Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 642 Beyond the Chessboard
She's different now.

Thales stared blankly at Miranda's current state and couldn't help but think this.

Thales had known Miranda for a long time, from their first meeting as fellow inmates in Dragonsreach to witnessing her wielding her sword in Valhalla.

Without a doubt, the woman before him was a calm warrior, a powerful swordsman, a strong fighter, cautious and reliable, with a touch of aloofness that kept people at a distance.

Like flowers on a snow-capped cliff.

No wonder they are descendants of the White Eagles and of the bloodline of Aarond.

But at this moment, at this moment...

As Thales watched her retreating figure, he sensed for the first time the burning heat and vitality emanating from her veins, as well as an unprecedented sense of oppression.

That wasn't something the Arend family of Coldhold, nor the Tower of the End, nor even something the Flower of the Fortress could teach her.

But...

Thales closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and returned to reality.

"If that's the case, why don't you go directly to my father, to His Majesty, and make the same promise to him?"

Miranda's hand, which was adjusting the sheath ring, paused involuntarily.

Thales slowly opened his eyes:
"As long as you repeat what you said to me to King Kessel, as long as you are willing to give up what your father and his generation were unwilling to give up..."

Duke of Star Lake gritted his teeth and said:
"I believe that whatever titles or status I can give you in the future, the Iron-Fisted King can give you now."

They would certainly be happy to give it to them.

Thales picked up the ridiculous greeting card, his eyes piercing:

So why not?

Miranda didn't speak; she resumed adjusting her belt and sheath rings.

"Because you were the one who stormed the palace and rebelled."

Thales' expression shifted.

“Cohen has always been slow-witted, but the teachers in the Tower all say that, despite his stubbornness, he has an unexpectedly sharp swordsman’s intuition.”

Miranda didn't look up; she carefully adjusted the tightness of the belt and the height and angle of the hilt.

"And that idiot said the reason he was willing to risk his life to break into the palace with you was because he saw the look in your eyes that day in the lower city."

Thales was taken aback: "What? What kind of look is that?"

Miranda chuckled softly:
"He said he believed in you, believed that you were like Don Quixote, charging toward an impossible goal."

Thales was taken aback:
"Tang—Tang what?"

Miranda straightened her sword belt and shrugged dismissively.

“I don’t know, I’ve never heard of this knight. But Cohen said that after staying up all night, he was dozing off while flipping through files, and probably confused it with a name in some dossier.”

At that moment, Thales' expression froze.

“But Cohen said he believed that what you were going to do at that time was something more correct and important than loyalty to the emperor, so even though he hesitated, he did not refuse, even if it meant storming the Fuxing Palace.”

"Just like back in Dragon City."

Thales trembled slightly.

Miranda raised her head and looked directly into his eyes:
"Therefore I know that even after seven years, you are not the same as your father."

“You do not approve of the king’s methods—whether it is forcing my father to commit treason, or laying a blood-soaked conspiracy in Dragon Sky City, or the ominous border conflict in the Western Wilderness a few months ago, or other dirty things that I do not know about.”

The female swordsman looked intently at Thales.

“You, Thales Shining Star, you want to be a different person.”

At that moment, Thales felt his heart skip a beat.

Different?
[Tales, become a king... because I believe you will be better than them, better than all the other kings.]

Can you prove that even within the shackles of power... there are still different ways to live?

Thales looked at Miranda in front of him and subconsciously clenched his fist.

Screw you, quick rope.

You bastard, living a different life, you make it sound so easy.

Thales took a deep breath.

He tried, he worked hard, he tried to set aside his emotions and weaknesses, and to see Miranda as just an ordinary noblewoman and an ambitious vassal.

He thought that way he could drag her into the trap without being condemned.

But now, Miranda...

At that time, even the most precious star cannot save you, the vastness of the stars cannot contain you, and even the king's dignity cannot protect you.

Thales's eyes were bitter, and his original determination began to waver.

The Duke had to take a deep breath to calm his agitated state:

Do you think I can ultimately give you what you want?

“No, you can’t,” Miranda shook her head unexpectedly. “This is my battle, and you are just a stepping stone at best.”

