Herald of Steel

Chapter 1622: Convincing Seelima

“Your Highness… it seems we have developed some misunderstandings among us.” Alexander finally began his response with this, gently leaning forward with his strong body,

“Let me be very clear- I harbor no ill will towards the royal family. Neither do I have any wish to take over Adhan. That would be too foolish.”

“This place is far more than simply a city. It is the spiritual heart of the empire… the place every citizen looks up to. And only men with royal blood can control it. Anyone else would be a fool to try… inviting the wrath of both gods and men.”

Saying this, Alexander strategically paused, looking up to observe the Queen Mother’s reaction. And to his pleasure, he found her to be indeed slightly mollified.

So he continued in a softer, more understanding tone,

“Now, yes, over the years, His Majesty and I have had our differences. However they were all over minor things… just simple differences in perspective, it was never about disobedience.”

“Everything I did, I did because I needed to. As a new Pasha, I have to naturally prioritize organising my own land over His Majesty’s request. This means pleasing my new retainers.. even if it means sometimes using…some ’unorthodox policies’.”

Alexander gave a sly smile at the made innuendo, before continuing on,

“That is also the same reason I have a strong army. I need it to defend my land…to ward off any rebellions and… to show to all that I am the true Lord of Zanzan and I am here to stay. That is the only way the nobles will respect and follow me.”

“And the same goes for the new lands I have conquered. They only came to me because they attacked me first! It was all done in pure self defense, in the interest of securing my borders. So I do not see what the nobles are complaining about by calling me warmongers and such- clearly these parasites are simply jealous!”

“….” The Queen Mother’s eyes gave a subtle glint at Alexander’s crude words- this was not how respectable nobles talked about their brethren, even in private.

But she let him continue for now, as Alexander finished by clenching his fist and declaring,

“His Majesty- well he thinks what is most beneficial for him. And I think what is best for me. And that is when the clashes happened. But I assure you Your Highness, I have no other ulterior motive hidden with me.”

“I am more than content with what I have at Zanzan and right now, I only wish to see this civil war come to an end and for His Majesty to take his full birthright as quickly as possible. I would not have poisoned Amenheraft otherwise… and I certainly would not have so voluntarily given you my prime minister’s place.”

Seelima’s eyes only significantly softened as Alexander made these points- indeed as they say, actions speak louder than words. If Alexander truly meant harm for them… all these actions till now had been counterproductive.

Thus slightly wrinkling her immaculate nose, the Queen Mother gracefully nodded her fiery head,

“Indeed, it is you say, Lord Alx, ’we’ have always had the utmost trust in you. It was only ’our’ treacherous retainers that tried to confuse ’us’. ’We’ hope you will not take any offense.”

“….” Alexander would have to be a born donkey to truly believe this.

But given the imperial lady had spoken, and he was in her house… he had to, of course, feign buying it. So pulling a thin, pleased smile, he flattered, “Indeed, indeed, Your Highness…you are too right. I just wish His Majesty was as smart as you. He only sees his side. *Sigh*… we could have both saved ourselves a lot of trouble if he were a bit competent.”

The Queen Mother internally agreed with this statement to the tee. However outwardly… how could she just let go of someone slagging off her family? She had a reputation to defend.

Thus curling her lips a bit disapprovingly, she chided, “That is not a pleasant thing to say about your king Lord Alexander. He is your liege… appointed by the heavens themselves! Be sure to be more mindful of your words in the future.”

The Queen Mother was not actually too critical here, nor was she too harsh. She simply read her lines in a pretty soft, dead pan voice, like it was a routine chore.

And Alexander could have simply nodded and moved along.

However he did not do that. He had a few more things to say.

