Episode 40
They say people mellow with age, but the core of who they are doesn’t really change.
The sharp edges and rough parts get worn down by time, but the shape itself remains the same.
As Eleonore’s eyes narrowed slightly, her son Richard quickly interjected with a chuckle.
“Prince Pedro seems quite interested in our Count of Auvergne. Is this perhaps the will of Alfonso II?”
“Naturally, my father is quite interested as well.”
Prince Pedro trailed off nonchalantly, but from where I stood, I could clearly see him casting a sidelong glance at Berengaria of Navarre.
Eleonore swiftly composed her expression and regarded Pedro with a graceful smile.
“Sending a royal family member into marriage is no small matter. Even if you’re the heir, isn’t it a bit much to handle on your own? Even if the talks go well, without King Alfonso II’s consent, it would all be for nothing.”
“Of course, that’s true. However, my father has always told me to find a suitable match for my sister. He said that if I found someone appropriate, he would proceed immediately. If it’s the Count of Auvergne, my father would be very pleased.”
“So, nothing is set in stone yet.”
“Well, yes, technically speaking, but it’s only a matter of time. If Aquitaine is formally proceeding with marriage talks with the Count of Auvergne, we will naturally step aside.”
Even though I’m the one getting married, they seem to be having a grand time making all the decisions themselves.
On the surface, it seemed like Pedro was yielding to Eleonore, but if you dissected his words, it wasn’t quite so.
Saying they’d step aside if formal talks were underway could be interpreted as, “Isn’t it the same for you, too?”
Indeed, Eleonore quickly added another comment as soon as Pedro finished speaking.
“We haven’t settled on just one candidate either, but we don’t need anyone’s permission. Richard I, Duke of Aquitaine and King of England, will vouch for us. Isn’t that right?”
“Ah… yes, Mother. That’s right. As long as the Count of Auvergne agrees…”
The difference between needing permission and granting it is significant.
But Pedro didn’t back down.
If he were going to give up so easily, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in the marriage talks in the first place.
“Of course, if His Majesty were to step in from the start, the marriage would proceed smoothly. But the Count of Auvergne is the only prophet in Europe, no, in the world. Shouldn’t that be taken into consideration?”
“So you’re saying the match should be of equal standing. That someone of Aquitaine’s vassal status isn’t suitable. Is that what you mean?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that, seeing the Count in person, I feel… apologetic about proceeding with marriage talks for my sister. It was just a feeling, nothing more.”
If you’re so apologetic, maybe you shouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.
Though he spoke evasively like a sly fox, I didn’t think Pedro would give up on this marriage.
His earlier glance at Berengaria of Navarre was likely a reflection of his unease with the union of Navarre and Anjou.
Even if the country is becoming obsolete, a marriage alliance with the Angevin Empire would make it untouchable by Aragon, Castile, or León.
Alfonso II might be friendly with Richard, but friendship and a marriage alliance are not the same.
While it’s unlikely that Aragon would have conflicts with the Angevin Empire, there’s bound to be some unease.
If you can’t have the pheasant, settle for the chicken. The intention to pursue marriage with me wasn’t bad.
Marrying into the Aragonese royal family was certainly better than becoming a subordinate to a vassal family of Aquitaine.
Of course, better doesn’t mean best.
Unless they offered the County of Barcelona as a dowry, their sons’ positions were too secure.
Montpellier and Provence both had legitimate heirs, and Pedro wasn’t likely to die young, making it hard to expand my territory through marriage.
I considered having Fatima and Nasr eliminate Alfonso II’s heirs, but the risk was too high.
If caught, everything I’ve painstakingly built would be ruined.
Until Nasr fully controlled the Islamic Assassins, they must remain in the shadows.
In the end, neither option was particularly appealing.
The best course was to play both sides against each other, raising my value without committing.
Just as I was about to speak, Richard sidled up to me and whispered.
“Do something, will you? If Mother gets angry, it could get really scary.”
I thought he was worried about diplomatic issues with Aragon, but it turns out he was just afraid of his mother getting upset.
This guy isn’t quite normal either.
I chuckled and nodded.
“Thank you, Lady Eleonore and Prince Pedro, for thinking so highly of me. However, as Count Dammartin mentioned, I don’t think I’m ready yet. The University of Auvergne has just started, and I don’t think I can handle both marriage and my responsibilities effectively.”
“Count, very few people marry with everything perfectly in place. It’s about growing together.”
“That’s true, but given my position, there are things that concern me. There’s also the conversation I had with His Holiness the Pope…”
“The Pope?”
Everyone, including Eleonore, reacted with surprise.
I could sense their internal realization of having overlooked something important.
But of course, it was all a bluff.
