Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 639 White Eagle
"Thank you, I'm fine, it's okay, it's just that I have to... damn it, this chair was only recently ordered..."

Thales grabbed Miranda's hand and used it to struggle up from the broken chair.

Miranda watched quietly as the boy before her—perhaps a teenager now—was frantically and dramatically rummaging through the broken chair.

This reminded her of the Bright Moon Temple seven years ago, of the little boy who stood on a wooden box, covered in dirt, yet still waving his tiny fists and yelling, "Are you coming?"

Miranda unconsciously curled the corners of her mouth slightly.

"Fine, I give up. Next time, we'll have to find another carpenter..." After a flurry of activity, Thales could only helplessly raise his hands, announcing the end of the chair's life.

The moment the young duke looked up, Miranda's smile vanished:
"Now, Your Highness, can we get back to the main topic?"

Now, to the main topic.

"What? Oh, right, that's right, so what we were just talking about was..."

Do you want to marry me?

Thinking of this, Thales' expression turned solemn, and his voice lowered:

"Are you kidding me, Ms. Miranda Aarond?"

Marry Miranda?

It feels like... the bargaining chip he used to threaten others, um, has come true?
The next second, he seemed to see Raphael Lindbergh appear in front of him, his eyes glowing red, revealing a malicious sneer.

This made Thales's expression tighten.

Facing the tense Duke, Miranda remained calm and composed.

"No, this is not a joke. Even if it is, it's not funny."

So you knew that too.

In that instant, countless thoughts raced through Thales' mind (including "she's teaming up with that scumbag to get revenge on me"), and he took a deep breath and straightened his back.

“Well, if I’m not kidding, then my suggestion is: I’ll go find Sister Valencia and Marius first, and maybe Stuart from the Logistics Wing as well. We need to have a meeting to discuss the livelihood issues around Starlake Castle, especially the quality supervision of traditional handicrafts, and while we’re at it, deal with this chair—or rather, the rest of it.”

Miranda remained silent.

"As for you, Ms. Aarond, who is visiting from the standing army camp of Dragon's Lair, as a prime example of promoting the close bond between the military and civilians and the unity of the Central North, go to the kitchen and ask for a cup of mate tea, and then..."

Thales waved his hand decisively, pointing resolutely towards the door:

"Come find me when you're sober."

Just kidding, this Duke holds an important position with heavy responsibilities, is extremely busy, and has far-reaching matters to deal with, such as the end of the world and tailbone pain...

But Miranda didn't leave.

Instead, she scrutinized Thales from head to toe, as if inspecting cargo.

"But you haven't answered me yet."

The female swordsman spoke coldly, her gaze piercing:

"You, Thales Star, do you want to be my husband?"

What the fuck-

No, no, no.

Thales took a deep breath, constantly reminding himself that he was now the Duke of Starlake and needed to maintain the proper manners and poise, paying attention to the rhythm of his speech:
"What the hell are you talking about?"

Miranda was taken aback, not understanding why.

But the next second, Thales grabbed the female swordsman's arm and pulled her aside.

"Are you crazy?"

Thales lowered his voice and watched the doorway warily:

"Marry you? Do you know that just saying that will cause a huge uproar? The connection between Shining Star and Aarond, the Restoration Palace and the North..."

"Do you know what will happen if what you say here gets out? Do you know who in the Kingdom's secret service is responsible for collecting and processing this information and public opinion?"

Miranda looked at him, her expression unchanged, but slowly loosened her grip on the sword hilt.

“You’re the same as always, Your Highness,” the female swordsman scoffed. “You become incredibly talkative when you get nervous, spouting nonsense that no one else can understand.”

Am I nervous? Am I being too talkative?
That's because you haven't seen "the prince's butt".

Thales's face was initially cold, but when he looked at Miranda, he recalled the scenes of them sharing life and death, especially her background and her father's misfortune, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"Ok."

Thales pulled her to the window, as far away from the door as possible, before letting out an impatient sigh:

"Tell me, what happened? Is it our breakup anniversary or a revenge cheating? Are you in such a hurry to find someone new?"

Miranda stared at him intently, her brow furrowed.

"Hey! Could it be that Mr. Raphael Lindbergh is secretly going to Red Street to flirt with women?"

Thales clapped his hands, and said sarcastically with a sense of satisfaction, "So the result left a record and witnesses, which you found out, and now you want to break up?"

Seeing that Thales was deliberately changing the subject by using another name, Miranda snorted coldly.

"This has nothing to do with him."

