Chapter 636: White Eagle

"Thank you. I am fine. It is nothing. It is just that I have to... damn it, this chair was custom-made not long ago..."

Thales grasped Miranda's hand and used the leverage to struggle out of the broken chair.

Miranda quietly watched the boy before her, or perhaps now he was a young man, watching him pull at the collapsed chair with a rich expression, in an extremely sorry state.

This made her remember the Bright Moon Temple seven years ago, the little boy covered in filth who stood on a wooden box, yet still waved his childish little fists and roared, "Are you coming?"

The corners of Miranda's lips unknowingly lifted slightly.

"All right, I give up. Next time I have to make them find another carpenter..." After a flurry of fumbling, Thales could only helplessly raise both hands and announce the end of the chair's lifespan.

The instant the young duke raised his head, Miranda's smile vanished.

"Now, Your Highness, can we return to the main topic?"

The main topic.

"What? Oh, oh, right, yes. So the thing we were talking about just now was..."

[Do you want to marry me?]

Thinking of this, Thales' expression grew solemn, and his voice sank.

"Are you joking with me, Lady Miranda Arunde?"

Marry Miranda?

It felt like... a bargaining chip he had once used to threaten someone had become real?

In the next second, he seemed to see Raphael Lindbergh appear before him, eyes glowing red, wearing an ill-intentioned cold smile.

This made Thales' face tighten.

Facing the tense duke, Miranda's expression was as usual, calm as ever.

"No. This is not a joke. Even if it were, it would not be funny."

So you know that too.

In that instant, countless thoughts spun through Thales' mind, including "she is joining hands with that Barren Bone brat to take revenge on me." He took a deep breath and straightened his back.

"All right. If it is not a joke, then my suggestion is this: I first go find Madam Valencia and Mallos, perhaps also Storr from the logistics wing. We need to hold a meeting and study the livelihood issues around Star Lake Castle, especially quality supervision of traditional handicraft products, and by the way handle this chair, or rather, what remains of it."

Miranda did not speak.

"As for you, Lady Arunde visiting from the standing army camp of Broken Dragon Fortress, as a typical example promoting fish-and-water affection between army and people and heart-to-heart unity between the central authority and the Northland, go to the back kitchen and ask for a cup of maté tea, then..."

Thales waved a hand, firmly and decisively pointing outside the door.

"Come find me again after you sober up."

What a joke. This duke held an important position, carried heavy responsibility, handled countless affairs each day, and still had great matters of far-reaching influence like the end of the world and tailbone pain to deal with...

But Miranda did not leave.

Instead, she carefully looked Thales up and down from head to toe, as though inspecting goods.

"But you still have not answered me."

The female swordsman's words were cold, her gaze pressing.

"You, Thales Jadestar. Do you want to be my husband?"

I fucking...

No, no, no.

Thales took a deep breath and constantly reminded himself that he was now the Duke of Star Lake, and should maintain proper courtesy and bearing, paying attention to the rhythm of his speech.

"Be your fucking sister."

Miranda immediately froze, unable to understand.

But in the next second, Thales grabbed the female swordsman's arm and dragged her to the side.

"Are you insane?"

Thales lowered his voice and looked warily at the door.

"You and I getting married? Do you know that just saying those words aloud would cause a tremendous uproar? Jadestar and Arunde, Renaissance Palace and the Northland, the implications inside this..."

"Do you know what words spoken here will become once they spread outside? Do you know who in the Secret Intelligence Department is responsible for collecting and handling this news and public opinion?"

Miranda looked at him. Her expression did not change, but she slowly released her sword hilt.

"You are the same as before, Your Highness," the female swordsman snorted coldly in response. "Once you become nervous, you become especially talkative, and it is all mad talk other people cannot understand."

I am nervous? I am talkative?

That is because you have never seen "the prince's butt."

Thales' face had originally been cold, but looking at Miranda and remembering the scenes of them sharing life and death back then, especially remembering what had happened to her and her father's misfortune, he could not help sighing.

