Chapter 94 Inducing Holden
This was the most serious matter for Candy as the Knight Commander.
Moreover, Anne did have some real skills. Even though Holden didn't believe her little tricks of winning by catching him off guard would work on the battlefield, he had to admit she wasn't as completely useless as Candy claimed.
But Candy just sneered when she heard this. "I know that. Since you won't help me, I'll risk everything and fight her to expose the truth about her stealing credit for military achievements. Everyone will know she doesn't deserve such rewards. The only woman in this army truly qualified to take over as Knight Order Commander is me, only me, Candy!"
Holden frowned. "I didn't say I wouldn't help you."
"You're my wife, my one true love. How could I not want to help you? I'm just afraid you'll regret it."
Hearing him say this, Candy knew she had gotten Holden to waver.
When she first set her sights on Holden, it was partly because he was handsome and became Knight Commander at such a young age, but also because she discovered Holden was easily influenced and too easy to control. Being with him, she could even change his views through leading questions and sway the Knight Order's policies.
Such a perfect man - of course she had to snatch him up and make him hers.
Besides, Holden was great in bed too. They were very compatible, and their relationship heated up quickly through their back-and-forth, until he finally promised to marry her.
She understood Holden too well.
So Candy immediately put on a hurt and wronged expression, her eyes welling up with tears as if she might cry at any moment. "As long as you're willing to help me, I'm not afraid of anything. You're all I have to rely on."
When Holden's expression softened, Candy quickly continued coaxing him. "I know you're worried that if I become Commander, people will say your position equals your wife's. But darling, think about it - if we're both Commanders, our combined power won't be limited to just one order."
"You just said the Yadleys would come after us. Maybe one Commander isn't threatening enough, but what about two? If we control both the first and third Knight Orders, we'd command the Soth Empire's most elite military forces."
"Who would dare look down on us then? Who would dare bully our family? With you and me, the Titan family definitely won't stay at just viscount level - we could become counts, even marquises. Then who would we need to fear?"
Holden was swayed by her words. Thinking about it, she was right. Originally when Candy served as Knight Commander under him, though it sounded nice - the Soth Empire's first female Knight Commander - in reality, everything she could control was given by Holden. When it came down to it, it was just Holden's power alone.
But if Candy became a Knight Order Commander, she'd control forces beyond the Dawn Knight Order. Even if Holden couldn't directly command her order, she was his wife - she'd follow his lead. Two Knight Orders would intimidate most nobles, and even the King wouldn't dare strip him of command.
Thinking this, Holden was immediately filled with guilt. He had actually let his petty jealousy stand in the way of Candy's future, and the glorious future of the Titan family.
He quickly pulled Candy into his arms. "I'm sorry, it's my fault. Oh darling, you're a genius. I didn't even think of that. Damn it, I let Anne and the others confuse me and made me doubt your intentions."
"I promise I'll never doubt you again. Don't be sad. It's just the position of Ivy Knights Commander - tell me how to fight for it, and we'll figure it out together."
Candy burst out laughing. "I'm not sad, but you're not allowed to talk to me in that tone again."
After Holden promised repeatedly, Candy finally stopped smiling and seriously grasped his hand. "I know our starting position is a bit difficult this time, but as you said, rumors can easily affect the army's morale. If Friedel wants to stop the rumors, he'll either have to remove Anne or make Anne come out and prove her abilities."
"And no matter which one it is, I'll make Friedel understand that rather than propping up a noble lady with an empty reputation and constantly paying for her and her family's name, he'd be better off investing in someone like me - a Knight Commander with a bright future and actual combat achievements."
Holden thought about it and agreed. Even if Anne really had skills, how long had she been at the eastern battlefield? From what they'd heard, she'd only participated in three or four battles. Forget about her leading soldiers to victory - Holden absolutely wouldn't believe she'd even led troops in battle.
So her identity as Knight Commander was indeed disgustingly fake.
Thinking this, Holden felt somewhat wistful. The Virlet family had produced military officers for generations, especially the previous Duke Virlet. When the Soth Empire was in crisis, he defeated surrounding nations and even expanded their territory, making him a great hero who shaped the Soth Empire into what it is today. If he hadn't been poisoned on the battlefield, who knows how far the borders would have been pushed.
Yet such a hero produced a daughter like Anne, practically disgracing the entire Virlet family.
Holden felt that divorcing Anne was absolutely the right decision!
Getting involved with such a woman - he was above that.
"So Candy, what do you need me to do?"
Candy was about to say something, but as the words were about to leave her mouth, she suddenly paused, looking at Holden with a complicated expression. Finally, she nestled completely into Holden's arms. "Darling, pretend you don't know anything for now. When I need your help, I'll tell you."
Holden nodded. He knew Candy always had her own ideas, and he just needed to cooperate well.
He didn't look down, so he didn't see the dark gleam that flashed through Candy's eyes.
Meanwhile, in Friedel's tent, Anne was there along with several veteran officers from the Lion Knight Order, their faces still full of grief and anger.
Anne explained the whole story of her divorce from Holden in detail. When she got to the part where Holden and Candy magnanimously allowed her to bear one child to inherit the Virlet family, Metodi couldn't help but spit. "Bah! What a toad trying to eat swan meat - ugly and delusional! Why doesn't he look in the mirror and see if he's worthy!"
"This is just bullying Miss Anne because she has no one to rely on!"
Anne shook her head. "That was just scheming at the time, but later they really wanted my life."