Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1047: Marriage Alliance

Dido stole a glance at Davos's expression. Sensing a glimmer of hope, she immediately spoke up in a clear voice, "We want Southern Iberia to become a free city of Daionia, just like—"

Davos cut her off without hesitation, his tone resolute. "Southern Iberia will be fully incorporated into Daionia and governed directly by the kingdom. There is no other option! If that is unacceptable, we would rather choose war! Whether Southern Iberia is ruled by you or occupied by the indigenous Iberians, we will make it Daionian territory, no matter the cost!"

Dido had not expected Davos to shut the door so completely, leaving no room to maneuver. Panic seized her, and for a moment, she was at a total loss for words.

"It seems you have nothing left to discuss," Davos sighed softly. "For a woman to dare come here alone to negotiate takes true courage, and it is no easy feat. I will allow you to visit your family, and then you may return..."

Beside them, Henipolis gently interjected, "Your Majesty, Lord Stesichodas said that Mago is severely injured and requires quiet treatment. He prefers that no one disturb him—"

"My father... what... what's wrong with him?!" Dido cried out in alarm the moment she heard this.

"On the day of the great battle at Selinus, your father Mago was shot in the face by an arrow from the panicking Numidian slaves. By the time we found him, he was on the brink of death. Thanks to the full efforts of our physicians, he is out of danger, but he remains unconscious..." Henipolis explained softly, his expression sympathetic.

"Merciful King Davos, I wish to see my father... immediately! I beg for your permission!..." Dido's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling.

"...Very well." Davos hesitated briefly, then turned to Henipolis. "Go have a word with Stesichodas. Tell him it is my order to let this girl see her father."

Wiping her tears, Dido rose to her feet and bowed deeply and respectfully to Davos.

About ten minutes later, Henipolis returned.

After listening to his account of Dido's visit with Mago, Davos suddenly asked, "How old is Mago's daughter?"

Henipolis blinked in surprise. He looked at Davos, his mind racing: 'Could His Majesty have taken a fancy to her?'

But he answered quickly, "Xelophanes gave me some intelligence on her before. Let me think... uh, I believe she is either twenty-three or twenty-four..."

"A bit on the older side." Davos's response caught Henipolis off guard again. He watched as the King of Daonia tapped his fingers lightly against the back of his chair, his gaze distant and thoughtful. There was absolutely none of the delight of a man who had taken a fancy to a woman.

...

Dido visited her unconscious father, but she did not ask to see Hasdrubal. She knew her cousin's fiery temper too well; if he learned her reasons for coming here, he would likely pick a fight with her.

After agonizing over her decision throughout the midday hours, Dido requested another audience with Davos, which was granted.

When she entered the parlor this time, her steps were no longer as chaotic as when she had left that morning. Having collected her emotions, she regained her former composure. After expressing her gratitude to Davos, she got straight to the point: "Honored King Davos, if I agree to your terms and allow Southern Iberia to be fully incorporated into the Kingdom of Daunia, how will you resettle the people and officials there? And... how will you treat the soldiers and officers from Southern Iberia whom you have taken captive?"

Davos did not answer immediately. He looked at Dido and asked seriously, "Having the entirety of Southern Iberia join the Kingdom of Daunia is a monumental decision concerning the future of all its people. Will the people and officials there acknowledge the agreement you ultimately sign?"

"The colonies in Southern Iberia are, in fact, ruled by our Magonid family." Dido raised her chin, pride evident on her face, and spoke in an unquestionable tone. "I can assure you that my diplomatic mission to Daionia was authorized with full power by all the direct members of the Magonid family. Any decision I make here will be acknowledged by them!"

Davos nodded slightly, his expression stern. "If you voluntarily join the Kingdom of Daunia, the people of Southern Iberia will immediately become Daionian Citizens, enjoying all the rights and bearing all the obligations that come with it. The Magonid family may recommend several members to be reviewed by the Senate of Daionia and become Senators of the kingdom.

"The officials of the Southern Iberian Region will continue to perform their duties, but they must simultaneously study Daunian Law and adapt to the system of the Kingdom of Daunia. After one year, they will undergo an evaluation to determine whether they will remain in their posts or be promoted... This is only a broad outline; the specific details will require negotiations to finalize. However, there is one problem..."

