Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 321 The Price of Saying "No"
Silence fell over the hall once again.

Thales closed his eyes, seemingly tormented by his fate.

But no one knew that at the moment Earl Linna made his cruel suggestion, the second prince of the stars finally understood something.

connection.

He said silently in his heart.

The struggle in Black Sand Territory, the interference of the stars, the rebellion of the Free Alliance, the war in Qiyuan City, the storm in Dragon Sky City...

Most things are interconnected.

They all point to a key point.

That is……

Thales clenched his fist.

Could it really be as I suspected?

But if that's the case...

Just then, a clear female voice rang in my ears:

"No!"

This made the nervous Thales open his eyes and come back to his senses.

He looked up in astonishment at the highest ducal throne, as did many of his vassals.

"Do not……"

A clear and decisive voice echoed in the hall.

It's Selma.

At this moment, she looked conflicted, her gaze constantly shifting between the various vassals.

Count Linna, who had threatened to release Thales in installments, paused slightly: "Madam?"

Selma gave Thales a long look.

But after a few breaths, as if she had made up her mind, she turned her head and took a deep breath:

"Gentlemen, six years ago, before the King and the four Grand Dukes, I made a promise in the name of the Grand Duchess."

The Grand Duchess took a few more deep breaths, seemingly trying to ease the tension.

She said anxiously, "I promised..."

“Prince Thales will be a guest of Dragon City… I will be responsible for his safety.”

"In Dragon Sky City, right before my eyes," the girl said, her face tense, as if she were using all her strength.

"He will not, and should not, be hurt."

These words elicited mixed reactions from the vassals, with the six earls displaying the most complex expressions.

promise?

The Grand Duchess finally managed to regulate her breathing.

Thales stared blankly at the seemingly composed Selma, feeling a sense of unease in his heart.

Selma.

you……

"Responsible for his safety?"

Count Linna seemed quite displeased with this remark, his eyebrows practically standing on end: "Excuse my bluntness, madam, but what about our safety?"

"What about the safety of those warriors who risked their lives to fight for your honor?"

The vassals seemed to resonate with the Earl of Linnaeus's words, responding discreetly with nods and hums.

Count Nazel looked at the Grand Duchess with a strange expression, as if he was hesitating about something.

Earl Linna pressed on, saying:

"And where did you put these?"

Selma's face turned pale.

"Don't tell me that in your heart, this prince of the stars is more..."

Seeing that things were not going well, Risban decisively rebuked, "Linna!"

Linna snorted angrily, turned her head, and looked at Thales with hostility again.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became very awkward, and no one wanted to speak.

Ian looked at the situation in the hall and let out a heavy sigh.

He slammed his fist on his chair in frustration, venting his anger at the unexpected situation: "Damn it!"

This was probably the only time he truly resembled a northerner.

Thales simply kept his head down and listened quietly, ignoring the argument in the hall.

After a few seconds, the Grand Duchess, who had looked embarrassed, seemed to have composed herself.

"I will negotiate with Xingchen."

she whispered.

“But until then, my guests will not be harmed in any way,” the Grand Duchess said, raising her head and gritting her teeth. “That’s our bottom line.”

The ministers all frowned.

Thales sighed.

Selma, no.

If you insist on this...

"Negotiation?" This time, the one who spoke was Monty from Qiyuan City.

"From Dragon Sky City to Eternal Star City, and back again, it would probably take a month or so," Monty said coldly, arms crossed, standing in the center of the hall, ignoring the strange looks from the nobles on either side.

"But the military situation is urgent—you can wait, but my men and comrades can't."

"Furthermore, we cannot turn this sure-win war into a lasting burden and allow the real enemy to succeed."

He did not explicitly state who the "real enemy" was.

Selma was speechless.

The courtiers began to discuss the matter again.

Ian frowned, wanting to say something, but under Monty's sharp gaze, he ultimately remained silent.

The pressure is back on Thales.

The sarcastic Earl Curtson snorted and chuckled coldly, "Very reasonable."

