NOVEL NEXT Chapter 982: Lady Everfrost's Scheme
-----
"There is something else we need to discuss, please don't leave. I know I made you upset over my rude remarks…" Everfrost apologized. "But if you and your friends truly carry such tremendous power, not only could you help us, but you could help us improve this continent after its recovery…"
"…" I looked back. "And what do I gain from this?"
"Ah…" Everfrost was left speechless after my remark.
"Oi, Blake!" Elfriedden roared, running towards me and grabbing my shoulder. "We're friends, right? You can't just walk away from my mom! I've respected your mom all this time too!"
"…Fine." I sighed. "Because you're my good friend, I shall listen to your mother's whims. But let me tell you something, Elfriedden. Don't betray our friendship thinking you can use me for your political games."
"T-That's… not what we want…" Elfriedden muttered, feeling frustrated. He was clearly doubting his own statement.
I sat down again, looking back at his mother.
"Tell me what's happening in this country already." I sighed. "Elfriedden said his father discriminated him for having been born with his spirit and a one-star talent, is that true?"
"Yes, the King… I am only his third concubine. I am not even seen as his wife. This is because his wife rotates around who gives the best child." Sighed Everfrost. "I used to be the Princess of a smaller country of the continent, you see, the Elven Kingdom of Alfheim encompasses mostly everything in the continent. Smaller countries are only left to exist because of the King's whims."
"And?" I asked.
"And well… Don't you think this is wrong?" She sighed. "This system, it's wicked, and strange. It doesn't make sense. People shouldn't be discriminated for such things."
"Are you saying that only because your son was discriminated like this?" I asked. "Or do you truly believe it for all people? As a noble, I've noticed you're quite arrogant. You talk about discrimination is… Don't you think quite ironic?"
"T-That's…" Everfrost was shocked to notice how easily I read through her intentions. "But I am being genuine now, I swear to the Yggdrasil Tree!"
"Blake, this is not really about that to be honest. My girlfriend, Rosenheim has an arranged marriage with one of my elder brothers." Elfriedden said. "I swore I would become strong enough to gain enough prestige and honor so I could climb the ranks and become a crown prince, to marry my beloved. My mother also plans on working around this, but also, we want to further improve the future.
By taking advantage of the turmoil the entire continent is on, if we could somehow shift the power…"
"I see how it is, but will such an opportunity ever present? Or do you want to hold a coup? After all, the royal family is safe right now, right?" I asked.
"Even as half the continent is in flames, they are still there, governing it, nothing can be changed unless you step forward and just fight everyone until you decide that they should do what you say, and doing that feels unrealistic… Yet oddly cathartic."
"Half of the royal family has gone missing; two concubines have died already." Said Everfrost. "In fact, the royal family is in disarray beyond recovery. I am not saying we should go against the King, but if we gain enough Honor amongst our people and the agreement of the population, changes could be made to society through political negotiations with the King."
"Oh, so that's how it is…" I nodded. "So what should I do then?"
"Nothing, exactly… Just do what you came here to do." Everfrost shrugged. "Leave everything else to me. Elfriedden too, you've come to help, so help if you want."
"Hah…" I smiled. "This has become a bit more interesting. Elfriedden, you've got a very cunning mother, I have to admit it."
"I-Is that so?" Elfriedden wondered, although he then nodded. "No, yeah, you're not wrong there, she's quite… Well, yeah."
"But what do I win if I ally my faction with your political faction?" I asked the "future queen", smiling. "I assume something very good, right? The power I hold could change the entire tide of battle as a whole. All the territory that has been lost; I could reclaim it for myself if I want to."
"Just as you said, if you ever truly manage to defeat Fafnir and free the continent from their invasion…" Everfrost said. "And you can help us accomplish our goals, then I can… I could give you half of it."
"Half?!" Elfriedden gasped.
"D-Does she mean… Half of this city?" Elizabeth wondered.
"No, I don't think so…" Erika said.
"Everfrost, have you gone out of your mind?!" Cattalina asked. "Do you truly intend on dethroning the King?!"
"Not really, but I want changes." Everfrost said. "I've been growing my political faction in the shadows. Waiting for this opportunity. This is truly for the best of everyone. The King and his close family have grown too corrupted with their own ideals of what power is, and discriminate those born with "bad" talents, or even commoners too. Despite there being the ability for growth."
"When exactly did this started?" I wondered, as I suddenly thought of a possibility.
"For at least the last thirty years that my former husband has been like this." Sighed Everfrost. "I can't say he was suddenly possessed or something, it was a gradual change. Perhaps the desperation of the incoming war has made him become very stressed, or something else…"
I do have many theories of what could be happening to him, some including old enemies. But until I see him, I can't confirm anything.
"Anyways, you're offering me half the country?" I laughed. "You're very greedy, Everfrost! But somehow, that's exactly what I expected the mother of my arrogant friend would be like. You fit my image of you almost perfectly."
"D-Do you accept my terms?" She asked. "I can give you more, anything… Even myself."
"Mother?!" Elfriedden blushed. "What are you talking now?!"
"Well, I am single now so…" The Queen Everfrost blushed. "I see he has many girlfriends, once he grows up…"
"Enough, I don't have any intentions like that." I sighed. "And I won't take half the country either."
"Then… what do you want?" Everfrost looked into my eyes.
Of course, what I want is…
-----