Vikings: Nordic women

Chapter 38 Preparations for the New King's Coronation
Seven years later…

"Ms. Polly, what happened next? How did your uncle become?" Alexander Robertson lay in bed with curiosity gleaming in his eyes. He asked Polly, who was dressed in the clothes of Miss Duti, a Norse noble.

On the other bed, Margaret seemed uninterested in the story, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, however, her ears were quietly perked up, secretly listening to Polly's answer.

Polly smiled, her eyes revealing nostalgia, and began to tell the second half of the story:
"Just as the enemy was about to break through the town, Lord Harold Yar, brave and fearless, led a group of loyal warriors to drink the bear potion secretly made by High Priest Sina. Instantly, they felt the influx of Woden's power, and their strength doubled.

These warriors, like a raging storm, broke through the enemy's siege and rushed out of the town gate. They fought side by side with the Huscarz Knights and finally defeated the enemy completely. Sir Robert took the opportunity to pursue and defeated the defeated enemy army, even beheading two enemy leaders.

However, victory came at a heavy price. Lord Jarre was seriously wounded in the battle and died soon after. His last wish was to be with his wife, Lady Ouni, forever, so their ashes were buried together.

In the last moments of his life, Lord Yael followed the last words of his wife, Lady Ouni Field, and the prophecy of the gods, and passed the position of chieftain to Miss Duti, who was still in her infancy. "

Polly let out a long breath, her face showing fatigue, but she kissed the stressed face: "Okay, Alexander, it's time to go to bed, good night!"

"Good night, Ms. Polly!" Alexander waved his hand and closed his eyes.

Polly blew out the lamp, closed the door and left.

Margaret's expression was complicated. She thought that after her death, there would be a struggle for power in the territory.

However, the reality was beyond her expectation.

Under the pressure of external forces and the threat of death, everyone in the territory was unprecedentedly united.

Under the frenzy of the warriors, they actually defeated the siege of two territories with inferior forces.

As a result, Robert was awarded the title of military nobleman Jarl, and with Harold's reward, he became the lord of "Svetalsson Town".

Polly, who encouraged female warriors to join the war, was appreciated by Harold and became the female lord of "Skelwick Town" and served as the chief minister.

The two of them, together with Sina, who succeeded the post of high priestess, were entrusted with the care of Margaret, who was less than half a year old at the time, by Harold, who was seriously injured and died.

However, Ralph's unexpected death, coupled with the disappearances of those from Huskalz's Left Team who had participated in the murder of Polly's father, Ludwig Jarl, led Robert and Sina to suspect that Polly had murdered Ralph.

Although there is no evidence, the three men often disagreed politically.

But Margaret knew the truth. She knew it wasn't Polly who did it, but Harold who ordered it.

Before he died, he sought out Ralph and told him about his concerns about the future.

After learning of Eunice's last will and condition, Ralph gave Harold an idea in order to maintain the balance of the territory.

He decided to kill the men of Huscarz's left wing in order to create suspicion and keep the balance of power in the territory.

It happened that Ayana died of a postpartum infection at that time, so Harold took the two infant siblings with him to take care of them.

So Margaret eavesdropped on the whole thing. She learned about Ralph's plan and also about his sacrifice.

Ralph did not die, but was disfigured and lost a leg in the assassination attempt with Harold's consent.

He chose to take care of Eunice's donkey in the stable and refused to recognize anyone.

Margaret, since she was able to move freely, would go to Ralph to make him happy almost every day.

She hopes Ralph can get out of the shadow of death as soon as possible and start a new life.

But unfortunately, she couldn't confess everything. This was her secret and she couldn't tell anyone.

"Margaret?" Alexander's voice interrupted Margaret's thoughts.

"What?" Margaret, who had adapted to the darkness, came to her senses and looked at Alexander under the light of the northern lights outside the window.

"I want to challenge you to a traditional challenge!" Alexander said in an excited voice.

"Why challenge me?" Margaret frowned, somewhat puzzled.

