Chapter 51: Jorgklusburg
Chapter 51: Jorgklusburg
In the stands, Princess Sibylla, wearing a small, exquisite golden coronet, sat beside Queen Mother Agnes. Beneath her veil, her expression was somewhat complex, showing no excitement whatsoever that two nobles were about to duel for her pursuit.
Admittedly, she had instigated this duel, but that was merely a minor side effect of her attempt to take control of her own destiny. She had never imagined Lothar would actually refuse the olive branch she extended, and instead pass it on to Balian.
To her, what difference was there between Balian and Guy? She didn’t object, but she held little expectation either, because as a princess, her marriage had never been her own to decide.
She looked towards Lothar, who sat with Baron Godfrey, his bearing imposing and spirited. Her eyes felt as if pricked, and she subconsciously clenched her fists. "Mother, this Knight Lothar, isn’t he just a knight without a fief? Where did he get such an elite army to serve him?"
"No, he is already Baron Lothar."
Queen Mother Agnes did not look old; on the contrary, due to proper maintenance, she was still a charming noblewoman, and many nobles were willing to be her guests of the bedchamber.
"Baldwin is very fond of this child. He intends to give him important responsibilities. In the future, he will attain a status within the Kingdom no less than Baron Godfrey’s." The unspoken meaning was that to be so highly regarded by Baldwin IV, this man must have extraordinary qualities.
"So my brother thinks so highly of him..." Sibylla mused.
Agnes’s smile held a deep meaning. "Sibylla, you must understand, no matter who rules the Kingdom, they will need capable ministers like Lothar to assist them. Sooner or later, he will be of use to you."
Agnes knew her son did not have long to live, but she wasn’t worried. No matter what, her daughter would become the Queen of Jerusalem, ensuring her continued glory and wealth.