“So,” he shrugged, turning to Linna, “the simplest way is to send our stance along with the letter as clearly as possible—are you sure cutting off just one hand will do the trick?”

Count Linna smiled at him.

Thales shook his head helplessly: We're back to this topic again.

"Someone has to let them know that the Northerners keep their word..."

But they were interrupted by the Grand Duchess once again.

"No!"

Selma gritted her teeth, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead, as if she were going through a very intense struggle: "It's not that simple."

The vassals looked puzzled again.

The girl glanced at Thales, her anxiety and tension undiminished.

“I remember King Kessel once promised,” the Grand Duchess gasped, tears glistening on her forehead, as if trying to convince the men in the hall, “that anyone who endangers Prince Thales’ safety will become the eternal enemy of the Star Kingdom—his head will be the condition for the coronation of the next Star King.”

"We must be cautious."

This statement seems to have had a significant effect.

At least, the vassals who had previously been eyeing Thales with hostility and speaking rudely to him all stopped talking and began to ponder more questions.

Only Thales looked at the Grand Duchess with a complicated expression, feeling quite uneasy.

She is protecting me.

Even so, this would jeopardize the little bit of popularity she had worked so hard to build up today.

She is protecting me.

Finally, Count Lisbon broke the awkward atmosphere.

“Madam’s considerations are reasonable.” The former prime minister and current regent, who had worked diligently for Dragon City for decades, coughed.

Lisban raised his eyes and swept them over each of his vassals: "If that king is truly ruthless and disregards the future of the kingdom and the life of his son, then no matter how many phases we 'release' this prince, the result will be the same."

"In the end, we'll be the only ones driven to a dead end: Is Dragon City truly prepared to take this prince's head and become the target of everyone's wrath?"

Silence fell over the hall once again.

The Grand Duchess gave Lisban a grateful look: "Yes, Charles, I, that's exactly what I meant."

Lisbon nodded gently, which made the other counts frown and cast disapproving glances at the regent.

But the girl still breathed a sigh of relief.

But she was immediately taken aback: Thales was staring at her from a distance.

The prince of the stars sighed, his expression hesitant, and gently shook his head at her.

No, Selma.

do not.

Thales thought silently.

Selma, sitting in her seat, was stunned by the prince's actions.

She remembered what Thales had said earlier.

Promise me, Selma.

[On the next hearing day, whatever happens, don't do anything foolish.]

She looked at Thales shaking his head helplessly and couldn't help but bite her lower lip.

"Oh, ma'am."

This time, it was Monty who spoke up again.

The advance officer of the Qiyuan City delegation deliberately raised his eyebrows: "But didn't you summon your vassals to Longxiao City precisely to restore the glory and spirit of your father and grandfather and prove that you are a qualified ruler?"

The Raven clicked its tongue and said, "And now, faced with the Empire's empty threats, you've backed down and are afraid?"

"Were all those previous remarks about upholding family honor just for fun?"

Discontented murmurs immediately filled the hall, and the vassals' expressions turned much more unpleasant.

Seeing the guest's predicament, Selma's expression turned grim again.

“Show some respect, Ravencrow,” Earl Hearst with the golden beard reprimanded unhappily. “You once served in the White Blade Guard and were also favored by King Nunn. You have no reason to make things difficult for his granddaughter.”

“Speaking of which, you know, I left the White Blade Guard and Dragon Sky City more than a decade ago,” Monty shook his head at the Grand Duchess with a mocking expression, making no attempt to hide his contempt. “Compared to back then, you’ve really aged, and become much more fussy. I even suspect…”

Nikolai, standing beside the Grand Duchess, changed his expression and said in a low, unquestionable voice, "Shut up, Monty."

Upon hearing his former boss's words, Monty paused, speechless. He gave a soft hum and said nothing more.

Thales couldn't help but take a second look at the sharp-eyed Deathrattle.

Something's not right.

He sensed something amiss again from this visitor from Qiyuan City.