"I want to be a strong leader who protects my people like Uncle Harold. Moreover, the leader is always a man. As the only man in the family, you should give me the position of leader!" Alexander sat up, his voice full of determination. "Haha..." Margaret smiled disdainfully, thinking to herself: "If you don't fight for three days, you will be so bold."

She uttered, "I refuse your challenge!"

"What?" Alexander was stunned. He opened his eyes wide and couldn't believe his ears. "How can you refuse? You can't refuse. This is tradition. According to tradition, you should accept the challenge!"

Margaret replied casually, "According to tradition, I reject your challenge! You were picked up from a trash basket, and you don't have family blood in you! So as the leader, I deprive you of your inheritance rights and your status as a family member. According to tradition, you are now my slave!"

Alexander got anxious and shouted, "No, you are talking nonsense! And this is not a tradition!"

Margaret raised an eyebrow in the dark and asked, "How do you prove it's not a tradition?"

Alexander was speechless. He rolled his eyes and suddenly said, "Uncle Robert said that a true warrior should face any difficulties and be fearless of any challenge! Instead of avoiding fighting with despicable excuses!"

Margaret sneered and retorted: "You said that yourself, didn't you? Robert won't pay attention to you! Besides, I'm not a warrior, I'm your leader, lord, and king!"

"No, you must duel with me, the oath ring belongs to me!" Alexander jumped down, stepped barefoot on the wooden floor, and pointed his wooden sword at Margaret lying on the bed.

Margaret took a deep breath and looked unhappy.

"Accept my challenge! After I become the leader, I will allow you to humbly become my maid after being defeated and wash my feet every day!" Alexander laughed loudly, as if he had already grasped the victory and saw the glorious moment after the victory.

Margaret finally lost her patience and grabbed Alexander's wooden sword, wrested it away with unskilled brute force, and broke it in two.

She was taller than the other man and pulled off Alexander's pants, then hit him hard with the broken wood sword.

Alexander struggled, but Margaret was clearly stronger than him. She had grown faster, was bigger than Alexander, and naturally stronger.

A minute later, Alexander, with his face covered in snot and tears, was pressed by the neck, face down on the bed.

"Is that wrong?" Margaret asked coldly.

Alexander was a little unconvinced: "I'm not ready, fight me again if you dare!"

"Like a rooster!" Margaret ignored his excuses and tickled his belly.

"Impossible! Hahaha... You can't insult a future leader!" Alexander laughed wildly and struggled.

She held Alexander tightly, grabbed his belly and twisted it hard: "Unfortunately, I won!"

"Ow~"

Faced with the spoiled and arrogant twin brother, Margaret let him go, returned to her bed and covered herself with the blanket.

"You can't be stronger than me. Even the big guard is no match for me. We must compete again!"

That's because no one dares to offend you and everyone is giving in to you, she complained in her heart. How to educate the spoiled Alexander is a big problem.

Said: "If you want to attract a reprimand from the high priest, you can shout even louder!"

While the siblings were playing, twenty-year-old Sheena, Robert, and Polly gathered around the campfire in the lord's hall, seemingly discussing something.

"According to Madam Ouni's prophecy, I have consulted the gods. Margaret Duti will be crowned king on her eighth birthday the day after tomorrow. We need to prepare in advance!" High Priestess Hina said, her voice echoing in the hall. "If you have no objection, then it is decided!"

Chief Minister Polly nodded and said, "I will ask the goldsmith to make the crown. I have a piece of parchment here with the pattern of the crown. I need you to confirm which one to choose!"

The maid handed over a stack of parchment, which Polly took. On the top was a lighter crown similar to a headband.

She showed the drawings to the two of them and said, "I prefer the top one. It's not heavy, but it shows nobility! The one below is the dress for the coronation. You can take a look. I'm a little hesitant about which one to choose. It can't be too fancy, as it will not look solemn enough, but it can't be too serious either."

Lord Robert looked at it, frowned, shook his head, and then said: "I think it's up to her to decide which one she likes. As for the lords, I will issue a summons, and they will arrive in time to participate in the coronation of the new king!"

(End of this chapter)