Chapter 46: The Meeting (Part Two)
I stared into her golden shining eyes, unable to say a word for a while.
I originally just came here to snag some cake. I never expected that Victoria had called me over to discuss such serious matters.
It had been too long… nearly a year, right? Ever since I came to this world, I hadn’t engaged in such discussions.
Negotiating.
Since I got this body, it seemed I had become… how should I put it? A little girl in mindset, or maybe just acting immature. In short, I subconsciously believed that these were things “adults” should handle, and I didn’t need to worry about them.
So at Shanter Castle, I never bothered to learn how the Central Workshop operated. In fact, I didn’t care much about what went on at home; I had no idea what my father and Lafael were up to.
When Carlos was investigating the heretics, I was merely curious but didn’t want to tag along because it sounded like a hassle. They probably saw me as a kid too, right? They never shared anything with me, and I was blissfully carefree, lost in my own world, convinced that I could rely on them if the sky fell down.
I was well aware of this, but my personality held me back: the unwillingness, the annoyance, the childish petulance… these little bratty emotions constantly prevented me from acting, even limited my thinking.
I actually hadn’t realized it until now.
Even though I was worried about my parents’ safety, and even after seeing unsettling news in the papers the other day that kept me tossing and turning at night, I had considered returning to Winter City on several occasions.
Yet, despite all of this, it never occurred to me: my reinforcements had always been right beside me.
I drank with her, fought side by side, and even shared a bed… how could I not think of her as a ruler of a nation, a woman so frighteningly intelligent? She might have a way to lend Shanter Castle a helping hand in the direst of times.
I felt like those naive little girls on TV who panic when something goes wrong. Shaking in fear but not knowing how to act, thinking they could do nothing but sulk and only scream hysterically at the last moment.
Until this moment, Victoria awakened me.
It suddenly hit me: I had so many chips to play with, so many resources, enough to sway a ruler’s decision.
Besides fighting, I had other things I could do.
I didn’t want to become the foolish heroine that the audience would mercilessly criticize… or the male protagonist.
Thoughts whirled in my head.
In the next moment, I felt clarity wash over me.
“This is the best.”
I nodded at Victoria, quickly scanning the room, my gaze sharpening back on the beautiful blonde’s delicate face.
“But, I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“I know the situation in the Royal City isn’t optimistic. The Iron Guard is entirely under that family’s control, all tens of thousands of them. Victoria, where’s the reinforcements coming from?”
“Haha!”
Before Victoria could even respond, the Old Knight burst into laughter.
“Miss Peilo, are you ignoring this old skeleton’s presence? Though I’m ancient, the Royal City garrison still has twenty thousand brave soldiers! They’re young and strong and never shy away from a fight!”
Sure enough…
When I first entered, I was too busy devouring cake to pay attention to why Victoria had brought me here or who these people were. It was only when she mentioned aiding Shanter Castle that it all clicked.
Victoria had probably talked to that Old Knight beforehand, right? No wonder so many silver-armored guards escorted me. It’s clear this… family had already indicated their stance. And Victoria wouldn’t be as limited as before, only having the scant few from the Sword of Kanli at her disposal.
At least she had gained the public support of the Royal City garrison.
“Not just the garrison, Count Bacchus possesses the fiercest nomadic cavalry in Ethanbel, and Count Kaplas can provide advanced fortification plans for the city… everyone sitting in this room can offer effective support for Shanter Castle if they’re willing.”
As soon as Victoria finished speaking, I noticed a few people starting to whisper to each other.
It seemed not everyone was in on today’s matters…
But those with the most sway appeared unfazed, their attitudes unchanged. Victoria had definitely communicated with them beforehand. As for the others still on the fence, witnessing this scene would make them weigh the pros and cons in their hearts.
It hadn’t been long since the Teresa incident. While I was idly waiting for news, Victoria had already done so much… No wonder I hadn’t seen her around.
Impressive…
Now that events had reached this point, all that was left was—
“What are the conditions?”
The remaining factor was my stance, whether I could provide what they wanted or meet their demands.
“The Central Workshop will supply the Royal City with high-quality weapons and armor at cost price and terminate all contracts with the Clive Family.”
“Peilo, you know my situation well. The Iron Guard has relied on the finest equipment from the Central Workshop all along, and they’ve been recruiting and training knights without limits, which all requires huge funds. The Clive Family has been draining the treasury for years, leading the Royal City to severe financial strain and massive debts. Their actions have clear motives. Once they’re fully prepared, Ethanbel will inevitably become destabilized and even the people may suffer.”
“Everyone sitting here represents the new council of the Royal City. We need to resolve all potential dangers beforehand and take action before they do, but the funds available to the Royal City are limited; we don’t have the budget to gather sufficient equipment. But I can’t delay; if I don’t address these issues first, I cannot provide any support to Shanter Castle. Peilo…”
Victoria reached out, gently stroking my face.
Her palm was soft, carrying a soothing fragrance that felt comfortable against my skin.
“I hope you can help me.”
Her gentle words, for the first time so tender.
I closed my eyes comfortably, like a cat.
“……”
Moments later, I suddenly awoke, shocked.
Why was she touching my face at this moment? Was this woman trying to seduce me?!
But I didn’t push her hand away.
“Victoria…”
Suppressing the bizarre urge to nuzzle my face against her palm, I thought for a moment and then asked, “Is that all your conditions?”
I assumed she would ask for something outrageous.
I knew that might not be her intention, but as a queen, she had her responsibilities, along with many compelling reasons. And the nobles here…
From their expressions, I couldn’t glean much, but some gazes revealed that they might not be as straightforward as they seemed; who knew what they were really thinking?
Navigating among these astute individuals, balancing all their interests to unite them… Victoria’s pressure must be far greater than I imagined.
I was prepared for her to request something as harsh as “providing armor and weapons for free,” but she didn’t. Her terms sounded like they wouldn’t impose any losses on Shanter Castle at all.
“What? Did you think I would say something else?”
Victoria looked at me, and for a moment, it seemed she could see into my very thoughts.
“The conditions stand as they are, but… the coins for the Workshop need to be paid over five years.”
Hmm…
So this was the catch, the old trick of “hollowing out the wolf with empty hands”?
Cunning woman…
But…
“I’ll send a raven to inform my father.”
Let’s tell my father this news first.
I trusted Victoria and was willing to help her. If the Workshop’s production could handle it, I believed my father would agree, considering Shanter Castle had no shortage of money.
“Haha!” The Old Knight laughed again, “Miss Peilo, we were waiting for you to say that! Be sure to secure the best equipment for the Royal City’s soldiers, thank you! I must give those clueless rascals a good telling-off for bullying my grandson, hum!”
Victoria withdrew her hand from my cheek and ruffled my hair.
“Thank you.”
