"Your majesty. It is decided. Let the nobles know. After this, My family will stay back at the Duchy until he can fully overtake the role."
Marrianne commented leaving no room for refusal or complaint.
"...."
Everyone including the King, Selbach Severa was silent in the room. They simply would not believe it was so easy to pass on a position. Most of the people there were born when Marrianne was still in rule over the Astalles Duchy. No one knew of its history except the records written in the books. It was an impenetrable wall.
It could be said the Astalles Duchy was more coveted than the royal throne.
There was jealous stares others of weariness and mixed feeling. The King who was quiet during the entire time spoke up. He knew Marrianne well since she was his confidant in kingdom affairs. One of the things he was sure of was Marrianne would never make an irrational decision.
What looked like a random thought or action would later come to make sense. This was why the Astalles Duchy was the strategist of the kingdom. They had access to wealth and resources but never indulged.
They were a very closed Duchy. There was little known of them despite years of service to the kingdom. They never once coveted the throne even if they had the power to overturn the capital.
Thus, the king was sure there was a reason for the illogical choice. Whatever the reason it would not threaten his position. He had grown up looking up to her. He learned to trust her decisions.
"You can do as you please, Marrianne."
The king looked like he had given up. He could only let her do as she wished. This was not because he could not refuse, but because he knew Marrianne was a different person to her son. He had just witnessed it. A son who popped from nowhere. No matter the investigation they found nothing on him. His traces were erased and his existence was filled with blank. Marrianne making it such that no information was leaked of her son was enough of a warning to not mess with him.
'I know better than to mess with a mother. Especially Marrianne.'
The king still had a lingering fear of the woman. He had seen what she was capable of in her years of service. She was ruthless and cold. She stuck my law and nothing would bend her will. Anyone who got in her way was not spared for whatever circumstance. Selbach Severa would not provoke a sleeping dragon.
The conversation ended with the biggest event being not the marriage, but the change in Successorship. The famous Astalles Duchy was getting a new Duke.
"How do you plan to do the successor trial?"
Selbach was curious on this matter. Every Dukedom held a successor trial to appoint the next successor. This was also the case for only children. If they didn't pass they would unofficially take the position until they sired a heir capable of maintaining the position. Upon failure, it was customary to do adoption of a suitable successor or marry one.
"Fufu~ There will be no such thing, your majesty. He is simply overtaking me." Marrianne said in the most sarcastic humored voice, "I believe he is stronger than me with more potential. Look forward to it~" Marrianne gave an excited remark but her face had a simply professional smile. She seemed exceedingly excited.
'I am stronger than who???'
Théoden had no idea what to say on the matter since he knew better.
The wedding ceremony…or ritual was completed. The group left as they came in. This time they were headed to the main event of the day. The annual Solstice ball. A time of the year when the kingdom had the optimal weather. A clear sky with warm sunshine.
This was the 96th year of the Imperial calendar since the Kingdom was united. The day marked the day when the first event for the unification took place. It was celebrated annually by the nobility while the common folk did it every five years. It was not such a long time but there were many changes in the Kingdom.
The development of the kingdom had significantly improved after the merging. This was the case since the boundaries opened and trading was easier while learning from others was custom. The pace was still slow. The kingdom was more magically inclined with the use of aura and magic.
Marrianne's simple comment made waves in the kingdom. How could the heir be more powerful than the Duchess? It was absurd to even think that. Théoden was after all, so…young. What of when he grew to his full potential?
Marrianne was known as a strong person. Her power could rival the top masters in the kingdom easily. She was a monster who could destroy a nation with a flick of her finger. She was a threat but she was also the guardian of the kingdom. If she fell, the kingdom would be vulnerable. The major reason that no opposition came to her.
However, saying Théoden was stronger than her with more potential was unimaginable. It thus made sense why she would hand over her position to the child who would potentially become a target to plots. A child whom she seemed overprotective of. There was no reason to make her son the target of political plots.
That was the only reason the group who heard it could think of. The reason he took over the position. The child was stronger than she was. They could never consider the other alternative, especially with Marrianne's character. She would never talk nonsense.
Marrianne's plan was taking place. She knew that Théoden was nowhere as strong as she was. This was just her bluff. Despite that, she needed to pass her position to him.
'Time is running out.'
She had thoughts of a future no one else knew of. She had to get him ready for that future. A future that would put his life at risk if underprepared.
Marrianne manipulated things in the kingdom to her liking over the years so as to nature the child she promised to protect.
A random act that she had taken to make Théoden her heir was predetermined by ancient times of prophecy.
She was there at that time because it was predetermined he would only accept her hand if he was very desperate. Théoden was not one to accept free things. He would not trust easily. She had no choice but to let him suffer in the city outskirts for weeks even though she knew he was there. It was not what she would have preferred but it was necessary.
Since Théoden had appeared in this world, the wheels of fate were turning and they would not wait for anyone. Not even she could stop it. She could only prepare for it.
'This is his destiny. I have to make sure…it goes well.'
Marrianne secretly looked at Théoden who was walking beside Helen. A bride she had chosen for him even before he knew.
'I hope she is of use to him.'
The doors to the ball entrance were opened.
The king's attendance was announced.
***
"Now the ball shall begin."
The ball was a party where nobles came together to socialize and make a debut. They would enjoy luxuries and fancy things that were trending and most expensive. Basically, the ball was a trendsetter.
Even with so many different nobles with different statuses, there was division. The social ladders. This wasn't made just of status but influence. Since everyone was noble, the noble status became a secondary appeal. This was the world aristocracy. Those of greater influence in the kingdom had more appeal and popularity.
Different discussions were taking place all while forming new connections. The main topics for the ball were the trades in the capital and business in the male circles while there were the jewels and fashion trends in the female circles.
There was the elder area made up of the seasoned nobles who had stayed in rule for a long time and didn't need to actively socialize since people would come to them instead.
There was the circulation of all forms of spicy gossip. The most recent one had been the downfall of the fast-growing business in the capital. It was something to do with fraud and embezzlement.
There was the fact that the youngest princess's marriage with the foreign kingdom was annulled. She had not appeared in high society since. It was speculated she was not well of health while others said she was ugly and unwanted by the kingdom even as a hostage.
There were always new couples getting married over the year. There were newly engaged couples wishing to tie the knot.
That was before the biggest piece of news was announced.
"ANNOUNCING! The royal sun of the Slevaria Kingdom makes his attendance."
The king made his entrance.