"Very well Marquis. I hoped that when you become a duc, an alliance of equals could be sealed, instead of a vassalage, that would be only temporary. I'm after friends and supporters, not servants and toadies.
But I will hold your word as true. You can count on me if needed."
With that, he let Harald go.
Strange fellow, to reject open overtures after he made one himself. Perhaps he was bidding his time, or tried to extract something form Edgard. Either way, word of a nobleman was worth only as much as his deeds show them to be. Edgard was after something more solid.
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Elise and eleanor took the sea route, lounging in their ship, sailing down the arendal to the capital. Edgard decided to take horses and ride to the capital, hoping for some time alone to think.
His riverside place was waiting, watching over the river and the southern bridge to the capital, with its walls and towers making a great impression. Spring was almost over, and with that early hunting could begin. Albert won't be in capital for long, so his sisters had precious little time to do their work.
Edgard did his best to get into the feast organised by albert to honour the winners of the tournament. This time around he was accompanied by two ladies, whose origin was easy to discern, when looking at their faces and the way they talked with each other.
"Salutations to the champion of the tournament! and to you Your Majesty." Edgard managed to aquire a seat relatively close to the king and his two guests, making sure that him and his siblings were in constnt view of the king.
"May I present to you two lovely ladies, Elise and Eleanor, my beautiful sisters. They could not wait to come and taste the life in the capital, as well as to mee t some suitable people..."
The ladies did present themselves attractive enough. Auburn hair, green eyes and soft face on one, and blue eyes on the other. Both smiled beautifully and talked freely with the other guests, leaving the male half of the table more than interested in them.