DYBAR - Chapter 151 < Civil War Negotiations, The Appetizer >
Do Your Best And Regret
Totwell, the imperial port city.
The waves crashed beneath the anchored ship. As the white foam shimmered and crashed, the cheerful shouts typical of a port city and the salty smell of seawater wafted through the air.
“... They just talk a lot about being allies. It’s so rude that I’m truly speechless.”
“That’s right. The Empire seems to have forgotten that the war with us ended some time ago. How can they call us to be their allies in a civil war?”
An unbearable complaint broke out in a lowered voice.
Be that as it may, Duke Kiwal of Heferti raised his monocle. He looked intently beyond the noise of the sailors unloading the ship's baggage and the noise of the nobles boarding the cruise ship.
Every time he saw curly blonde hair flowing between colorful clothes, a demon-like woman flashed in the Duke of Kiwal's mind.
“... Lie! Everything the Princess says is a lie! Otherwise, how would I have planned to hold an engagement ceremony during a banquet... !”
A white face, red blood around the mouth, a creepy laugh that sounds like a sob, and blue eyes that sparkle like a doll.
In that short period of time, he got goosebumps. The Duke of Kiwal shook his head.
There was no way that she, who was said to have married a middle-ranking nobleman of Auslan in return for exposing the Princess's lies, would be in the Empire. Above all, the Kingdom of Oslan was not included among the allies listed in the invitation...
The Duke of Kiwal paused for a moment.
Although he was not invited, the story would have been passed down to the Kingdom of Oslan through nobles who were close to the Empire.
As for him, he sent a letter informing Archduke Vikander before leaving Heferti.
So, does that mean she really came to the Empire?
“Thank you for accepting the invitation.”
He seemed to be too lost in thought.
A man who looked familiar from the previous defeat negotiations approached him and quietly greeted him.
Did he say that the aide next to the Crown Prince was Count Hodges?
The procession that followed was also simple. It was hard to believe that it was a delegation visiting at the request of the Empire.
The Count seemed to have noticed the Duke of Kiwal's inclination, and he bowed silently and repeated the emphasis.
“Thank you again for your understanding as we have no choice but to serve you quietly.”
Someone looked at the Duke of Kiwal with dissatisfied eyes. Instead, ignoring his wish to state his country's position, the Duke cleared his throat loudly.
“... It's okay. By the way, when did you say the negotiations were held?”
“It’s urgent, but we’ve decided on the morning after the day after tomorrow after getting out of bed. Some countries have yet to arrive.”
“Well...”
He's looking forward to it.
Count Hodges asked back as if he hadn't heard what he said. But the Duke of Kiwal swallowed his sneer and looked elsewhere. His eyes were cold behind his monocle.
It's also shameless.
They trample on his country, Heferti, and then ask for an envoy to fight a war under the name of an ally.
There was only one reason why he agreed to a job that didn't even get laughed at. It was because he hoped that Grand Duke Vikander, whom he had contacted in advance, would upset the imperial palace like last time.
And just now, somehow, my expectations increased one more.
Missions from the Allies arrived at the islands one after another.
Leopold looked down at the garden with a wicked smile on the corner of his mouth. There was a long line of carriages circling the imperial palace garden.
Excluding the Kingdom of Auslan, there were a total of twelve friendly countries of the Empire that immediately responded and sent envoys.
“How far are you prepared?”
The Emperor's gray hair became blonde again through magic. However, after the Princess's portrait was burned, the Emperor suddenly looked decrepit, as if he were an old man.
Leopold found such an Emperor funny. The face of the Emperor lusting after Olivia was vivid in Leopold's memory.
Nevertheless, the reason he was treated like an Emperor was because of the dignity of the throne that Leopold would inherit.
Leopold answered with cold eyes.
"Your Majesty. How can there be any preparation? As always, isn’t the system fully equipped for all situations?”
At those words, the Emperor nodded his head softly.
It was just as the Prince said. The system was no different from usual.
A small tea party was held again near the Princess's palace, and the Empress began her social life as if she had shaken off her worries about the Duke of Elkin.
The same was true for the council of nobles.
But the Emperor fell silent.
Are the nobles who have always raised their voices saying that it is unfortunate that the credit is being given to the Grand Duke and that they can do better, but are they really preparing for something?
Clearly, the Prince is a good person. He attracts people's favor with his handsome appearance, has a strong sense of pride, knows how to influence nobles with his words, and is full of confidence.
The Count seemed to have noticed the Duke of Kiwal's inclination, and he bowed silently and repeated the emphasis.
