Chapter 445: Snake slithers (4)


    He personally is friend with Lord Guy and would certainly defend his friend.


    ''Hmmdecisions, decisions. I could not give thend to Lord Robert while ignoring Lord Guy pleas, but neither could I selfishly ignore an Imperial Edict.''


    Then Ss smiles.


    ''But thankfully, the imperial Edict did not mention whichnds that needs to be given to Lord Robert. It specifies that his position will be returned. So shall it be. He will be reinstated as Lord but as Lord of Maine. Maine is arge area, of fertile ground near a river, with picturesque scene. It is underdeveloped and with Lord Robert administration talent he could really help thend to prosper.


    ''This will not go well with Lord Robert. He certainly won''t agree to it.'' Lord Fenwick warned.


    ''Tell him, for the first year he would be given an aid by the Capital worth of 10 million gold. Surely he would not reject.'' The other lord gasped.


    That means Ss already intend to dip his hand into the Treasury.


    ''But will it not be excessive spending invishing Lord Robert with such aids?'' Lord Derwin said, clearly he is not fond of giving that much gold to Maine.


    His ownnds need gold to maintain the holdings and the people in it. How could he say nothing when Lord Robert who just returns from exile got so much gold!


    ''I have faith in Lord Robert abilities. 10 million gold is but a chump in the Treasury and the worth of Maine when it is developed will exceed that. Maine would be a main city someday, maybe even a fertile ground from farming and agriculture. Then the Empire would benefit and when the Empire profits, my lords, you all will profit.''


    ''But 10 million gold would be better to be invested in something else Lord Regent.'' Lord Fenwick said. Ss just snorted


    ''I am investing on the future. If anything went wrong with it, then I will take responsibilities.''


    ''What if Lord Robert is still stubborn?'' Leander asked


    ''Then tell him to find anothernd where it is not ruled by the Empire. Tell him, he will never set foot again in the Human Continent. I can be unreasonable too if Lord Robert want to y such games.''


    The other lords nodded in agreement.


    Then Ss said.


    ''There is no need to worry my lords. I''m sure Lord Robert is a reasonable man.'' The other lords have nothing else to say finally nodded in agreement.


    ''If Lord Regent is confident in Lord Robert abilities, we too will put our faith in your belief towards him.''


    ''Thank you my fellow lords'' Ss said making a slight bowing motion.


    Ss and his theatrics is famous in the pce. His fondness for art and wine is widespread. Then they begin talking about other matters in the chamber.


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    LATE AT NIGHT


    Ss is exiting the Chamber after he has finished reviewing the documents. But before he goes out he sent a white raven to one of his spies. His eyes glint with mischievousness.


    Confident that his letter will safely arrive he straightened himself up.


    In his mind he is thinking about the sudden excursion of the Empress. Ss is very wary of the Empress of Great Renasia.


    What if she is taking this time to amass forces and decide the battle of Supremacy with Eden Empire?


    Right now when their Emperor is not present?


    That would be truly a disaster.


    There are many capable officers in the military but if the popce knows that their Emperor is not here while the Empress attacks, now that would detrimental to morale.


    Then there is the disgruntled noble lord which is silent regarding the Emperor policy of curbing the noble''s authority.


    The silence spoke louder than words. Now the Empire is in a precarious position.


    If anyone discovers that the Emperor is not here, one could imagine the cauldron which is the political situations in the continent will be heading.


    Now, he must collect information''s, ascertain the threat and if there is one, find a way to neutralize it.


    Then sighing, he opens the door and exited. He is thest one that exited the room. He is diligent after all. Genius takes hard work.


    Outside he could see a younger man than he is, sitting on the stone bench. Ss smiles.


    The man seems tired and exhausted. He also looks like he would rather sleep then sit there on the bench waiting for him.


    But Ss has many things to say to the man. How could he just let him go early? Ss just smiles a little.


    ''Aleph, waiting for me?'' Ss coolly said.


    ''Lord Regent!'' Hearing Ss voice the man was awakened from his slumber and stand up straight.


    ''Call me Ss when we are alone. We are cousins.'' Hearing this Aleph nodded.


    ''Come. Walk beside me.'' Ss said and started walking down the tower. Aleph follows his cousin.


