authority to handle such personal misconduct is debatable. Theodoric himself is a high-ranking legendary Paladin, whose enchanted great axe has slain bloodthirsty bat wolves and trolls!" Ryan commented softly. "Balancing this is difficult... If it were me, I'd find it hard too. Richard's prestige isn't enough to convince everyone."

"That's why Richard had the Lake Seer contact me, hoping I could resolve this issue." Morgiana's golden eyebrows furrowed. She seemed puzzled about how to handle this. "Theodoric's behavior has left him nearly without a place in Brionne. No subordinate wants a duke who might have an affair with their wife to stay in the duchy, and other duchies..."

"I absolutely won't accept Theodoric seeking refuge here, or even entering the borders," Ryan said bluntly.

"I think the great nobles of the kingdom feel the same. For their own interests and household stability, no great noble wants to take him in," Morgiana reasoned. "So, I can infer that the great nobles of the kingdom hope to severely punish Theodoric."

So, the question returned to how to deal with Duke Theodoric.

This was the most troublesome part because, in Bretonnia, it was extremely difficult to strip someone of their ducal title. The kingdom's laws greatly protected nobles, especially the families of the twelve founding Grail Knights.

Like Mousilon, where first Duke Merovin fell, personally killing the king and raising the flag of rebellion, and later Duke Maldred imprisoned the Fay Enchantress, arrogantly declaring himself the husband of the Lady of the Lake and claiming the right to be king, sparking a civil war.

These two dukes committed earth-shattering acts, yet the ducal position still passed down. This shows how well-protected Bretonnian nobles are. Obtaining a noble title is extremely difficult, and stripping it away is equally challenging.

Theodoric's actions were indeed disgraceful, but they fell far short of warranting the removal of his ducal title. Unless he voluntarily gave it up, intending to pass it to an heir, he could still remain Duke of Brionne.

Now, the problem was that Duke Theodoric had no intention of giving up his title. The king couldn't do anything, and the Fay Enchantress couldn't strip him of it for such reasons because it wasn't in line with the rules.

After discussing the matter, Ryan and Morgiana concluded that it was indeed difficult to handle. They decided that Duke Theodoric should privately apologize first, then be sent to a remote monastery for penitential seclusion, praying to the Lady of the Lake for forgiveness, at least to get through this period.

By the time they finished discussing, Morgiana had moved from her chair to Ryan's lap. Her hands on her knees, Ryan gently held her waist, and they kissed.

Feeling Ryan's breath, Morgiana felt a numbing sensation throughout her body. She complained in her heart that Ryan must have done something to her body, otherwise she wouldn't be like this. The silver rune on her lower abdomen, visible even through her clothes, had spread its wings fully, its power deeply integrated with Morgiana's soul.

Morgiana uncomfortably rubbed her legs together, the white velvet stockings making a soft rustling sound. After a while, she barely regained her composure, her face flushed. She immediately moved to the next topic. "By the way, do you know about Richard's plan to pass the throne to Raun?"

"This matter... has it been approved on your side? What is the Lady's will?" Ryan knew this was the important part. He gently stroked Morgiana's waist and whispered in her ear, "Actually, I also hope to become king, but..."

"Ryan, I understand your desire to be king, but first, you don't have a ducal title. Second, Duke Raun is outstanding in internal affairs, personal valor, and command abilities in Bretonnia. I can't find a reason to oppose him." Morgiana hesitated for a moment but decided to share more with Ryan.

"That's true." Ryan looked out the tower window at the mist, knowing this was indeed difficult.

First, he wasn't a duke, which was a fatal flaw. He was prepared to seize the Duchy of Mousilon, but recovering Mousilon was easier said than done. Bretonnia had fought for years, yet the cursed city still stood. He needed at least a few years to prepare.

Second, Ryan and Raun shared camaraderie and good diplomatic relations. Both were Grail Knights, and their status meant they couldn't and wouldn't use underhanded methods against each other. Grail Knight competition was always honorable, unlike competing for the favor of Khorne, where the fastest axe prevailed.

Divine matters were divine, and mortal matters were mortal. To become king, one must follow the rules... A new king had to be accepted by all.

As his father-in-law said, power lies below, not above.