Stepping stone, huh.

Thales nodded sarcastically.

You're really good with words.

“But compared to your father,” the female swordsman said coldly, “perhaps you are a bit harder, like a rock.”

"By the way, your acting just now was terrible—'My dear Mira, if you want to participate in the game, you have to pay more'?"

“You can’t even pretend to be a pervert,” Miranda said disdainfully. “A virgin.”

But Thales had no interest in arguing with her.

He was feeling conflicted at that moment, and he lowered his head dejectedly.

“Mira,” Thales said wistfully, “what have you been through all these years?”

What made you who you are today?

Miranda paused upon hearing this.

"a lot of."

She spoke slowly, her eyes flashing with countless scenes.

"There are so many that I don't even want to count them."

But this was only for a moment; she quickly regained her resolve and transformed back into the stubborn female swordswoman.

"But when I look back, I realize that it all started that night."

That night?

Thales seemed to remember something and looked up in surprise.

Miranda nodded slightly, confirming his question:

"Night in Dragon Sky City".

Thales' eyes widened suddenly.

Dragon blood.

“Whether it was the people we met that day,” Miranda stared intently at him, “or what we did.”

"Also, don't call me Mira."

But Thales didn't hear what she said after that.

He just stared blankly at Miranda.

Is there ever a moment in life when you look back and realize that the decisions you made, based on circumstances and adaptability, have had such a significant, far-reaching, and even life-changing impact?

Before we knew it, the dark clouds that had been obscuring the sky had dispersed.

Xinghu Lake has regained its azure and clear blue color, shimmering with light.

After an unknown amount of time, Thales finally exhaled, his voice tinged with emotions he himself couldn't fully comprehend—a mixture of bitterness, relief, and helplessness—as he said:
"But you just said, Mira, that you want to make a deal with me, and that you want to keep the most pragmatic part?"

Miranda thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled:
"Yes, I'm going to trade my most pragmatic part for your most ideal part. If you calculate it that way, you're the one who's losing out."

"Now—besides not calling me Mira anymore—do you have any other questions?"

But Thales just stared intently at her sword:

"Mira?"

Miranda sighed, about to speak.

“My trip to Emerald City on business was actually for ulterior motives, even malicious ones,” Thales said absentmindedly.

Miranda paused, but nodded anyway: "I know. Don't call me Mira—"

“I’m going to deal with Jenn, shove him headfirst into my toilet and flush him down the moat.”

Miranda frowned. "I know. I said no—"

"So, if you come with me, you'll most likely be doing some, well, not-so-honorable things."

"I know!"

Miranda couldn't help but raise her voice, but in the end she couldn't help but sigh:
"Stop calling me that—okay, so does that mean you agree?"

Thales slowly raised his head, revealing a weary but relieved smile.

This surprised Miranda.

“I understand, Mira, the question you asked me as soon as you came in,” the Duke said softly.

Miranda was taken aback: "What's the problem?"

Duke Xinghu also came to the window and stretched.

"I just remembered Rosanna Aarond's story."

Miranda's eyes flickered slightly.

Thales gazed at the boundless Star Lake and sighed:
"Historically, the 'arithmetician' Rosanna entered the Restoration Court and eventually became the queen of the wise king Mindis III. She managed the royal finances and even helped the newly established tax office calculate income and expenditure, and negotiated accounts with the wise king's creditors. For this, people called her the 'wise queen', thus creating a timeless tale of a harmonious and loving relationship between the king and queen."

Thales gazed silently at the intoxicatingly beautiful scenery before him.

No wonder Gilbert always liked to talk to me about these random things in class; it turns out he was pressuring me to get married.

“But it wasn’t her choice,” came the female swordsman’s voice.

Thales was taken aback.

Miranda and he leaned against the windowsill, gazing at the blue sky above the Central Territory:

"Since the birth of his youngest son, the Duke has been worried that his eldest daughter's high status, strong abilities and personality will benefit her future husband's family too much. He also worries that she will hold a grudge for losing her inheritance rights and will be detrimental to his younger brother and the family in the future."

"Therefore, he gave Rosanna two choices."