"All right."

Thales dragged her to the window, as far from the door as possible, then impatiently breathed out.

"Speak. What happened? Is it a breakup anniversary, or revenge cheating? Are you in such a hurry to find a new love?"

Miranda stared at him closely and frowned.

"Hey! It had better not be Mr. Raphael Lindbergh secretly flirting around Red Street."

Thales clapped his hands and mocked with the relief of an old father. "Leaving records and witnesses behind, then you discovered it and want to break up?"

Seeing Thales deliberately use another name again and again to steer the topic away, Miranda snorted coldly.

"This has nothing to do with him."

Thales shrugged.

"Of course. Sorry, my mistake. I forgot that you are an independent girl, so no matter what you encounter, you will not punish yourself for another person's mistake, especially an ex-boyfriend's, and even less trouble someone else..."

But Miranda's expression turned cold. She pulled a letter and a portrait from her pack and pressed them into Thales' arms.

"It does have to do with you."

Thales froze.

He lowered his head and unfolded the letter in his arms.

"This is..."

"The greeting letter you 'personally' sent."

Miranda said disdainfully:

"It not only describes in detail the seven-hundred-year hereditary friendship between the two great families, Jadestar and Arunde, including many well-matched and moving heavenly matches and marriage pairings, then praises my family background, reputation, appearance, and achievements, but also kindly inquires about my physical health, mental state, and mood. Finally, it quotes an ancient love poem to express your longing for me, laments the loneliness and solitude of your many years of singlehood, and incidentally asks for a recent portrait of me along with the letter."

In that instant, Thales petrified where he stood.

His previous endless dignity and coldness instantly turned into a chestful of embarrassment and awkwardness.

"This, perhaps, is only a routine..."

Miranda ignored him and continued speaking by herself.

"Scholar Alpasoni said that according to kingdom tradition, this is in fact a 'marriage-seeking notice.'"

Thales unnaturally swallowed.

"Actually, it is not so..."

"Of course, Lord Bustamante removed all polite language and rhetoric and helped me summarize it in one sentence." Miranda glanced sideways at him.

"Want to breed?"

This really is my problem.

Thales expressionlessly put down the letter. The room became completely quiet.

Kessel Jadestar, this duke and you cannot live under the same sky.

"Well, my dear Lady Arunde."

Thales tried hard to ignore the furious war god Thales currently unleashing mystic energy and destroying heaven and earth in his mind, restraining the impulse to storm Renaissance Palace again. He pulled out a smile, gentle and amiable.

"If I say that this was all my father's intention, and I knew nothing beforehand about this thing, oh, they really painted me quite well, would you believe me?"

"Your father's intention?"

Miranda stared at him. Her keen gaze seemed to see through more things.

After a long while, she untied her sword, supported herself with one hand, and sat on the windowsill.

"I believe it."

Thales breathed a sigh of relief, at least letting the red-eyed Raphael dissipate from his heart.

"Ah, well, since the misunderstanding has been cleared up... in fact, I am preparing for a long trip. Why don't we catch up another time..."

"Then, Thales Jadestar," Miranda spoke again. This time, she was incomparably serious. "Do you want me to be your queen?"

Thales stopped again.

Holy shit.

Thales sighed. The current him no longer had his earlier majesty, and could only reveal a helpless smile.

"You already asked that question."

"I did not," Miranda said coldly. "They are different questions."

Thales' smile vanished.

It seemed that, in this moment, everything was different.

"Which part is different?"

Thales leaned back and sat on the desk.

"The 'my,' or the 'queen'?"

Miranda examined him for a while, then gave a light scoff and shook her head.

"A pity. If the marriage between you and me were real, it could indeed solve many problems, from jurisdiction to succession."

Hearing this, Thales fell silent.

It could solve many problems...

The key was, what problems?

"You will not want to sit there."

