Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 473 Political Landscape of Florathi

Isaac observed her for a few moments, noting her evident discomfort.

Instead of readily accepting her apology, however, he posed a direct question: "Were they part of your faction?"

Althea's eyes widened slightly; she had anticipated guardedness, perhaps even coldness, but such a blunt inquiry had not been expected.

Most individuals with political acumen typically employed a more circuitous approach before confronting an issue directly. Isaac, it seemed, saw no value in such subtlety.

His question immediately conveyed two critical points.

Firstly, he was genuinely displeased with the actions of X-019 and Elyndra. If Althea shared their affiliations, she would undoubtedly inherit his displeasure by association.

Secondly, and more compellingly, he was assessing her. The nature of her response would reveal the extent of her willingness to commit, thereby offering insight into her intentions and the intricate dynamics of Florathi's internal political landscape.

After a brief moment of consideration, she made her decision.

"Can we discuss this inside?" she inquired.

"Certainly," Isaac replied, stepping away from the doorway.

The living room soon adopted a comfortable atmosphere. Althea and Charlotta offered their greetings, and it transpired that they were already acquainted with Arlene. Celia had visited them multiple times in recent days, often bringing Arlene along. A brief, cordial exchange took place between them before everyone settled into their seats.

Alice and Emily had retreated to the kitchen, yet their exceptionally powerful senses allowed them to overhear the conversation unfolding in the living room.

Isaac took a seat opposite Althea, awaiting her response. Celia had positioned herself beside him, close enough that her shoulder occasionally brushed against his.

"So?" he prompted.

Althea opened her mouth to speak but paused, her gaze inadvertently drawn to Arlene, who sat quietly on the adjacent sofa, a cup of tea resting on her knee.

"Don't mind her," Isaac said, making a small gesture with his hand.

Arlene was afflicted by Vale's curse, a condition that prevented anything witnessed within this space from being divulged as long as Isaac willed it.

Any attempt to reveal what she had seen or heard would result in her demise before the words could even be uttered.

Furthermore, even disregarding the curse's lethal nature, any entity capable of circumventing such a potent enchantment to extract information from Arlene would already possess intelligence of this caliber. Althea's internal faction details would hardly be novel to such an individual.

Althea blinked, momentarily taken aback by his statement.

Her gaze shifted from Arlene to Celia, then to the kitchen where Alice and Emily were occupied, finally returning to Isaac.

A subtle, quiet understanding registered on her features.

"So, she is also...?" she murmured, as much to herself as to anyone present. 'Tales of powerful individuals invariably mention their numerous spouses. It stands to reason that Isaac's situation mirrors these accounts!' Althea nodded inwardly.

Isaac had a distinct impression that her conclusion was at least partially erroneous, but before he could interject, Arlene spoke,

"If this concerns sensitive matters, I can excuse myself."

"It is quite alright," Isaac assured her.

A few minutes later, Emily emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray laden with

tea for everyone. She placed it on the table without ceremony, and Althea expressed her thanks as she accepted a cup.

After a brief pause to savor the tea's fresh aroma, she set her cup down and began her explanation,

"X-019 is affiliated with the City of Steel, which is under the dominion of the Mother of Crawling Steel. Elyndra originates from an entirely separate faction. However, both of their factions maintain an alliance with the Third Priest's faction. Or at least, that is the formal designation."

"Designation?" Isaac echoed. "So, in practice, it differs from that?" "It is... complex," Althea stated. "The Third Priest's faction holds a position close to the Emperor. Officially, they serve the World Tree directly and constitute one of the foundational pillars of Florathi's governance. X-019 and Elyndra's factions are listed as allies, but in reality, they are subordinate to the Third Priest. Not as equals, but more akin to the Third Priest's... agents, I would venture to say."

"That implies..." Isaac's brow furrowed.

"I understand your inference. X-019 belongs to the city of the Mother of Crawling Steel, who is a Queen and one of the Emperor's Wives, and yes, she owes allegiance to the Emperor, or at least she did. Since the Emperor fell silent, the allegiances of various factions have shifted, and she now aligns with the Third Priest's faction," Althea elucidated.

There was a considerable amount of unstated information embedded within her revelations.

The Emperor's noticeable silence was the first indicator. Even though a figure of such immense stature withdrew from the core of power, it didn't signify a loss of influence. Instead, it compelled those around him to navigate without direct leadership, creating a vacuum that, as Althea was explaining, inevitably fostered factional discord.

But what prompted the Emperor's withdrawal? While he still issued commands, these instances appeared infrequent.

The Third Priest's pivotal position was the second observation. The manner in which Althea had described his role suggested he wasn't merely a servant to the Emperor.

He seemed to operate within that silence, perhaps maintaining the Emperor's balance, and potentially acting more as an opposing force than a subordinate.

And then, the matter of the Queen surfaced.

Isaac understood, on an intellectual level, that grand political marriages were seldom rooted in genuine love.

He was aware that loyalty within courts and kingdoms was often, at least partly, a form of transaction.