Miranda's voice was ethereal:
"Either she takes a large dowry and marries a lowly knight, eliminating the threat from her future husband's family; or she abandons her surname and inheritance rights, leaving Cold Castle and depriving her of the possibility of interfering in the family through blood."

Thales was taken aback.

Is this passage found in the records about the shrewd queen?

Miranda's eyes were filled with sorrow:
"The strong-willed Rosanna chose the second option, which led to the story that followed. She did not become queen because of her Arund lineage, but because she became queen, the Arund family suddenly remembered her and rushed to add her back to their family tree, announcing to the world: the new queen's surname is Arund."

Thales listened to the story with surprise: "I...I didn't know there was this part."

Miranda nodded:

"The White Eagles pride themselves on their unity and lack of internal strife, but... this less-than-glorious history is only recorded in the writings of the Sunset Priests who secretly witnessed this agreement, hidden deep within the forbidden library of the Sunset Temple, and has long remained unknown to outsiders."

Or, to put it another way, how much of the "family unity" that the Arendt family is historically praised for was actually formed through "precautionary measures" like that of the old duke, who exiled close relatives and suppressed his children to prevent fratricide?

Thales' eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands:
"No wonder, no wonder the Aarond family, as the first family in the North, was so severely suppressed by the Restoration Palace and the Imperial Council during the reign of the wise ruler, and was even used as a typical example of the wise ruler's reforms."

Damn it, Gilbert went on to analyze a whole bunch of high-sounding topics like 'the power balance between the empress's family and courtiers' with him, and the related papers would be three feet thick if stacked up.

Miranda smiled indifferently:
"And so, the first Duchess of the North did not appear. Instead, a 'wise queen' was chosen. This is the kind of story that the world can accept: a loving father and a filial daughter, brothers who are friendly and fraternal, a powerful husband's family, and a happy and beautiful life."

The female swordsman crossed her arms: "But I think, compared to the legendary 'Queen Rosanna'..."

Thales picked up the conversation:
"Or is 'Duchess Rosanna' more suitable to be sung about by bards?"

Miranda glanced at him but didn't say anything.

"But are you ready?" the prince asked softly.

The next second, Thales reached out without warning and touched Miranda's waist!
The female swordsman's eyes flashed, and she instantly struck, firmly pressing down on Thales' left hand!
But she immediately frowned: Thales' outstretched hand rested on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

Thales gave her an apologetic smile.

She looked at Thales warily, but slowly let go.

Thales then slowly raised her hand and drew "Eagle Soar" from her scabbard.

“I think the story of your ancestor—well, Rosanna was a queen, so she is also my ancestor—tells us that, unlike Exter, the Star People have a precedent to follow: they are used to it and know how to deal with such situations, unlike the inexperienced, unprepared Northmen who had no choice but to accept a Grand Duchess.”

As the eagle's blade rubbed against the leather, it gradually became visible.

It gleams with a cold light, just like it did seven years ago.

It's different from seven years ago; it has weathered many storms.

Thales looked at the blade and said slowly, "Just look at Duchess Lyanna of Blade's Edgelands. Rather than directly and loudly objecting, they know better how to tear you apart in a gentle and polite manner within the existing rules."

The prince sighed:

"You should know that even the Queen of the North, who ascended the highest throne three hundred years ago, did not have a good ending."

Snapped!
Just as the blade was drawn a third of the way out, Miranda pressed Thales' hand down again, slowly exerting force to send Eagle Soar back into its sheath without a doubt:

That's because she's not strong enough.

Thales raised an eyebrow:
"Not strong enough? Queen Erica is someone who has invaded and seized Coldhold six times, defeating Exter decisively."

Miranda squinted:
"At least she wasn't strong enough to make those who opposed her bow down, like her brother."

With a soft sound, Eagle Soar disappeared into the sword sheath, and Thales could only sigh and let go.

Miranda shook her head at him.

“I have a question,” the prince said thoughtfully. “If I had really asked you to marry me and become my queen, I would have accepted you and been willing to help you reclaim the North…”

Miranda pondered for a moment:

"Are you saying that I'll offer myself to you and make you feel good before you'll help me take back the Northern Territory?"

