He is Impressed with You

The war and the efforts to stabilize the conquered territory took about two years worth of time. It was time for you to lead your men back home. Accompanying you and your men is Franz Karl and his men. His son, the new King of Italia, has already started his duties as King.

You make a stop at the now Principality of Toscana where you embrace Eliza and the now three year old Simone. Mathilde is not present however. Eliza mentioned she had gotten married to a rich noble. A shame. You could no longer have sex with her. But it was no loss. Eliza says she's happy with her marriage and is expecting a baby of her own soon.

Eliza politely welcomes Franz Karl as well. Franz Karl meets her with a smirk. No feasts are held that night. The men are tired and want to get some sleep.

The next morning, you are told by one of Franz Karl's men to meet you by the nearby river and hands you a fishing pole. "The bait is with the King, good King." The man says. You meet Franz Karl at the river, casually sitting on a stool, looking bored as he waited for some fish to bite his baited hook.

"So," He looks at you with mirth, "Nordreich, huh?"

"It took you two years to finally ask that." You respond back and you take a prepare stool and casts your line into the water. "It just wasn't right to call it Ostgrenze anymore now with all the western territories."

"I must say. I like what you did with your country." You detect no sarcasm or any form of malice in his voice. "You're young and haven't ruled for five years and you've done wonders with your land. Call me impressed. Although the member states of the Confederation has been severely reduced now that Sudreich has annexed the southern Almain states, the Italian states are now part of Italia and majority of the northern Almain states have been annexed by you. That just leaves Schlestein, Lenmeckburg, Furthess, Saschen and Thurimar."

"That leaves us with just two Electors. The Confederation might as well be dismantled."

"Go conquer them, young King." Franz Karl's words leave you absolutely stunned. As High Lord of the Confederation, it was supposed to be Franz Karl's duties to keep the Confederation members in their best behavior. It was one thing for him to not do anything while you took over Nornover, Falenwest and Rheinland. It was another to outright tell you to go wage war with the other members. "I will not stop you." Franz Karl then scoffs, "How irksome. Not a single bite." He gets up and starts walking away.

"King Franz Karl," you call out to him and he stops. He turns to face you so you continue, "I've heard some rumors. Rumors of how you slept with my mother when she was already married to my father before I was born. Is any of that true?" The rumors are prevalent but you've heard a few servants and a few of the priests and monks make mention of it.

Immediately he answers, "No. Don't be silly. I would have called you son in private if that were the case. Whoever speaks these rumors must have too much free time." and resumes walking.

(switching's note: Thanks to everyone who followed my thread of crunchyspag's story and liked, commented and bookmarked my chapters. But I'm ending it here with this chapter for now. Either I'll post an epilogue after this chapter and end this thread for good or write more chapters and continue the story but at a later point. In any case, see you all next time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)