"Rostislav, you are 15 this year, correct?"
The Prince slightly raised his wine glass, and Jika, who was attending him, filled it with crimson wine.
"Yes, Grandfather."
Rostislav didn't know what his grandfather was planning, so he answered directly, his heart filled with confusion. Didn't his grandfather know his age?
"En, 15, very good."
The Prince drained the wine in one gulp, as if contemplating something.
"This age is just right for marriage. Someone has approached me to arrange a marriage for you. It just depends on whether you agree or not."
"Huh?"
Rostislav was momentarily stunned by this sudden news. Why was his marriage suddenly being discussed? This was too abrupt.
"She is the daughter of an emperor from the Imperial Capital. Although that emperor was dethroned ten years ago, his children and influence still remain. It just depends on whether you are willing or not. This marriage will not be a loss for you."
Yaroslav continued to add details, persuading his grandson to accept this marriage.
"The woman is about your age, and her dowry is quite generous. There will even be a group of soldiers and officials from the Imperial Capital who will come to pledge their allegiance in the future."
"Wait, stop."
His grandfather's words were making him dizzy, but the Prince still didn't agree immediately. He had to stop and ask exactly what was going on.
"Whose daughter is this Imperial Capital Princess exactly?"
"The daughter of Michael V."
"The emperor who was overthrown in 1042?"
"Yes."
Michael V, Rostislav knew this name. He was one of the most treacherous emperors of the South Empire in the past century. His background and deeds were notorious, and his radical reforms offended the nobles. It could be said that his overthrow was inevitable.
Speaking of which, his father and Uncle Vishata's expedition to the South was due to the chaos of 1042. His father wanted to seize this opportunity to see if he could conquer that great city, but the result was a tragic failure. Fortunately, both of them returned alive.
"Alright, Grandfather, please tell me the full story. Such a windfall can't happen without a reason."
Rostislav sat down in front of his grandfather, his eyes full of inquiry. It seemed too strange to gain a wife and the support of a group of officials and soldiers so easily.
"Hmph, you are as shrewd as your father, boy, but don't worry, I won't harm you."
A smile of appreciation appeared on Yaroslav's face. He liked Rostislav this way.
"Do you remember that your Uncle Vishata once stayed in the dungeon of the Imperial Capital?"
"Of course I remember. Uncle Vishata has always been proud of that experience. After all, being a guest in the dungeon of the Imperial Capital's monarch is not something you see every day, and he returned completely intact."
When Vishata told him this story, it was like he was recounting a legend: the friendship within the shield wall, his defiance in the face of torturers, and his arduous journey home. In his uncle's eyes, it was a glorious path.
"When Vishata and his men were captured, I spent a lot of resources to find someone to mediate and get those unfortunate fellows, who were captured by the Imperial Capital's army, out."
Yaroslav's eyes gleamed with memories as he spoke of past events. Those days were truly spent finding people everywhere to pull strings, and the money spent flowed like water.
"And the person I found to mediate is the one who proposed this marriage alliance to me this time. His name is Leo."
"It seems this person should be someone of high status and power in the Imperial Capital, right? Why would he come to Rus'?"
Rostislav instinctively scratched his head. From his grandfather's words, this person should be a high-ranking official in the Imperial Capital. Staying in the Imperial Capital should be better than coming to the cold Rus'.
However, in the next moment, Rostislav also realized what was going on. Because this Imperial Capital official was now bringing the daughter of Michael V to Rus' for a marriage alliance, and Michael V was undoubtedly the most treacherous monarch of the South Empire. How could that official and his group, being so close to him, not be purged?
But then new questions arose. Since this fellow was Michael V's man, and Michael V had been overthrown for over ten years, how did this fellow manage to persist until now with so many people?
"Leo can't be considered a powerful figure. Back then, he was just a go-between. But what I lacked was a go-between. As for how he could gather a group of people, that's because their masters above are all dead, and only Leo is still qualified to lead them. But don't put too much emphasis on this group of people; they are all those who bet too heavily back then and couldn't jump ship, so they and their descendants have been implicated by the wrong side they chose until today. As for why they came to Rus', the root cause is also Leo. He originally escaped the purge, but it seems some rotten deed he did recently was exposed, and he has been hiding for some time. I estimate he wants to try his luck by bringing people to the North while his influence is still there, and he also has the legitimate daughter of Michael V in his hands, which is also a good card."
His grandfather's words made Rostislav turn his head. His grandfather's understanding of the Imperial Capital truly exceeded his imagination. He was well aware of the internal political changes within the Eastern Empire, which was truly surprising.
"I suggest you accept this marriage. Among my sons and grandsons, you are the only eligible male, and by marrying this Greek girl, you can also gain the help of those behind her. For you right now, it is an excellent choice."
Facing his grandfather's renewed persuasion, Rostislav's mind raced. He had only been here for less than half an hour, and he had to decide on his major life event of marriage. He couldn't help but feel a little dizzy.
Rostislav understood that although his grandfather said he could choose, in reality, everything had already been decided. Asking for his opinion here was just a formality.
However, Rostislav had no complaints about this. Sons and grandsons are merely puppets on their elders' strings, paired up under their manipulation, and then, once these puppets grow up, they manipulate their children.
The choice his grandfather gave him was indeed good, and a fallen emperor's daughter coupled with him, the future young Prince of Rus', was still a gain. After all, no matter what, she was a genuine Imperial Capital Princess.
Moreover, he could gain some vassals from Byzantine. This was like someone sending a pillow when you're sleepy. What he lacked most right now were cultured people and officials. In the future, when he went to his territory, this group of people could be of great use.
"Then I leave everything to you, Prince."
Rostislav, having thought it through, agreed to his grandfather's request, and a smile appeared on Yaroslav's face.
"Good, I will immediately send a letter to the South to have them come over. When the bride arrives, the wedding will begin immediately."
"Yes, Prince."
Looking at his grandfather, Rostislav felt a little disheartened. His lifelong event was decided so casually, but he quickly composed himself.
No matter what, life must go on. It's just marriage, it's not like he's being asked to die. He just doesn't know what his fiancée looks like…