Thales looked at Miranda leaning by the windowsill and said gloomily:

"When the sun is at its hottest, several cats have grown used to cooling off outside my study window. The food and water in those bowls are prepared to feed them, so they do not push their luck and enter the room."

Cats?

Miranda frowned, and sure enough, she saw several bowls on the window ledge.

Thales crossed his arms and sighed.

"If they discover that their old place has been occupied, they, especially that treacherous and cunning old black cat, will be unhappy. Then, then they will start making my head hurt."

Miranda was silent for a while.

"It does not matter. This is why I brought a sword."

Thales frowned.

"A sword? Uh, would that not be a little too cruel?"

"Would it be crueler than the problem you encountered at the royal banquet?"

"Uh..."

"What is it?"

Thales took a deep breath and said seriously:

"Well, Lady Arunde, what I just said was not a political metaphor. I meant it literally. There really will be cats coming here to roam around!"

Miranda was immediately stunned.

After this interruption, the two people, each carrying their own thoughts, fell into silence again.

Until Miranda spoke once more:

"Right. Some time ago, I went to the Sunset Temple and met Aunt Lixia."

"Lixi... who?"

Miranda ignored Thales.

"Priest Megan was also present. For the sake of your face, there were some words they could not conveniently say directly to the prince, so they asked me to bring them."

Priest Megan...

Some words to say to the prince...

Thales was startled.

"I am writing it. I really am writing it!"

The prince subconsciously pointed to the theology homework notebook on the desk. "Tell her I can hand it in tomorrow!"

"Not that!" Miranda looked at him disdainfully.

"Priest Megan said that the temple's internal inspection period is almost here. If you have any sympathy for Sister Nia and do not want her anxiously turning boxes and cupboards over every day, hurry up and return the three books you stole from the restricted section."

Hm?

Restricted section, stole, stole...

Thales, who had originally breathed a sigh of relief, froze with his smile on his face.

"One is Collected Enlightenments of Archsea City, another is True Records of Secret Exorcisms, and the last one is..."

Miranda took out a note.

"Top-Secret Notes of High Priest Petruzelli. Wait, Petruzelli, wasn't he the Sunset High Priest during the era of the Height-Ascending King? The one who presided over the sacrifice of a child to the gods..."

"Thank you!"

Thales snatched the note and forced a smile.

"I know now!"

Miranda curled her lips.

"Aunt Lixia also said that if you want to borrow any books next time, there is no need to be a thief. You can say it directly. Do not worry, she will not tell your father."

Thales felt as though his cheeks were burning.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Until Miranda opened her mouth and broke the silence.

"I heard from Wya that you are going south for an inspection?"

"Which Wya... oh, you mean that Wya." Thales nodded and sighed slightly. "Yes. Obviously, everyone is busy with this matter."

"Since even someone as famously 'unsuited to room or family' as I am received one..." Miranda looked at him. "I suppose many lords in the south should also have received your 'want to breed?'"

Many lords in the south...

Thales looked as though he had eaten a fly.

"Regarding this, a father's order is hard to disobey," he said sarcastically.

"And a king's order is even harder to change." Miranda's voice was cold, making Thales' heart tighten.

What exactly did she want to say?

Thales' expression grew serious.

"Listen, Miranda... sorry, Lady Arunde. I am grateful that you came to see me, and I am also sorry that my matter has caused you inconvenience. But if there is nothing else..."

"Enough. I do not want to circle around with you."

Miranda interrupted him directly, and her next words made Thales freeze.

"I came to help you."

"Help... help me? Forgive me, I do not quite understand."

Miranda glanced at him. With only that glance, it seemed as though she saw everything clearly.

But it made Thales uneasy.

"Stop pretending. Your trip south is definitely not for matchmaking," the female swordsman said with certainty. "According to your habits, wherever you go, the capital, the fortress, Dragon Clouds City, the Western Desert, nothing stays peaceful."

Huh?

Thales first froze, then unwillingly scratched at the chair.

"Star Lake Castle is very peaceful."

Only a few mice had died.

