The Book Of Flowers
Wagering
-- Thyme Castle, Kingdom of Hortensia --
"Vain?"
"Hm?"
Verdea suddenly entered my room
From his gestures, I knew right away that he wanted to say something that I might not agree with
"Tell me. I'm waiting"
Changing my sitting position, I handed this conversation point to Verdea
"I... There's a proposal for tomorrow. You sent the letter to brother 2, didn't you?"
"Already"
"Did you tell them earlier who would talk about the matter?"
"I'm just writing that we have something to say. Why?"
I don't know where this conversation is going. Never-don't Verdea want...
"... I want to be the one to represent us talking about it tomorrow"
...
I hate this instinct... Why is it always on target...?
"No. They will not listen to you because you are nothing to the officials of this land, even though you bear the title of prince. Different language with me who has a position as king Miralius even though now your subordinate"
"But you wouldn't know if you didn't try, would you? After all, if you continue to take the leading position to represent us, their suspicions will not disappear right?"
"This matter is not about my reputation and their suspicions. We want to declare an operation to save Veskal, no more no less. You gotit?"
"Vaine..."
I raised my hand so that he would stop arguing with me again
He cannot refuse my words. I know I'm right
He has no power now in this country. One word from him, even the grandest of compliments would still not be able to raise his position in the eyes of those people
He may be able to take the hearts of the people, but it will be of no use considering that it is the royal officials who hold the highest positions in the human royal system of government
It's free for him to say anything if no official is willing to follow him. Worse yet, officials in a country like this have their own hierarchy whose details make me dizzy
In essence, Verdea would not be able to speak in front of them later. I don't know what kind of criticism will be directed at him if that happens
"Sorry interfering. But I accidentally heard a noise"
Who'sis that?
We both reflexively searched for the origin of the sound. A puddle of water in the corner of the room suddenly rose into the air and formed a form very quickly
Waitie? That's Remina? Why is he here?
Verdea even looked surprised by that unexpected presence, staring at Remina as a whole
"... Your magic is growing"
"meaning?"
"I mean, you can still maintain your clothes now, unlike before when you turned into water..."
"Ignore that. I don't want to go into details"
Starting to ignore Verdea, Remina turned her head towards me
"It is not good if he speaks, Oberon? He has the prince's position, doesn't he?"
I let out a breath. This conversation seems to be going around in circles
"No. He was the 5th Prince of this kingdom. He would have no power whatsoever compared to the other 3 princes who were even kings, especially in the presence of those nobles"
Remina looked riled up, then turned back towards Verdea
"This is your limit? I thought you were determined to do that?"
"... I don't know what else to say, Remina. Vainzel's right. I have no power in this place...
In the midst of this restrictive royal rule, I have no power whatsoever..."
...
"You're stupid, huh? I thought your brain was smart?"
"Don't insult me now! I-"
"Then use your head!"
...
"Tell him right now, why do you think this is such a good idea"
...
Verdea looks nervous. And since they still haven't come out, I'm just waiting until they're tired of expressing their opinions
"... I'd like to represent us later for the discussion of that matter"
"Back to the starting point apparently..."
I expected it, but that's why I'm tired now
This conversation will be very long
"If you say no one will listen to me, I want to bet on you right now"
...
Oh. ls...?
"bet?"
That means he has no words that can make me sure, right? 'Betting' was his last card to convince me
"I don't have a good reason why this is a good idea. I also only rely on my belief that this will work, nothing more
But I refuse if only you carry the burden while I can only watch or enjoy the results"
...
"Let me do that. For the occasional Vainzel, trust me. I will definitely help us all get out of this pit of humiliation"
...
"Let me get this straight. You're asking me to bet in something that you're not even entirely sure will work? Are you sure you're not talking?"
Verdea flinched hearing my argument
"I ask for confidence, not a heavy bet whose outcome is still unclear. You know very well, if we fail to convince them, Veskal's life is our countdown
It's not a trivial matter, son. Our friend needs us now"
His chance was very slim for him to be able to make the nobles obey
Relying on his father the most famous king Artorius Hortensia? Don't joke around
If one could clearly see how he trembled when he was near Rosalia, that person would instantly know that Artorius would be useless, let alone have power in this kingdom
This opportunity only came once. If we don't hit it on target, Veskal won't be saved
We have to save him. There must be no more blood splattered due to a mistake in our steps
"... Then Vain. I'm sorry about this..."