However, comprehending this fact and hearing it explicitly stated were different experiences. The notion of one of the Emperor's own consorts aligning against his faction sat uncomfortably with him.

He found himself glancing unconsciously at Celia, and then towards the kitchen where the sounds of Emily and Alice could be heard.

He contemplated how Florathi might have transformed over thirty years, fifty years, or even a century, evolving into its current state.

Then, his thoughts turned inward.

If he were ever to establish something of similar magnitude, would he find himself surveying a city teeming with factions that had subtly warred against each other?

Would his own family descend into such a state?

'No. I cannot allow that,' he firmly resolved in his mind.

Isaac clenched his fists beneath the table.

The most straightforward solution to factional politics involved concentrating power so absolutely that no opposing faction could gain a foothold. A part of him recognized the logic behind such absolute rule.

But...

Isaac placed his trust implicitly in his wives.

He knew with certainty that they would never engage in political maneuvering against him or each other, even if their City grew to an immense size.

Nevertheless, Florathi's situation impressed upon Isaac the critical importance of maintaining harmony within his family and the upper echelons of his City. He recognized the need to actively work towards ensuring everyone remained united as friends. Even if they possessed differing priorities and values, they must never allow themselves to become adversaries through factional divides.

Collecting his thoughts, Isaac inquired, "So, which faction do you belong to? And what precisely should I anticipate from the Third Priest? Will he prove to be a troublesome individual?"

"I am aligned with the Seventh Queen's faction," she responded. "Regarding the Third Priest– he is not inherently a malicious person. His primary failing lies in his tendency towards heavy-handed methods, and his devotion to the World Tree overshadows nearly all other considerations."

"Given that the World Tree bestowed its blessing upon you, the Third Priest has determined that the appropriate course of action is for you to journey to Florathi and offer your personal thanks."

"In his perspective, this is the natural and correct step to take, and he sees little reason to contemplate why you might hold a different view on the matter," Althea elucidated.

"So, that is the reason you proposed allowing me to travel with your group rather than awaiting the official delegation. You already anticipated his insistence on that, and foresaw my potential displeasure," Isaac deduced.

"The Seventh Queen advised me that you might outright refuse him," Althea stated, a subtle undertone of dry amusement coloring her voice. "Rejecting the Third Priest carries its own set of risks, but she believed you would do so regardless. Therefore, I presented you with an alternative before such a confrontation became necessary." Their conversation continued for some time thereafter.

Althea shared her information judiciously, yet without evasion. Each response naturally led to another question, allowing Isaac to gradually construct a depiction of Florathi that was demonstrably more intricate and layered than the image initially presented by the delegation.

There were factions embedded within factions, ancient alliances that had subtly shifted without formal acknowledgment, and at the very heart of it all, a silent Emperor whose abrupt withdrawal continued to shape every aspect of the present.

It was a substantial amount of information to process, and Isaac was still contemplating it when Emily emerged from the kitchen doorway, drying her hands on a cloth.

"Breakfast is ready," she announced.

Isaac acknowledged her with a nod, then turned back to Althea. "We shall resume this discussion later. Let us have breakfast first. You should join us."

Althea offered a brief, polite refusal before accepting after a gentle insistence.

"Very well, give me a moment. I shall invite Avery as well," Isaac declared. Althea nodded. A subtle shift in her posture"a slight straightening, a spark of anticipation in her eyes"conveyed to Isaac her keen interest in meeting Avery. He then stepped outside, offering no further explanation.

Avery was already waiting nearby, as was her habit, and she entered the room without any hesitation when Isaac called for her. The entrance caused an immediate, though subtly handled, reaction from both Althea and Charlotta. Charlotta froze, adopting the posture of someone consciously trying not to stare, while Althea's expression flickered between awe and disbelief before she composed herself. That two members of Florathi royalty, who had clearly seen much of the world, would react this way was telling. Avery was clearly someone who stood out, even to those accustomed to extraordinary sights.

They then gathered around the breakfast table, and once everyone was seated, Althea spoke first. "It is my honor to share a meal with the Spirit of Water," she said sincerely, addressing Avery.

Avery responded with a warm smile. "The honor is mutual. I have been aware of your exploits for quite some time and have wished for an opportunity to properly meet the princess of Florathi." "Y-you know who I am?" Althea asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Naturally," Avery affirmed, before beginning her account. She spoke of Althea's battles against monsters that would typically require entire groups of coordinated awakeners to defeat. She detailed the accomplishments of Althea, recounting how she hunted formidable monsters or commanded others in their pursuit with her unique talents.

Across the table, Alice had become still. Though her face remained calm, Isaac could perceive a quiet intensity in her gaze as she listened. This was exactly the kind of narrative she relished: tales of legendary beasts, critical moments hanging in the balance, and awakeners who triumphed against all odds. She could immerse herself in such accounts for hours without a hint of restlessness.