Mira, Starlake Keep is not Dragonslayer Fortress. We'll have to talk about your choice of words in front of the prince sometime.

Thales sighed:
"What if it is?"

Miranda gave a cold laugh.

“If you really do that, it will prove your character and prove Cohen wrong. In that case, whether I submit to your father or surrender to you, it will be the same.”

She said nonchalantly, "So, I'll break your legs first, and then go to the Restoration Palace with the injustice of being 'attempted to be taken by the prince'."

Thales frowned:
"Go and beg my father to uphold justice?"

The female swordsman shook her head:

“No, I will prove to him and the kingdom that after this incident, I am sworn enemies with the prince, and therefore, in the confrontation between the two stars, I must stand on the king’s side. Then, I will take the opportunity to offer your father the same terms: I will give him the North, and he will grant me the title of duke—I will get what I want just the same.”

Thales looked incredulous.

“As I said,” Miranda shook her head, “I have to find my own way in any case.”

It's just that... we're missing a stepping stone.

Thales swallowed hard.

really.

Control your lower body, and you'll have a happy second half of your life.

“Then, Ms. Miranda Aarond.”

Thales sighed, turned around, and said seriously:

Will you be my wife?

Miranda was taken aback by his words, but after looking at him for a long time, she understood what he meant:
"No, I don't want to."

Thales nodded.

"Then, will you be my queen?"

"No, I don't want to either."

Thales and she locked eyes.

"In that case, Miranda Aarond, would you be willing to be my knight?"

In the study of Starlake Fortress, the young man and the female swordsman faced each other in silence.

A moment later, Miranda smiled.

She took a step back, facing Thales:
"I do, Your Highness."

Thales narrowed his eyes: "Even if I might order you to do something less pleasant, like, swing your sword at Raphael?"

Miranda was silent for a moment.

“Raphael is very important to me, Your Highness.”

Thales chuckled, shook his head, and waved his hand, saying, "I know, Mira. So I was just joking—"

"But he is not my whole life."

Miranda interrupted him, her gaze sharp:

"Far from it."

This was unexpected for Thales, who looked at the female swordsman in front of him with some surprise.

"Therefore, Your Highness, I will be saddened if he obstructs your path, or our path."

At that moment, Wudong's sword from Broken Dragon Fortress reached out and gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist, exuding a murderous aura.

"But I will never hesitate."

Telston immediately became stern.

He gazed at her for a long, long time.

Miranda Aarond.

What is she?
A sharp sword?
Yes, but not entirely.

A chess piece?
Perhaps, but there are discrepancies.

A chip?
Possibly, but is it light or heavy?

What do you think, King Kessel?

Thales clutched the bone ring hidden inside his clothes.

Just as we had planned, she came under my command.

But it's not like what we think it is, that it's for power—at least not in the way we imagine it to be.

No matter how you look at it, it doesn't seem like something that exists on your chessboard or under your rules.

Thales curled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

Because she is a person.

Damn it, the people outside the chessboard...

What do you think, Father?

Thoughts flashed by like lightning, and the next second, Thales smiled slightly:
"Well then, Mira, welcome to Starlake Castle."

Although we will soon be embarking on a journey.

Miranda smiled too.

"and many more."

She shook her head, drew the eagle from her waist, and placed it on her palm: "Ancient Northern Ritual."

Thales paused for a moment, then sighed.

He drew the JC dagger from his waistband and placed it on his palm, feeling a familiar, headache-inducing sensation before him: "A palm oath?"

“As expected of a prince returning from the North,” Miranda’s eyes lit up. “He has quite a bit of knowledge.”

Not just a few.

Thales thought helplessly.

More than you can imagine.

The next second, the two exerted force simultaneously, feeling the pain between their palms and the blade.

"Therefore, Thales Star, from this day forward, I pledge my allegiance to you and serve you."

Miranda put down the eagle, solemnly extended her hand, and blood flowed from her palm:
"In return, you will fully support my rightful succession, and if necessary, personally intervene to announce to the kingdom: you recognize only one Lord of the North..."

