Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 551: Political Marriage
Ryan's appearance in the Versailles Principality was generally unknown; she had disguised herself and looked like another person. What Zhao Hai needed was her familiarity with the Versailles Principality, not to leverage the Versailles Family's reputation.
Now, the Versailles Principality was no longer called that; it had been renamed the Northern Territory, and there was only one lord here, not a grand duke.
However, this lord was a trusted confidant of Boric, which was why Boric could safely place this person here. Boric now hated the Church of Light more than anyone else. It was precisely because of the Church's instigation that he had fallen to this point. Although he had gained the throne of the Aksu Empire, he was burdened with enormous debts, which felt terrible.
Not only was it because of this, but also due to his wrong decisions, which caused the Aksu Empire to suffer tremendous losses, diminishing his prestige among the nobles. Many nobles were no longer obedient to him.
The reason those nobles had not opposed him at this time was that the Aksu Family still held significant power within the Aksu Empire. Although the Aksu Family was dissatisfied with Boric, they also knew that if they ousted Boric now, it would only make it harder for anyone else to gain support. They feared that it could give other nobles an opening. For the sake of the Aksu Family, they had to fully support Boric for now.
Boric understood his situation, so he desperately wanted to place his trusted subordinates in key positions. That way, even if others wanted to move against him, they would have to think twice.
The current condition of the Aksu Empire was quite weak; as soon as a powerful force gave it a slight push, it might be forced to change its name and identity.
However, no matter what, the current situation of the Aksu Empire was caused by the orc tribe. If anyone dealt with them at this time, they would be condemned by others, so no one would take that risk.
Regarding the current situation of the Aksu Empire, anyone who took over would find it troublesome. Unless it was a great empire like the Roson Empire that stepped in, no major family could handle such a mess.
Zhao Hai, of course, did not care about these matters. Even if he appeared in the Aksu Empire, Boric dared not show any disrespect. The enmity between Boric and Zhao Hai had been instigated by Boric himself. Now, Zhao Hai’s identity and status were no less than that of this down-and-out king. Moreover, with the powerful forces backing Zhao Hai, if Boric went against him, it would be tantamount to self-destruction.
Zhao Hai was unconcerned about these matters. He entrusted the affairs of the Versailles Principality to Ryan, and his decision received the consent of Galen and Merlin.
Galen and Merlin agreed after a discussion with Ivan. From the moment Galen agreed to this matter, Zhao Hai knew that his relationship with Ryan was likely solidified, and Ryan might marry him in the future.
However, compared to Laura and the others, Ryan's current status still had a certain gap from Zhao Hai's. If she wanted to marry Zhao Hai, she would have to achieve some accomplishments. The shops in the Versailles Principality, now called the Northern Territory, were actually a test set by Galen and the others for Ryan.
If Ryan performed well, her marriage to Zhao Hai would have a chance. If not, it would be difficult for her to become Zhao Hai's wife.
Zhao Hai had thought that Ryan would be too proud to agree to such conditions, but he did not expect her to agree without hesitation. Zhao Hai knew that Ryan might have some feelings for him, but it was definitely not as deep as Laura's. The reason she agreed so quickly was more due to the connection with the Versailles Family.
Now, the Versailles Family had to depend on the Budah Family to survive and possibly rise again. For the sake of the Versailles Family, she agreed to marry Zhao Hai.
After realizing this outcome, Zhao Hai sighed. He did not oppose it; he had long known this day would come. He just did not expect it would happen with Ryan.