Lucien sat at the center of the tent, awaiting his visitor, a coffee in hand.
"Your Majesty," a woman entered, her bountiful brown hair bobbing behind her as she curtsied with grace, "I am glad that you allowed this one such courtesy."
"Well, yeah. You got my citizens riled up for nothing, after all." He remarked.
"This one is simply fulfilling the role of a wife to a husband."
Lucien shrugged, "I guess, so what are your demands?"
"A desire to not see my city pillaged." She bowed as she took out her list of demands..
"Is that so?" His eyes ran over her demands, eyebrow raising as he ran through each line. "These are quite the demands, Lady?"
"Marianne, your majesty."
"Lady Marianne, I see." He smiled, "A beautiful name."
"It is an honor you think so."
"Well, I believe something here seems to be off."
"Excuse me?"
He turned the demands to her, listing each one. "While most of these are under protocol, You seem to forget that House Audrick will cease to exist."
"There will be no fealty exchanged, you cannot keep any properties. I will simply repossess all the properties under the Audrick name."
"That is not within your capabilities, Your Majesty."
"My father has given me full power over this rebellion, its conduct, its conclusion and its consequences."
She glared, "Then you will have to take it from me, brick by brick."
"I see, I would like to remind you that the only reason I haven't blown your city to bits is because it would be a pain to fix, costly too." He tapped his finger against the table, "But if you do force my hand further, there will be no properties for you to hold."
"With all due respect, your majesty. You have not captured my husband. Nor has he called upon our allies, you do not wish to have this conflict to further escalate."
Lucien cackled, "Lady Marianne, seeing this further escalate would have you lose your cards. And quite frankly, I do enjoy the challenge. I'm assuming you've heard what happened with your husband's army, correct?"
"Burning down your supposed inheritance does not make for a good start."
"But it does make for a damn good song, don't you think so?"
She swallowed thickly. "My decision remains as it were."
"I see," He leaned towards her, "Tell me, Lady Marianne, why are you so loyal?"
"Loyal? It is only right for a wife–."
Lucien scoffed, "Let's not kid ourselves here, Madam. You hold nothing of value to him,"
Marianne stood up, "I will not let you insult me."
"And without bloodline magic, he would see you as beneath him." He tapped his chin.
"You may infer what you wish." She turned, exiting the tent,
"I can make you rich, you know. Richer than being an Earl's wife."
She stopped, "How so?"
"I will be a duke after this war, I would need a bank to manage it properly."
"A bank?"
"Of course, I have plans for this duchy, ambitious ones. And to realize them, I need someone capable of their finances. And you seem… capable."
"You plan to employ me?"
"I plan to grant you autonomy, your own company, your own wealth and your own name."
She hesitated, "And if I say no?"
"Then we shall see this conflict further escalate, I do hope you can entertain me then."
She clenched her fist, "I'll consider your offer."
"You'll consider it now. The strong chooses, the weak vacillates."
She turned back to him and walked, slow and deliberate.
He offered his ring to her as she knelt. "This one, swears upon you, My Prince."
Lucien smirked, "You had better start thinking of a good name, Lady Marianne. I am sure this would be quite the partnership."
She brushed her lips against his ring. "I will forever be in your favor, my Prince."
"Oh, I am sure you will be." He stood up, offering her his arm. "Now, show me your loyalty."
"Of course." She gripped his hand and stood up by his side.
They stepped together as she raised her hand, a palm opened.
And with it the city's gates—slowly as if the city had made its choice.
"My Prince, this city is yours."
The army erupted in thunderous cheer.
As the city guards along with them.
"They really didn't want this rebellion, did they?" Lucien mused.
"Of course, they didn't. It was the reason my husband employed such a vacuous number of mercenaries."
Siegfried spoke up, behind them.. "Is it done?"
The two jolted as Lucien chuckled. "Marianne meet Siegfried. You'll be meeting each other a lot from now on."
She offered his hand, "Uh… hello Sir? Siegfried."
"Sir will do. I am currently a sworn knight and general of Prince Lucien." He shook her hand, his grip formal.
"Yup, I found someone that can take the load off these broad shoulders." Lucien grinned.
Siegfried gave him a glance, "I see, what words did he use to coerce you?"
"Oh?" Marianne raised an eyebrow, "Something along the escalation of conflict?"
Siegfried nodded. "I see, mine was: 'We are both broken things that should not have been born. It is only right we stick together'."
He paused. "It was quite frankly disconcerting even as a child."
Marianne blinked. "I… I don't know how to reply to that."
Siegfried turned to Lucien. "Is this not how you build rapport with another?"
Lucien sighed, "I mean giving a piece of secret to show trust, not trauma dump on them, Siegfried."
"I see," Siegfried bowed, "Then forgive my discourteous words."
Marianne cleared her throat, "It is fine, you both seem delightfully well-adjusted."
Lucien shrugged, "We're works in progress."
"I hope so." She muttered as she walked ahead, "Shall we go inside, It would be best for the city to meet its new master."
"Lead the way, Lady Marianne." Lucien cheered as he turned. "Siegfried?"
"I would have to organize the army's supplies and quarters inside the city. I shall find you then."
"Delightful, meet me at the palace then."
"Understood."
Siegfried walked to the walls of the city, along with Marianne.
His eyes studying its walls, the enchantment glistening across it.
He remarked, "Enchanted walls, quite an investment."
"My husband… desired it." She sneered, "Too bad it's a waste now."
"Oh my, how vindictive." He snickered, "Speaking of which, has he contacted you?"
"He has not, I don't believe he had much faith I'd hold unto the city."
"Was he mistaken?"
"Not for the reason he'd thought it'd be."
"He'd be quite the boon then."
"Boon?"
"House Audrick is a family well connected across the Arvitian Duchy. That means he'll be quite the menace, gathering allies and sparking rebellions."
"That doesn't sound like a boon."
"Oh, it quite is. With the duchy now under my jurisdiction. I would have the authority to do as I please. And uprooting rebellious nobility will be within such jurisdiction."
"Quite confident of yourself?"
"I am, so you'd better pick a city now. Once I start giving away land, you had better be ready."
"Of course, My Prince."
They walked through the city gates and were met with celebration.
"They seem to love you." Lucien noticed, as children ran to her side.
"They do, my husband has not done much in the running of this city."
"Then I would need your help in gathering the same loyalty. I don't suppose throwing coins at them will work?"
"It will, at least up to a point. There is also perception."
Lucien felt something bump on his leg, a small girl grinning up at him, dirtying his clothes.
He ruffled her hair with a smile, "What's your name, child."
"Lily." She chirped, with a grin, showing a chipped tooth.
"Quite the beautiful name." He remarked, a charming smile blooming on his face.
He grabbed her into her arms as the crowd coos.
"Where's your parents?" He asked
"They're there!" She pointed to a pair, nervously laughing.
He waved at them as he turned back to her, "Your parents are great."
"They are!"
"What work do they do?"
"Well, Mama is a mage and Papa's a blacksmith!"
"Woah, they seem pretty great!"
She nodded furiously, echoing him. "Great!Great!"
"Are you alright, have you been eating well?"
She pursed her lips, "Well, Mama has been doing work too, to eat sometimes. And I don't have breakfast every morning."
"Breakfast is important." He nodded.
"Then do you want to eat?"
"I want to eat!"
"Then we shall have a feast!" Lucien roared, his voice echoing through the square. "A feast to celebrate our victory!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as Lucien set Lily down. She ran, beaming, back to her parents.
He turned to Marianne, "I am assuming you have food stocked up for a long siege."
"And you plan to use them for this."
"Of course. You said it yourself—perception."