Chapter 20
Even considering the border issues, I felt Joaquin Perez had backed down far too easily.
‘After setting such an elaborate trap.’
Joaquin Perez didn’t just resent Deyan; he was obsessed with him. He must have schemed specifically to draw Deyan out. Simply retreating just because he had crossed the border didn’t fit his temperament.
Deyan’s judgment also had some suspicious aspects.
‘If he had just finished him off, even if it sparked a war, he wouldn’t have sustained such a serious injury.’
If it weren’t for that injury, he wouldn’t have fallen into my clutches.
Furthermore, Deyan had a perfectly valid justification. If he had gathered evidence of the plot Joaquin Perez had orchestrated, he could have used it to dispose of him or, at the very least, secure a seat at the negotiating table. Even if Deyan lacked the political savvy to see that far, I glanced at Holdin.
‘There’s no way this cunning man wouldn’t have thought of that.’
Holdin must have been the one doing the thinking.
It was suspicious. No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t find a clean answer. Yet, to dismiss Holdin’s words as mere lies, there were no holes in his story.
‘There’s another hidden reason.’
It was likely a reason he could never tell me, so threats or torture would clearly be useless.
‘Can’t be helped.’
I’d just have to find out for myself.
There was nothing left to discuss with Holdin. At least, not for now. I could hear the rest of the story from Deyan’s own lips. It was easier to deal with a man who was unexpectedly simple despite his size than to handle a man whose brain worked too quickly for his own good.
I set down my teacup and nodded with a smile, as I always did.
"Fortunately, we’ve avoided an immediate war."
"That is true. Shall I offer my congratulations?"
"If you keep being sarcastic, I’ll have your tongue pulled out."
As soon as I said it with a bright smile, Holdin’s posture became respectful again. It seemed that insolence was a habit ingrained in his body, given how it kept popping out whenever I let my guard down.
‘Should I correct it?’
I felt like Giselle could fix it without much trouble, but I didn’t see the need to waste the effort.
"Let’s end our conversation here. I have administrative duties this afternoon."
As I rose from my seat, Beval, who had been snoring away on the bed, opened his eyes.
[Idir, where are you going?]
"I’m going to attend to my duties. Please, continue your nap, Beval."
*Don’t follow me because you’re a nuisance.*
...That was what I meant, but Beval didn’t seem to catch the subtext.
[No. I’m coming with you.]
He let out a long yawn and staggered over to stick to my side.
[Even if I’m a nuisance, take me.]
Wait, no? Did he catch on?
I glanced at Beval, whose eyes were half-closed, and started walking.
"Beval. Try to walk properly."
[I’m sleepy. It’s broad daylight. This is my usual nap time.]
Then go take a nap.
*Sigh.*
I suppressed a sigh and pushed Beval’s swaying body to the side. Why did he have to be so physically substantial when no one else could even see him? He was so heavy he wouldn’t even budge.
I eventually changed tactics and decided to appease him.
"Beval."
[Hmm?]
"I have to handle administrative work in my office from now on. Since I’ll just be doing boring paperwork anyway, wouldn’t you be more comfortable sleeping in a bed?"
[No. I don’t want to lie in the beds of those musty men...]
"Then sleep in my room."
[...Really?]
"Yes. You can sleep in my bed. I won’t be back until after dinner."
[You’re the one who said it? Oh, wait. That pigeon bastard is in your room right now.]
"I’ll ask him to move to the tea room."
When I coaxed him by saying he would listen to my request, Beval fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
"Sariel."
Returning to my room, it was just as I expected. Sariel was sitting at the tea table, sipping tea exactly as he had been when I first left. Judging by the number of empty teapots, he must have drunk at least five.
"You really do love tea. Shall I show you to the tea room?"
[...That is not a bad suggestion, Idir.]
Sariel, who had been drinking tea elegantly with half-lidded eyes, stood up. When his cold gaze swept over Beval, Beval reacted immediately.