"My point is, Ryan, you're already a Grand Knight of the Sanctuary, with a long lifespan. Let Raun take a turn first? It won't be long. Without a ducal title, even if you propose a champion's duel, Richard can refuse." Morgiana suggested. "The throne needs to be crowned by the Lady. As her chosen champion, you must follow her rules."

"I can wait, but the end times won't. Duke Raun is indeed an excellent Grail Knight, but because he is, once he becomes king, he'll be on the throne for seventy to eighty years." Ryan shook his head helplessly. "I'll think of another way and discuss it with the Lady."

"Are the end times so imminent?" Morgiana's attitude softened slightly, worriedly asking, "The whole process of abdication and succession won't be quick. Richard has at least two to three years before he abdicates. Focus on obtaining a ducal title first."

"Let's see what to do next." Ryan sighed deeply, then suddenly remembered something. He smirked, "My lady, how many days do I owe you?"

Morgiana's face turned red, and she weakly let Ryan lift her in a princess carry. Hugging his neck, she whispered, "Four days."

"Can I make up two days now and the rest later?"

"Yes... yes... quickly... take me inside. I'm already..."

... Misty Interlude ...

Duke Theodoric of Brionne's affair quickly stirred a storm among the kingdom's great nobles. Many dukes declared him unwelcome in their lands.

Even in the direst situations, Duke Theodoric refused to abdicate, firmly believing he was still the Duke of Brionne, a descendant of the founding Grail Knight Baldwin. Despite numerous scandals

 and unknightly conduct, Theodoric never considered relinquishing his title.

This caused significant conflict with the married great nobles, nearly pushing the duchy to the brink of civil war. Though a drunkard and lecher, Theodoric was a formidable warrior with supporters and opponents rallying around him, with civil war seeming imminent.

At this moment, the Fay Enchantress's decree arrived. By the Lady's oracle, Theodoric had disgraced the chivalric code and must seek redemption through penance and a quest until the Lady forgave him.

Morgiana ordered Theodoric to leave Brionne by the Holy Grail Day this year, to undertake penance at the Lady's chapel in Bastogne, seeking forgiveness through seclusion and quests until he regained his honor and could return to exercise his ducal rights.

This was a solution everyone could accept. Theodoric knew he was in trouble and reluctantly agreed, gathering his followers to head to Bastogne.

Meanwhile, in the Old World, Bretonnia, the cursed city of Mousilon.

In the eerie, dark corridors filled with dust and skulls, Mousillon Castle bore marks of curses and decay. The undead corruption had plagued Mousillon for centuries, with its future promising more disease and rot.

Mathieu Bard, the self-proclaimed Duke of Mousillon, sat on his throne amidst a treasure trove. Below him, ten Black Grail Knights and two Blood Knights were seated, along with several vampire lords awaiting his command. A wight king presented Mathieu Bard with a goblet of virgin's blood.

Clad in black cursed armor, Mathieu Bard leaned on his hand, his handsome face unnaturally pale. The family crest of a black shield and golden snake hung behind his throne. Squinting, he asked one of the Black Grail Knights, "So, the godfather's plan is for me to seize the crown and reveal the Lady of the Lake's schemes to all the knights?"

"Manfred von Carstein is leading an army of vampires to attack the Skaven's capital. He must retrieve the Sword of Nagash, or the Master of the Undead cannot return. The Lich King is seeking the Crown of Sorcery and the next sacrifice. You must prove your worth, Lord Mathieu Bard," a vampire lord hissed.

"... The godfather left me too few troops." Mathieu Bard's eyes blazed with terrifying madness. "I will march, but not yet. I need time to restore Mousillon's production and gather my forces. Fortunately, the Bretonnians are weakened by the Chaos invasion and won't launch another chivalric war against Mousillon anytime soon."

"Duke Theodoric will be exiled... let's see if I can take advantage of this opportunity in Brionne." Mathieu Bard also knew about Duke Theodoric's scandal, and many plans began forming in his mind.

The meeting continued as a vampire lord brought in a scroll brimming with necromantic energy. "My lord, this is a message from Blackstone Stronghold in the Grey Mountains. I think you need to see it."

Mathieu Bard nodded, taking the scroll.

Reading it for a long time, his expression changed several times. The ten Black Grail Knights remained motionless, while the vampire lords and Blood Knights were curious about the scroll's contents. "My lord, what did Kemmler say?"

Mathieu Bard put down the scroll.

"Heinrich Kemmler wants to ally with us, Mousillon!"

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