"Some of those hunts have even been immortalized in songs by bards I've encountered. That's how my curiosity about the princess of Florathi was initially sparked," Avery concluded, her gaze on Althea filled with genuine warmth. By the time Avery finished speaking, Althea's face was flushed pink. It was a charming sight, reminiscent of an admirer meeting their idol, only to discover the idol knew their name.

The rest of the breakfast proceeded with ease.

Encouraged by Avery's stories, Alice began asking questions about monster territories, rare abilities, and the behaviors of creatures known to most only through ancient texts. Avery answered her inquiries comprehensively, and at some point, Althea joined in, and together they guided Alice through centuries of legendary hunts and encounters.

Avery recounted tales of awakeners from bygone eras, figures whose deeds had long since become folklore. These were individuals who had battled entities that shaped entire landscapes, and their legends were now preserved in texts often dismissed as mere mythology. Alice absorbed every word, making it a truly satisfying breakfast.

Later, Isaac stayed behind to handle the dishes in the kitchen. Alice had moved to assist him without being asked, but he waved her away, stating that her and Emily's efforts in preparing the meal were sufficient. After a few minutes of washing up, he sensed Professor Catherine's presence beside him. "Don't trouble yourself about it," she said. "About what?" Isaac inquired, glancing at her.

"The internal conflicts between factions. It won't be an issue for us. Everyone in this family holds you in too high regard for such disputes to take root," she explained, leaning casually against the counter. Isaac paused his actions and turned to face her. "It's evident that this matter weighed heavily on your mind. I can sense your thoughts," she added with a smile, gently ruffling his hair.

Isaac rolled his eyes at the familiar gesture, but the tension that had been lingering at the base of his neck since Althea's explanation began to dissipate, a fact he was now aware of. He remained silent, understanding that Catherine already knew what he felt.

She departed shortly after ensuring he was no longer burdened by his concerns.

As he was nearing the completion of the last dish, the doorbell rang.

Alice went to answer it and opened the door, stopping short. "Uncle," she greeted the visitor.

Chairman Lucius stood on the threshold, maintaining his usual composure. "You're still here. Good. I had feared I would need to travel all the way to Eltari City to find you," he remarked.

Alice wasn't certain how to interpret his words, but she stepped aside to let him enter. "Is everything alright?" she asked.

"Everything is fine. Where is Isaac?" he inquired, entering the foyer and scanning the area. "He's in the kitchen."

"Excellent. Proceed to the living room and await me. I need to discuss something with him first."

Alice complied and went to the living room without further questioning, despite the instruction piquing her curiosity.

Chairman Lucius made his way to the kitchen and found Isaac by the sink, drying his hands on a towel. The dishes were neatly stacked and clean.

Chairman Lucius observed the situation for a moment, his expression a blend of mild surprise and careful reassessment.

"You are capable of handling housework," he stated, the words falling somewhere between a declaration and an inquiry. Isaac set down the towel he was holding. "I grew up on my own, so yes. Is this surprising?"

"Considering your apparent expertise in the kitchen, I had assumed your talents were rather specific," Chairman Lucius remarked. A subtle twitch played at the corner of Isaac's mouth. It was barely past breakfast, and the man was already seeking to provoke. Isaac decided a change of subject was in order.

"Are you here to see Selene? Her evolution is still in progress and proceeding without issue. There is no need for concern."

"Good." Chairman Lucius reached up and removed a spatial ring from his finger.

Isaac caught the ring as it was tossed his way by Chairman Lucius. He turned it in his grasp, then directed his spiritual sense inward, anticipating a wide range of possibilities given the old man's evident urgency and secrecy.

What he discovered were garments. Expertly tailored, undeniably expensive, and clearly not acquired indiscriminately. There were sets for Isaac, Alice, Emily, Selene, Professor Catherine, and Celia. Each appeared to require either extremely precise measurements or a keen eye coupled with long-standing familiarity with each individual. Nothing else was contained within the ring. Solely the clothing.

Isaac raised his gaze from the ring, meeting Chairman Lucius's eyes, and a quiet, complete understanding dawned upon him.

A slow smile began to spread across his face.

Chairman Lucius's expression shifted, moving from neutrality towards something akin to irritation.

Silence hung between the two men.

The living room was not far, and its occupants possessed senses that rendered distance meaningless.

Any words spoken audibly in this kitchen would undoubtedly reach them.

Both men were aware of this, which explained their unspoken communication.

Yet, their exchange continued through their gazes.

"Were these sent by Mother-in-law?"

'Yes.'

'That explains why you've come to me with this, rather than delivering them directly to Alice and Selene. You cannot explain their origin without venturing into territory you are not yet prepared to discuss!'

The subtle irritation on Chairman Lucius's face intensified, serving as a clear confirmation.

The elder clearly wished to avoid Isaac's involvement but found himself with no alternative.

This realization only widened Isaac's grin. He could not help himself.

Here was a man who had spent his entire adult life navigating the intricacies of political maneuvering, capable of conducting entire negotiations without revealing his hand, now completely stumped on how to present clothes to his daughters without resorting to deception. He had turned to Isaac, of all people, for assistance, trusting him to help resolve the predicament.