Chapter 118: Their Respective Paths 7

“We shall patiently await your return, then.”

“Understood. I shall reconvene with you presently.”

Having temporarily excused the emissary to relay our decision, Estelle and I began deliberating how best to proceed regarding this pivotal development.

“For the moment, let us table the matter of Lady Queen and first address this potential Dragonian alliance.”

“As you say, that seems prudent.”

With the foremost suspected culprits regarding Queen’s abduction ostensibly exculpated, we could refocus on the infinitely graver implications of securing Dragonia’s military backing – a strategic boon eclipsing all else in importance.

“At a cursory glance, the terms appear highly advantageous to our cause.”

“Indeed, I discern no overtly onerous stipulations the Emperor levies – though I defer to your judgment, my lord.”

Estelle deferred to my assessment as I carefully weighed the conditions Rozveta had outlined.

While precluding direct large-scale troop deployments, the material support and trade concessions remained invaluable reinforcements nonetheless.

Coupled with limited yet potent mystic auxiliaries conscripted from Dragonia’s vaunted witches, these provisions undoubtedly bolstered our increasingly beleaguered alliance’s long-term viability.

One pivotal caveat demanded our uncompromising adherence, however:

Under no circumstances could we publicize or even overtly acknowledge Dragonia’s clandestine involvement lest we forfeit their crucial backing entirely.

A seemingly innocuous confidentiality proviso implying far direr ramifications – that the instant our alliance courted existential peril, Dragonia would disavow us without hesitation to preserve their own interests first and foremost.

In other words, their ‘support’ constituted little more than a calculated gambit – exploiting us as expendable proxies while avoiding committing substantively themselves.

‘Though given their immense power disparity, we amount to little more than pawns from their vantage point…’

Not true allies bound by solidarity, but rather subcontractors granted limited outside investment by a colossal conglomerate safeguarding their bottom line above all else.

Unpalatable as that pragmatic detachment seemed, we possessed no leverage to dictate more equitable terms under our present straits.

The simple reality remained that against an adversary rivaling the Holy Empire itself, having secured any support – no matter how perfunctory – already represented a monumental victory by default.

“Then I believe we should accept these terms unequivocally. With our dire lack of materiel support at present, we can ill afford to spurn any non-detrimental accord bolstering our capabilities.”

Given our current desperation, I saw no viable recourse but acquiescing to Rozveta’s conditions without demur – a stark reality Estelle nonetheless greeted with evident approval.

“A judicious decision, to be sure. While perhaps less than we hoped, this development significantly improves the Alliance’s strategic standing going forward.”

“Indeed – and please accept my deepest gratitude for your invaluable efforts brokering this crucial accord, despite its unforeseen ramifications.”

For securing Dragonia’s partnership, however provisional, ultimately stemmed from the foundation Estelle had painstakingly laid beforehand through her audacious outreach.

No trivial risk given the uncertainty shrouding her unsanctioned diplomatic gambit, alongside the immense personal investment of resources and political capital expended pursuing this outcome against astronomical odds.

To my gracious acknowledgment, Estelle’s expression blossomed with a bashful crimson radiance as she demurred in characteristically humble tones:

“You honor me overmuch, my lord. Though our union began through ceremony, in truth I am your sworn consort. Employing whatever capacities remain at my disposal to render you every assistance constitutes the barest minimum of my obligations and affections for you.”

A declaration suffused with earnest, unambiguous devotion that momentarily disarmed me – her sincerity and openness conveying far more naked yearning than I could comfortably acknowledge or reciprocate in kind presently.

‘Is she truly harboring such profound feelings for me…? This fervent ardor wholly divorced from our ostensibly political arrangement…?’

While not entirely implausible, I found this potential revelation equally distressing given our current circumstances and inner conflicts.

Arranged contracts notwithstanding, our nominal engagement had only solidified our strategic coalition – not cultivated any sincere romantic intimacy on my part despite Estelle’s apparent depth of feeling.

More urgently, my heart remained wholly devoted to Cazeros even as I struggled valiantly to avoid disrespecting Polena’s own unvoiced affections in turn.

To compound those entanglements by thoughtlessly indulging Estelle’s apparent infatuation risked needlessly exacerbating an already volatile powder keg – especially before discerning the full extent of her feelings toward me.

‘Rejecting her overtures outright seems equally unwise… I cannot afford sowing further unnecessary conflicts amidst these turbulent times.’

Not that the notion inherently displeased or revolted me – any man would surely struggle to rebuff such overt ardor from so alluring a consort.

Merely an acknowledgment that now represented an inopportune juncture to properly address such delicate personal entanglements while more existential priorities demanded our undivided focus.

‘Cazeros alone shall remain my heart’s sole affection for now… Should circumstances ultimately draw Estelle and I closer in truth, it will only transpire with her blessing.’

Wistfully ruminating upon that elusive reunion even as I mentally relegated Estelle’s apparent yearnings to a respectful distance for the present, I found myself exhaling a mournful sigh.

Yet another complicating development amidst our increasingly tangled web of alliances and obligations – leaving me pining all the more urgently for Cazeros’s comforting presence to help navigate these treacherous straits.

“A sage decision, Your Grace. I shall duly convey your judgment to Her Sublime Majesty the Empress.”

“You have my gratitude, good sir. Be sure to rest well during your sojourn before departing.”

As Estelle bade the visitor a courteous farewell with evident satisfaction, her daring gambit had ultimately borne the fruits she sought – however mitigated by unforeseen upheavals along that thorny path.

Through steadfast resolution, Dragonia’s decisive partnership had been procured alongside cementing Repsodis’s elevated standing within the Alliance itself.

And most critically in her eyes, Santara had openly commended her monumental endeavors with heartfelt earnestness – his sincere gratitude suffusing her being with profound elation far transcending mere strategic accomplishments.

Indeed, his genteel acknowledgment rendered the flustered duchess momentarily breathless as she struggled to modulate her swelling emotions before composing herself to address the departing emissary properly.

Until the man, exuding grave solemnity, interposed with an additional disclosure:

“There is one final matter I have been instructed to convey.”

“Oh? And what might that entail?”

As the messenger’s demeanor shifted in departure from his previously ebullient mien, Estelle reflexively steeled herself in anticipation of some weighty proclamation to come.

“I must first preface that this constitutes an invitation extended at Her Majesty’s discretion rather than any manner of obligation.”

“An…invitation, you say?”

The envoy’s words immediately rekindled Estelle’s acute trepidation even as her undivided attentions fixated upon his subsequent utterance with profound unease.