Thales exhaled, extending his own hands, covered in crimson, and continued her sentence:
Duchess Miranda Aarond.

With a snap, their hands clenched tightly.

"So, from today onwards, I..."

Halfway through his sentence, Thales suddenly recalled that unpleasant memory of "Gortakssa".

He couldn't help but sigh:

"You've said everything I wanted to say. As for what I didn't say..."

Blood was flowing from their wrists.

Thales listlessly pouted:

"Look, it's all in the blood."

Miranda frowned, but still shook her hand unhappily, thus completing the oath.

But once the thought crossed his mind, Thales couldn't help but ask:
"Are there any safeguards, like swearing a solemn oath or placing a curse—what if someone betrays the oath?"

Miranda shook her head dismissively, clenching her fist:

"I will only break my promise in one situation."

"When you're not strong enough."

Damn, the cut was too deep, my palm hurts a bit.

Thales looked at her suspiciously.

“Don’t get me wrong, Your Highness. Although we have made a pact, if you fail to meet my expectations or even hold me back,” Miranda said, winking maliciously, “I will abandon you without hesitation.”

Thales' smile became somewhat stiff.

That's so heartwarming.

The prince's eyes darted around:
"What if I betrayed you?"

The next second, Miranda yanked her hand away, and Thales was pulled forward by her!

The prince finally managed to stop, and was about to complain when he realized that Miranda was right in front of him.

They were so close they could almost kiss each other. Thales could even see the female swordsman's eyelashes and the resolute determination hidden behind her eyes.

“Your eyes, they’re gray, that’s rare,” Miranda said quietly, observing him closely.

Thales's expression was strange:
"Really? Um, your eyes are beautiful too—"

But Miranda's voice quickly turned cold:
“Remember, you are a descendant of the Star of Brilliance, and I am a descendant of Aarond.”

"Unfortunately, betrayal is an inevitable part of our lives."

Miranda's eyes turned cold:
"Just like revenge."

Thales froze.

However, the next second, the fierce look on Miranda's face disappeared—replaced by a bright smile that was unprecedented and took everyone's breath away.

"So, little brat..."

Miranda smiled and reached out, tugging at Thales's stunned face:

"Be good, don't be naughty."

Before the stunned Thales could react, the female swordsman turned gracefully, retracted her eagle wings, and strode out of the study.

----

Under Thales's furious and exasperated expression ("I'm your boss! You need to correct your subordinates' attitude, you know! Starlake Castle is not a lawless place!"), DD walked into the study and watched in surprise as Miranda left with a smile on her face.

Difficult, could it be said...

"Wow, Your Highness!"

Doyle suddenly understood something, his face lighting up with delight, and he clicked his tongue repeatedly: "Tsk tsk tsk tsk, congratulations!"

While still angry, Thales asked suspiciously:
"What's wrong? What's there to congratulate you on?"

"Nothing, nothing, it's just, hehe..."

The next second, DD subtly pointed at Miranda's retreating figure, gave a smug thumbs-up, and revealed a wicked smile that said it all:

"Awesome!!!"

At that moment, DD's smile was so radiant, so dazzling, so genuine.

So much so that he didn't notice that Prince Thales' expression had become increasingly calm, almost like a stagnant pool.

“DD, I heard from Commander Sonia that you encountered her during your night patrol?”

"Ah? Oh, yes! Your Highness, the Flower of the Fortress, hey, she was discussing some academic topics with the zombies then, you know, 'academic' topics! Don't worry, I didn't disturb her, hehehe, after all, it's a significant diplomatic victory for our Starlake Fortress..."

"..."

That night, Starlake Castle was far from peaceful.

It is said that the usually good-tempered Duke was enraged and, unusually, personally ordered Executioner Paterson to carry out the most horrific, heinous, and inhumane torture in the history of the Starlake Guard, on First-Class Guard Officer Danny Doyle, or DD for short:
They confiscated the teddy bear from his bedside.

Yes, this is for 2023. For the next two years, everyone should tighten their belts and live within their means. —by Wujian, with tears in his eyes from neck pain.

(End of this chapter)