Inside the Palace at the Capital City Catharia, a Nobleman wearing a green insignia was seen waiting at the guest room. Suddenly the King walked in and the Nobleman stood up and bowed while saying "It has been a while my King, you look great as always." King Philip responded with a smile "Indeed William it has surely been a while."
The Nobleman was part of the Eastern Region of the Kingdom which was under the influence of House Ulnir. His House being House Evergarden.
Marquee William Evergarden sat down after the King told him to and then asked "Why have you summoned me my King?" For which the King responded "Well, you could guess the reason why.. It is about your daughter after all."
But the Marquee immediately said with an opposing tone "My King, I have utmost respect for you but I cannot accept that. My daughter is indeed a political tool for me but I will not simply throw her into the hands of someone with a dim future and not to mention half breed." The King didn't care much about those words even though his own son was practically disrespected.
But the King did say "You are correct. He is a regretful mistake of mine but you shouldn't underestimate him. The fact he survived this war while having incredible achievements shows that he has huge potential." Marquee Williams dismissed those words by replying "Yet here you are trying to put him on my shoulders expecting me to carry that half breed burden and ruin my daughter's life."
The King jested "The same daughter who you see as a tool for more political influence by selling her off." Marquee Williams responded with a blunt "Yes." Which made the King laugh while he tapped his thighs.
The King tried to explain "I can understand your point, no one would want to stain their bloodline with something lowly but you must consider that my blood does flow through him although it's half but you must consider it." Marquee Williams sighed "I do, in fact that is why I thought of doing it when you asked before. That is why my daughter became his fiance when they were young but that was before he tortured his half brother to death causing a Queen to commit— he stopped because that woman was King's favourite.
Marquee Williams tried again "A murderer, a kinslayer who was banished to a battlefield where he shined by showing off that bloodlust. How can I believe that my daughter will be safe with him and he doesn't even bring any political influence... Of course the people support him and find him good because he is a darn half breed but I can just throw money like breadcrumbs for their support so I don't need him, he doesn't even have any political support... All he offers is his psychopathic bloodlust and perhaps a powerful military but why would I need that? My house sells fruits and flowers for the Kingdom, not blood and death." His ramblings made the King hesitant to push for more.
Because the Marquee was correct, Estafan was a Prince who only was known for his war tactics, incredible strength and a powerful army. He did not have any political or religious support albeit both Sects of Goddess Michaella have supported him in the past.
For a man who desires to use his only daughter as a strong political tool to strengthen his family, Estafan was a black sheep not fit for that position.
He was hated by the majority of the Aristocratic society with some neutrals considering him as a good soldier rather than a Prince.
His mother being a maid made literally many Nobles to not offer their daughters to the point where the King forced Marquee Williams to give his daughter at first, he only accepted it because Estafan was a silent child who did not stand out making him a good puppet till the age of 10 where Estafan killed his brother and was banished.
Marquee Williams was a vassal of Duke Ushik Ulnir whose grandson was murdered by Estafan which makes it worse.
Considering the Duke could consider it as a travesty to see his vassal letting Estafan into their House but none of them know that was Philip's plan. Philip knew that he simply couldn't kill Estafan off because that would make him look bad considering he had forced a maid to have his child and that maid was given asylum by one of the Major religions as well.
So Estafan when he was a child had support of both Sects of Michaellism. But right after he tortured his brother to death the Sects declared they will no longer support him since Goddess Michaella was a Goddess of Justice and what Estafan did was considered to be a cruel act which put the goddesses name to shame.
This allowed Philip to not just send Estafan to the border but create scenarios where the young child could die.
But Philip failed in the process and his backup was this marriage. He knew if Estafan survived then Estafan would return for revenge against his surviving half brother Leprian who was Philip's favourite child.
So King Philip decided to make Marquee Williams marry his only child to Estafan and with that Estafan will become the next Marquee. Who will be forced to serve Duke Ushik and by that he will be forced to come under like a slave or servant to Prince Leprian.
Philip wanted Estafan to come under Leprian and be his dog, a servant as that was his backup plan and a punishment to Estafan.
Since the Marquee showed greater resistance, Philip decided to make a better deal. He offered "I will give you money, not just money but huge swaths of fertile lands belonging to the crown." But Marquee responded saying "My King that would make Duke Ushik angry and will cause a shake in the balance in terms of land assets in the East."
But the King elaborated "Some things are not meant to be but that doesn't mean I cannot force it to be. I will make the Duke shut up, all you have to do is accept my gifts and give your daughter to my son." The Marquee was outright baffled to see the King going this far. Maybe the rumours in the east are true that the King does fancy his half breed son, that is what the Marquee thought even though it was not even close to the truth.