Tyranny of Steel

After relaxing in the quarters that were prepared for them, Berengar and Honoria made their way to the dining hall, where they were summoned to share a meal with King Alvar and his family. Alexandros was being punished for his actions, and thus he was grounded during the duration of their stay in Copenhagen. He was not even allowed to attend the meals. 

As for Berengar, he was once more treated as an esteemed guest, and was given a prominent place at the table. Interestingly enough, Alvar had ensured that his daughter Ingrid was sitting by his side. Berengar felt comfortable having two pristine beauties sitting next to him. However, Honoria was visibly vexed by this seating arrangement. 

Berengar quickly noticed that there was a distinctive lack of Catholic priests at the table. In his previous visit, the Kalmar Union was split between their own variant of reformists and the Catholic Church. Today, it appeared that every member of the clergy who was sitting at the table as a part of the host were all distinctive members of the Nordic Reformation.  Curious about this change in the status quo, Berengar immediately voiced his thoughts aloud.

"Where are all the Catholics? The last time I checked, Catholicism still had a major influence in the Kalmar Union..."

Before King Alvar could speak about this, Ingrid beat him to the punch. With a pleasant smile on her face, she shared the changes that the Kalmar Union had gone through over the past few years.

"That was a long time ago. Since then, the Nordic Reformation has taken prominence in both stately affairs and in the lives of the public. The people have become increasingly aware of the corruption in the Catholic Church, and their lies about reformist movements. Because of this, the overwhelming majority of people in our Kingdom are now Reformists.

You could say that the influence you had on Germany has spread to the Nordic kingdoms.  The primary difference between the Nordic Reformation and its German Counterpart is we do not believe in polygamy. Such a thing is considered antiquated and outright sinful."

Berengar scoffed when he heard this, it was clear that Ingrid was a devout Nordic Reformist who considered the German Reformation's stance on polygamy to be blasphemous. Which Berengar quickly countered with his own arguments.

"Monogamy is a Roman ideal, not a christian one. Though the book of Corinthians does state that a man should have one wife, and a wife should have one husband, this is in reference to the leaders of the church, not the average man. Since I am not a Roman, I see no reason to abide by their ancient laws and traditions. Do not forget that our ancestors engaged in polygamy, at least at the highest level of society. 

A thousand years ago, you would be but one of many wives of a powerful chieftain or monarch. Instead, you now preach monogamy as if you are a proper roman subject, and use an obscure verse as your defense. Such a thing is pitiful, you should embrace your Germanic heritage and take the most exceptional man you can find as your husband, even if he already has another wife."

Ingrid wore a cunning smile on her lips as she used this statement that Berengar had made as a gateway to proposition him.

"Tell me, oh great Kaiser of Germany, are you implying that I should become your wife? After all, who is more exceptional than you, a man who rose from the position of a lowly baron, to that of an emperor through his own force of will? A man undefeated in battle, and more handsome than any other man I have laid eyes upon."

While Berengar smirked at this response, Honoria was livid. She had stopped eating the moment she heard this and was about to make a harsh remark of her own when Berengar interrupted her.

"Though such a union would be beneficial to both our realms, I think it is a bit redundant, since my son Kristoffer is already engaged to a member of your house. As per German law, I am only able to lawfully marry one more woman, and I'm saving it for someone special.

Not that your offer isn't enticing. After all, you are a beautiful young woman who clearly has an educated mind. However, I fear as if our views on the world are too opposed, and we would only be bickering with one another should I invite you into my house. I'm afraid you must settle for a man who is lesser than myself."

Though Ingrid was internally pleased at being rejected by a womanizer like Berengar, Alvar did not share the same sentiment. In his eyes, it was highly unlikely that Kristoffer would come to the throne. Rumors of Hans' superior intellect had made their way to Copenhagen, and the man felt that it was only a matter of time before the child of Linde was named the crown prince.

When that happened, his alliance with the von Kufstein Household would be less powerful than those of Germany's other allies. It was because of this that the man felt like his Kingdom and those of the union would become a client state of the Reich like the Kingdom of Lombardy had become. If he could not marry Ingrid to Berengar, then he only had one other option to go with to secure the future of his people.

"If you're uninterested in Ingrid, then perhaps your son Hans would be? I hear you have engaged him to the Princess of Bohemia, and Poland. What about my daughter Ingrid?" 

Berengar gazed upon the curvy figure of Ingrid, and her hefty bosom, and nodded his head in silence. There was no doubt in Berengar's mind that his son Hans would grow up with a fetish for older women who had big tits.

By the time the boy came of age, Ingrid would be twenty-five, so she would not be too old to the point where she was rapidly losing her fertility.  Honoria witnessed Berengar's lecherous gaze and nudged his ribs with her elbows while scolding him for his actions. 

"Dear, you're being rude..."

Berengar immediately looked up and saw the flustered appearance on Ingrid's face. He immediately became defensive as he tried to explain his actions.

"Don't mind me, I'm just thinking. My eyes tend to wander when I space out. Anyway... It would not be implausible to marry the girl to my eldest son when he comes of age. I'm sure he would be thrilled to have such a beautiful older woman as his bride. However, these matters would have to be discussed in great detail."

The shamelessness of the Kaiser was on full display for every guest at the table. Even Honoria felt a bit embarrassed for him. Still, not a single soul dared to speak of this. Instead, they happily enjoyed their meals, while Alvar discussed the idea of engaging his sixteen-year-old daughter to Berengar's seven-year-old son.

Ingrid was actually relieved when it came to the idea of marrying Hans. Even though it would be a Polygamous marriage, she could use her age and wisdom to manipulate the boy into being the man she desired. Or so she thought.

She did not know that Hans had inherited his father's brilliance, and his mother's cunning. By the time he was of age, he would be a master manipulator, the likes the young woman had never encountered. It would be her who was following the whims and wishes of Hans. 

The conversation between Berengar and Alvar continued for some time, before they were finally able to come to a proper agreement. They even signed the engagement into ink to protect Alvar's interests. Berengar did not mind this deal.

Ingrid was a beautiful young woman who, in a few years, would definitely be his son's type. He was sure Hans would be happy with this arrangement, but more importantly, this engagement strengthened his alliance with the Kalmar Union. 

Berengar understood Alvar's concerns about marrying one of his granddaughter's to Kristoffer. Unlike Hans, Kristoffer was a normal child, and though in time he might be able to contend for the throne, at the moment it was looking to everyone with a modicum amount of intelligence that Hans would inevitably be proclaimed the crown Prince. 

By marrying his eldest daughter to Hans, who was almost guaranteed to succeed Berengar later in life, then he would establish much stronger ties to the Reich and the von Kufstein dynasty. In doing so, preventing his fears from becoming a client state, rather than a long-term ally. 

Thus, the diplomatic visit to Copenhagen was actually productive, and resulted in a good deal for both sides. Berengar ensured the loyalty and cooperation of his northern neighbors, and the Kalmar Union gained a much more secure political alliance with Berengar and his dynasty.

Ultimately, Hans was the real winner of these negotiations. By the time he reached the age of marriage, Ingrid would be the ideal wife for the young man. After all, he was clearly developing an interest in older women with large breasts. 

Berengar and his host would stay in Copenhagen for a week before making their way back to the Reich. When they returned, Alexandros would be punished severely for his actions.