Thales shrugged:

"Of course, I'm sorry, it was my fault. I forgot you're an independent girl, so no matter what happens, you won't punish yourself for other people's mistakes, especially your ex-boyfriend's, and you certainly won't bother others—"

But Miranda's expression turned cold. She pulled a letter and a portrait from her bag and tucked them into Thales's arms:
"It has something to do with you."

Thales was stunned.

He bent down and unfolded the letter in his arms:

"This is……"

"A letter of greeting sent 'personally' by you."

Miranda scoffed:

"Not only did it detail the 700-year-long friendship between the Canxing and Yarend families, including many well-matched and moving marriages, but it also praised my family background, reputation, appearance, and achievements. It also kindly inquired about my health and mental state, and finally quoted an ancient love poem to express its longing for me, lamenting its loneliness and solitude after being single for many years, and incidentally asked for a recent portrait of me."

At that moment, Thales froze on the spot.

His previous boundless authority and coldness instantly transformed into a deep sense of embarrassment and awkwardness.

"This, perhaps, is just something that happens every day..."

Miranda ignored him and continued talking to herself:

“Scholar Alpasoni said that, according to the kingdom’s tradition, this is in fact a ‘marriage advertisement’.”

Thales swallowed unnaturally:
"Actually, no, so..."

“Of course, Lord Bustamant stripped away all the polite words and rhetoric and summed it up for me in one sentence,” Miranda glanced at him sideways:
"Want to breed?"

It really is my problem.

Thales put down the letter expressionlessly, and the room fell completely silent.

Kaiser Star, this duke will never forgive you.

“Um, dear Miss Aaron.”

Thales tried to ignore the raging, world-destroying demonic energy surging within him, suppressing the urge to storm the Palace of Restoration once more. He forced a gentle, kind smile:
"Would you believe me if I said that this was all my father's idea, and that I knew nothing about this thing beforehand—oh, it really does me a good job drawing—"

"What does your father mean?"

Miranda stared at him, her sharp gaze seeming to see through something more.

After a while, she unfastened her sword, propped herself up with one hand, and sat on the windowsill.

"I believe."

Thales breathed a sigh of relief, at least the red-eyed Raphael had faded from his mind.

"Oh, well, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up... Actually, I'm preparing for a long trip, so how about we talk again later..."

“So, Thales Star,” Miranda spoke again, this time with utmost seriousness, “do you want me to be your queen?”

Thales paused again.

Damn it.

Thales sighed, his former imposing manner gone, and could only manage a helpless smile: "You've already asked that question."

“I didn’t,” Miranda said coldly. “They are different issues.”

Thales' smile vanished.

It seems that at this moment, everything is different.

"What parts are different?"

Thales leaned back and sat down at the desk: "Is it 'mine' or 'the Queen'?"

Miranda sized him up for a moment, then shook her head with a slight sneer.

"It's a pity. If our marriage were real, it could solve many problems, from jurisdiction to inheritance."

Thales fell silent upon hearing this.

It can solve many problems...

The key question is, what is the problem?
"You don't want to sit there."

Thales looked at Miranda leaning against the windowsill and said sullenly:
"When the sun is at its strongest, a few cats have gotten into the habit of coming to my study window to cool off. The food and water in those bowls are for feeding them, so that they won't take advantage of the situation and come inside."

cat?
Miranda frowned and, sure enough, saw several bowls on the windowsill.

Thales crossed his arms and sighed, “If they find their old spot is taken, they, especially that cunning old black cat, will be unhappy, and then, then they’ll start giving me a headache.”

Miranda was silent for a moment.

"It's alright, that's why I brought my sword."

Thales frowned and said:

"A sword? Hmm, isn't that a bit too cruel?"

"Will it be more cruel than the dilemma you encountered at the royal banquet?"

"Forehead……"

"what happened?"

Thales took a deep breath and said seriously:

“Well, Ms. Arend, what I just said wasn’t a political metaphor, but literally—cats really do come here!”

Miranda was immediately stunned.

After this incident, the two, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, fell silent once again.

Until Miranda spoke again:
"By the way, I went to the Sunset Temple a while ago and met Aunt Li Xiya."

"Li Xi—who?"

Miranda ignored Thales:
"Also present is Priestess Megan. For your sake, they have some things they cannot say directly to the prince, so they asked me to convey them."

Megan's Ritual...

There are some things I want to say to the prince...

Thales was startled.

"I'm writing, I'm really writing!"

The prince instinctively pointed to the theology notebook on the table: "Tell her it's due tomorrow!"

“Not that one!” Miranda gave him a disdainful look.

She said seriously:

"Priest Megan said that the period for clearing out the temple is coming soon. If you can be considerate of Sister Nia and don't want her to be frantically searching through everything every day, then hurry up and return the three books that were stolen from the forbidden section."