Thus, taking a rather large swig from his cup, he lightly snickered,

“Well Your Highness, since we are talking about the future in, let me be frank… and reveal my true thoughts about you and your to be husband- I do not respect him. I absolutely do not respect him. And currently, I do not see ever respecting him. ”

“….” It would be wrong to say Seelima was completely shocked to hear this, Alexander’s attitude about the man was not exactly subtle. But still, the open, outright confession indeed left the regal woman a bit rattled, her eyes turning small and narrow.

However Alexander did not seem to pay attention to her and simply carried on in that same flat voice, “Of course, I still believe he was chosen by the Father. I would never even dare to take a look at the throne. But as I recall, Amenheraft and his father were also favored by Lord Ramuh. Where are they now? What happened to their retainers? When did they lose favor?”

“The great father favors whoever he wishes and he misguides whoever he wishes. So Your Highness, it is best we do not blindly follow the gods… they are too fickle and we risk getting too easily lost in their grand plan.”

“I will follow His Majesty in anything that is reasonable… but he has to be reasonable!”

Alexander’s words cut the Queen Mother both deep and swallow. On the flip side, at least he did not totally reject Ptolomy. But at the same time, his loyalty also left much to be desired.

“You swore an oath… an oath to serve your king, under the eyes of the gods! Honor it!” Thus Seelima coldly reminded Alexander of his word, urging him to change his mind.

’Snort! What a pile of rubbish!’ The ever pragmatic man however readily threw this point through one ear and out the other. He was never going to be bound by something so foolish.

’King? What king? I did not vote for him!’ Alexander had only taken the oath as a custom, as it was a necessary step to get his land. He never held any true sense of duty to it.

Outwardly however, Alexander naturally hid such treasonous thoughts.

Instead, he firmly insisted in a firm, reassuring voice,

“Of course, I promise to fulfill any promise His Majesty makes… as long as I am able to. But it cannot be anything unreasonable. And it has to be reciprocal. There has to be enough reward for me. His Majesty cannot simply expect me to give everything away just because he says to. That is not how a lord treats his vassals!”

“I know Your Highness knows this. But I fear His Majesty does not. In fact, that is why I wanted you to take the post of Prime Minister. To help guide him. Neither I nor Pasha Farzah can do that. He only listens to you. So teach him! And then, you will find me among his most eager retainers!”

“….” Queen Mother’s full, bulging chest could be seen soon rapidly moving up and down, as if the lady was struggling to hold in her emotions. Particularly, those last few heartfelt words… they really hit their mark, blasting through all of Seelima’s defenses like a wrecking ball.

The Queen Mother actually felt a bit ashamed upon learning Alexander’s true thoughts.

How could she question his motives now when he was being so altruistic?

“Hehehe… I really have never met another smooth talker like you, brat.” Thus slightly massaging her temples, Seelima sent the man a rosy grin, eyes twinkling with mirth, “Thank you.”

The smile was so beautiful that for a few moment Alexander was left stunned- sometimes he forgot just how beautiful the Queen Mother still was. Just that simple gesture sent a piercing arrow through his heart.

“I swear to be your most faithful servant, Seelima. Do not ever doubt that.” Alexander thus solemnly promised.

….

Following this exchange, the air in the room began to significantly lighten.

Seelima no longer had that frosty, cold facade, but reverted to her soft, charming former self, taking small sips of her wine while occasionally sending Alexander coquettish, inviting glances.

After her recent rejection, the mature lady seemed to have become a lot more coy, now signalling the man to make the move instead.

Alexander quickly found this very tempting.

However… before he ’leaped’ into the offer, a curious question suddenly popped into his mind, “My lady… could you tell me why you are dressed like this?” as his eyes brazenly roamed over the curvy black robe.

“Pffff! What kind of question is that?” Seelima was undoubtedly surprised by the out of the blue question, as she almost spilled the drink, red stains coloring her thick lips and trickling down her smooth chin.

“Ummm… no, I just thought you would be much more angry with me. You did not seem that pleased with Amenheraft’s result this afternoon. But this sudden warm welcome…well, I am honestly a bit flattered!”