“Thank you again for your understanding as we have no choice but to serve you quietly.”
Someone looked at the Duke of Kiwal with dissatisfied eyes. Instead, ignoring his wish to state his country's position, the Duke cleared his throat loudly.
“... It's okay. By the way, when did you say the negotiations were held?”
“It’s urgent, but we’ve decided on the morning after the day after tomorrow after getting out of bed. Some countries have yet to arrive.”
“Well...”
He's looking forward to it.
Count Hodges asked back as if he hadn't heard what he said. But the Duke of Kiwal swallowed his sneer and looked elsewhere. His eyes were cold behind his monocle.
It's also shameless.
They trample on his country, Heferti, and then ask for an envoy to fight a war under the name of an ally.
There was only one reason why he agreed to a job that didn't even get laughed at. It was because he hoped that Grand Duke Vikander, whom he had contacted in advance, would upset the imperial palace like last time.
And just now, somehow, my expectations increased one more.
***
Missions from the Allies arrived at the islands one after another.
Leopold looked down at the garden with a wicked smile on the corner of his mouth. There was a long line of carriages circling the imperial palace garden.
Excluding the Kingdom of Auslan, there were a total of twelve friendly countries of the Empire that immediately responded and sent envoys.
“How far are you prepared?”
The Emperor's gray hair became blonde again through magic. However, after the Princess's portrait was burned, the Emperor suddenly looked decrepit, as if he were an old man.
Leopold found such an Emperor funny. The face of the Emperor lusting after Olivia was vivid in Leopold's memory.
Nevertheless, the reason he was treated like an Emperor was because of the dignity of the throne that Leopold would inherit.
Leopold answered with cold eyes.
"Your Majesty. How can there be any preparation? As always, isn’t the system fully equipped for all situations?”
At those words, the Emperor nodded his head softly.
It was just as the Prince said. The system was no different from usual.
A small tea party was held again near the Princess's palace, and the Empress began her social life as if she had shaken off her worries about the Duke of Elkin.
The same was true for the council of nobles.
But the Emperor fell silent.
Are the nobles who have always raised their voices saying that it is unfortunate that the credit is being given to the Grand Duke and that they can do better, but are they really preparing for something?
Clearly, the Prince is a good person. He attracts people's favor with his handsome appearance, has a strong sense of pride, knows how to influence nobles with his words, and is full of confidence.
So...
“... The Gran Duke is not an easy guy. You must be extraordinarily careful.”
The Emperor repeated his request.
The Prince has never experienced complete failure. His experience of participating in the war cannot be compared to that of the Grand Duke, and he has never felt the loss of the woman he loved like him, nor has he gone to any lengths to kill his rival.
Despite the Emperor's concerns, Leopold smiled confidently.
The bright blue eyes were filled with arrogance and sparkled with hope. Leopold because he knew everything that was happening on the Islands.
From the fact that Viscount Odelph hastily put his own biological child, not his illegitimate son, as an apprentice knight in the 5th Knights Templar, to the fact that Count Comodey bought his mercenaries and unreasonably issued bonds to strengthen the knights.
It was I who even ordered the useless princess to throw a tea party to exaggerate the stability of the system. The same goes for her mother, the Empress, who insisted that social gatherings continue.
All news from the islands was at the palm of his hand. With the exception of the Duke of Madeleine, it was clearly visible that all of the nobility of the Islands were wondering how they could increase their share of post-war reparations.
Although the Duke of Madeleine was concerned about not taking active steps, he did not care. On the defensive, the imperial palace was completely superior.
So...
“… Yes, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please pay more attention to urging our allies to participate in tomorrow’s war.”
The victory was his to take for granted. Leopold had a sweet tomorrow ahead of him.
And the day of negotiations.
The conference hall was filled with high-ranking nobles from the archipelago and delegations from twelve countries.
As soon as the Emperor entered, a solemn voice rang out in the quiet hall.
“The nobles of the empire, and the representatives of the delegations of the allies who traveled a long way to come in one step. I would like to start this opportunity by thanking you.”
While the formal greetings continued, Leopold quickly scanned the conference hall. Although the seats of the two Dukes of Madeleine and Elkin, pillars of the Empire, were empty, the rest were all nobles who supported Leopold.
Leopold was quite pleased with this perfectly controlled situation. That was until Count Hodges, who was guarding the door, came running in, lost in thought.
“Your Highness, a delegation has arrived, probably sent intentionally from Auslan. however...”
Count Hodges, unable to continue speaking, only pursed his lips. Leopold stiffened his mouth. He felt annoyed and ridiculed at the same time.
