Bound To The Dead: The Deceptive Class-E Farmer-Chapter 69: A Kingdom’s Offer

The afternoon wore on, filled with conversation and the clinking of cups, but Aiah’s thoughts kept returning to the impression the old man had left.

Something about Simon lingered, not his words or even his presence, but the sincerity behind his actions. It had been a long time since someone had looked at her without trying to measure her worth.

Later, in a quiet chamber just off the east hall, she met him again.

The room was simple, stone walls, a low table, and cushions instead of chairs. Mira waited just outside the door. Broner stood at Aiah’s back, silent but present.

Simon bowed once more before settling across from her.

"I appreciate you making time for this, Your Majesty."

Aiah folded her hands in her lap. "You asked for a private audience. That usually means something important."

Simon nodded, the lines in his face deepening. "It is."

He took a breath, then began.

"As you may already know... Spawnhold is a small kingdom. Our strength is modest. Our resources are stretched thin. And our king..." Simon’s voice softened, almost apologetic. "He is old. His health is declining. There is no heir."

Aiah listened quietly, gaze steady. She didn’t interrupt.

"We have no illusions about our standing. If Rookheim or Carreon wanted to conquer us, we would not be able to stop them. And... that threat grows by the day."

Aiah’s brows pulled together slightly, her voice gentle but firm. "Why are you telling me this?"

Simon didn’t hesitate. "Because King Rody has made a decision. If Spawnhold is to submit to anyone... it should be Bulcan."

The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy.

Aiah blinked once. Then she let out a small, almost disbelieving chuckle.

But Simon remained serious. His gaze didn’t waver.

"Is your king serious?" she asked, this time more carefully. "Bulcan is still the smallest kingdom. We’ve only just started rebuilding. Why choose us?"

Simon didn’t flinch. His voice was calm, but there was something deliberate in his words.

"The king said... all kingdoms must return to their rightful owner."

Aiah didn’t respond right away. She wasn’t sure how to. The words sounded simple, but they weren’t. Something about them lingered, like an old memory she couldn’t place.

Simon lowered his gaze for a moment, then continued.

"Before arriving here, Your Majesty... we received word that Rookheim’s soldiers have already marched toward one of our fortresses."

Aiah’s fingers clenched slightly in her lap. Her voice dropped, but her words were clear. "Do you need help?"

Simon closed his eyes for a moment, as if the answer weighed more than it should.

"As long as the king still breathes, he refuses to abandon our land. So yes, Your Majesty, we need help."

There was no pleading in his voice. Just honesty.

Aiah nodded slowly. Her mind was already moving, Bulcan’s current strength, the possibility of overextending, the value of Spawnhold’s loyalty... but above all that, the image of a dying king choosing them despite everything.

"I’ll speak with my companions," she said. "We’ll talk again soon. We won’t ignore this."

Simon bowed deeply, the motion full of quiet gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." ƒrēenovelkiss.com

As he left the room, Broner stepped forward.

"He’s not lying."

"I know," Aiah said softly.

She stared at the doorway for a long while after.

Broner remained at her side, patiently waiting. She didn’t speak right away.

Then, softly, "Call Elder Peter."

Broner gave a short nod.

She hesitated.

A beat of silence.

"...And Isaac," she added, her voice barely above a whisper.

—-----

At the meeting room, Isaac sat beside Elder Peter, arms crossed, and gaze quiet. Aiah remained at the head of the table, composed but clearly thoughtful. Broner stood nearby, as always. Simon sat across from her.

Aiah folded her hands atop the table. "I spoke with Simon," she began, her tone measured.

"Spawnhold is in danger," Aiah continued, her voice steady but quiet. "Rookheim’s soldiers have already begun moving toward one of their fortresses. Their king is dying... and there’s no heir to take his place."

She glanced at Simon briefly, then looked back at the others.

"They’ve decided that if they must submit to another power... it should be Bulcan."

Elder Peter shifted, his expression unreadable. "To Bulcan?"

Aiah gave a slow nod. "Yes."

Across the table, Isaac said nothing, but his brow tightened slightly.

"But the situation isn’t simple," Aiah went on. "Rookheim is much stronger than Spawnhold... and stronger than Bulcan. Even if we joined forces, we wouldn’t stand a chance against a full-scale invasion."

She paused, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap.

"They have enough power to invade both of our kingdoms at once."

Elder Peter adjusted his robe, his voice quiet but direct. "If we send soldiers to reinforce them, Rookheim will surely know it and will take that as a provocation. They’ll use it as a reason to attack us. And we’re not ready for that."

Aiah looked at the table, troubled. "Even if we want to help... I can’t see a way we can."

Silence fell over the room.

Then...

"I’ll go," Isaac said.

The words dropped into the room like a stone into still water.

"...You’ll what?" she asked, almost cautiously.

Peter’s eyes narrowed. "Isaac..."

"I’ll go to Spawnhold," Isaac said calmly.

Aiah’s brows rose faintly, but her tone was measured. "How many soldiers will you need?"

Isaac leaned back slightly. "None. Just me."

Broner let out a soft breath, half disbelief, half amusement. "Still acting like a farm boy... but you sure don’t think like one."

Isaac’s eyes steady. "It’s the only option that won’t drag Bulcan into war prematurely."

He glanced toward Simon. "If Spawnhold still has the will to fight, I’ll help them organize. Lead their defense, if I need to."

Aiah’s eyes remained on Isaac, unreadable.

Then she turned to Simon. "Is it alright with you... if I only send Isaac?"

Simon’s expression shifted, surprise, then recognition.

"The farm boy they speak of... the one who stood beside you when you reclaimed Bulcan?"

Aiah gave a slow, single nod.

Simon stood and bowed deeply.

"If you place your trust in him... then so will we. That alone would be a great help, Your Majesty."

As Simon stepped out, silence settled once more.

Aiah turned to Isaac, her voice low. "You’re sure?"

He gave a small nod.

"They need someone who isn’t a king... but fights like one."