Michael ran through the corridors of his house. His breathing was erratic, and his face was full of panic. He couldn’t get Alfred’s eyes out of his head. He kept wondering when knights would co to his door and take him. Alfred’s display had filled him with fear.
He opened the dressers and packed his clothes and nurous docunts into his room. Finishing his hasty packing, he ran to another room with an empty bag. He unlocked a chest, revealing a large amount of gold and silver. Michael wasn’t picky and began to fill his bag with as much as he could.
Finishing, he ran outside. A carriage pulling hay waited for him. Michael threw his bags into the hay and jumped onto the seat next to a man. He looked around a few tis before pulling his hood up, covering his face. "Go." He spoke quietly to the man beside him as the carriage took off.
Three hours had passed. A swarm of knights descended onto Michael’s house. After not getting any response from knocking on the door, they kicked it down, sweeping the building. The house was stripped. Every space soone could hide was checked. Alfred walked in, and behind him, Chris followed like a shadow. "My king. We can’t find any trace of him." A soldier knelt as Alfred walked past. A small smile was on his face.
"How much land did my uncle own?" Alfred turned to Chris. Although he knew roughly who owned what in the Kingdom. He didn’t have enough ti to understand completely what was happening in the various lands in his Kingdom.
"Your Grandfather left him in charge of the south coast to defend. Although the southern coast isn’t the largest, it’s still a good source of inco." Alfred nodded as he explored the manor himself. He tried to find anything that would be useful against his uncle if he ever returned, but couldn’t find anything.
"Have soldiers search all of his major properties. Anything owned in his na is to be seized." Alfred walked out but stopped. "Don’t touch any of the nobility under him." He added before leaving the manor. Chris bowed towards the departing back.
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Around a round table, the most powerful people of the kingdom sat. "As you all know by now, Prince Michael had fled the nation." Alfred opened up the topic. "Although he could have gone anywhere, the two most realistic options are the Safrid Sultanate or the Commonwealth." Alfred unfurled a map onto the table.
"If he’s smart, he will head for The Commonwealth, but if we think like that man, it is safe to assu he headed towards The Sultanate. They are the only ones strong enough to push his claim for the throne." The Duke of Flanders spoke as he pointed to the map. "The north is my territory. I’ve already increased patrols on the border, but I doubt he will be caught."
A fist slamd on the table. A man in a priest outfit looked at the map with disgust. "If he truly goes to the heathens to push his claim, then he will lose all support of the Temples."
"Calm yourself, Cardinal." Alfred cut in. "He hasn’t gone to the Sultanate. I’m almost certain of it." The people around the table looked at him, urging him to continue. "As we all know, my uncle had nurous different businesses under him; it’s how he made his wealth. How many of you knew what type of business they were?"
"Business-wise, it was mainly alcohol," Raven spoke quickly, making the others around the table open their eyes as if they were enlightened. As the Sultan highly regulates alcohol in his Kingdom, his best bet is going where he had the most business outside the Kingdom."
"The Commonwealth." Alfred nodded as he put his hand on the map. Although the Commonwealth would usually be stupid to attack us under normal circumstances, right now, our main defender of the East is dead, and his land is being carved up."
"My King. Although the Argon Duchy is fractured right now, it doesn’t an the Commonwealth is bold enough to attack." The Cardinal spoke up. Before Alfred could speak, Catherine replied.
"They will. With Prince Michael’s legitimate claim to the throne adding to the dostic turmoil over the past month, seeing us as weak wouldn’t be a surprise. And besides, do you think the Sultan will also let go of this opportunity?" The room beca heavy as they realised any war would result in a two-front war.
"Which brings to the next point. Marriage." Alfred internally sighed whenever this topic ca up. He wished his marriage could be simpler, but it was one of the few things where he couldn’t have that luxury. "For the current situation, there are three choices. One of the daughters of the Sultan, the daughter of the Grand-Prince of Vladmire, and the princess of the Commonwealth."
"We should just remove the Commonwealth’s princess. They won’t let go of an opportunity like this." Catherine clicked her tongue in annoyance, as this would usually be the easiest alliance to form.
"My king, you can’t really marry a heathen, can you?" The Cardinal spoke up, looking at Alfred. Other than Raven, the rest of the nobles rolled their eyes as they heard that comnt.
Alfred clicked his tongue, but he had expected a problem like this to occur. "Just because she is a heathen now doesn’t an she will never convert to the true faith. Besides, if that never cos around, I will file for a divorce." The cardinal squinted its eyes but ultimately backed down.
"Then Valdmire’s princess. Although they border the Sultan’s north, it’s a risk. If we get attacked by both sides, I doubt the call for support will reach the Grand-Prince in ti." The table nodded as they thought about the bleak situation. William carried on. "We have a couple of months to prepare. My King, you have to make a choice."
Alfred leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. He had done so investigations on all the candidates. Added to this is his father’s notes about them. "Send the Sultan the proposal. Be ready to send the Grand Prince one on rejection imdiately." He spoke to William before getting up, "You’re all dismissed."
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