Some Kingly Duties -- Plans for the Future

"Toscana and Lothelsabourg, your Highness. All within the first two months of your reign and all without a war." Dietrich happily complimented. "Your grandfather would be proud." He raises his wine chalice. As do you, Franz Jacques, Beatrice and Gunter. Gunter is a man in his mid-50's. Graying hair but physically imposing with the capability to back it up despite his age. He is also your chief military adviser and most capable general. Served as a humble commander in your grandfather's armies. Served as the general in charged of the kingdom's defense under your father. Gunter is a loyal man who's only goal is to protect the kingdom. You would do well to treat this man with the respect he has earned.

"I have my mother to thank for the latter."

You then discuss the issues of the day. Dietrich reports that the harvest is coming along as scheduled. The issue of trade and the increase in income is yet to change.

Gunter reports that barbarians to the east have decreased their frequency in attacks and raids. But he recommends that the Arch Duke's troops begin their integration into the Ostgrenze army. Gunter recommends transferring an adequate number of troops from Ostgrenze to Lothelsabourg and Lothelsabourg to Ostgrenze. This would be to let the men know the lands and the people they'll be fighting for. The same plan will be implemented with the forces from Toscana.

Franz Jacques did brings his skills to the table. Most Lords and Kings employ spymasters who in turn deploy spies to other nations. Franz Jacques and his family prefer counterespionage and have become quite sufficient at it. His men find spies and make them talk. How? Franz Jacques doesn't say but there was a hint of sinister glee in his eyes when he said, "In the end, they all squeal." A cold chill runs up the spines of all the others in the council room. It's all the convincing you need to not bother asking how he does it.

You have your step-father find and arrest all the spies in the three original provinces of Ostgrenze. These provinces were once the Duchies of Ostgrenze, Westgrenze and Pommern. Your greatgreatgreatgreatgrandfather founded your family line. Your greatgreatgrandfather won Westgrenze through battle. Your grandfather, a shrewd and financially capable man, bought Pommern and secured the ports. Franz Jacques would deploy his men to hunt down foreign spies in those three provinces. After that, it was all down to how long until they, as Franz Jacques puts it, squeal. Toscana would be next in his priorities.

You discuss other things but soon finish. Franz Jacques offers your mother his hand. She accepts and they leave the room. You ask Dietrich regarding your younger sister's marriage to Waldur, the heir to Nornover. Dietrich informs you it was all arranged by your father to establish better relations with Nornover. According to Dietrich, Waldur is irresponsible and neglects his duties. But has done nothing to displease his subjects.

"What exactly do you want to do, Sire?" Gunter asks. "More territorial gain?"

Gunter is a loyal man. It would be more counterproductive to keep important matters of the state a secret from him. "Yes. Rheinland, Falenwest and Nornover are the best out of the lot. Duke Elbert of Rheinland is an old man who has no immediate heirs. He is also my grandfather's cousin."

"You intend to press a claim?" Gunter leans forward in his seat. Dietrich voices caution, "There will be others who will contest you, Sire. They will be distantly related to the Duke as well. It could mean war. Wars of succession are not uncommon. Usually won by the one with the bigger and better trained army. It will be risky but if we strike quickly not too long after the Duke of Rheinland dies, pressing your claim would be easy."

"Nornover is an easier target. Your sister will be married to the heir, Waldur. If he is as Spymaster Benjamin's spies say he is, your brash, assertive and outspoken sister can rein him in or better yet, leave the ruling to her. Alternatively, she births an heir and she can slip ear poison while he sleeps."

"You really think my sister is capable of killing a man while he is at his most **** and defenseless."

"Your sister was raised by your mother. Queen Mother Beatrice was able to rein in your father at times especially when it came to his mistress. Most noblemen don't care what their spouses say when it comes to mistresses. But your mother made him care." Gunter speaks with a tone of respect, admiration and fear. "I'm sure if given the right motivation, your sister will do it. Push him off a flight of stairs and make it look like an accident."

"With your sister as regent for her infant son, you can step in, offer protection in exchange for a union while promising that her son maintains some of his family's power." Dietrich adds to the plan. "However it may not even come to that at all. General, would you be so kind to explain?"

"Duke Dolphus has a rather lavish lifestyle and rumors of discontent in Nornover are not mere rumors. They are true according to Benjamin. The Duke's lavishness has taken a toll on the resources of his state. His people are not happy and his nobles even less so. We could gain their support and **** Duke Dolphus to step down and renounce his claim to Nornover. But that method may cause some problems down the line. The nobles would demand favor for their support." Gunter snickers, "Your grandfather knew of the dangers of plenty of things. Excess of anything was one of them. Too many nobles whom you owe favors to is another."

"Then there's Falenwest," Dietrich brings up the state.

Gunter leans back in his chair and gets comfortable. "The Duke there died around seven years ago but the noble line however is that of his wife, the Duchess Erica. Their only child is a seven years old girl. It will not be too difficult to cow them into submission." Then he chuckles, "Sire, you truly do differ from your father. All he intended was establish better relations with Nornover and to maintain the current relations with Falenwest. But you... well, you're you. If this venture of yours turns out to be a success, the four western states of the Confederation would be under your control.

Admittedly they would still be disconnected from Ostgrenze proper unless Schlestein and Lenmeckburg are brought into the fold."

Dietrich coughs and his face grows serious, "These are all indeed truly ambitious plans and undertakings but we must take care not to get ahead of yourselves." His face then grows even more serious still, "Sire, there is such a thing as moving forward to quickly."

Gunter speaks up, "I agree with Lord Dietrich. Moving forward too quickly makes one lose sight of what's actually before him. I believe gaining land through diplomatic means isn't threatening but is still concerning to some."

"I think, Sire, we should return to our previous subject of you finding a wife." Dietrich says. "You're young sire. Not even 20 yet. You'll have plenty of time unify the Confederation."

"A wife... Have I told you King Francois has offered me to marry his daughter?"

Gunter rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Tsk, his daughter is 16 years old."

"Agreed." says Dietrich, "I highly doubt the Frank king will aid you if a rebellion occurs."

"And yet you suggested he marry Princess Helga of Daynland." Gunter criticizes.

"The Kingdom of Daynland is the only Northern Kingdom that borders the Confederation." Dietrich defends himself. "They also have sizable fleet with experienced seamen. Like Toscana. Your grandfather saw the importance of a fleet for defense and trade and it help enriched his kingdom." Dietrich reminds you.

Your head slowly inches to the side while your eyes tell of deep thought. "Sire, don't tell me your planning on adding Daynland into Ostgrenze?" Gunter said a little outraged.

"Only time will tell, General." You tell him. "I've got a plan but I think it can wait. You're right, my good and loyal men. I need to get myself a wife and sire an heir. Fate is a terrible mistress and I can potentially die at moment."

"As can any man, woman or child," Gunter added.

"Not to be crude but Duchess Eliza is done with. You have other plans with Princess Helga. So that leaves Lady Sonya and Lady Camilla." says Deitrich

"Sonya's father, the Duke Jan, is a man I can do without. His vote may count for much. But I've got a feeling his vote won't be given to anyone." Quite frankly, you didn't care about how the Confederation run things. You're going to forge your own path. You didn't need any vote from anyone. You are your own man and you are own king with your own kingdom. Unifying the entire Confederation will not be possible for you. Bohi and Sudreich will not be so easily cowed as the other states. You admit that. But uniting the northern states is quite plausible.

You clap your hands hard and loud. You've got a goal. "I've made up my mind. Here's what we're going to do..."