Part 2: The Marriage Bargain
"Someone wants to be your sister-in-law. Do you have any objections?"
Mont Mentiel leisurely tore a piece of black bread. Crumbs fell onto his fingers, which he ignored as he dipped the bread into thick honey jam and put it into his mouth, his posture strangely casual for his status.
"Is there a courageously sightless fool in this world?" Mont Angelina scoffed, her response far from courteous.
"I am a National Lord, and my appearance is rather decent. It's normal for someone to be smitten." He attempted to salvage some dignity.
"Have you smashed all the mirrors in the manor? Who gave you the confidence to call yourself a handsome man? The difference between you and the Dipper Aureus Duke is more than just a Lake Dipper."
His sister's attack hit its mark precisely. The Dipper Aureus Duke's handsomeness was a fact even men had to concede. Mont Mentiel was utterly defeated in this round.
"Seriously, who is so misguided as to want to form this marriage alliance with our family?" Mont Angelina set aside her smile, asking earnestly.
"The Grand Princess Consort, Su Wan." Mont Mentiel's tone was flat, as if discussing the day's weather.
The moment the name left his lips, Mont Angelina's beer mug, which was headed toward her lips, froze mid-air. She slowly set the earthenware cup down, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her face.
"Truly unexpected. This Su Wan does have some skill. I'm starting to admire her."
"I suspect Su Wang's brain wouldn't conceive this move. Only Su Wan could suggest it, putting herself into the center of the game. Grand Princess Consort Su Wan is indeed a heroine among women!" Mont Angelina clapped her hands a few times for Su Wan, admiration showing in her eyes.
"Trading one Elector's vote for a beautiful widow and a child Emperor as a ready-made son, while she gets to serve as Regent for a few years… This deal is certainly tempting." Mont Mentiel continued to eat unhurriedly, his analysis cold and clear.
"So, are you tempted, my dear brother?" Mont Angelina leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on him like a torch. "Do you plan to use this method to step onto the Regent's throne?"
He snorted a sound of contempt from his nose. "A bare-handed trick to steal a phantom, trying to ensnare this Fox? That is far too condescending. However… to bait that clumsy Black Sheep, he will probably leap at the hook without hesitation."
"So, this proposal wasn't only meant for you?" Mont Angelina asked, confused.
Mont Mentiel nodded. "Su Wan wants 'a' single Elector's vote. Whose vote it belongs to is completely irrelevant."
"Poor brother. The tally will become four-to-one. You will be utterly defeated."
"Things have not reached the point of despair." Mont Mentiel finally looked up at his sister. "Your brother must rely on you to turn the tide."
"Me?" She pointed to herself, a look of incredulous innocence. "I am a 'frail and delicate' little woman. What capacity do I have?"
"This morning, Cheng Mubai sent an invitation, specifically inviting you to attend a dinner at the Black Sheep Lord's residence next week. Furthermore, he directly asked for my consent to marry you." Mont Mentiel's tone remained flat, as if narrating someone else's affairs, waiting quietly for his sister's reaction.
"Do you plan to sell your sister?" Mont Angelina asked her brother coldly.
"Do you plan to be sold by me?"
"That depends on who I'm sold to."
"How about Li Junce?"
"Are my only choices Cheng Mubai and Li Junce?" Mont Angelina's tone was clearly tinged with anger.
"You have choices. You should be pleased."
The siblings' bickering seemed to fall into a meaningless cycle again. But this time, Mont Mentiel broke it first.
He put down his food, his expression more serious and gentle than ever before. "It does not matter who you choose, or if you choose no one. I have my own plan to deal with this. You do not need to worry about my position, nor concern yourself with the Duchy's future."
He looked into his sister's eyes, stating every word clearly. "Your happiness is the only unadulterated blessing I, as your brother, can give you. So, follow your own heart and choose a man you deem worthy. Do not consider my thoughts—no matter the situation, I will have a backup plan ready for you."
This sincerity made Mont Angelina pause for a moment.
Then, she proposed an extreme hypothesis. "Even if I kill Cheng Mubai?"
Mont Mentiel's gaze did not waver. He only pondered for about three seconds. "Yes. If truly necessary, then kill Cheng Mubai."
The siblings exchanged a look, and both had their answer. Since this so-called banquet could not be politely refused, they would go. But the outcome of the trip was already settled in both their minds.
Cheng Mubai was never the type Mont Angelina would favor. More importantly, her inherent pride would never allow her happiness to become an offering on a political altar. To agree to this marriage would be tantamount to handing herself over as a hostage into the hands of Black Sheep.
Furthermore, Imperial law was strict, explicitly forbidding intermarriage between Elector Lords. If they truly dared to cross this red line, it would be akin to tossing another torch onto the powder keg that was about to explode, inevitably triggering a new, devastating political storm.
Mont Mentiel saw through it all more clearly than anyone. Cheng Mubai's defection was all but finalized. Throwing out this marriage proposal now was merely an attempt at a final, extreme pressure play: forcing the Dipper Aureus Duke and Mont Mentiel to show their cards, to see if he could extort a price more tempting than Su Wan's empty Regent position. As for marrying Mont Angelina? That was merely a piece of window dressing in the transaction.
If the Dipper Aureus Duke, to secure that crucial vote, were willing to offer five wealthy counties, plus the position of Imperial Grand Chancellor, and throw in the Raven Princess… Such concrete, immense benefits would likely move Cheng Mubai more than the illusory Regent position.
All of this was merely Cheng Mubai's negotiating ploy to raise the price for his final betrayal. At least, in his own mind, it was a clever move.
However, in the eyes of the Dipper Aureus Duke and Mont Mentiel, Cheng Mubai was a fickle, greedy man, never a reliable ally to be trusted.
And he was certainly not worth the price.