The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 688: Shocking Thorvald

While Dominic talked to the Nobles about airships and various trade related issues, Alexis found herself surrounded by many of her childhood friends, and the Ladies of the Palace, all of whom had platitudes to offer, and no shortage of jealousy for her supposed ’luck’ in not only finding such a successful husband, but in providing a potential heir the first year.

That was a big thing for the ladies of the Nobility.

The faster that you could produce a son to take over the title, the more secure your position was, and the less likely that your husband would "adopt a son from the extended family", as the Ladies politely referred to it.

Now, that was sometimes what happened.

But not as often as it was used as an excuse to bring an illegitimate child into the house as the heir after no son was found to be forthcoming.

"Is it true that you held an event that saw a thousand Noble ladies married?" One of the noble daughters asked as she made her way to the front of the crowd.

"As much as it felt like it, no. There were about four hundred in total. A large portion of them married the Knights and Barons in Wistover Duchy, but we did have multiple airships come from around Cygnia with Noble Sons.

There were a few higher ranking ones, but most of them were the younger daughters of lower Nobles who couldn’t secure a marriage alliance at home.

The Natural Sons getting titles for the entire regiment was a huge event for them." Alexis agreed.

"Oh, it totally was. My neighbour was at the event, and ended up married to a lovely Knight named Tate? I’m not sure if that’s right, she always calls him Potato."

Alexis laughed. "Melissa was your neighbour, then? His name is Abe. He was a member of the Natural Sons’ Regiment, and he’s now one of our own Wistover region Nobles. They’re the most absolutely adorable couple.

Actually, he should be here somewhere. I think the Nobles from that side of the Province were in one of the later trucks in the convoy, so they might not be unloaded yet."

"Oh, that is lovely. I didn’t know him that well, though. I just knew that Melissa was absolutely obsessed with him."

The other Noble Ladies laughed at the memory. They all knew someone like her, a girl obsessed with her childhood friend. It was rare that they actually got the boy of their dreams, since most of them were dreaming far above their station.

But sometimes it did work out, especially if the dream was more practical.

"You know, I always thought that the twins were going to end up with a pair of Ranking Sons from one of the Paladin Orders. But look how that turned out?

One married a Royal Duke, and actually, that will be both of you, won’t it? Thorvald has been named Heir to his father, despite being the third son. So, he will be the next Duke North, unless something drastic happens again."

Alexis gasped. "Oh, I did not know that. What happened? I need the tea."

"His older brother had a minor indiscretion with a stable boy, and his wife did not take it well. She beat him with a broom in front of the stable, in front of the whole family, and half the town.

It was a huge scandal, and as punishment for the embarrassment, his position as heir was handed to Thorvald.

Which is... questionable?

I mean, he’s capable enough. But counting on Thorvald not to embarrass the family? That’s a stretch. He’s calmed down since the wedding, but still."

"Did I hear my name? So this is what the Noble ladies speak of when they’re left unattended. Sister, my lovely wife would like to speak with you, if you have a moment?" Thorvald declared, startling all the ladies.

"You should know that it is rude to eavesdrop, Good Sir." One of the ladies reminded him.

"Not my intention at all. However, it was impossible to draw Princess Josephine away from her sparring session, so she sent me to retrieve my new sister. Now, where is my brother-in-law?"

Alexis laughed, and gestured to the cluster of Noblemen that had grown so large it was hard to even see the men getting out of the trucks.

They were examining the transports, obviously planning to purchase them for use in their cities, or perhaps in their militia. And that made a wall of bodies between where the ladies were standing, and where the final few trucks full of Nobles were unloading.

"Well, we can bother him later, it looks like he’s got half the Palace Nobles with him right now, and I’m not local.

They might not take it well if I interrupted.

Now, would you be so kind as to accompany me to go visit your older sister?"

Alexis laughed and looped her arm through his. "Of course. I don’t think that she’s heard the news yet, and she is going to absolutely lose it when she does."

Thorvald looked confused, then looked down and gasped.

"YOU! I can’t believe it, already loved up with the dragonkin Prince? I should have changed my wager!"

The ladies laughed, and Thorvald had the grace to look a bit embarrassed.

"How many people are in on the wagering?" Alexis asked.

"Everyone but Claudius?" Thorvald guessed, his expression slowly transforming as the realization hit him.

That sounded about right. But she was surprised that the Princes and the King had known for a month, and hadn’t told anyone. Or, if they had told anyone, it hadn’t become common knowledge.

"Oh, that’s a good reaction face. Now Thorvald is going to fall down the rabbit hole for certain," one of the older Noble ladies laughed.

He was married to her twin, so they would look nearly exactly the same when pregnant. This was what he had to look forward to, and his father was very enthusiastic about having a Royal Blooded heir to the Duchy, even if it was a foreign Royal lineage.