POV David
"Of course your majesty, my brother has complete confidence we'll carry the day." I chuckled as I swirled the glass of wine. I smiled carefully as dozens of nobles eyed me with disdain. They'd had several bloody battles with no glory while my brother had gone from one victory to another.
"A man cannot lead armies, it ruins their constitution." An Earless blithely replied.
Veina spoke before I had the chance. "General Fulton's constitution remains unaffected by the rigors of war, unlikely as his victory may have been. He still achieved it when anyone else would have lost."
I nodded my thanks and sipped on the wine. The noble to my left gained my attention and introduced themselves. "I am Countess Justinian, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
I smiled politely. "Ah, it's good to see you again Countess. You seem in good health."
She stammered a bit as I brought up our history. Her eyes flashed with anger briefly before she replaced it with a pleasant smile. "Surely that unfortunate event doesn't count as a greeting?"
I chuckled when she said that. She was playing a totally different tune than the pompous, arrogant noble. A fair few nobles were rather interested in our conversation. "I suppose it does not. I am Baron Fulton."
"Baron, you are yet unwed, yes?" She asked with a smile, fluttering her eyelashes.
Veina appeared by my side and intertwined our fingers together as she leaned on my shoulder. "I do not mind sharing."
Justinian looked between us. As realization dawned she sputtered in a sputtering rage. "You harlot!"
I chuckled. "That's rich coming from you. Eleven consorts, three husbands, and thirteen lovers? Did I mix that up?"
The tent was silent as they stared at me. The few that I knew as friends stifled giggles when the Queen gave me a long look. Her gaze hardened when Rena walked over to me and handed me a mug of beer. I drained it in a few seconds. Rena giggled. "Is this your plan?"
I shrugged. "I've never hidden it… it's hard to believe everyone else was in denial."
I looked at the Queen and the crown Princess at her side. Her majesty was outright glaring at me now while Veria seemed rather confused. I winked as Shyora made her way to the crown princes and started whispering to her. I looked back to Countess Justinian and smiled. "You flatter me, but I'm not interested in pursuing a marital relationship with you."
"Baron Fulton, don't be too harsh. Give her a chance." I chuckled, Veina was pushing her little skit a bit too hard. But fine, whatever… it was rigged anyway.
"Fine, Fine… I'll marry you… no. I'll marry whoever's regiment makes the biggest contribution tomorrow." Several people started whispering at that. It was no small order to make the largest contribution. It was an open secret that I managed my sister's territory as well as my own. This was a great chance for ambitious nobles to get ahead of their peers.
I dismissed myself from the pavilion and started to leave when Shyora appeared and nodded. I took a quick turn, nearly losing my companions as I jogged around the side of the tent. Veria was pacing back and forth, muttering to herself as we entered her tent.
"What the hell are you thinking?" She rounded on me.
"You stupid…. Idiot! Did all that alcohol go to your head?" She grabbed her head and groaned.
I chuckled, which earned me a glare. "The game was rigged from the start."
"It will be my regiment that will win." Rena grinned and glanced at me.
"What are you talking about Rena?" Looked between the two of us.
"My brigade crossed the ford upstream, later tonight 3rd brigade will join them." Rena smiled proudly. Then she deflated as she looked at me.
"You are just using us, like you always have." She accused me. I slowly shrugged.
"Would you rather marry me or let me marry some random noble?" I asked.
"I need to be able to keep an eye on you… I suppose this underhanded move was your brother's design?" Veria switched back to tomorrow's battle. I nodded. He had personally scouted the ford and led the troops across. It's why Smith wasn't here. 1st and 2nd brigades would be joining the main attack in the morning. That was a task I could entrust to the brigadiers to manage, so I'd attended the 'party'.
Hell I had no intention of even watching the battlefield. I'd probably wake up by the time it was all over, head over to her majesty and proclaim the winner of my rigged competition. I was here to sightsee at this point… and keep my brother in check.
"Let's not worry about tomorrow. Why don't we have some fun instead?" I winked as I activated a skill. The women quickly became flustered as the skill took effect. I embraced Rena and planted a kid on her forehead.
"Let's celebrate your victory tonight."