Conseil du Royaume

[Braden]

Henri smiles at Villains words before rising

It gladdens me that Simon de Montpierre has put into more coherant words my own reasoning behind this matter.

The young Duc of Lorraine was not "independant" as I was his vassal and Baron. It was my assumption, which was upheld by a good number of fellow nobles that such lands that the Duchy controlled would fall to the next Duc. By fate alone that was myself and it was the King himself who confirmed my rise to such a lofty title.

However, should the Law Givers of our lands believe otherwise I will uphold there opinions and I notice that Baron de Metz raises also a very valid point about the continuation of the Duchy's occupation and unilateral control of the provinces in question.

Henri sighs

Honestly my lords, this whole affair tires me. I continue to fail to see the Kings position or his objections to my brothers adoption of the Baron, a man who continues to serve his nation well and his Duchy even more. All this nonsense detracts me from my real task...defending our borders against a renewed and aggressive Germany.

As far as I can tell, all these wranglings achieve nothing and only delay and confuse those hoping to defend us from our enemies. I would have thought my father happy to have Charles granted a province by me, Charles stands to defend our Southern frontier and I have every faith in him for that task.

As for the Baron, again, he seems...like me somehow...been a victim of unfounded and deflamatory rumour. The fact that such "rumour", without proof, even found itself to the ears of my father is perhaps testiment enough that further action by me might be in order. One does not sully the name of a Prince of the Realm and expect him to accept that which is said without justice being sort?

Again though, this is another DISTRACTION and one I can ill-afford. I have an enemy to defeat, a frontier to secure and a future for my Duchy to confirm. If anyone wants me I am returning to MY Capital Frankfurt to help defend it from the Germans for there is no-one else who has thought it prudent to do so OTHER than the Duchy of Lorraine.

Henri raises both his hands, shakes his head, turns and just walks out