Herald of Steel - Chapter 1618: New Position (Part-2)

Chapter 1618: New Position (Part-2)

“Then I will leave the military affairs in your two’s capable hands, Alexander.”

Hearing of Alexander’s objection, Seelima no longer pushed her own idea. She did not understand military affairs as well as Alexander to refute him, and even if she could, she was honestly powerless to influence the men.

Thus since the two pashas agreed, she simply leaned back and nodded comfortably, “You can leave the matter of gathering the levies and supplies to Lord Iyazid. He knows these things very well. As for you Lord Alexander… now that Pasha Farzah is leaving us, I think you should take his post. What say you… to becoming the new prime minister?”

The Queen Mother gave Alexander a sweet, soft smile as she made this alluring proposal, her eyes dancing with temptation Yet somehow, it was exactly this very friendly attitude that made Alexander feel uncomfortable.

It was like his instincts were telling him that things would surely not be so simple.

Hence even though Alexander already promised Pasha Farzah to take up his mantle, in front of Seelima, he appeared a bit ambivalent, sweeping his eyes down and musing with some reluctance,

“That… given my reputation in this city, will that be wise, Your Highness? Many people still hate me for the things that happened five years ago. Surely they will…” Alexander did not need to finish to make his point, and only sent Seelima a knowing look as he trailed off.

He said so because although the common people of Adhan might have held very little power, that also did not mean they were totally ignorable, especially if they banded together.

Mass riots and looting were one of the city’s administration’s greatest fears, especially if the people were pushed too far- Adhan even had multiple records of unruly mobs nearly burning the whole city down after becoming totally frustrated with the ruling king.

And even if things did not reach that state this time, even the general distaste they had with Alexander would help his enemies cause various problems by inciting the people.

For instance, Alexander might find maintaining law and order in the city suddenly becoming very difficult or even see many of his policies impossible to implement.

All these things, the man did not need to spell out manually as the Queen Mother was clever enough to read between the lines easily. He was instead much more interested in seeing how the Queen Mother would reassure him regarding this. Hence he finished with a clever curved gaze,

“And… more than that, I also do not think His Majesty would agree… especially given what transpired today. So…why not appoint Lady Inayah or even yourself, instead?”

“…” The Queen Mother was just about to allay Alexander’s concerns about his appointment with already prepared answers when suddenly… she stopped, stunned by the latter proposal.

Her? Become prime minister? A woman?

It was such a shocking statement that for a few seconds she could not find the words to respond.

If she were asked if she wanted to become one, of course, she would reply yes a hundred times.

However the reality of the matter was…

“Hehe… Alexander, you brat, this is not the time to joke around.” Thus recognising the massive obstacles laid against her, Seelima blew away the idea with only a hollow chuckle, ruefully shaking her head.

She instead promised with a breezy wave of her hands, “There is no reason to be apprehensive here Alexander. Most of the nobles will be too busy to cause trouble for you. And I will also give you permission to do whatever you need to control the city. You can even have your men enter Adhan if need be.”

“…!!!…” Alexander’s nonchalant facade suddenly broke into a stunned look at the offer, his eyes bulging.

He never thought he would be given such a blank cheque of power.

Of course he expected some leeway given it was the Queen Mother who brought up the matter. But this last concession- letting another lord’s army into the capital city, needless to say this was not a small matter.

As the seat of both political and religious power for the whole kingdom, such an act obviously carried numerous massive implications.

’This… can you even make such a decision?’ Alexander hence asked himself incredulously, and even swiftly gave the Queen Mother a very skeptical look. He knew if he was able to do this, even if nothing else, it would make the royal family become hostage to him.

So why would the Queen Mother voluntarily allow herself to become so vulnerable?

’Is this a trap?’ The slightly paranoid Alexander thus could not help but overthink.

Seelima naturally detected Alexander’s doubtful thoughts. And tried to quickly stop his running away thoughts.

Quickly flashing him her signature charming smile, she firmly reassured, “Do not worry. There will be no problem, ’we’ trust you. In these trying time, ’We’ believe you are the best man to protect ’us’.”