At most, add two chairs.

But Miranda ignored him.

"And no matter what inconvenient-to-say business you are going to do, you need trustworthy and capable people, preferably familiar people who have worked with you before, even gone through life and death with you."

"So, on this journey, I am going with you."

Inconvenient-to-say business...

Damn it, what does she know?

At that moment, Thales' gaze met Miranda's.

"Since you do not like circling around, Lady Arunde," Thales said suspiciously, "I know our experience in Dragon Clouds City was unforgettable, but our friendship does not seem good enough for you to help from a thousand miles away?"

Miranda did not answer immediately. Instead, she stared tightly at him. Her eyes were unlike other people's, calm, cold, sharp, and carrying faint estrangement.

Right. The duke suddenly remembered. Although the girl before him belonged to Stars, Arunde's bloodline came from the Northland. Many times, Thales could not help forgetting this, and more often regarded her as a typical imperial person.

Finally, Miranda spoke softly.

"If you insist on a reason, Cohen told me that the prince is in a difficult situation and urgently needs help, but unfortunately lacks capable people around him, or to quote his original words, 'they are all idiots.'"

"Cohen?"

Thales froze when he heard this.

He was the one who asked Miranda to come?

Thales subconsciously asked what was in his heart. "He... how has he been recently?"

"Quite well," Miranda said in a low voice. "First, he was transferred from the Road Administration Maintenance Section to the archives management room. His daily work changed from sweeping floors to drinking tea..."

Yes, thanks to me.

Thales felt somewhat guilty.

Perhaps, perhaps he should use some connections and transfer him to Star Lake Castle as compensation?

"...until he worked without sleeping or resting to organize the archives and uncovered a large pile of old case files filled with suspicious points, implicating a large group of retired warning officers and judges enjoying their later years, even quite a few former high officials. His superior had no choice but to transfer him to the warning officer school under the Knight Academy to train reserve warning officers."

After one second of deep consideration, Thales still decided to painfully give up what he loved and let Cohen continue tempering himself in the Hall of Judgment.

"I understand."

A strange feeling surged in Thales' heart.

"I must say, I am very grateful and very honored. But, but you are Sir Sonia's capable assistant and strong subordinate. If I abduct you away, she will not..."

"She will," Miranda interrupted him. "The commander, she will understand."

She understands better than anyone.

Miranda stared fixedly outside the window.

Thales paused for a second.

"You are serious?"

"You are coming... to serve me?"

"I do not have the habit of lying."

"Therefore, you are not good at lying either, at least not as good as you imagine."

In that second, Miranda's gaze sharpened.

The Duke of Star Lake took a deep breath, feeling that the room's color had grown heavier.

"You did not come because Cohen asked you."

Thales straightened his posture and looked at her seriously.

"Not because he does not want to help me, but because even if that big fool were given twenty more brains, he still could not think of, let alone say, the words 'the prince is in a difficult situation and urgently needs help.'"

Miranda's brows tightened further.

"In Dragon Clouds City seven years ago, you failed to use this sword, Eagle Soars, to deceive Shiles Ullard," the Duke of Star Lake looked at her coldly. "Seven years later, you cannot deceive me either."

"Therefore, I will ask again, and this will be the last time."

Thales' words carried coldness.

"Lady Arunde, why have you come here to 'help me'?"

Miranda leaned by the window and did not speak.

Like a winter plum facing wind and snow.

But Thales was also very patient.

Finally, the female swordsman expressionlessly opened her mouth.

"Because I am tired of it."

"Tired of what?"

Miranda abruptly raised her head.

"Waiting," she said coldly. "I am tired of waiting, tired of waiting for an opportunity and reacting to change, tired of drifting with the current. I am tired of being a happy, pitiful, innocent, complacent, and tragically unaware woman."

Just like the past twenty-odd years.

Miranda did not dodge or avoid him, meeting the prince's gaze directly.

Happy, pitiful, innocent, complacent. Those words...