But... what exactly is wrong with it?

Just then, Count Kierkegaard, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly raised his head.

"Then let's take him with us!"

The one-armed count said sharply, "Take him and head west!"

Everyone in the hall, including the Grand Duchess, Thales, and Ian, was startled!
The surprise lasted for a few seconds.

Count Lisbon frowned and said, "Take it with you? You mean..."

The one-armed count nodded and said coldly, "We will take this prince with us on our march to resolve the issue of the Freedom Alliance!"

"We used him to conquer cities, we used him to fight battles, we used him to kill enemies!"

"Leave the difficult problem to those Star People across from Freedom Fortress, those who hold up the cross and double stars."

The Grand Duchess's expression changed: "What?"

The vassals all turned their attention to Thales.

Thales was also startled.

"We will let any potential enemies know on the battlefield that their prince is in our hands," Kierkegaard said coldly.
"If they don't want to see any tragedies or accidents happen, they'd better behave themselves."

"Until we take care of those cowards at Freehold."

His words seemed to blanket the hall with a layer of ice and snow.

"what!"

Monty laughed heartily: "I love this idea! What can't be resolved at the negotiating table, of course, must be resolved on the battlefield!"

Selma looked incredulous, glancing unconsciously at Thales and then at Kierkegaard.

Lisban and Nazar exchanged a glance, each lost in thought.

“Perhaps this is a good idea,” the elderly Earl Nazel said calmly after a few seconds. “Indeed, madam, your promise was very important.”

"Prince Thales' safety should also not be ruined in our hands."

"Compared to awkward negotiations that involve all parties and have an uncertain outcome, it is more effective to bring the prince to the front lines as a bargaining chip to make the enemy hesitant to act on the battlefield."

The Earl of Lisbon, who was listening in, sighed.

“Very reasonable: what if something were to happen to Prince Thales because of his battle with his own Starfolk,” Count Linna, on the other side, remained calm but spoke sharply, chuckling as he looked at Selma’s panicked expression:

"The responsibility does not lie with us."

Thales's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

For a moment, when his ministers agreed to send troops, he thought they had already won.

However, accidents always happen suddenly.

The Grand Duchess's eyes widened, and she instinctively shook her head: "You, what are you going to do to him?"

Upon hearing the Grand Duchess's words, the counts all frowned.

“If the other side is completely restrained,” Kerkekul’s deep voice seemed to possess a certain power that sent chills down one’s spine, “then proceed as usual, just treat it as taking him for a walk.”

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Selma swallowed hard, and the Grand Duchess's voice rang out again: "What if the other side doesn't exercise restraint?"

Earl Linna gave a cold laugh, while Earl Curtson shrugged.

“Then let’s do what we have to do,” Kierkegaard said coldly. “Once we capture Freehold, it will all be over.”

What needs to be done?

Thales kept his head down silently, his thoughts racing.

How to do?
To resolve the current predicament, a corresponding price must be paid.

The issue is……

Is it absolutely necessary to take that step?

That was the last card.

trump card.

Count Hearst, observing the Grand Duchess's expression, twitched his golden beard and frowned: "I think it's feasible."

Selma gritted her teeth.

“Charles,” she said with difficulty to the last count, “do you agree as well?”

“Madam,” Regent Lisbon looked at the girl seriously, “this is the best course of action at present.”

"Countless people will go to the battlefield for you, so you must consider the war and their lives."

“No problem,” Ian suddenly appeared, his eyes lighting up. He coughed lightly and smiled again. “Qiyuan City will welcome Your Highness.”

Thales felt a tightness in his chest.

He looked up, waiting for Selma's response.

Selma looked back at him hesitantly, and their eyes met in mid-air.

Thales sighed and shook his head gently.

No.

Selma.

No, don't let this matter cause you...

A few seconds later, the Grand Duchess's expression became firm again.

She shook her head at Thales as well.

Thales was startled: he understood the other party's response.

No.

"No!"

