Chapter 112: A Change of Mind

The night held an air of secrecy as Sir Clemens, the esteemed Chief Minister of the Reichwein Kingdom, crossed the threshold into the king's study.

King Georg, engrossed in his own thoughts, set aside his quill, ready to absorb any updates or tidings of import that Sir Clemens bore.

"Your Majesty," Sir Clemens began. "I bring to your attention a matter of significance. It appears that Duke Fabian's contemplated journey to Greifswaldia is shrouded in motives beyond the surface."

"What?" King Georg's brow furrowed, an expression of surprise mingling with concern. The revelation had caught him off-guard, prompting him to lean in, receptive to the revelation that was about to unfold.

"A recent development," Sir Clemens continued, "has brought to light a gathering in the pavilion a few days past. A servant, keen-eyed and discreet, bore witness to an encounter between Duke Fabian, the second princess, and Lady Runa."

The room seemed to pulse with newfound intrigue, the implications of these names converging igniting a spark of anticipation.

"It is increasingly likely," Sir Clemens stated with measured certainty, "that Princess Elke and Duke Fabian have conspired to orchestrate this journey to Greifswaldia, driven by the motive to circumvent Your Majesty's decree for him to marry the princess."

King Georg's fury surged like a tempest within, a force so potent that it translated into a physical blow against the table. "Unacceptable!" he thundered, his voice reverberating with the weight of his wrath.

The explosion of his anger had a swift and unexpected consequence. The intensity of his emotions triggered a violent fit of coughing, his frailty suddenly glaringly evident.

In the wake of his rage, he clutched at his chest, a silent plea for air amid the sensation of suffocation.

Alarmed, Sir Clemens sprang into action, his concern for the king's well-being overriding any other consideration. He rushed to King Georg's side, his voice urgent as he directed a nearby servant to summon a doctor.

"Your Majesty! Are you alright?"

The king's initial resistance gave way to a begrudging acceptance of assistance, his voice strained as he tried to regain his composure.

"No... no need for a doctor," he managed between coughs, his tone laced with stubborn resolve. He gathered himself, drawing a steadying breath before continuing, "Just hear me out."

His order was concise and uncompromising. "Close the borders immediately, so that this conniving duke cannot slip beyond Reichwein's reach."

However, the urgency in his command caused a ripple of unease in Sir Clemens. He shifted uneasily, his thoughts racing as he weighed the implications of such a drastic measure.

"Your Majesty," he interjected respectfully, "I implore you to consider an alternative course of action.

"While sealing the borders might indeed restrain Duke Fabian, doing so without a legitimate reason could spark unrest among the people. The lack of explanation might foster greater discontent, potentially spiraling into chaos."

King Georg's frustration was palpable, his hands slamming onto the table once again in an outburst of helplessness. "Then tell me, what path should we tread?"

"Could we not simply revoke his appointment to Greifswaldia?" Sir Clemens proposed, his words laced with a practical edge.

"If Duke Fabian's underlying motive for the journey is indeed to explore alternatives for gunpowder manufacturing, it would constitute an illegal endeavor to engage in such discussions without an official diplomatic mandate."

King Georg's expression shifted as he weighed the counsel. "Very well," he finally spoke. "Let it be as you suggest."

***

Upon learning of King Georg's abrupt reversal, Fabian's determination ignited like a flame.

Swiftly, he traversed the palace corridors, his steps quick and purposeful, his resolve outpacing the servant's attempts to delay him. Though he bore no formal appointment, urgency drove him to the study's entrance.

"Your Majesty," Fabian addressed with a mixture of respect and insistence, his tone a reflection of his fervor.

"May I humbly request an explanation for this sudden change in direction? I believed that your concern for our kingdom's welfare in the face of the revolution matched my own."

"I have changed my mind." King Georg's response was a chilling breeze, a sharp contrast to their previous interactions. His voice bore an unfamiliar detachment, an unexpected shift that sent ripples of unease through Fabian.

This was not the king he had known.

Undeterred, Fabian leaned into his convictions, his words a plea tinged with urgency. "My King, I implore you to reconsider. The consequences of our unreadiness in the face of the brewing riots could be catastrophic for Reichwein. I beseech you to think of our people's safety."

King Georg's gaze remained unfixed, avoiding Fabian's eyes as he responded to the persistent persuasion.

"If you truly carry such concern for the realm, then let your actions speak. Marry my daughter, and in doing so, you shall have the freedom to mold the kingdom as you deem fit."

In that fraught moment, the convergence of their aspirations and the growing divide of their perspectives cast a shadow over the room, underscoring the tension that now stood between them.

Collecting his thoughts and emotions, Fabian drew a measured breath, acutely aware of the need for strategic navigation.

"Your Majesty, may I bring to your attention a developing alliance that threatens our stability?" His words held a calculated weight, designed to capture King Georg's focus.

"Kievskaya," Fabian continued, "has successfully solidified an alliance with Vinresic, and their combined ambitions now extend to the conquest of Arcau."

He paused, allowing the significance of these territories and their political nuances to permeate the room.

Vinresic, a kingdom rooted in Solism like Kievskaya, held an inherent compatibility that facilitated their alliance. Arcau, while famed for its fortifications, bore the same Solism allegiance, rendering it susceptible to the expanding influence of Kievskaya.

The gravity of the situation unraveled, threading a dangerous web that sandwiched Reichwein between the turmoil in Valoisia and Kievskaya's encroaching dominion.

The urgent need for a steadfast ally was cast into stark relief. With the recent change of king, Reichwein's defense seemed perilously vulnerable, its very foundations shaken by the winds of change.

Fabian's plea reverberated through the room, each word laced with a fervent determination.

"Have my contributions to the kingdom been rendered insufficient, Your Majesty?" His voice carried the weight of countless victories and a legacy of unwavering loyalty.

"My name alone holds enough weight to command the attention of the Emperor of Greifswaldia. I implore you, grant me the chance to prove our worth."

A heavy silence lingered, punctuated only by the unspoken implications of Fabian's words. The room seemed to pulse with the unvoiced truth that King Georg was keenly aware of.

Reichwein, beset by a confluence of threats, stood in dire need of an ally. Greifswaldia, with its advanced military prowess, loomed as the perfect candidate for a strategic alliance. Yet, Fabian's fervent plea seemed to chip away at an inscrutable barrier.

King Georg's response held a measured nuance, a reflection of his internal struggle. The alliance with Greifswaldia was an undeniable necessity, a lifeline that Reichwein sorely required.

"You speak truth," he finally conceded, the admission resonating with the weight of unspoken considerations. "I concur that it is imperative that someone of suitable stature carries out this pivotal negotiation."

The conversation seemed to align with Fabian's hopes. A glimmer of success flickered on the horizon. However, Fabian's hopes were dashed against the rocky shore of reality.

The king pronounced, "Therefore, my son, the crown prince, shall be dispatched to Greifswaldia. His stature and martial prowess are no less than your own."

His heart sank as he grappled with the truth that his aspirations were aligned with the kingdom's needs, but not necessarily with the monarch's intentions.