The Princess obviously understood this as well, but she still nodded: "Personally, I know your character, and I am willing to trust you, Brother Levin. But from our respective positions, you should also understand that politics cannot accommodate personal feelings and weaknesses."
"Yes, but in fact, you might have misunderstood some things. There is no conflict of interest between us; in fact, from certain standpoints, we should stand together — Griffith, and Mr. Brand," the Crown Prince suddenly said.
The courtyard fell silent.
The Princess was silent, frowning deeply, looking at this man who was supposed to be her brother by name: "Brother Levin, do you think saying this can gain our trust?"
This phrase was actually also in Brand’s mind, but the fact that Princess Griffith used ’we’ instead of ’I’ made him slightly surprised.
"No, this is not a lie." The Crown Prince smiled slightly: "Griffith, you want to resolve the chaos in the North, you just want to end this Kingdom’s civil strife, to ultimately lead the country towards unification."
"Isn’t the Kingdom’s division a situation you created with your own hands?" Griffith replied coldly.
"Is it?" Levin retorted, "Was Erune a unified and stable Kingdom before the Xifah Family caused trouble?"
The Crown Prince suddenly raised his head. Though blind, he gave the illusion of being observant. That kind of gaze seemed tangible, his ’sight’ swept across everyone present: "Griffith, you know this well. Do you remember what I once told you?"
The Princess pursed her lips.
Brand noticed her slender eyebrows almost twisting together. He knew that Griffith had met this nominal brother of hers in their childhood, during the year of the Astrologer when Duke Anliek forced Oberg VI to amend the military rotation decree. At that time, the Princess accompanied her father to Winter Castle to stay temporarily, where she met her brother.
However, historical records of this experience are merely a few brief words, and certainly do not record the dialogue between the two children. But Brand knew well, what the Crown Prince was saying now was not wrong.
Was Erune ever unified?
Perhaps.
Since Eck integrated the entire Southern Territory, Erune became a unified Kingdom. But ever since the previous sovereign left this world, after the end of the Xifah Dynasty, with the Lion Heart Sword lost, the Royal Family’s majesty dwindled by the day, even during the renaissance era of Sword Saint Darius and Turaman, central governance over local areas was equally weak.
And after Duke Anliek forced Oberg VI to amend the military rotation decree, the Kingdom’s unification was nominal at best.
Was Erune ever unified?
As the Kingdom gradually approached collapse, the central authority’s majesty was already unable to bind its fragmenting regions. This is exactly what the Princess wished to change.
"Griffith, Mr. Brand, do you only want to revert the Kingdom back to the way it was before Father was alive?" the Crown Prince continued: "If so, what difference does it make, Xifah, Kerkova, just a change of names, what’s the point? This isn’t your intention, right?"
Brand and the Princess fell silent simultaneously, for that was indeed their goal.
"The root of your discord with the Northern Nobles, and even Duke Anliek’s betrayal, Griffith, stems from realizing your true ambition. You wish to enact reforms like those in Kruz and Saint Ausor, attempting to turn Erune into a truly centralized Kingdom. If you succeed one day, for those influential figures today, it will undoubtedly be a nightmare."
Levin answered: "No one will hand over their interests willingly, so, they cannot support you."
"No... some will support me, like the Highland Knights, and those who still believe in the ideal of the former sovereign," replied Princess Griffith.
"And then? Perhaps you can count those bankrupt knights and homeless people as well, perhaps you can succeed, Griffith. But do not forget, your time is running short," the Crown Prince calmly analyzed: "Erune’s enemies are not just internal."
This sentence pierced Brand’s heart like a thorn, and he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes. Indeed, reform might be inevitable for Erune, but likewise, Erune’s enemies are not just those weak nobles.
Racing against time has always been what he’s been doing.
The Princess raised her head: "Then what about you, brother, what do you suggest?"
The Crown Prince fell silent.
After a brief moment.
He softly replied: "It’s simple, make me the King of Erune, Griffith."
...
(PS: After a long Caven, took a few days’ break, and found inspiration again. Ah, it’s really tough. Also, Meow, this time I’m not joking with you, just wait, hmm-hmm.) (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)