Ok?
The forbidden book section, stolen, stolen...

Thales, who had initially breathed a sigh of relief, froze on his face with a smile.

"One is 'The Enlightenment Collection of Gonghai City,' another is 'The Secret Record of Exorcism,' and the last one is..."

Miranda pulled out a note:
"The Top Secret Notes of High Priest Petrzel," wait, Petrzel, isn't he the High Priest of Sunset during the reign of King Ascendant? The one who presided over the sacrifice of his son to the gods—

"Thank you!"

Thales snatched the note from the man and forced a smile:

"I know now!"

Miranda pouted.

"Aunt Li Xiya also said that if you want to borrow any more books next time, you don't have to be a thief, you can just say so—don't worry, she won't tell your father."

Thales felt as if his face was burning.

The atmosphere became a little awkward.

The silence continued until Miranda broke it.

"I heard from Wyman that you're going on an inspection tour to the south?"

“Which Wyah—oh, you mean that Wyah,” Thales nodded, sighing slightly. “Yes, obviously, everyone’s busy with this.”

"Since even someone as notoriously 'unsuitable for living or working' as me has received one... I guess many lords in the south must have also received your 'breeding partners'?"

Many lords in the south...

Thales looked like he'd just swallowed a fly.

"On this matter, I cannot disobey my father's orders," he said sarcastically.

“And the king’s command is even more immutable.” Miranda’s voice was cold, sending a chill down Thales’s spine.

What on earth was she trying to say?
Thales said seriously:

“Listen, Miranda—excuse me, Ms. Aaron. I appreciate you coming to see me, and I'm sorry my situation has caused you inconvenience, but if there's nothing else…”

"That's enough, I'm not going to beat around the bush with you anymore."

Miranda interrupted him directly, and her next words startled Thales:
"I'm here to help you."

"Help, help me? Please forgive me, I don't quite understand."

Miranda glanced at him, and in that one glance, she seemed to understand everything.

But this made Thales very uneasy.

"Stop pretending. Your trip to the south is definitely not for a blind date," the female swordsman said with certainty. "Based on your habits, wherever you go—the capital, the fortress, Dragon Sky City, the Western Wilderness—it will never be peaceful."

what?
Thales was taken aback at first, then scratched at the chair with resentment: "Starlake Fortress is very peaceful." Only a few rats died.

At most, two more chairs can be added.

But Miranda ignored him:
"And whatever kind of shady business you're going to do that you can't talk about, you need trustworthy and capable people, preferably acquaintances you've worked with before, or even people you've been through thick and thin with."

"So, I'll go with you on this journey."

Unspeakable dealings...

Damn it, what does she know?
At that moment, Thales and Miranda's eyes met.

“Since you don’t like beating around the bush, Miss Arend,” Thales asked skeptically, “I know our experience in Dragonhill was unforgettable, but our relationship doesn’t seem to be good enough for us to help each other from afar?”

Miranda didn't answer immediately, but stared intently at him. Her eyes were different from others; they were calm, indifferent, sharp, and carried a subtle sense of detachment.

Oh, right, the Duke suddenly remembered that although the girl in front of him belonged to the stars, her bloodline was from the North—Tales often forgot this point and regarded her more as a typical "imperial guy".

Finally, Miranda spoke softly:
"If you insist on a reason, Cohen told me that the prince was in a difficult situation and desperately needed help, but unfortunately he didn't have enough people around him—or to quote him, 'they're all idiots.'"

"Cohen?"

Thales was taken aback by what he heard.

Did he send Miranda?

He subconsciously asked the question that was on his mind: "How is he lately?"

“That’s good,” Miranda said in a deep voice. “First, I was transferred from the road maintenance department to the archives management office, and my daily work changed from sweeping floors to drinking tea…”

Yes, thanks to me.

Thales felt a little guilty.

Perhaps, perhaps we should pull some strings and transfer him to Xinghubao as compensation?

"...until he worked tirelessly through the files, uncovering a large number of old cases riddled with doubts, implicating a large number of retired guards and judges enjoying their retirement, and even many former high-ranking officials. His superiors had no choice but to transfer him to the guards' school under the Knights Academy to train reserve guards."

After a second of careful consideration, Thales decided to reluctantly let Cohen continue to gain more experience in the guard room.

"I understand."

A strange feeling welled up in Thales' heart.

"I must say, I am very grateful and honored, but... but you are Commander Sonia's capable assistant and top-notch subordinate. If I were to run you away, she wouldn't..."