“…..” Admittedly Seelima’s use of the royal ’we’ put Alexander somewhat at ease. The Queen Mother very rarely used this type of address, proving she was being serious.

Seeing Alexander become placated, the clever lady eagerly leaned forward next, giving him a charming grin, “The same goes with Ptolomy. Don’t worry, he will forget everything that happened today by tomorrow… I will manage him. You just focus on your job. Inayah told me a lot of the things you did in Zanzan. I want the same for Adhan.”

Alexander was not at all surprised by the latter reveal- given the huge volumes of trade he did with Agnirat, he would have been more shocked if Lady Inayah was unaware of Zanzan’s developments. He only wondered how much the travelling merchants had imparted to their mistress and how accurately.

’What does Seelima want from me?’

“So Lord Alexander,” While the Queen Mother sought to seal the deal as such, skillfully bending forward to reveal a bit of her deep cleavage as a gift and calling him temptingly, “We do hope we have been… sincere enough! You will help ’us’, right?”

“…” Alexander’s gaze subconsciously went towards the beautiful, seducing flesh and as he stared into the alluring ravine, he would have to admit, this imperial concubine without doubt knew how to charm men.

The expert way she flashed him- the mannerism, the timing, and even the extent of flesh revealed, all proved her adeptness in the art. Combine that with the accompanying sensual smile and even Alexander quickly felt a hot, tingling sensation slither through his loins.

Almost half of his reluctance was wiped off just like that.

’My god, just how many idiots got fooled by this seductress?’ He silently rolled his eyes at the deadly attack, trying to imagine what it was like for others.

At least he got to taste these goods already- twice, thus building up some immunity!

But what was it like for those men who could only fantasize about getting under the sheets with a gorgeous temptress like her?

’Seelima must have led them to slaughter and they did not even know!’ The man ruefully concluded before quickly composing himself.

He turned his focus to the promise the Queen Mother made regarding Ptolomy, and… well- Alexander would have felt far more reassured if her track record were not so bad. Recall that she had very famously confessed to being unable to control the man just a few days ago.

So…

’*Sigh*, well perhaps she feels much more confident now, given Lord Assazd’s departure. He was her primary antagonist so… Also, with him gone, his daughter will also lose favor with Ptolomy. I imagine Seelima cannot wait to curb stomp the poor girl into the ground!’

Reasoning like so, Alexander ultimately chose not to confront Seelima and wished to take a ’wait and see’ approach. Hopefully, she will really be able to convince Ptolomy to let Alexander do his thing.

So he finally replied with a deep, respectful bow,

“Hahaha… It would seem Your Highness is determined to have me. In that case, I humbly ask your leave to do so… at least until Pasha Frazah returns. I pray you will aid me during this time.”

Seelima was just about to produce a great cheering grin at the success, eyes twinkling with delight.

However, Alexander beat her to it, and producing a concealed smile, lightly chimed, “However.. if… and I say if, His Majesty does not agree, have you considered taking the place yourself? And I can serve as your right hand man?”

Alexander made this sudden proposal because of a phenomenon he had observed with the Queen Mother just a minute ago- the reluctant way she had eschewed the offer of becoming prime minister.

He guessed the ambitious queen most likely craved it.

“….” And indeed, true to his guess, a sudden flash of clear greed flared across Seelima’s eyes, her lips visibly quivering. She was clearly struggling to keep herself from outright agreeing.

Alexander instantly cheered inside at the confirmation, pumping his fist inside, ’Hook, line and sinker!’

Then keeping a straight face, Alexander struck the silent queen while the iron was still hot, “Indeed, I think that would be a far easier sell. His Majesty certainly likes you far, far more than me… as do the people of Adhan. So if you do….”

“But.. but.. the nobles…and the priests, they…” Seelima interjected Alexander midway like so, trying to turn down the offer, “Even Ptolomy has barred me from attending court…so..”

“No, this is the best opportunity for you.” Alexander however firmly expressed his support, determined not to go back down after coming so far.