An ally who wasn't even invited would send an envoy first.
It seemed like he had heard that he was the only one among the kingdoms with strong alliances who had not been invited. If so, it's worth the rush. Leopold gestured towards the doorway.
And before Count Hodges could stop him, the servant found a moment of silence and shouted loudly.
“A delegation from the Kingdom of Auslan is entering.”
“... The Gran Duke is not an easy guy. You must be extraordinarily careful.”
The Emperor repeated his request.
The Prince has never experienced complete failure. His experience of participating in the war cannot be compared to that of the Grand Duke, and he has never felt the loss of the woman he loved like him, nor has he gone to any lengths to kill his rival.
Despite the Emperor's concerns, Leopold smiled confidently.
The bright blue eyes were filled with arrogance and sparkled with hope. Leopold because he knew everything that was happening on the Islands.
From the fact that Viscount Odelph hastily put his own biological child, not his illegitimate son, as an apprentice knight in the 5th Knights Templar, to the fact that Count Comodey bought his mercenaries and unreasonably issued bonds to strengthen the knights.
It was I who even ordered the useless princess to throw a tea party to exaggerate the stability of the system. The same goes for her mother, the Empress, who insisted that social gatherings continue.
All news from the islands was at the palm of his hand. With the exception of the Duke of Madeleine, it was clearly visible that all of the nobility of the Islands were wondering how they could increase their share of post-war reparations.
Although the Duke of Madeleine was concerned about not taking active steps, he did not care. On the defensive, the imperial palace was completely superior.
So...
“… Yes, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please pay more attention to urging our allies to participate in tomorrow’s war.”
The victory was his to take for granted. Leopold had a sweet tomorrow ahead of him.
And the day of negotiations.
The conference hall was filled with high-ranking nobles from the archipelago and delegations from twelve countries.
As soon as the Emperor entered, a solemn voice rang out in the quiet hall.
“The nobles of the empire, and the representatives of the delegations of the allies who traveled a long way to come in one step. I would like to start this opportunity by thanking you.”
While the formal greetings continued, Leopold quickly scanned the conference hall. Although the seats of the two Dukes of Madeleine and Elkin, pillars of the Empire, were empty, the rest were all nobles who supported Leopold.
Leopold was quite pleased with this perfectly controlled situation. That was until Count Hodges, who was guarding the door, came running in, lost in thought.
“Your Highness, a delegation has arrived, probably sent intentionally from Auslan. however...”
Count Hodges, unable to continue speaking, only pursed his lips. Leopold stiffened his mouth. He felt annoyed and ridiculed at the same time.
An ally who wasn't even invited would send an envoy first.
It seemed like he had heard that he was the only one among the kingdoms with strong alliances who had not been invited. If so, it's worth the rush. Leopold gestured towards the doorway.
And before Count Hodges could stop him, the servant found a moment of silence and shouted loudly.
“A delegation from the Kingdom of Auslan is entering.”
***
“Salute to the little sun, the great sun of the Empire. This is Answer, a servant of Auslan. We committed the insolence of being the last to arrive. I apologize.”
An uninvited delegation from Auslan even brought gifts. And that too after all the other allies had arrived.
The Emperor responded appropriately as he watched Auslan's long procession.
“It was okay because I attended at least this way. What a gift. It was the Empire that proposed negotiations, thank you.”
“Salute to the little sun, the great sun of the empire. It is a gift that does not live up to the dignity of the two of you, so please do not mind.”
The coquettish voice was somehow familiar. The woman who was standing at the back of the delegation holding a gift slowly came to the front.
It can't be...
Leopold, who was laughing, raised his head. At that moment, he couldn't hide his stiff face. He couldn't even believe his eyes.
The woman who threw away the Auslan shawl and hat she was wearing...
“Maria Tefils entered the ceremony as a member of the delegation of the Kingdom of Oslan.”
The conference hall became quiet as if it had frozen. The nobles of the archipelago, as well as the envoys from the foreign countries, seemed to recognize her and only blinked at her.
Maria Tefils, the former Lady of Ethel, raised the corners of her mouth seductively.
“As a member of the delegation and once loyal to the Empire, I have one message from the King of Oslan that I must convey.”
A clear voice, like a rolling jade ball, rang through the conference hall. Maria smiled innocently and looked at the Emperor and then at Leopold.
Leopold's handsome eyebrows were stiff.
The woman who threw away the Auslan shawl and hat she was wearing...
“Maria Tefils entered the ceremony as a member of the delegation of the Kingdom of Oslan.”