Davos looked troubled. "After your father led his army ashore in Sicily, he successively burned down Minoa, Agrigento, and Gela—three friendly allied city-states of Daionia. Over these past few days, the surviving people of those city-states have sent representatives demanding severe punishment for the chief culprits who destroyed their homes.

"What is worse... your father also ordered his army to burn down all the villages on the Plain of Catania, which is kingdom territory, and slaughter the kingdom's people. Even after capturing the city of Palagonia, your father cruelly ordered the torture and execution of all captured Daionian soldiers!

"I once stood upon the ruins of Palagonia and swore an oath before all the Daionian soldiers embarking on the Sicilian expedition that I would avenge those murdered men! And according to the testimonies of the captured Carthaginian soldiers, Mago and Hasdrubal are the main culprits behind this tragedy!

"Therefore, to satisfy the demands of our allied envoys and to fulfill my oath, even if Southern Iberia becomes Daionian territory and the other captured Iberian soldiers are released, those two will remain imprisoned until they receive their severe punishment!"

Hearing that her father might be put to death, Dido was infuriated and loudly retorted, "How can you blame my father for that! This is war! War! Didn't the Daionian Army also wreak havoc in Western Sicily and slaughter civilians? Your fleet even landed in Africa and massacred and burned Hadrumetum! By your own logic, shouldn't you, as the commander of the Daionian Army, also be subjected to the vengeance of the Carthaginians!"

Davos was not angered by her outburst. Stroking his jaw, he said flatly, "Unfortunately, Daionia is the victor now."

Dido choked on her words for a second, but she quickly roared back in even greater fury, "Since you do not intend to release my family, then even if every member of the Magonid family fights to the death, we will never surrender to Daionia!"

Dido glared at Davos, but the king remained completely calm.

At this moment, Henipolis interjected, "Your Majesty, the Magonid family of Carthage has decided to submit to the kingdom and become Daionian Citizens. This will allow us to end this war sooner, which is fundamentally a good thing. Why must you still insist on punishing the patriarch of the Magonid family?!"

Davos hesitated and replied softly, looking slightly embarrassed, "I made a public vow to Hades. How can I go back on my word..."

Dido, a devout follower of the Carthaginian goddess Tanit, felt even more despair upon hearing this. She knew that Hades was the patron deity of the Kingdom of Daunia, and legends claimed he had manifested miracles many times. How could the King of Daonia dare betray an oath to him!

Henipolis, however, said, "Your Majesty, I have an idea that will allow you to safely release Mago and Hasdrubal without suffering the punishment of Hades."

Davos immediately perked up. "Oh? Let's hear it!"

Dido also looked toward the elegant Daionian official, hoping he truly had a good idea to resolve this impasse.

Henipolis didn't immediately state his solution. Instead, he smiled faintly at Dido and asked, "May I ask, are you engaged?"

Dido froze, entirely unprepared for such a question. A mixture of anger and shyness instantly welled up within her, and she was just about to lash out.

Henipolis quickly added with a grave expression, "This is extremely important and concerns your father's life. You had best answer truthfully."

At the mention of her father, Dido nodded subconsciously. "No."

It was well-known that the patriarch of Carthage's Magonid family had an older unmarried daughter. Now that he had confirmed she was not betrothed, Henipolis felt completely assured. He turned to Davos and spoke solemnly, "Your Majesty, Dido, the sole legitimate daughter of the patriarch of the Magonid family of Carthage, is of noble blood and possesses both beauty and talent. His Highness Crotokatax, as your legitimate son, is a promising young man who is not yet married. I am willing to serve as the golden arrow in Eros's hand and act as a matchmaker for these two young people, uniting them as husband and wife.

"This way, Dido will become your daughter-in-law, and Mago will become your in-law. As you are a descendant of the heavenly god Hades, Hades should forgive your broken oath on the account that they have become your relatives."

Having said that, Henipolis turned back to Dido. "Furthermore, by becoming His Majesty's daughter-in-law, you will put the people of Iberia and the Magonid family more at ease about joining the kingdom. As a member of the Daunian Royal Family, you will be in a much stronger position to care for them and ensure they do not suffer injustices..."

Davos stroked his jaw, sounding rather tempted. "Hmm... That sounds like a good method. It benefits both Daionia and the colonies in Southern Iberia... I don't think young Crotokatax will object to this..."