The Grand Duchess suddenly raised her head!

"Thales, he must stay in Dragoncity! He must stay in the Palace of Heroes!"

Selma's expression was firm, and she said decisively, "And I promise, I promise to personally write to King Kessel, reminding him that his heir is still with us, and to take all measures to ensure that the Star Kingdom will not pose a threat to our war."

Upon hearing this, Thales let out a long sigh.

The vassals' expressions all changed.

They gazed at their female ruler with unfamiliar and dissatisfied eyes.

The atmosphere in the hall felt as if it had returned to the time before Ian proposed.

Thales looked at the Grand Duchess with concern, his feelings hard to describe.

Selma.

Her actions... will negate all our previous efforts...

It's all for nothing.

Thales gently opened his eyes.

He made a few gestures to Rolf behind him.

【Go. 】

The Ghost of the Wind paused slightly, glancing nervously at the various unfriendly gazes in the hall, as if wanting to offer some kind of warning. But in the end, he bowed slightly and left, hugging the wall.

Thales put all his weight on his knees and stared blankly at the floor tiles beneath his boots.

So, in the end, it still comes to this?

His fists were trembling.

“Well, madam, your relationship with him, with this Prince of the Stars, is quite good,” Monty sneered. “Just as rumored.”

These words added fuel to the fire, making the atmosphere in the hall even more somber and serious.

Seeing the increasingly tense atmosphere, Risban quickly coughed, interrupting Deathrattle: "Madam, I don't like to say this, but..."

But someone interrupted the Regent even faster.

"For the sake of the gods, you said 'no' many times about this matter."

Across from Lisbon, Count Nazel frowned and spoke slowly.

“As the ruler, madam, you certainly have the right to say ‘no’ and force us to carry out your will.”

The aged count spoke slowly and deliberately, as if he cherished every single word.

"But please remember, you will pay a price every time you say it."

“Some costs are tangible, while others are intangible,” Count Nazel said calmly under the Grand Duchess’s astonished gaze. “Unless you have the ability to fool your people time and time again, these costs, if paid too many times, will one day accumulate into a huge debt that even someone as noble as you cannot repay.”

Selma tucked her hands under her sleeves, her face grim: "Count Nazel..."

Nazel didn't give the girl a chance to speak, but instead spoke his words one by one.

Of the six earls, Nazel's words were not as comforting as Risban's, as gentle and polite as Earl Hearst's, as harsh and piercing as Earl Linna's, as sarcastic and unpleasant as Curtson's, or as powerful and impactful as Kierkegaard's, but they seemed to possess a special, irresistible force.

It's truly moving.

"And those are what we're talking about, ma'am."

“Those are the soldiers of Dragonsreach,” Nazel said softly. “The decisions we make here concern their lives.”

Do you really understand the cost of saying 'no' here?

Selma was stunned.

“Those are the sons of countless mothers, the husbands of countless wives, and the fathers of countless daughters,” the old count said slowly, but every word made the vassals listen quietly. “They, these northerners, left their homeland and went to other places in response to your call.”

Selma's breathing became erratic. She stared blankly at Nazel, feeling as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing down on her from the air.

Nazel gently raised his head and said slowly, "And for whatever reason, you should not disregard your loyal subjects for the sake of an outsider, a hostage from an enemy country."

"And the price of doing so..."

He stared intently at the Grand Duchess: "Perhaps it will discourage your people, all those who are willing to fight for you, and thus disregard you and their ruler."

Upon hearing this, the vassals' gazes towards Selma immediately changed.

Selma stared blankly at the count, drenched in cold sweat, her lips trembling.

The old Earl of Nazel sighed slowly: "Until one day, the debts accumulated from these costs exceed the favors you and your family have bestowed upon us, and exceed our loyalty to you and your family."

"By then, no one will be willing to fight for you anymore."

The hall fell silent; no one spoke anymore.

In the corner, Thales slowly shook his head, expressionless.

It seems this is the end of it.

(End of this chapter)