Thales slowly frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Miranda gave a cold laugh.

"Everything."

She turned her head and looked toward Star Lake beneath the sunlight.

"Seven years ago, my father was imprisoned for the crime of privately harming a foreign political figure, that is, that unlucky Eckstedt prince."

"But everyone in the circle knows perfectly well that the crimes of the Iron Eagle, Val Arunde, went far beyond this. With ill intentions, he colluded with foreign enemies and committed a horrifying treasonous crime, nearly bringing disaster to every living being in the Northland and condemning the kingdom to eternal ruin. His sinful debt was heavy, and death would not have redeemed it."

Thales remembered the Hall of Stars seven years ago, remembered the scene of war at the door while ministers forced the palace, and said nothing.

Miranda's words grew increasingly suppressed.

"The Arunde Family suffered this blow. Its dignity was swept to the ground, its reputation destroyed. Over these seven years, who knows how much mockery we have endured. The families and forces once friendly with us competed to keep distance from Cold Castle and draw clear boundaries."

She said desolately:

"The truth is, our family name has gradually dimmed. And the Northland no longer raises its head to look up at the White Eagle atop the Peak of Endless Winter."

Thales spoke in a low voice, while unease faintly stirred in his heart.

"I am sorry."

"There is no need," Miranda denied decisively. "Since it was done, the consequences should be endured. This is what we deserve."

Looking at her, Thales instead thought of the Archdukes of Eckstedt in another country, whom he had confronted in the Hall of Heroes.

"So this is why you came to find me, and even want to serve me."

"You want to borrow the momentum of the Duke of Star Lake to restore the glory of the White Eagle?"

Miranda nodded, then shook her head.

"Not only that."

Her gaze sharpened.

"You know. You know what else he has done."

He?

He.

For some reason, Thales understood. She was not talking about Duke Val.

Miranda left the windowsill and slowly walked toward Thales.

Step.

Her voice was steady, but her words cut at the heart.

"He locked my father in prison for a full seven years, though my father brought it on himself, neither taking his life nor depriving him of his title and position. At the same time, he displayed the king's mercy and Renaissance Palace's cruelty."

Step.

"He has never clearly stated my legal legitimacy as the first heir, a woman, nor has he acknowledged that the bloodlines of other Arunde branches have the power to replace me. He lets disputes rise among us and fissures form within the family."

Step.

The female swordsman of the Arunde Family's steps seemed to carry a certain rhythm. Each step deepened her momentum and echoed with her words.

"He has never brought up or approved my marriage, and even rejected the proposals of those with intentions, gradually making me into the power fruit of the Northland, one that becomes more tempting and more enticing to pick the longer it is delayed."

Step.

"He also stirred up Zemunto and Forest, bestowed small favors on them, and encouraged their ambitions, making these two Northland families second only to Arunde think they can replace Cold Castle's position before Renaissance Palace."

Step.

Thales only felt the Sin of Hell's River beginning to stir. A strong premonition forced him to take a deep breath and interrupt her.

"The Northland's geography is crucial, and its folk customs are fierce. When Renaissance Palace handles related affairs, naturally it must be cautious..."

"Correct!"

Miranda's sharp voice interrupted him.

"The Northland's position is special, and many of its traditions differ from the kingdom's inland regions. One of them is that Northland lords do not have to follow the eldest-son succession system of the Elan Law. They can even follow the ancient Northland custom and choose the worthy to inherit. It is quite special."

"Or, in inland people's words, barbaric and backward."

Ancient Northland custom.

Thales suddenly thought of Black Sand Region and how Chapman Lampard had obtained the archduke position.

"But I know his plan." Miranda changed direction, cold and pressing. "You know it too."

"He uses the differences and disputes in succession law, and he also uses my sex, to keep me hanging like this, to keep the Arunde Family hanging, to keep the entire Northland hanging."