...
Why is he talking like that?
"I'm a prince in this country, right?"
"really"
"Then, what is Oberon's noble position in this country?"
...
"Verdea! That's not too-?"
...
"Can't answer, your majesty Oberon of Miralius, Vainzel Alpensia?"
"... I can answer. But what's your purpose in making me answer?"
He wanted to make an argument like this...
"... If you are not sure if anyone will listen to me, who is a prince in this land, why can you be sure that there will be people who listen to your words that have nothing to do with this country?"
"... I am the king of Miralius. I can say that Veskal is my subject to be saved at any cost. I'll just do the publication in front of them. They also have no power against me if I take that identity"
...
"Then what is your purpose in coming here if you are aware of your identity as the king of the kingdom of Miralius? Why do you have to ask the opinions of the Hortensian nobles to save your own royal subjects? You also usually do all things according to your will without shackles from them, right?"
...
...
He cornered me. I don't know how, but this kid is very talented in arguments
Argument's right. I only see the value of my power, but not its function. I just used that title of mine as a weapon that even I didn't know would be useful or not
I thought I might be able to use it to help Verdea as well, but thinking about all the things that Verdea had thrown out just now, she was very well on target in overcoming that
There is no point in me using my title in another kingdom. I have no power here, other than as a subordinate of him
...
I'm glad he could corner my argument. He even fixed some of the holes that were in it
He's growing up fast. Even this sassy nature makes me proud that he has grown, even though he insinuated me to that extent just now
"Well you won. I intend to aim for more of this, but my main goal is still to save Veskal"
They both look happy, although Verdea still looks shaky from nervousness. I just sighed and tried to predict what would happen
"A-I don't actually intend that far. But you asked me to convince you, didn't you?"
"Yes, yeah. No need to tremble like that. And stop that whining, man"
"Finally-It's the first time I've been so presumptuous-To you. I don't want to hurt your feelings--"
"Already, already..."
I hugged her who started to shed tears
Remina simply lowered her head with a smile on her lips, giving room for Verdea to calm down
He was too afraid to hurt my feelings to the point that he held his breath several times while speaking earlier. His breathless breath was now proof of his behavior
Big baby boy. It's normal if we have to be a little rough in an argument, you know?
"I'm proud, son. You already have your own stance. You impressed me enough by proposing this plan, but you added it again by setting your opinion against me"
He's a smart kid. I am grateful that he grew up that way
...
...
Ew. Look at that nose...
"Give him Remina's handkerchief. The mucus in his nose started to gather"
"Snake. Take this and clean it yourself, Verdea" Remina said, followed by her obeying my orders
I chuckled at her increasingly visibly grimacing
My decision is round. I lost a landslide. He'll get his wish tomorrow
"My decision is round. I'll let you talk later"
"really? It's okay for you, isn't it?"
I averted my gaze for a moment, then held onto both of his shoulders until the eyes of the two of us stared at each other directly
"I'm not really sure yet. But I've lost, so let's just follow your bet
Remember. The payoff at this bet is your reputation. I don't care about my reputation right now because it's been bad for 5 years. But your position in the kingdom is what made us come here, right?
Let us not lose and be beaten back, Verdea. We'll all count on you tomorrow. Good for Veskal's life, also for the future of the relationship of the Elves and the Humans. Prioritize the first, because Veskal will be upset if you do not intend to save him"
Verdea nodded while laughing
Verdea then looked pensive for a moment, then smiled brightly at me again
"... Don't burden yourself anymore, Vain"
...
Hehe... He thinks I'm still like that apparently...
"I don't intend to burden myself anymore. I just doubt you're ready or not in the next step"
I'm just afraid he's falling. I think I still have to protect her a little bit more, like the parents protecting their baby
But, it seems like no longer necessary. He had already started to step near me, without needing to be taken care of again. It's not good if I'm too pushy to protect her
He's really ready. The little boy I originally helped out of the captors' arms is now all grown up...
"... So, you think I'm ready now?"
I slowly smiled looking into her eyes, responding to her small question that appeared in the middle of a pair of damp cheeks. The elusan in his head I started to do, to calm his still-stricken heart
"More ready than anything" I told him
