Chapter 232: Divided Loyalties

Most people don’t quite grasp the full meaning behind Amir’s move, which is why many nobles erupt in shocked murmurs. Only a handful of the real power players on both sides recognize just how cunning Amir’s play really is.

The newly minted grand dukes cast unusual, calculating glances at Jansen. Then their eyes shift toward Henwell.

But Henwell’s face remains completely blank as he sits there, expressionless, as if none of this concerns him. Yet everyone knows he’s already seen through the dangerous game behind this reward.

Though some nobles in different positions, even they can’t help but admire this young man’s sharp political instincts.

Looking back at their own bewildered sons, confused and whispering about what just happened, the old “foxes” all share a headache.

As for Jansen, at first, Amir’s words stir a wave of emotion in him. But when Amir declares him Grand Duke of the Southwest, Jansen is stunned.

Then he catches Henwell’s impassive expression and the furrowed brow of Grand Duke Marcus, and immediately his mind clicks.

His face darkens, and he turns to glare at Amir.

Amir, seemingly oblivious to Jansen’s anger, continues with a sincere smile: “Jansen! Thank you for your years of patience. Thank you for guiding Arius! I don’t know how to express my gratitude, so please accept this small token.”

Jansen replies coolly, “I raised Arius not for you. I consider him my own child. You’re too kind. I haven’t done enough to deserve this. Even being a count makes me uneasy. So, Your Majesty, please retract the title—I’m unworthy of being the Grand Duke of the Southwest.”

Amir laughs and pats Jansen’s shoulder. “You’re too modest! When you were a viscount, some opposed you, saying your achievements weren’t enough. But you proved them wrong with your deeds. When you were promoted to count, others doubted you again, but you silenced them all.”

”Now, as Grand Duke of the Southwest, your lands, your army, and your talents fully justify the title. Besides, I took Arius from your side—I owe you compensation. This title is well deserved!”

After finishing, Amir turns and strides toward the throne. A few steps in, he pauses and calls back, “Oh, right, Duke Jansen—your eldest son, Orak, has great talent. He’ll be sent with the Archbishop to study elsewhere. In just a few years, he’ll become a Grand Knight. When he returns, I hope he could lead the Blood Lion Knights!”

”It’s rare for the Archbishop to come here and handpick promising young people for training. This is a precious opportunity—you, as a father, shouldn’t stand in the way of your children’s progress.”

”With Henwell by your side to help, you’ve got fewer worries. Let Orak become even better!”

Jansen returns to his seat, his face dark. Henwell doesn’t know how to respond.

After a moment, Jansen speaks first: “Henwell, rest assured—I’ll raise Orak’s children well. Kaku’s child is also two years old. Next year, I’ll send them to you for care and education. The Phoenix family won’t have any problems!”

Henwell sighs, “Uncle, does this mean Orak will be held back and can’t come back?”

Jansen falls silent for a moment. “That Archbishop will take some young people to train, and there’s a good chance they’ll break through to Grand Knight before forty.”

Henwell rubs his forehead. Damn, that’s a ruthless move!

Duke Amir—well, now King Amir—doesn’t hold back when he acts. He hits Henwell right where it hurts.

The reason Henwell’s been so lively lately is because he has Jansen as a safety net.

The alliance between powerful nobles and military lords makes it hard for the duchy to find ways to mess with Henwell.

So, King Amir is preparing to uproot the Phoenix family that shields Henwell.

Dealing with a powerful count who has troops, generals, and wealth isn’t easy.

But dealing with Henwell, who only holds a knightly title, Amir can use all sorts of political tactics.

Political games aren’t as simple as sending armies to clash on the battlefield.

King Amir’s ruthless move also lies in driving a wedge between the Phoenix family and Henwell.

If Jansen were just a count, the Phoenix family wouldn’t have much conflict with Henwell over inheritance. After all, Henwell’s influence already surpasses that of a count. Even if Jansen held only the Marquis title, the Phoenix family wouldn’t be so wary of Henwell.

But now, Jansen is elevated to Grand Duke.

That changes everything.

A grand ducal family—hereditary and unbroken—is the pinnacle every noble aspires to.

Henwell is undeniably part of the Phoenix family, but he doesn’t share their bloodline.

Yet Henwell is so outstanding, practically the perfect heir to the Phoenix family.

This puts the family in a bind. Accept Henwell, and it means the Phoenix family falls under control of an outsider’s bloodline. Reject Henwell, and it’s hard to justify.

That’s why Count Jansen has long urged Henwell to marry a Phoenix woman. As long as Henwell ties himself to the family through marriage, Jansen would genuinely dare to pass on the family to him.

The Phoenix family doesn’t just belong solely to Jansen—they have many collateral lines.

Jansen trusts Henwell to care for his descendants properly.

Henwell also never had any intention of seizing the Phoenix family; to him, the countship itself was insignificant.

But he never expected Amir to actually dare use a grand duke title to drive a wedge between him and the Phoenix family.

News of the engagement between himself and Melissa has already spread across half the country.

If he backs out now, not only will he sever all ties with the MacLeod family, but his reputation will be utterly ruined.

More importantly, Henwell will never call off the engagement—he has feelings for Melissa, and she saved his life.

Both emotionally and logically, Henwell can’t break the engagement.

Originally, if Jansen’s eldest son Orak returned to inherit the family, he could have worked well alongside Henwell.

But since King Amir has made his move, that path is completely blocked.

Though Jansen is a Battle Knight, he can’t stay head of the family forever.

Kings only rule for about fifty years; most family heads serve less than forty.

Jansen became leader of the Phoenix family at nineteen, and now he’s held the position for nearly thirty years.

At most, he has ten years left before stepping down.

Who will take over?

Orak?

With so much time away from family affairs, it’s obvious he’s not ready.

Second son Kaku is a reckless screw-up.

He stayed unmarried before because of Jansen’s strict discipline, but now he’s long since thrown off the reins.

Other family members?

Even worse, and none of them can cooperate well with Henwell.