Chapter 114 Mutual Suspicion "Your Majesty, you and His Majesty Andra still have no heir..."
The blizzard arrived as expected, but thankfully, Prince Andra returned before this endless despair spread.
She also arrived with a wagon loaded with grain, accompanied by the young princess of Norlana.
Nature's punishments made humanity tremble, but timely aid from above gave birth to faith in their hearts.
"Hey, have you heard? That prince also got land in Norlana! He's come to Hetuya this time to distribute grain!"
The nobles once vigorously promoted the story of Eleanor dividing her land and property.
They hoped to use these exaggerated rumors to shatter Eleanor's reputation among the nobility and cause her to be collectively abandoned by the entire class.
As for commoners and slaves? Who cares about the lives of ants!
They had never experienced a true war of public opinion, nor had they witnessed what it was like for the people to be collectively enlightened. Many believed that the common people were simply too foolish to understand Princess Eleanor's actions.
With proper guidance, they will believe that Princess Eleanor's land redistribution is a pretext for imposing heavy taxes, and they will be eager to resist it!
They underestimated the common people's desire for private property; the words "land distribution" were too simple and too tempting.
They also underestimated Eleanor's power—the princess not only survived the assassination attempt but also took the initiative to behead those who made disturbances.
Yes, when disagreements cannot be resolved, it's better to physically eliminate all dissenting voices... That's what you taught me.
It's not that there aren't intelligent people who can see the complex truth behind the internal strife in Hetuya.
But when Princess Eleanor opened the granaries and distributed grain, willing to use Norlana's food to temporarily stabilize the situation in Hetuya, the truth became irrelevant.
Anyone who dares to stand up against her at this moment will be torn apart by her hungry companions.
Besides, Princess Eleanor had no intention of making a move on Hertuya.
Even the most arrogant Hetuyas had to admit that Her Majesty Andra was the best candidate to succeed to the throne—who dared to say that such a beautiful, powerful, and legitimate princess was not worthy of ascending the throne?
Who would support a puppet regime like this?!
At first, some people were still wondering about the cause of Aguno and Attila's deaths, but the royal court simply announced that all tribes would have a one-month period of freedom to challenge.
All nobles with inheritance rights are free to challenge His Majesty Andra.
The rules are one-on-one, no armor, and a fight to the death.
This ancient rule, originally reserved for duels between the Hetuya royal family, has been relaxed this time. You don't even need to find a bunch of warriors to prove your strength anymore; just grab a sword and go!
Isn't this a golden opportunity to seize the throne? According to the rules, they can use a rotation system!
Have Andra take one person each in the morning and afternoon within a month. Once she's exhausted or even injured, the rest of the group will have an easier time.
The plan only lasted one day.
The two cannon fodder pushed out on the first day were cut in two by one person with a sword.
Andra, on the other hand, was relaxed and at ease, his indifferent face taut, not a drop of sweat visible.
The nobles immediately fell silent, placing their hopes on what would happen later.
And then... Princess Eleanor delivered a speech over a towering bonfire.
Her speech was naturally inspiring, but what was even more moving was the promise she made.
"Nolana is willing to live in peace with its sister countries, but sharing food can only solve the immediate problem. In order to better develop our country, I have decided to establish a city-state that spans both countries along the border."
In the firelight, she told a heartwarming story to everyone who was cold.
The story features a city that is inclusive and expansive, with schools, hospitals, and sturdy houses with bright doors and windows.
The residents' pots contain both mutton and vegetables, and all the children—whether nobles or commoners—can attend school for free after passing a basic exam, acquiring a practical skill.
“I am the princess of Norlanna, but Norlanna is not the only place in my heart.”
As she said this, she looked lovingly at Andra, who was silent beside her, and said in a moving tone: "I hope that more people can grow up well in their childhood, study hard in their youth, meet their loved ones in their youth, and have their communities to rely on in their old age."
"I need your help to achieve this goal. It may take ten, twenty years... or even the rest of my life."
Eleanor reached out to the void and to everyone. Even though the touch was fleeting, no one would forget the tears in her eyes at that moment.
She reached out to the bewildered Hetuya people, and was willing to provide relief in a dignified manner.
Part of the grain was used as payment for building the city, and the other part was a gift to celebrate King Hetuya's ascension to the throne.
There were subsequent additions, which had an even more appealing name: the marriage agreement between Princess Nolana and King Hetuya.
The rising sun dispelled the gloom, and the snowstorm failed to freeze the future of Hertuya or Norlana.
King Andra of Hetuya did not officially ascend the throne until the spring of the following year.
On the day of her coronation, a princess from Norlana walked alongside her.
Wang held her lover's hand, her expression solemn.
The smile briefly returned to Andra's face only when she turned and saw Eleanor's genuine smile. They raised their hands simultaneously and exchanged rings amidst a deafening roar of cheers.
Everyone could only see their loving gazes, but only the closest courtiers noticed the momentary look of surprise on the king's face when Princess Eleanor took off her ring and quietly tugged at his sleeve.
......
"Eleanor, when will our wedding take place?"
Back in the royal tent, Andra put the heavy crown back into the box and asked without looking up.
Eleanor paused for a moment, then said gently, "The cold disaster isn't over yet. If you want a grand wedding... we can wait three years?"
"......"
The little gesture you made during my enthronement ceremony was probably an attempt to gloss over the wedding.