The Pope might have his own thoughts, but he hadn’t directly spoken to me about them.
Still, no one would dare question what I discussed with the Pope, so there was no risk of this story leaking.
Moreover, Pope Clement III’s time was nearly up, so there was no need to worry about repercussions.
After all, dead men tell no tales.
So I decided to freely use the Pope’s name.
“Yes. I trust you all, so I’ll share this here. His Holiness has given me a lot of valuable advice.”
“What kind of advice?”
“He said that because I’m too straightforward, I’m the type to suffer politically.”
For a moment, Alberic’s expression twisted slightly, but with everyone’s attention on me, no one noticed.
I subtly stepped on Alberic’s foot to signal him to manage his expression, and he quickly composed himself.
“That’s true. This fellow has been so rigid and uncompromising since the Crusades that I’ve had a hard time. He’s improved a lot now, but back then, it was really something…”
As Alberic shook his head, Eleonore showed interest.
“The stories of the Count of Auvergne during the Crusades sound fascinating. As you know, I have some ties to the Crusades myself.”
“If you’re curious, feel free to ask anything. Marshal, is that alright?”
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but there’s no need to hide anything.”
In truth, Edward Marshal was a fictional character I created, so I didn’t know exactly what he was like during the Crusades.
I had a rough idea from conversations with Alberic, but probing too deeply might arouse suspicion, so I couldn’t know everything.
In reality, Alberic probably knew my past actions better than anyone.
And while I might not know now, I was certainly rigid and inflexible back then.
There was no need to fabricate stories, so I signaled Alberic to continue.
“Where should I start? Is there anything in particular you’re curious about?”
“I’ve heard that the Count of Auvergne was quite brave on the battlefield. Did his exploits stand out during the Crusades?”
“Absolutely. When we were in Jerusalem, Marshal’s nickname was ‘Martyr Maker.’ He was so relentless in battle that he turned all those martyr-obsessed Muslims into martyrs themselves.”
Richard, who had been listening quietly, chimed in.
“The civil war was brief, but the Count of Auvergne’s skills were certainly exceptional. I dare say they rivaled my own.”
“When Marshal took the lead, you could see a significant reduction in our side’s losses. His skills were that remarkable. Of course, the Knights Templar admired him not just for his swordsmanship. He was taciturn but sincere, deeply faithful, and had a strong sense of camaraderie, which is why we all admired and trusted him.”
Alberic glanced at me after saying that.
Was it just my imagination, or did he use the past tense as if to say, “He was like that, but now…”?
His expression seemed to imply, “What happened to him now?” but maybe that was just my imagination.
Alberic continued to answer Eleonore, Pedro, and Richard’s questions smoothly, without missing a beat.
The story of my past, which I hadn’t fully realized myself, was fascinating and quietly setting the stage in my favor without anyone else noticing.
Even after everyone else had left, Eleonore remained with her son, King Richard. In the privacy of the empty room, she spoke to him more casually than usual.
“He’s certainly someone to keep an eye on.”
“Just as I said, isn’t it? Marshall is someone I must keep close.”
“I was planning to arrange a marriage proposal, but unexpected obstacles have arisen…”
“Are you referring to Aragon?”
“Aragon, and the Papacy as well. It seems everyone is eager to have the Seer of Auvergne. While the Papacy and Marshall are almost destined to be allies, Aragon is a different story. We must not let Marshall go to Aragon.”
Richard nodded without hesitation at his mother’s insistence.
“Don’t worry. Marshall and I have been close since before he was recognized as a Seer. I won’t lose him, and I’m sure he has no intention of leaving.”
“Remember, matters of state aren’t driven by personal feelings.”
“Yes, I understand that.”
“And when I say we can’t lose Marshall, it’s not just because of his abilities and symbolism. You’ve heard his past, haven’t you?”
“I already knew. That’s why Count Damartin was always by his side, guiding him on what to do next.”
Eleonore gave a wry smile at her son’s proud admission of his obliviousness. It reminded her so much of her own younger days that she felt more affection than frustration.
“Yes, what we need to focus on is his character. From my experience, a person’s true nature doesn’t change easily. I’ve been wondering if Marshall might be hiding his true self.”
“Mother, that’s a bit too much speculation.”
“In politics, one must always consider the ‘what ifs.’ But after hearing about Marshall’s past from Count Damartin today, I’m convinced there’s no need for such doubts. He seems to be as noble-hearted as his father, William.”
“I’ve told you before. I understand your caution, given your past betrayals…”
“No, no. That’s not what I meant.”
Eleonore gazed at the empty space where Marshall had been, her voice firm.
“Someone like him must be bound to us, to our family. We can’t let others take him. We need to offer him something more enticing.”