Chapter 74: The Steel-Willed Princess in Azure 3

A transaction ultimately begins with reaching a mutual agreement.

When the interests of what the other party desires align with what I want, the deal can then be established.

Of course, there may be other underlying motives or circumstances differing from the surface appearance.

But at least outwardly, there must be conditions acceptable to both sides for the transaction to proceed.

Fundamentally, a transaction requires grasping what the other party wants, and can be realized based on how closely that aligns with one’s own desires.

And from that perspective, I could choose how to act.

Countess Andreas and Dust, tasked with selecting Santana’s bride, regarded the shortlisted three candidates with anticipation.

“Of course, we should meet them further, but for now, choosing from these three seems best.”

“Indeed, they are arguably the finest among the noble maidens in Bohemia’s vicinity.”

Dust smiled and nodded in agreement with her mother’s words.

Through direct and indirect meetings, letters, and more, they had winnowed the choices down to three exceptional candidates whose portraits lay before them, leaving them quite satisfied.

Selion Atlas, daughter of Count Atlas from one of the Thirteen Nobles.

Angelica Aren Wilhelm, second daughter of the ruling Wilhelm family of the northern Prussian Duchy.

And finally, the one they had just met – Estel Bertina Fernandes, sister of the lord governing the eastern Lepsodia region.

All three possessed remarkable beauty and refinement, hailing from esteemed lineages beyond reproach. Thus, the Countess and Dust deemed one of them suitable to become Santana’s bride.

“Honestly, I cannot choose further. They are all such fine candidates that I cannot decide whom to select.”

The Countess’s blissful yet conflicted smile was understandable. Apart from the familiar Selion Atlas, the other two were considered among the empire’s most sought-after brides.

Truly the crème de la crème that only the most privileged could consider.

That she was preparing to welcome one as her beloved son’s partner filled her with profound joy alongside deliberation over the weighty decision.

Regarding her mother’s demeanor, Dust smiled and spoke in an uncharacteristically delighted tone:

“I too would have difficulty hastily choosing among them. But if I must personally pick one, I favor Lady Estel the most. For my brother, whose great achievements led to victory in the war, she would make a fitting match having accomplished similarly outstanding feats.”

Estel’s subjugation of the nobles in her territory and consolidation of power, actively expanding Lepsodia’s influence under her de facto rule, had become quite the topic within the empire.

By highlighting this, Dust subtly pushed her favored candidate Estel. The Countess nodded, but maintained some reservation.

“That may well be… but it seems this decision is no longer ours alone to make arbitrarily. Regardless, your brother should have some say in the matter.”

Though a political marriage, Santana’s opinion as the groom needed to be factored in to some degree. Hence, he would join the subsequent second round of interviews.

However, even setting that aside, the Countess found it difficult to definitively rank the three.

Each had their strengths and weaknesses, offering assured political gains.

In her view, any of the three would suffice, so she decided to leave the final choice to her son going forward.

At that moment, Santana had already made his own selection.

After concluding the interview session upon the Andreas family’s invitation, Estel Bertina Fernandes took some time touring the Bohemian lord’s castle.

Observing the residence and territory of a lord possessing greater scale and might than her own Lepsodia domain, she could roughly gauge Bohemia’s power.

‘As expected… while the subordinate Thirteen Nobles wield formidable strength, the Bohemian lord’s power is beyond ordinary.’

Estel was well aware that the Thirteen Noble subfamilies posed a risk to Bohemia’s centralized authority.

Yet, even considering that, the Bohemian lord’s power and resources clearly surpassed those of neighboring Lepsodia.

The sheer difference in territorial size was a fundamental factor, coupled with Bohemia’s more fertile lands and strategic location at the crossroads of continental trade, elevating its overall standing above other regions.

In other words, though power was dispersed, the higher average level obscured that dispersion.

Accounting for this, Estel briefly contemplated the potential gains if she were to marry into this domain.

‘Being neighboring regions, there would certainly be considerable advantages. We have been rivals since the previous generation, so this could help resolve those conflicts… Moreover, if handled well, we may even divert some of Bohemia’s trade influence to our side.’

Of course, separate from those benefits, Estel had not fully made up her mind about marriage itself.

While the political advantages were undoubtedly significant, the risk of being drawn into the Thirteen Nobles’ power struggles was concerning. Ultimately, she had yet to firmly decide on matrimony.

Her primary reason for coming was to assess the situation in this powerful neighboring domain, which would inevitably become either an ally or rival for Lepsodia.

As practically no one addressed her as a potential bride during this visit, Estel could move about the castle grounds relatively freely, enabling her to gather a satisfactory level of information.

‘Overall, the situation seems quite favorable, being right after their victory in the war. Recovery efforts are swiftly progressing in this affluent region…’

Feeling both admiration and wariness towards Bohemia’s prowess, Estel returned to the lord’s castle after concluding her information-gathering for the day.

Heading towards her assigned lodgings, an unfamiliar woman suddenly blocked her path.

A maid with a striking beauty that would captivate even other women, her crimson tresses lending an alluring charm.

The maid politely bowed to Estel before addressing her in a calm voice:

“Pardon me. Are you Lady Estel Bertina Fernandes?”

“Yes, I am Estel. But what business do you have with me?”

Estel queried with some curiosity and doubt.

Maintaining her courteous demeanor, the maid offered a faint smile as she responded:

“My master requests a brief audience with Lady Estel. If it is not too much trouble, could you spare him some time?”

“And whom might this ‘master’ of yours be, precisely?”

A strange feeling prompting her cautious follow-up.

In response, the maid stepped slightly closer and spoke in a voice only Estel could hear:

“My master, Santana Andreas, wishes to meet with you. Will you accept this invitation?”

“!…”

Estel’s surprise showed at the maid identifying her master as the central figure in this marriage proposal.

While she would likely meet him during the forthcoming second interview, this personal, discreet request piqued her interest.

‘A private meeting request before the formal one… how intriguing.’

As her purpose was information gathering, Estel saw no reason to refuse.

With a smile, she calmly told the maid before her:

“Very well. I shall accept that request.”