“She will,” Miranda interrupted him. “Sir, she will understand.”

She understands better than anyone.

Miranda stared intently out the window.

Thales paused for a second.

"Are you serious?"

"You're coming... to serve me?"

"I don't have a habit of lying."

"Therefore, you're not good at lying either—at least not as good as you might think."

In that instant, Miranda's eyes flashed with a sharp light!
Duke Starlake took a deep breath, feeling the room's color scheme grow even darker.

“You didn’t come here at Cohen’s request.”

Thales straightened his posture and looked at her seriously:
“It’s not that he doesn’t want to help me, but even if you gave that big oaf twenty more brains, he still wouldn’t be able to think of or say the words ‘the prince is in dire need of help.’”

Miranda's brow furrowed even more.

"Seven years ago in Dragon City, you couldn't fool Chai Urad with this 'Eagle Soaring' sword," Duke Starlake said coldly, staring at her. "Seven years later, you can't fool me either."

"Therefore, I will ask again, and for the last time."

Thales' words carried a chill:

"Ms. Arend, why did you come here to 'help me'?"

Miranda leaned against the window, silent.

Like a plum blossom braving the wind and snow.

But Thales was also very patient.

Finally, the female swordsman spoke expressionlessly:
"Because I'm tired of it."

"Tired of what?"

Miranda suddenly looked up!

“Waiting,” she said coldly, “I’m tired of waiting, tired of waiting for the right moment, tired of going with the flow, tired of being a happy, pitiful, innocent, complacent, and utterly unaware woman.”

Just like the past twenty years.

Miranda met the prince's gaze head-on without flinching.

Happiness, pitifulness, innocence, complacency—these are the words...

Thales slowly frowned.

"what are you saying?"

Miranda sneered:
"everything."

She turned her head and looked at Xinghu Lake under the sunlight.

"Seven years ago, my father was imprisoned for the crime of harming a foreign dignitary—that is, the unfortunate Prince Exeter."

"But everyone in the circle knows that 'Iron Eagle' Val Arend's crimes go far beyond this: he colluded with foreign enemies with ulterior motives, committed heinous crimes of treason, and nearly brought the people of the North to ruin and ruined the kingdom. His sins are too great to be punished."

Thales recalled the Hall of Stars seven years ago, the scene of the courtiers forcing him to abdicate when war was imminent, and he remained silent.

Miranda's words became increasingly subdued:
"The Arend family suffered a blow that shattered its prestige and ruined its reputation. For seven years, it has endured countless humiliations. Powerful families that were once on good terms with it are now vying to distance themselves from Coldburg and sever ties with it."

She said dejectedly:
"The truth is, our family name is fading into obscurity, and the North no longer looks up at the white eagles atop the peaks of Winterfell."

Thales spoke softly, a hint of unease creeping into his heart: "I'm sorry."

“There’s no need for that,” Miranda categorically denied. “Since we did it, we should bear the consequences. That’s what we deserve.”

As Thales looked at her, he was reminded of the Dukes of Exeter fighting in Valhalla in another kingdom.

"So that's why you came to me, and even want to serve me."

"You want to use the Duke of Starlake's influence to restore the glory of the White Eagle?"

Miranda nodded, then shook her head.

"more than."

Her gaze sharpened:
"You know, you know what else he did."

he?
he.

For some reason, Thales realized: she wasn't talking about Duke Val.

Miranda left the windowsill and slowly walked towards Thales.

tread.

Her voice was calm, but her words were piercing:
"He imprisoned my father—though he brought it upon himself—for seven years without taking his life or stripping him of his title and position, thus demonstrating both the king's benevolence and the cruelty of the Restoration Palace."

tread.

“He never explicitly stated that I was the legal heir, a female first in line, nor did he recognize that other branches of the Arend bloodline had the right to take my place, leaving us to have disputes and family discord.”

tread.

The female swordswoman of the Arendt family seemed to move with a certain rhythm, each step enhancing her imposing presence and perfectly complementing her words:

"He never mentioned or approved my marriage, and even rejected the proposals of those with ulterior motives, gradually making me the fruit of power in the North that became more tempting and pluckable the longer it was delayed."

tread.

"He also instigated Zemutor and Forrest, showering them with small favors and encouraging their ambitions, making these two Northern families, second only to the Arend, believe that they could replace Coldhold's position in front of the Palace of Restoration."

tread.

Thales felt the sin of the River of Hell was stirring, and a strong premonition forced him to take a deep breath and interrupt the other person:
"The northern border is geographically crucial and its people are known for their fierce nature. The Restoration Palace naturally needs to be cautious when handling related matters..."

"That's right!"

