Dragon Monarch System Chapter 986 986:- Duke Welsh and Viscountess Agatha

"Watson, do I have any meetings lined up for today?" Watson managed all of his appointments. Aditya's sharp memory let him recall nearly every detail, yet he handed the responsibility over to Watson regardless.

"Your Majesty, you've set a meeting with Duke Kane Welsh."

"Welsh!" That name instantly brought back thoughts of his charming little daughter, Jennifer. She was truly endearing.

Kane Welsh ruled over the Skyline Kingdom in the Southern Region of the Dying Isle Continent. Over a year ago, he decided to surrender his realm to the Istarin Empire and depart alongside his daughter.

After the turmoil in the Southern Region finally settled, he earned the role of governor for the whole Skyline Kingdom, now transformed into the Skyline Province.

At the outset, he held the rank of Marquess. Yet, in no time at all, through impressive achievements and service, he climbed the ladder to Duke.

"When exactly is this meeting set?" Aditya inquired.

"In truth, Duke Kane Welsh has just reached Azure City. The discussion is set to begin in over 15 minutes."

"Your Majesty ought to make your way to the Throne Hall."

"Why's that? Couldn't the living room serve just as well?" Aditya questioned Watson.

Watson simply shook his head in response.

"It's Lady Julia's directive. You must receive visitors or guests either in the Throne Hall or in the living room of the Old Palace here in Azure City." Upon hearing this, Aditya realized arguing would lead nowhere.

These days, he made sure to honor the wishes of his soon-to-be wife.

"To be honest, I'm thrilled that Lady Julia issued that command to me."

"You feel the same, don't you, Watson?!" Aditya feigned a look of mild dismay.

"Your Majesty, you hold the title of Grand Emperor."

"You're the Monarch whose mere name strikes terror into the hearts of fellow Emperors and Kings."

"You reign as the King of all Dragons."

"At times, it seems Your Majesty doesn't fully grasp the weight of your role. It's not only vital to the Empire but to the whole world that looks to you."

Aditya could only nod in agreement at these words.

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"Sir Welsh, you've grown even more striking since our last encounter." Their previous meeting occurred at the wedding celebration of another Duke's daughter.

Aditya had made only a brief appearance there.

"Your Majesty, your praise honors me greatly." Yet Aditya's compliment rang true. Kane Welsh now appeared far more joyful. He exuded a vibrant aura. His entire bearing had shifted dramatically.

"How's little Jennifer faring?"

"She's improving tremendously these days. I appreciate your concern."

"You really should have brought her along." Aditya felt a twinge of longing for her. Though he wasn't prepared for fatherhood just yet, that didn't mean he disliked kids.

"Your Majesty, she had an important exam today." Jennifer now studied at the Royal Academy. Each day, she traveled to Azure City for her lessons.

"That's great news. I'm truly delighted for both of you."

"It all stems from your benevolence, Your Majesty. You've provided a secure, peaceful existence where I can nurture my daughter free from any fears."

"Your Majesty, regarding this audience today." He had specifically sought this private talk with the Emperor.

"Yes, speak your mind!"

"I've actually met someone special." The grin spreading across his face instantly clarified the situation.

"Ohhhh!!! Who might she be?"

"Her name is Agatha."

"Agatha?"

A moment later, the memory clicked.

During one of the ladies' social events that Julia and Alicia attended, they encountered a lovely, soft-spoken Viscount's widow. Sadly, the Viscount perished while hunting Magical Beasts in the woods with his guards.

Julia had hoped Aditya could arrange support for the delicate Agatha. But the woman proved far tougher than she seemed. She stepped up boldly to fill her husband's shoes.

"So, how did the two of you cross paths?"

"Agatha came to the Skyline Province, and I ran into her while out with my daughter."

"My daughter wandered off and lost her way. Agatha discovered her and soothed her gently. It looks like my girl has taken a real shine to her."

"That's fantastic. So, when do you intend to formalize things?" Aditya asked, beaming.

"I'd love to wed her without delay, but certain issues stand in the way."

'Indeed, Agatha has assumed her late husband's position. Thus, she's now Viscountess.' The dilemma centered on her status, lands, and power.

"Listen, Welsh, should you two wed, Viscountess Agatha retains her lands and rank. Given the distance between your domain and hers, combining them into one wouldn't make sense."

"Post-marriage, Viscountess Agatha could delegate a High Steward for everyday affairs. With teleportation arrays at hand, daily trips between the territories remain feasible."

