Not exactly bloodless

In spite of the news of Vertrix's **** and Dobra's surrender spreading throughout Magruvak lands, some tribes simply refused to surrender, whether out of misguided pride or stubborn unwillingness to concede defeat or because of obligations to other likewise stubborn enemies. The rest, having spent their military might in this campaign, willingly surrendered to the might of the Almain Confederation.

This does not mean you no longer spill blood; especially in the aftermath, there are trials to conduct, corruption to purge and legal affairs to put in order. The armies of clerks, bureaucrats and judges soon arrive days later, and soon the leader's work shifts to the next stage.

First, there is the sorting of corrupt chieftains and other wrongdoers from the innocent and their sentencing. Quite a number turn out to be targets of malice, but the rest are judged for supporting Vertrix in his campaign, others tried to skim off profits and supplies for their own benefit. Heads roll and necks are snapped, and those spared the **** penalty are exiled with no power or money to their name.

Supply wagons bring in much-needed food and water to feed both your troops and a hungry populace, their own food stores depleted after lengthy sieges and costly battles.

Then there is the matter of sentencing some of the Confederacy's own nobility, particularly those who went pillaging and robbing and who disobeyed your orders to not unnecessarily harm the Magruvak locals. Those pigs squealed and pleaded for mercy, but they were killed all the same.

Next, there is the rewarding of the troops; many distinguished themselves in the campaign, some performed better than others, but no one was really interested in taking any portion of the Magruvak lands for themselves. Not only was it a land of barbarians, it was in close proximity to Boiiar, a Kingdom the Confederation has had many prior disagreements with before your tenure as its leader.

That left you as the sole claimant.

After the troops were rewarded, there was now the issue of officially naming the new governors of Magruvak lands once the surveyors finished partitioning them, but before that, you had to settle the issue of Vertrix's family.

Inside the keep of Pabląg, you meet with Dobra, wife of Vertrix. The woman had a matronly charm, elegant and refined despite being dressed in roughspun robes. She carried herself with a quiet dignity, one that you have seen before in your mother and countless other confident noblewomen with experience in court intrigues.

"I greet you, Emperor Heinrich," Dobra bowed gracefully, "What may we do for you?"

"Good morrow, Dobra," You greeted back, "I'm here to determine what to do with your family and to discuss with you the future of your people's homeland."

"I suppose that is to be expected, Your Majesty," Dobra mused, "I can't say for certain if I have value, dried-up as I am, but my daughters Misha and Shara could at least make valuable hostages."

You ponder her words and her mannerisms, and instantly you knew she was not truly Magruvak; the Magruvak are not versed in the ways of Europan courts, customs and intrigues, and as such they tend to have a rather rough set of mannerisms unbefitting of refined nobles. Dobra, on the other hand, is a perfect reflection of such a noblewoman, but she lacked Almaini features; they seemed more eastern.

"Excuse me for asking this, but you are not Magruvak, yes?" You questioned.

"What makes you say that?" Asked Dobra, her eyebrows raised.

"Your mannerisms, your facial features, nothing that suggests you are Magruvak," You list down with your fingers.

Dobra smiled at you, "Smart and perceptive. No wonder people look to you for guidance in the Confederation. Yes, I was not born Magruvak; I was a Boii noblewoman, taken away in one of the Magruvak's many raids on my former homeland. Hard as it is to believe, however, we fell in love."

"Huh. Most noblewomen would detest being taken away so forcibly," You remarked.

"True, true, but he was... I suppose you could call him a hopeless romantic," Dobra answered, "He was so kind to me, so comforting, helped me cope with my situation when I realised I was no longer returning home. He was the unifying Chieftain of the Magruvak, but I helped him with the intricacies of politics."

"What wonders this world holds for us," You hold up your hands in faux reverence, "So as for your fate... I've decided to name you Duchess of the Magraland."

Your words throw Dobra and her daughters in for a shock, their eyes wide and their mouths gaping.

"Y-You would name me one of your nobility?" Dobra asked haltingly.

"Makes perfect sense to me," You shrug, "Even though you have no power, as wife of Vertrix your name carries much respect across the Magruvak tribes, and they will look to someone more familiar with their culture and customs to guide them through our regime. Naturally, your laws will still have to be rehashed in accordance with Ostgrenze's and you will have to pay yearly tithes to me, but otherwise I will allow you to govern in my name."

"That... is much more generous than I expected, I admit," Dobra said, "What about my daughters, for that matter?"

"To be honest, I've yet to determine what to do with them," You answered, "Though if there is a match you deem suitable, you may choose to marry them to whoever you find suitable."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Dobra bowed deeply, "You are more merciful than most."