Turning the Tables

Duke Schmidt quickly returned to his study, where the heavy oak doors shut out the outside world, leaving only the soft crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace.

Instead of returning to his desk, Duke Schmidt strolled to the huge French windows and gazed at the orderly gardens of his estate, which remained perfectly maintained even in winter.

He was still unconsciously stroking the royal Imperial Edict in his hand, a scroll of fine texture that felt unusually heavy.

Sebastian to the side, awaiting his master's instructions. He could sense that beneath the Duke's calm exterior, a turbulent undercurrent was surging.

After a long silence, the Duke's deep voice broke the stillness, as if speaking to Sebastian, or perhaps trying to sort out his own chaotic thoughts:

"Young Emperor Sigmund, a mere child, hastily ascended the throne. Hmph, it's hard to say whether the Eisenberg family and that Queen Dowager Katerina were involved behind this. The old King's death was suspicious, and this new king's coronation is even more eerie..."

His voice carried a hint of cold mockery. "I even doubt whether the bloodline of Sigmund, who sits on the throne, is truly so... pure. Now, they are so eager to send the Former King's only direct descendant, Princess Louise, to the Northern Territory as if she were a troublesome object."

"From this day forward, the royal palace in Prye City will truly become the Eisenberg family's absolute backyard."

Sebastian bowed slightly and cautiously inquired, "Duke Grace, so... how should we proceed? Young Master Karl's marriage..."

The Duke did not answer immediately. He turned around and looked sharply at Sebastian, his eyes flashing with a mixture of annoyance, calculation, and a hint of excitement.

His original plan was to arrange a marriage with Earl Rochefort, a powerful figure in the Northern Territory, and leverage Karl's success to further extend the Schmidt Family's influence northward.

This sudden royal engagement completely disrupted his plans, causing him to miss an important strategic opportunity and depriving his youngest son of a possible marriage of mutual affection.

"The marriage alliance with the Rochfort family... it seems to be off the table." The Duke's tone was flat, revealing little regret, but rather anger at the disruption of his plans.

But soon, this anger was replaced by another emotion: the keen sense of spotting new opportunities, a trait belonging to seasoned political animals.

"However..." A cold, almost cruel smile curled at the corner of the Duke's lips, "It's not necessarily all bad that Karl can marry Princess. At least in name, my Schmidt Family is now considered royalty."

His eyes grew brighter and brighter, and his thoughts became clearer and clearer.

Katerina and Eisenberg wanted to use this marriage to remove the "troublesome" Princess from the center of power, and perhaps also to win over or control the newly rising Karl?

Hmph, what a clever scheme! But since you dare to disrupt my plans and use my son as a political pawn, don't blame me for using this "royal relative" title you've given me to maximize my own interests!

"Hmph, since you want to use the Princess to tie down my son and disrupt my plans in the Northern Territory," the Duke sneered inwardly, a long-lost aggressiveness belonging to a top predator returning to him, "Then I'll make good use of this relationship to give you some trouble! And incidentally, to compensate for my disrupted plans, and my aggrieved son."

His thinking became extremely realistic and utilitarian.

Since they could not obtain direct assistance from the Northern Territory through the marriage alliance, they had to extract a sufficient amount of "wool" from the royal family to make up for the losses, and to express the Schmidt Family's dissatisfaction with the arrangement and their strong response.

As for Karl not being able to marry the person he loves?

As a father, he may have had some regrets, but in the face of such enormous political interests, these regrets were quickly overshadowed by a stronger logic.

The Royal Decree, and the Schmidt Family never engaged in unprofitable business.

He could even see this as a veiled form of revenge against the royal family: You want to control my son? I'll use your name to reap the benefits first!

"Sebastian," the Duke's voice regained its usual composure and decisiveness, carrying an unquestionable tone of command, "Pass down my orders."

"First, from this day forward, all caravans under the Schmidt Family name traveling throughout the kingdom shall fly flags bearing both the royal insignia and the Schmidt Family insignia! We shall declare to the world that we are operating under imperial decree to raise funds for the royal family."

"At every checkpoint, they must be granted full exemption from customs duties according to the standards for royal supplies! Any obstruction will be treated as 'obstructing royal business'!"

He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Second, inform all our agents and vassal nobles in the south that henceforth, in any disputes with neighboring territories, whether concerning minerals, water sources, forests, or trade routes..."

"Anything is fine, no, it's a must! Emphasize our current kinship with the royal family! Tell them that going against the Schmidt Family is questioning His Your Majesty's decision, and it's making an enemy of the entire Broomflower Royal Family! I want to make those old fogies who are always nitpicking with us think twice!"

Sebastian felt a chill run down his spine. The Duke was openly using the political prestige brought by this marriage to expand his business and encroach on his territory!

Using the royal name to seize power and profit for themselves! Their methods are both ruthless and precise.

The royal family has suffered this injustice in silence, and it will probably be difficult for them to retaliate in the short term.

"Yes, sir! I understand!" Sebastian bowed and replied.

The Duke walked to his desk and casually tossed the Imperial Edict onto the surface, as if it were just an ordinary tool.

He concluded by saying, "As for Karl's wedding, let Lady Eileen go. She is Karl's mother and of high enough status to be the most suitable person to represent the family in the Northern Territory. You should arrange it yourself and make sure she goes in style."

This decision is both a gesture of compensation and reinstatement towards Eileen, and a demonstration to the outside world of the Schmidt Family's "importance" of this royal marriage.

As for him personally, it is not advisable for him to appear in person for the time being. He needs to stay in the south, take command, and make full use of this sudden "opportunity" to maximize the interests of his family.

Sebastian bowed again. "Yes, sir, I will arrange Lady Eileen's itinerary properly and ensure that affairs in the South proceed according to your will."

Duke Schmidt nodded and turned his gaze back to the window.

Sunlight streamed through the clouds onto the estate's grounds, but his gaze was colder than the winter sun outside the window.

Karl, my good son, your father knows this may not be the marriage you want.

But in this world, especially for a family like ours, personal feelings are often the least important bargaining chip.

Since we cannot resist, let us, father and son, join forces to seize the greatest spoils from this chessboard imposed by fate.

This can be considered a small bit of justice that your father has sought for you.