Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 240: Friendly Chatter

In the east province, Lianna made her to the eastern most castle.

Princess Liona walked slowly along the main garden path.

She had been expecting this conversation for a while now. Ever since rumors of Lord Ambrose’s departure for fox spirit territory had begun circulating through the court.

When she spotted Lianna approaching from the opposite direction, Liona felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Of all the people at court, Lianna was perhaps the only one who truly understood the complex emotions surrounding Grim’s choices. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Princess," Lianna said with a respectful bow as they met near the central fountain. "I was hoping we might have an opportunity to speak privately."

"Lady Lianna," Liona replied with a slight smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I suspect we have much to discuss."

They settled onto a marble bench positioned to provide privacy from casual observers, though both were acutely aware that truly private conversations were rare anywhere in the Empire.

"You’ve heard about Lord Ambrose’s journey, I assume?" Lianna asked carefully.

"I’ve heard rumors," Liona confirmed. "Though I admit I’m not entirely certain what to make of them."

"Grim has traveled to fox spirit territory to formalize his relationship with Princess Ruxi. It appears he’s chosen his path."

The words hung in the air between them, carrying implications that neither woman particularly wanted to acknowledge directly.

"I see," Liona said quietly. "And how do you feel about his choice?"

"Honestly?" Lianna replied with obvious self-reflection. "Disappointed, though perhaps not for the reasons you might expect."

"What do you mean?"

"I had hoped..." Lianna paused, clearly choosing her words carefully. "I had hoped that someone who knew him as well as I do might have been able to influence his decisions differently. But it seems his priorities have shifted beyond anything I could have anticipated."

Liona studied her companion’s expression with obvious sympathy. "You care for him deeply."

"I do," Lianna admitted without hesitation. "We grew up together, shared experiences that forged bonds I thought were unbreakable. But caring for someone doesn’t guarantee that your feelings will be reciprocated in the way you hope."

"No," Liona agreed softly. "It doesn’t."

They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes, both processing the reality of their situation with regard to Grim’s romantic choices.

"May I ask," Liona said eventually, "what you think changed? What made him choose a foreign alliance?"

"Power," Lianna replied immediately. "Not power for its own sake, but power as security. The fox spirits provide alliances that could strengthen House Ambrose in ways that domestic marriages couldn’t provide."

"And Princess Ruxi herself?"

"Is remarkable in her own right," Lianna said with obvious honesty. "Intelligent, capable, and genuinely suited to someone with Grim’s ambitions. I can’t fault his choice from a practical perspective."

"But you wish it had been different?"

"I wish many things had been different," Lianna replied with a slight smile. "But wishing doesn’t change reality."

Liona leaned back against the bench, gazing up at the sky with an expression of resigned acceptance.

"Mother will be disappointed," she observed. "She had hopes for a marriage alliance that would bring House Ambrose more directly into the imperial family."

"And you?" Lianna asked. "Are you disappointed?"

"I’m... confused," Liona admitted. "Lord Ambrose is certainly attractive, accomplished, and would have represented significant political advantages. But I’m not certain my feelings for him extended beyond those qualities."

"Sometimes that’s enough for successful marriages," Lianna pointed out.

"Perhaps," Liona agreed. "Though I find myself wondering whether I was more attracted to the idea of marrying someone impressive than to the person himself."

The observation carried implications about the nature of noble marriages and the relationship between personal feelings and political arrangements.

"Would it help," Lianna asked gently, "if I told you something that might put his marriage choice in different perspective?"

"What kind of perspective?"

"The kind that suggests this might not be your only opportunity for consideration," Lianna said with something approaching amusement.

Liona looked puzzled. "I’m not certain I understand."

"Grim has always been remarkably direct about his intentions regarding marriage and family," Lianna explained. "Since we were children, he’s spoken openly about his plans to rebuild House Ambrose through multiple marriages and numerous children."

"Multiple marriages?" Liona asked with obvious surprise.

"He’s never made any secret of it," Lianna confirmed. "His goal is to restore his family’s strength and influence through strategic alliances and a large number of heirs. One marriage, however advantageous, wouldn’t be sufficient for his purposes."

The information clearly came as a revelation to Liona, who had apparently not considered that Grim’s marriage to Princess Ruxi might be the beginning rather than the end of his matrimonial plans.

"So you’re suggesting that he might still consider additional marriages?" Liona asked carefully.

"I’m suggesting that his current choice doesn’t necessarily preclude future possibilities," Lianna replied diplomatically. "Though obviously, any future arrangements would need to be compatible with his existing commitments."

"And you believe Princess Ruxi would accept such arrangements?"

"Fox spirits approach marriage differently than humans," Lianna explained. "From what I understand, they’re more concerned with political stability and magical compatibility than with exclusive romantic relationships."

Liona processed this information with obvious interest. "That could certainly change."

"Indeed," Lianna agreed. "Though I should mention that multiple marriages bring their own complications. Balancing the interests of different wives and their families requires considerable diplomatic skill."

"Something Lord Ambrose appears to possess in abundance," Liona observed.

"True," Lianna acknowledged. "Though even his abilities have limits."

They sat quietly again, both clearly reconsidering their assumptions about Grim’s romantic choices and their own potential futures.

"May I ask," Liona said eventually, "whether you would consider such an arrangement? Sharing his attention with other wives?"

Lianna was quiet for a long moment before responding. "I’ve asked myself that question many times. The honest answer is that I’m not certain. Part of me appreciates his ambition and understands the practical advantages of multiple alliances. Another part wishes for something more... exclusive."

"And if he offered such an arrangement?"

"I would need to consider whether being one of several wives would provide the kind of relationship I actually want," Lianna replied honestly. "Political advantage isn’t everything."

"No," Liona agreed. "Though it certainly simplifies many other considerations."

"Indeed it does."

As their conversation drew to a natural conclusion, both women seemed more settled about their situations than they had been at the beginning.

"Thank you," Liona said as they prepared to part ways. "This conversation has been more helpful than I expected."

"I’m glad," Lianna replied. "I suspect we’ll both need to reconsider our assumptions about many things as Grim’s plans continue to develop."

"Probably," Liona agreed. "Though at least now we have a better understanding of what those plans might involve."

"Have you figured out where your going to start for your mission. Mother informed me that goods keep getting stolen along the path to Yanyu Dominion."

"Yes, I think the best bet would be to pose as a merchant caravan on my way to Yanyu Dominion. Whoever is doing this wont be able to resist a large load."

"Just be careful Lianna, Yanyu Dominion is not on the best if terms with the Emprie right now because of the Luminaris Family. Last time Max was there he pissed of the King."

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