Miranda interrupted him sharply.

"The North has a special status and many traditions that differ from those of the Kingdom’s interior. One of these is that the lords of the North do not have to follow the primogeniture system of the Elamite Laws. They can even follow the traditions of the North and choose the most virtuous to succeed them, which is quite unique."

"Or, to use the words of inland people—barbaric and backward."

Remnants of northern customs.

Thales suddenly remembered the Black Sand Territory and how Chaman Lumba had obtained the title of Grand Duke.

“But I know his plans,” Miranda said, her tone turning sharp and piercing. “You know them too.”

“He took advantage of the differences and controversies in the succession laws, and also of my gender, just to keep me, the Arund family, and the entire North hanging on.”

"So that he may once again carry out the story of Blade's Edge, in the name of the Royal Family, to implement his laws in the North, spread his authority, convey his will, and appoint officials close to the Royal Family, until the unruly Coldhold becomes, as he desires, the second Northern Camp of the Restoration Palace after Dragon's Lair."

Miranda finally stopped, standing directly in front of Thales.

She said softly:

"Until the proud white eagle atop the highest peak of winter becomes a chattering parrot in a pet cage."

Thales couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"So now, I, Miranda Aarond, the Duke's daughter, have become a sacrifice of the kingdom, a pawn of history, an obstacle in the North—my status is neither here nor there, my rights are in limbo, and my future is uncertain."

Miranda snorted coldly:
"No wonder he's your son. He's just like you, knowing how to use women, especially vulnerable women, right?"

Thales's eyes flickered.

she……

He resisted the urge to argue, but couldn't stop his gloomy mood.

So, Miranda, you came here for... for...

At that moment, Thales felt only a deep sorrow.

“And I’m just…tired,” Miranda said expressionlessly.

Thales sighed:

"So you just asked me if I wanted you to be my queen—you're looking for... a way out."

Miranda's face fell, and she nodded:

"That's right, this is indeed the fastest and most effortless way to solve the problem."

But then her eyes sharpened:
“But I believe you are not so foolish and short-sighted as to only see my value as a wife and mother.”

Listening to her words, Thales recalled his brief encounter with the shackled Duke of the North—"Iron Eagle" Val Arend—at the royal banquet:
Please do me one more favor: Don't marry her.

If you absolutely must marry her, don't let her father a child.

Duke Val, you foresaw this, you knew it would happen, didn't you?

You know your daughter; you know she's an Aaron.

It is the white eagle of the North.

Under the bitter cold, she may retreat temporarily, but she will not remain mute for long, much less bow her head forever.

“So, what do you want?” Thales asked softly.

"Hmph, what do I need?"

Miranda repeated the sentence, slowly leaning down to meet Thales' eyes.

"It's very simple."

“I am a descendant of the White Eagle Aarond. The blood flowing in my veins is the cruel blood of Nolan Nur Aarond, the first marshal under the throne of restoration seven hundred years ago, the ‘Desolate Eagle’.”

She said in a deep voice:

"I traveled back and forth between Coldburg and Dragonstalker, fighting the Yankees for nine years. Every general, captain, soldier, messenger, cook, and porter in the fortress, and even the prostitutes in the villages outside the fortress, knew me."

Miranda's expression grew increasingly resolute:

"I am also a subordinate and comrade-in-arms of the Fortress Flower. In terms of reputation, skills, status, experience, and familiarity with the North, I am the best and strongest replacement and successor as the northern bulwark of the kingdom after her."

In that instant, Miranda's eyes sharpened like knives.

"Looking across the kingdom, no one is more deserving of the title of Duke of the North than I am."

Her voice was sharp and cold.

"No one is more qualified than me to rule that ancient land."

Her words carried the weight of a mountain.

"And no one can, for any reason, stop me from defending or even taking back what belongs to me."

Thales did not speak.

At that moment, he felt a sense of disorientation, as if he had returned to the cramped Ballard Room.

To defeat them, Your Majesty, you must change your strategy… You need them to step forward, stand up, and reveal themselves.

Now, they've jumped out.

Thales felt a jolt in his heart.

He slowly raised his head and met Miranda's resolute expression.

This day came so quickly.

At this moment, the "Gortaksa" was in his front pocket, as light as if it were nothing.

And I will give you unexpected and tremendous assistance, helping you to see through them, dismantle them, and ultimately—destroy them.

That night, when Thales reached an agreement with King Kessel, he knew the price he would pay.

Or rather, he thought he knew.

He thought.

"Now, what do you think?"

As he pondered, the daughter of the Aarond family stared intently at him:
"North Star?"

(End of this chapter)