This assurance eased Welsh's mind. Deep down, he'd feared Aditya might compel Agatha to relinquish her rank and holdings.

"In noble customs, a wife's social standing aligns with her husband's superior title."

"After your union, legally, she remains Viscountess."

But socially, she becomes Duchess Welsh.

"My deepest thanks, Your Majesty!" Welsh brimmed with satisfaction over the outcome. He harbored no objections whatsoever.

Once Welsh departed, Aditya lingered. He stretched out languidly, easing his body.

Yet again, Aditya sensed that life flowed smoothly now, though he understood this calm was fleeting. True tranquility wouldn't arrive until that shadowy group was eradicated.

"To secure that lasting peace, I need to push myself even further."

"Push harder for what exactly?" Right then, Athena stepped into the Throne Hall.

From across the vast chamber, her eyes met his. They held each other's gaze steadily.

"It's been too long." Aditya broke into the first smile, rising to descend the steps and greet her. This gesture stemmed not from fear, but from his deep affection and regard for his beloved. Pride, ego, or his imperial rank played no part.

"No, it's barely been six and a half days."

"Still, I missed you terribly." These words came from Laura through Athena—or perhaps Laura and Athena united in voice.

As he reached the floor, she vanished in an instant. She bridged the nearly 95-meter span of the hall with ease. In under a second, Athena stood before him, her gentle smile warming the air.

"I missed you even more." He drew her close into a tender hug.

"Incidentally, I learned you recently claimed half the Radiant Empire's lands. I have to admit, your approach impresses me deeply." Aditya managed only an embarrassed chuckle. Land grabs weren't driven by unchecked ambition. He already governed vast expanses.

Absorbing half the Radiant Empire brought no strain to the Istarin Empire. If anything, it bolstered its might.

To outsiders, swallowing such immense territory might seem overwhelming—more cities to oversee, populations to govern, frameworks to steady. But reality differed sharply. The Istarin Empire boasted a robust administrative backbone. The framework Aditya and Spencer devised ran smoothly and methodically, built to accommodate expansion.

Thus, incorporating the fresh lands felt less like a load and more like unlocking new horizons.

This added domain unlocked countless prospects for Istarin's people.

Commerce pathways widened. Untapped markets opened up. Resources once monopolized by the Radiant Empire now enriched Istarin. Traders reached novel urban hubs. Cultivators tapped into lush fields. Artisans discovered fresh prospects in thriving metropolises, long-established and bustling.

Crucially, this expansion proved self-sufficient.

It demanded no massive infusions from the Royal Treasury. Instead, it swiftly produced its own income. Levies from its towns and commerce centers flowed steadily and systematically. The quarries, fishing sectors, croplands, and forges inherited from the Radiant Empire hummed along seamlessly.

Aditya left the setup untouched. Emperor Rowan's system stood as a pinnacle of refinement, honed across ages of trial.

Indeed, once handling its own oversight and defenses, the region even funneled surplus funds back to the Royal Treasury.

Far from raw frontier zones in need of taming, this incorporated area arrived intact and advanced.

Aditya faced no demands to pour gold, labor, or effort into forging paths, erecting barriers, or crafting rule from nothing. The groundwork existed fully formed. Settlements followed smart designs. Highways linked key zones. Harbor outposts thrived with precision. Fortifications stood firm and tended.

For the defenses, Aditya noted potential tweaks and upgrades. Yet urgency lacked; such refinements could unfold gradually.

All this legacy sprang from Emperor Rowan's enduring vision. Over countless years, Rowan poured treasures, hands, and hours into forging the Radiant Empire. Successive lineages toiled to fortify its core.

Now, that grand inheritance fell to Aditya.

Most striking, under Rowan's watch, the nobility stayed in line and dutiful. Graft plagued far fewer corners than in rival realms, with lords mindful of boundaries and duties. Thus, when granted the option to keep their domains, sway, honors, and perks in return for swearing fealty solely to the new sovereign and serving none other, virtually every noble agreed promptly. Astonishingly, fully 99.9% of them, across all tiers and houses, shifted loyalties on the spot.

Consequently, the merger unfolded far more seamlessly than foreseen. Under careful watch and slight reforms to match Istarin's codes, stability held firm.

Ultimately, rather than a drag, this slice of the Radiant Empire emerged as a formidable boost to the Istarin Empire. It swelled the realm's broad domains, fortified fiscal steadiness, broadened sway, and cemented the enduring pillars of the Istarin Empire.

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