"So he can repeat the story of Blade Fief, under the royal family's name, promote his laws in the Northland, sow his authority, convey his will, appoint officials close to the royal family, until unruly Cold Castle becomes, as he wishes, Renaissance Palace's second northern headquarters after Broken Dragon Fortress."

Miranda finally stopped walking, stopping directly in front of Thales.

She said faintly:

"Until the proud White Eagle atop the Peak of Endless Winter becomes a talking parrot in a pet birdcage."

Thales could not help letting out a long sigh.

"So now I, Miranda Arunde, daughter of a duke, have instead become the kingdom's sacrifice, history's discarded piece, and the Northland's obstruction. My status is neither high nor low, my rights hang unresolved, and my future is dark and unclear."

Miranda snorted coldly.

"Worthy of being father and son. Like you, he understands how to use women, especially how to use women who are in a disadvantaged position, does he not?"

Thales' gaze moved.

She...

He resisted the impulse to refute, but could not stop his mood from sinking.

So, Miranda, you came on this trip for, for...

At this moment, Thales sensed only a deep sadness.

"And I am simply... tired of it." Miranda said expressionlessly.

Thales sighed.

"So you asked me just now whether I wanted you to be my queen. You are looking for... a way out."

Miranda's face dimmed. She nodded.

"Correct. That would indeed be the fastest and least laborious way to solve the problem."

But immediately, her gaze sharpened.

"But I believe that you have not become so foolish and shortsighted that you can only see my value as a wife and mother."

Listening to her words, Thales remembered the brief encounter at the royal banquet with the shackled Northland Duke, the Iron Eagle, Val Arunde.

[Please help me with one more thing: do not marry her.]

[If you have no choice but to marry her, then do not leave seed in her belly.]

Duke Val, you foresaw this scene. You knew this would happen, didn't you?

You understand your daughter. You know she is an Arunde.

She is the White Eagle of the Northland.

Under the harsh cold of the sunless sky, perhaps she would temporarily retreat, but she would not remain silent for long, and even less would she bow forever.

"Then what do you want?" Thales asked softly.

"Hmph, what do I want?"

Miranda repeated the words. She slowly bent down and met Thales' eyes.

"Very simple."

"I am a descendant of White Eagle Arunde. Flowing in my veins is the cruel blood of Norlannul Arunde, the first marshal beneath the Revival Throne seven hundred years ago, the Bleak Eagle."

She said in a low voice:

"I have traveled back and forth between Cold Castle and Broken Dragon Fortress, fighting the northerners with my life for a full nine years. Every general, captain, soldier, messenger, cook, and porter in the fortress, even the prostitutes in the villages outside the fortress, know me."

Miranda's expression became increasingly firm.

"Even more, I am the Flower of the Fortress' subordinate and comrade-in-arms. Whether in reputation, ability, identity, experience, or familiarity with the Northland, after her, I am the best and strongest substitute and successor as the kingdom's northern shield."

In this second, Miranda's eyes were sharp as knives.

"Looking across the kingdom, no one deserves the title of Duke of the Northland more than I do."

Her voice was cold as frost.

"And no one is more qualified than I am to rule that ancient land."

Her words were heavy as a mountain.

"And there is no one, with any reason, who can obstruct me from defending, or even taking back, what belongs to me."

Thales did not speak.

In that moment, he was dazed, as if he had returned to the narrow Ballard Room.

[To defeat them, Your Majesty, you must change strategy... You need them to jump out, stand out, reveal themselves.]

Now, they had jumped out.

Thales' heart trembled.

He slowly raised his head and met Miranda's determined expression.

This day had come so quickly.

At this moment, Kortaksa was in the pocket at the front of his clothes, as light as nothing.

[And I will give you enormous help beyond your expectations, help you see through them, break them apart, and finally... destroy them.]

That night, when he reached an agreement with King Kessel, Thales had known the price of doing this.

Or rather, he had thought he knew.

He had thought.

"Now, what do you think?"

As he thought, the daughter of the Arunde Family stared forcefully at him.

"North Star?"