The Book Of Flowers
Royal Court
-- The next day, Rose Castle----
"So, you've thought of all the things you'll say later?"
"It's been... Remina also helped me get to sleep faster..."
Well, you didn't seem to sleep last night since our argument...
Remina only smiled, but somehow her face still looks radiant compared to Verdea whose eye bags thickened slightly
He even walked like an undead right now. I had made him coffee earlier, because I heard it would be very helpful to overcome drowsiness
I don't know if it will work either. I hated coffee, so I never drank it again after trying it once
...
"Prepare yourself Verdea"
"... Heh?"
"Vescal's fate is in your hands, remember that"
At least, this publication we have to do to get additional help, no matter how small it is. Using Miralius' own power would not work
We have to get enough help, whether people or material energy
The door of the throne room was already in front. I'll leave it to Verdea
"Ready?"
"Very ready"
That's a good answer
I can more calmly go into that room now
The large door was opened by the servants waiting in front. And when the room was visible, a few eyes went straight towards us
All my friends just focused their eyes forward as we entered. None of them looked back at the nobles who began to judge us so badly
Uwahs... The situation is like a real courtroom...
Relax Vainzel. Quietest
We arrived before the throne. Damien sat there, with Rosalia standing to his left
The rest of the royal family sat on the bench of the judges, along with the other nobles. Artorius also gulped his saliva
Alright. This is the moment of determination
"Greetings to the noble Hortensia. May flowers bloom with you"
We all salute. Damien immediately ordered us to raise our heads back
"Let's get to the point. Please open, Rosalia"
Rosalia smiled, then looked at all the judges in the room
"First of all, thank you for your presence. To recall, we're all here to hear something from Vainzel Alpensia, about a problem with the Xia-kingdom"
...
I cut Rosalia's words with a hand force
Well, I have to do it...
"I'm sorry, but I'm talking. You're aware, aren't you?"
"I'm very conscious, princess. But there seems to be a misunderstanding here
It's not me who's going to speak on our behalf on this matter"
The nobles started to flinch in shock. Some even started whispering
Artorius looked at me with a face full of cold sweat. He was confused as to why I said that
"Then, who's gonna do it?"
I turned my head and let Verdea come forward a little
"Verdea Hortensia will do it!"
Because of the sound of my voice, everyone must have heard it clearly
Well, you heard it right. Verdea will speak
"wait. I'm sure your letter says-"
"-- If 'we' are going to talk in front of the nobles about this matter, isn't it?"
I always put something like that in a letter. I never used the word 'me' nor anything that referred to myself
That's quite beneficial for us now. There are logical and factual reasons that I can take for the sake of bringing this to our side
"... Well, that's right"
Verdea smiled at me. I just closed my eyes, then took a step back so that all eyes could be on Verdea alone
"... He'll be able to, won't he?" Ordelia whispered behind me
...
Naturally, I'm sure he hasn't. It's the first time he's done something like this alone, isn't it?
But, if he did not try himself, he would not be able to walk uprightly in front of him
"... Let's just see"
That's the only answer I can give
...
"Ehem! To recall, we are all here to hear something from Verdea Hortensia, about a problem that occurred with the Xiang kingdom. Something happened to one of their allies, Veskal Grandier, until this was made a problem for the entire Hortensian kingdom"
All those nobles chuckled softly at us
"Let's listen. Why should we, the citizens of the Hortensia Kingdom, be involved in this matter because one of your precious subjects must be saved?"
He really mocked us, this woman...
Verdea, I beg you
...
"First of all, Brother 2. Veskal is a citizen of your kingdom"
...
Oh. He immediately played the card
I didn't even know it would be useful or not
"What's the evidence?"
"Where did I start? What if I find out what Vainzel got?
Veskal Grandier is your cousin. He's been denounced all over his country, that's why you used your power to pull Veskal here and make him your citizen
I'm sure the minister of civil records has records regarding citizens in this area, right? Especially considering that this city is very strict in its rules, I doubt that anyone will be missed..."
A jury immediately seemed nervous and began to request dossier documents to make sure we were more accurate about our statements
Damien was immediately confused, not knowing what to do and trying to make sense
"But, while that's true, why should we be dragged here?"
...
This guy's a fool. Really
Even his father looked very limp at the useless son who became this king
He just repeated Rosalia's words, nothing new
"Because you must, your majesty. He's a citizen of your country. You also agreed when hunting Walter Herb even though he did not actively participate. And when the results are out, isn't it surprising when your legitimate citizens are detained by other kingdoms that we consider allies?"
Verdea is right. We don't even know the reason
Rosalia seemed to understand. He seemed to be thinking about finding a gap, while his foolish brother was trying to find a word
And while the crowd was busy whispering with each other, the civil records minister's aide had already provided the documents
Look at that guy's face. He seemed afraid to tell the truth
"M-I'm sorry, princess. The words of Prince Verdea are true
Veskal Grandier is a citizen of this country. Even his valid passport is also well-recorded" Rosalia stated
I'm actually a little surprised that Rosalia hasn't erased the records of Verdea and Veskal's population for 5 years. Mine may have been removed until recently
I mean, he's strong enough to convince the minister to disenfranchise their citizens for treason...
However, considering that he said that I 'kidnap Verdea' first, I believe that he put their records as 'unknown' until Verdea showed his face back in public
He made a little mistake in stepping because he wanted to be nice in public
Goody. This trial is on our side. Eat it, nobleman
"There's a comment, your honor?" Verdea asked
"T- But, how do we be sure if-"
"Sorry your highness. Prince Verdea was right. Detention of citizens for no apparent reason by other countries is something that cannot be allowed, recorded in our laws and regulations, is not it?"
...
Huh huh?
He admitted defeat?
Is it really like this?
Even Verdea looked surprised, although she tried to hide it well
Rosalia suddenly clapped her hands slowly, but sounded loud
Very loud, in the middle of the silent trial atmosphere
What was he thinking now, seeing Verdea like that...?
"IMpressive, brother. Very impressive...
5 Years we haven't met, and it looks like you've gotten smarter. Very impressive..."
His hand claps are still going on. No one dared to stop him for some reason
"Sorry brother 2. But his Majesty has not yet given us his decision"
Oh-
Verdean... You're looking for trouble with her like that...?
His face was very cynical, like he was cursing towards Verdea, and impressed inexplicably
...
Talk to Damien! I hate the cynical look that leads to Verdea...!
"B-well. My decision is round. The Kingdom of Hortensia will allow you to negotiate and treat war 'if necessary' to the kingdom of Xiang until they return Veskal Grandier to us
And as a help we'll give-"
"250 infantrymen, 150 archers, 30 Magical Vessels and 20 warships. I hope that's enough for you, my brother Verdea"
Justjust wonderful...
That much...?
Verdean...
You managed to convince them...
"Vainzel's. I made it" He whispered withholding his arid nature
Right. You made it
You did it, Verdea...
With these
"If I may speak..."
...
Edwin...?
What'd he want to say?
"Please, knight Edwin" Rosalia invited
"... I want to join the infantry"
...
Huh huh?
"I hope I didn't hear wrong, knight Edwin"
"You didn't hear wrong, princess. I really offered myself to do this
I want to join in that battle that might happen"
...
Surprise after surprise...
I'm sure no one will go against his self-offering. The thing is, he is not a person we can trust for now
...
I'll find a way to watch her
Most importantly, our strength can be gathered. Verdea just needs to use one thing I suggested, and everything went very smoothly
All thanks to him. I didn't take any part of it other than making a proposal
What a great kid. You really have grown up well
I'm honored to have helped raise you all this time...