The conference hall became quiet as if it had frozen. The nobles of the archipelago, as well as the envoys from the foreign countries, seemed to recognize her and only blinked at her.
Maria Tefils, the former Lady of Ethel, raised the corners of her mouth seductively.
“As a member of the delegation and once loyal to the Empire, I have one message from the King of Oslan that I must convey.”
A clear voice, like a rolling jade ball, rang through the conference hall. Maria smiled innocently and looked at the Emperor and then at Leopold.
Leopold's handsome eyebrows were stiff.
When she saw the deep blue eyes looking at her as if searching, Maria's heart sank.
She didn't come all this way just to see his face as hard as it was when he abandoned her.
“I am very sorry that you left out Auslan among your invitations to the allies. No way...”
Maria pursed her red lips. And she blinked her eyes wide as if she could not believe it. Maria muttered, deliberately pointing at herself and clicking her tongue in pity.
“I guess you still have feelings for me, Your Highness?"
At those words, his proud face became distorted. At this moment, his handsome mouth hardens and his bright blue eyes sparkle with uncontrollable anger.
A thrill of exhilarating pleasure went through Maria.
She didn't know how much she imagined Leopold's face. Everyone here probably can't even imagine how much she prayed for the Prince who abandoned her to slowly fall apart.
So much so that she thoughtlessly accepted Olivia's offer.
***
“... Mrs. Tefils, please leave for a moment. You don’t understand anything about negotiation, so you'll be bored.”
“Thank you for your consideration, but I did briefly prepare the Empire’s summer banquet.”
“How dare you say what happened back then... !”
The Emperor screamed.
Maria, smiling brightly, looked at the nobles. Probably no one here will forget her that day.
Even the monocle-wearing Duke of Kiwal was smiling at her.
At this point, the board is sufficiently laid. Now the Prince is embarrassed and the Emperor is angry.
“By the way, because you were trying to bring up some important agenda, did you actually leave out important people from the empire at a meeting where all the empire’s allies and high-ranking nobles were present?”
If there was one thing Maria realized right after being sent to Auslan, it was that she had nothing left to lose.
“Negotiations without the Duke of Elkin or the Duke of Madeleine present. It’s fun.”
From the Prince's lover to a mere kingdom, that is, the wife of a middle noble. As she was put down in a poor and ungainly position, Mary felt a voracious appetite.
What is the way to achieve her greed?
Even the monocle-wearing Duke of Kiwal was smiling at her.
At this point, the board is sufficiently laid. Now the Prince is embarrassed and the Emperor is angry.
“By the way, because you were trying to bring up some important agenda, did you actually leave out important people from the empire at a meeting where all the empire’s allies and high-ranking nobles were present?”
If there was one thing Maria realized right after being sent to Auslan, it was that she had nothing left to lose.
“Negotiations without the Duke of Elkin or the Duke of Madeleine present. It’s fun.”
From the Prince's lover to a mere kingdom, that is, the wife of a middle noble. As she was put down in a poor and ungainly position, Mary felt a voracious appetite.
What is the way to achieve her greed?
Funnily enough, what came to mind while she was thinking was Olivia's voice, which had once made her miserable.
“Do you want to be in government?”
Maria twitched her lips secretly. Just in time, she was seen through the window.
"Oh, my goodness. “I can’t believe someone is coming later than me.”
Her coquettish muttering attracted attention like an actor performing a play. Without missing the opportunity, Maria lifted the curtain that half covered the window and smiled brightly.
The dark-haired Grand Duke and her silver-haired Olivia walked through the garden. Even with the temperate knights following them, the Grand Duke and Olivia shined.
But they were not the ones Maria should be looking at now. A man who won't even get any attention in this play.
As someone who had been through misery pushed to her edge, she looked to what was ahead of her.
And Maria smiled brightly with all her malice.
“...It’s like the main character.”
“Do you want to be in government?”
Maria twitched her lips secretly. Just in time, she was seen through the window.
"Oh, my goodness. “I can’t believe someone is coming later than me.”
Her coquettish muttering attracted attention like an actor performing a play. Without missing the opportunity, Maria lifted the curtain that half covered the window and smiled brightly.
The dark-haired Grand Duke and her silver-haired Olivia walked through the garden. Even with the temperate knights following them, the Grand Duke and Olivia shined.
But they were not the ones Maria should be looking at now. A man who won't even get any attention in this play.
As someone who had been through misery pushed to her edge, she looked to what was ahead of her.
And Maria smiled brightly with all her malice.
“...It’s like the main character.”
Not Answer hahaha
ReplyDeleteThis PM really has an incredible level of confidence
ReplyDelete