Andra moved her lips but didn't ask the question, because she vaguely knew Eleanor's answer.
"We truly love each other, why waste money and resources on a grand wedding?"
Andra had always imagined the incredibly happy scene of marrying his wife.
The person she truly loves must be the most beautiful, gentlest, and wisest person in the world. His wife will be wearing a gorgeous veil and riding in a high flower-decorated car towards her.
More than a decade ago, this beautiful illusion already had a unique form.
How cunning you are, knowing everything perfectly well—so certain that I can only love you.
Da da da.
Elinor couldn't see her lover's face, so she quickly went around to the front and looked up: Andra's face had no tears, nor any trace of sorrow; he seemed very calm.
She lowered her head and casually lifted a strand of Eleanor's hair, gently tucking it behind her ear.
"No need, let's just consider today our wedding ceremony."
Eleanor blinked. Andra was really...very calm.
"good."
She nodded, then gently leaned into her lover's arms.
......
Eleanor still got married three years later.
Their wedding ceremony coincided with the completion ceremony of the new border town of Aisha, a day when tourists flocked to offer their blessings to King Hetuya and the wise Eleanor—before happily strolling to the library and the civic gardens.
*Slap*
Eleanor floated lightly down from the float, lifting her skirt, and like a fairy among flowers, she scattered petals all over the ground.
She threw flowers at so many people that she was covered in fine powder, which shimmered in the light of the oil lamp.
Andra moved her lips slightly, walked over and hugged her lover, patting the thin veil on her back. "Go back and rest early."
"Hmm, are you happy?"
Her beloved carefully raised her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering little by little.
“…Happy.” Andra smiled; how could she not be happy?
It's truly delightful to have something to do with the entertainment of the city.
You seem...not very happy.
Her sensitive lover hugged her waist tightly and asked softly in a touching voice, "Why?"
This is a very difficult question to answer.
Andra doesn't really care about acting; as long as she's in a good mood, what's wrong with playing the clown?
Besides, today she's playing the role of a happy wife as King Hetuya, wearing armor similar to the Yang armor in mythology. What's there to be sad about?
But she was still very sad.
That kind of sadness was dense and intertwined in every day after the wedding.
From that day on, she knew... that there was something more important in her lover's heart than she was.
In Eleanor's eyes, her family, friends, and even herself might not be as important as ten, a hundred, a thousand, or at most ten thousand ordinary strangers.
How could this be? How could anyone love an ordinary person more than a lover?
She tried to deceive herself, but she couldn't keep it up.
Andra coldly watched as Eleanor clipped the wings of the nobles.
It was a long series of conspiracies and schemes, slowly excavated from the foundation, and to this day only the most basic "alternatives" have been cultivated.
But these are just her own "imagination." If she were to complain to her lover about something like, "I want to give you the grandest wedding! Everyone else is just an accessory; they must genuinely respect and revere us!"
...and it's just too ridiculous.
"It's a bit chilly standing here, let's go back and talk."
Eleanor was as gentle as ever; she neither spoke nor showed any annoyance.
They almost never argue.
Because Eleanor was too sensitive, too gentle, too considerate... and too "loving of her".
Try it, try yelling and screaming, maybe she'll give in.
A voice sneered in her mind, but Andra simply turned her head, silently took her lover's hand, and continued forward.
Sweet kisses, intimate words, shared memories... Andra had to admit that Eleanor was the "perfect" lover.
Eleanor never neglected her needs; even when busy with official duties, she would always make time to be with her each week and do everything she could to make her happy.
What are you still asking for? She's already so tired, and she's still so cautious around you.
Andra sometimes scorned her own wild thoughts: Eleanor is smart; she has the wisdom to see the future. Why don't you just believe her? Follow her to that wonderful future and stop thinking so much.
"You lackey, you're her good dog...!"
My mother's face is already blurry in my memory, but her words are still so sharp that they would wake her up suddenly in the middle of the night, and then she would take the arm that was outstretched to her and fall asleep again.
"Don't worry, I'll always be by your side."
Eleanor made a promise, and she did indeed keep her promise.
Before inheriting Nornana, Eleanor was active in Hetuya as "the wife of the King of Hetuya".
She spent most of her time in Aishi, but more often she would live in the royal tent like any other Queen of Hetuya, moving around with Andra, which made the people of Hetuya very comfortable.
Andra, in turn, never tolerated anyone tarnishing Eleanor's glory, either in public or in private.
Elite and loyal guards stand around the two kings, and under their protection, the six bloodstains on the third petal remain intact to this day.
Anyone with a modicum of insight could foresee a future of dual rule, which would surely be a better and more peaceful era.
Queen Eva of Norland's lifespan was eventually eroded by the poison; she passed away when Princess Eleanor was just forty-two years old.
No one objected to changing the address from "Princess Eleanor" to "Your Majesty Eleanor".
Those who had objections died out more than a decade ago.
They had only one small concern, which they entrusted to their most trusted Hudora to carefully raise before the coronation ceremony.
"Your Majesty, you and His Majesty Andra still have no heir."
-----------------------
Author's note: If Andra had memories, I'd really be on the verge of a breakdown.
Andra: ...Was that intentional? [Cracks]
Eleanor: [Poor thing] I—I really love you.
Andra: It's cracked even more.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