[What are you glaring at, you brat?]
[Shouldn’t a child with your intelligence be taking a nap?]
[What? Did you just insult my intelligence?]
[My apologies. A child is not to be blamed.]
[Grrr! You ■■ ■■! I’ll…!]
*Thump!*
As soon as Beval rolled up his sleeves to lunge at him, Sariel reached out. A white light flashed on the back of his hand and shot out in a straight line like lightning.
[Let us go, Idir.]
[Hey! Aren’t you going to take this off? Hey, you ■■■!]
When I came to my senses, Beval was stuck to the wall, struggling. Seeing the white chains wrapped tightly around his body, it seemed he wouldn’t be able to break free on his own for a while.
[Demons are particularly weak when it is bright. It is because the source of their power lies in the darkness.]
Sariel advised me to remember this, as it might be useful when dealing with demons someday. I escorted the angel, who spouted harsh words with a refined face, to the tea room and even told him to enjoy himself to his heart’s content.
‘I already set aside some tea leaves for guests, so it should be fine.’
With a lighter heart and quiet ears, I entered my office. I was so focused on my work that I lost track of time until a knock on the door stirred me.
"Come in."
"You look beautiful today, my Lady."
"Spare me the pleasantries. How was the matter I requested handled?"
I remained seated at my desk to greet him. The gentleman strode in, stood directly before me, and handed over a document stamped with the seal of the Alliance.
"I have brought the reply."
He was the Foreign Minister of this country. He had left for the Agavni Alliance a few months ago and must have returned today. I used a knife to break the seal on the document and examined the contents.
—May the blessings and protection of the Lemen Mountains bring peace to Your Highness’s territory and people. We have carefully reviewed the proposal regarding the joint defense treaty sent by your country. Regarding the true intentions contained within, and amidst the turbulent political situation...
I skipped the unnecessarily long-winded introduction.
—However, the Agavni Alliance has upheld a single principle since its founding. We have decided to remain as an entity that maintains balance at the borders where conflicting interests collide.
‘So, they’re saying they’ll wash their hands of it.’
Why the hell do they have to be so wordy? Cowardly bystanders.
*Crinkle.*
I put strength into my hand without realizing it.
"...My Lady?"
"It’s not the answer I wanted. Unfortunately."
I realized my mistake and loosened my grip, but the official document was already long since crumpled. I awkwardly rubbed the spot with my thumb, but the mark wouldn’t disappear. It felt like an omen of my current situation, so I stared at it for a long time before looking up.
The Foreign Minister, wearing a worried expression, pulled the corners of his mouth into a faint smile. I hurriedly offered him a smile in return.
"It’s an answer I had already anticipated."
"I believe we can arrange another negotiation regarding trade. Having observed the recent trends of the Alliance, trade with Adorif has become significantly more active..."
"No."
I cut him off before he could say anything more. Usually, I would have listened to him until the end before sharing my thoughts, but I wasn’t in the mood today.
‘I already hold other cards, so there’s no need to waste energy on useless talk.’
I neatly filed away the Alliance’s letter the Foreign Minister had brought, tucked it into the bottom drawer, and selected only the items that required the Grand Duke’s seal.
"We will put the plan to cooperate with the Alliance on hold for now. Let’s explore a different method."
"If you have something in mind, may I ask what it is?"
"Not yet. I just thought I would broaden my perspective a little."
"I see. Understood."
Looking relieved, the Foreign Minister bowed respectfully and withdrew. Once the door closed, I calmly counted the time.
*Tick. Tick.*
The sound of the small second hand filled the silence. Whenever I counted time like this, unnecessary sentiments would wash over me as if they had been waiting.
My father’s office. My father’s desk. My father’s chair.
The fact that this place, which was once the loudest in the Grand Duchy and frequented by so many, was now this quiet.
All of it felt painfully awkward.
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