    As he walks beside Ss he takes a nce at his illustrious cousin and pride and admiration welled inside his heart.


    His cousin is famous as a great politician and adept in intrigues.


    He survives countless political upheaval and one of the most favoured people of the Emperor.


    The Perigord was originally a peasant family without any name. Then they be a merchant family thanks to Lady Julia patronage.


    And then a noble family.


    While Ss father did make the merchant family wealth, it was Ss that glorify the name Perigord.


    When his cousin was chosen by the Empress Dowager to attend to King Adrian, Ss was chosen because of his studies in the universities.


    He has good evaluations, favoured by his professors and other schrs of Old Thoughts and New Thoughts, so Dowager Queen Julia chooses him to aid the newly crowned King.


    Ss could choose to decline but he epted.


    And if the Emperor fame rise during the War of Session, then it could be said Ss rise was also due to the War of Session.


    Arial in the battlefield, Ss in the court.


    And there in the courts of Adrian he shines. He gives political advice and counsel the king on internal policy.


    He was so adored by King Adrian that when the Emperor call him to return King Adrian has used all his power of persuasion to make Ss stay.


    Aleph admires his cousin and wishes to be just like him.


    Aleph is from the House of Care. The appointment of his family as nobles is because of Ss merit in the duchy.


    When he went to the imperial court even his father said to learn well from Ss. And Aleph has been following his cousin these couple of days.


    Even his lodgings are not far away from Ss house.


    ''What are you thinking about Aleph?'' Ss voice brings Aleph to the present moment.


    ''Nothing, cousin.''


    ''What do you think of you first chamber meeting?''


    ''Intense'' Aleph reply.


    Ss nodded.


    ''Yes it is.'' And for a while there was silence as they have now reached the inner pce. Some servants that saw Ss bow their head in respect and Ss just waved his hand and smiles at them.


    Then Aleph asked


    ''Did you mean what you say when you said you trust Lord Robert?''


    ''Why? Is it surprising to hear that?'' Ss asked while still walking.


    ''Because everyone knows that it was your plot that made him exiled.'' Aleph said honestly.


    And then realizing what he said his face is flushed red and look at Ss fearing that Ss would take it to heart.


    Ss look at Aleph andugh.


    ''Just a few weeks in the court and you have heard all the rumours! HAHAHA. You are fit to be my cousin. And no. I do not trust him.''


    ''Then why give him Maine. It is a big area. What if he rebel again?'' This time Aleph is puzzled


    ''I''m giving a chance for him to make me trust him.'' Ss said and he stopped walking just in front of the entrance door.


    Then he said in a lecturing tone


    ''Trust needed to be earned Aleph. I don''t give my trust blindly nor my loyalty unscrupulously. And you shouldn''t either Aleph. The game of the court is cruel and full of lies. Secret and lies, remember that. Secret and lies. We are the knight''s order of the minds. Our weapons are words, our shield is our wit. Here we war with words, not cold steel. Killing and warring that is a warrior''s job. Like they couldn''t do what we could do, we couldn''t do what they could do. They kill with steel, we kill with words. And as such our words carries with it a responsibility.''


    And then he stopped for a while and then he said.


    ''But it is also important to have a sense of duty and responsibility. Loyalty might shift, allegiance might change but there are certain things you must restrict yourself from doing. Every man needs some principle in their life, a code, guidance or they are no more different than swine and dogs. It is fine to be a maniptor behind the shadows but to have no sense of responsibility at all, would doom any man. Who would help you, who would join your cause if you have no sense of responsibility whatsoever? There is a reason why people would die for the Emperor. Even we, who yed the game of the court, should at least have the sense of responsibility for the words we uttered. At least..that is what I believed.''


    And then Ss pat Aleph back.


    ''But enough of me talking. Let''s talk about you. I heard you met a particrly fair maiden in the White Rose inn. Large bosom, fairplexion and from what I heard the woman have great appetite in bed. I would rather talk about this Hilda you met. Do not forget your father ask me to look over you. I would not like it you don''t share the stories with me.'' and Ss smile andugh, the tension feeling disappears.


    But Aleph will never forget.


    Secret and lies.


    The words echoes in his ears like a chant as he walks with Ss exiting the Pce grounds, as they kept talking in high spirits.


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