Threat

(TL: The first prince’s sister Leticia, Iris brother Bern and Rudy… From Bern’s view)

The news that the Almeria Duke successfully repulsed the Acacia Kingdom army quickly spread and reached the capital city.

“… Your territory is safe for a while. No, Bern?”

“Yeah, it really is. But there is a possibility that a follow-up would come, We can’t foretell”

“But it is difficult for the Acacia Kingdom to move the army and supplies at this moment because of the war with the Twil’s country. They need to defend the borders. Oh…. The situation of our country is so dire that we have to leave every opening to luck, I’m sad. ”
(TL: they can’t protect even if they want)

Leticia exhales a heavy sigh.

“… is it so tough?”

“Yes. Above all, the issue with the supplies for the army is the most serious at the moment. By distributing the supplies procured by my brother, I managed to get out of the urgent problem, but there is almost no surplus to get through the war. A war requires huge quantities of money, and the consumption of supplies is heavy. Even if with the issue of personnel recruitment we can manage somehow, the supplies and funds can not keep up with the expansion of the military campaign.

I also had a heavy sigh.
…… I am a member of the Almeria Dukedom, but at the same time I play an important role in national affairs.

It is not possible to return just because your house is suffering a crisis, as it’s in a remote place. And I’m reluctant to move to the Almeria Dukedom because of my duties in the capital city.
That’s why I’m wondering if, at this time, I can somehow manage to help the country win if we solve the urgent issues with the military campaign … but the reality is tough.

“The Almeria Dukedom is great. In addition to responding to the request for help from my brother in the last disaster, she also supported the hunger stricken people who migrated to her territory and overcame this problem. ”

“Yes. I just admire my sister and those around her.”

“Yes, that’s right. … I do not know what the Almeria Duke’s family thinks, but as a country, I think that she’s greatly valuable.”

“From our side, it is desirable to solve quickly the problem with supplies and human resources. My sister also wanted an early solution. Somehow I would like to make use of her ties with the Acacia Kingdom and prepare a seat for negotiations.”

“But… that’s for Iris to decide. I wonder what Rudy thinks?”

“… Well, I’m worried about how to bring the negotiations with the Acacia Kingdom, who will speak with them, and what could be negotiated in order for them to support us and bring a ceasefire with the Twil’s country.”

“If you think about previous cases, we need to select a few people from foreign affairs and legal departments and make a team. They would have to do the negotiations. But … ”

“It’s difficult. In fact, all neighboring countries know of the war we have with the Twil’s country and the internal disaster we suffered before. From that, they understand the inside of our country to a certain extent. So.. to have a favorable negotiation with them will be difficult.”

“Indeed”

Leticia opened her mouth again.

“I’ll tell my decision to the court people … I think that the best would be to leave the case to the Almeria Duke. Of course, before making a formal decree, I’ll ask my brother and see if he’s ok with my decision. ”

“… No, it’s an agreement between countries. That’s why leaving it to a duke’s house …. There will be a lot of backlash from other officials, too”

Leticia can not hide the color of surprise from her eyes.

“Isn’t information of a country important for getting a bargain at the negotiations table? Above all, it is necessary to let the talented intelligence agents find out the real situation of the Acacia Kingdom in order to find the bargain for the negotiations.”

Rudy was also supporting Leticia’s suggestion of leaving the decision to the Almeria Duke.

First of all, Iris has been in contact with the royal family of the Acacia Kingdom, and even was proposed by them. We think that she can play a big role in the negotiations, Second, the Almeria Duke has gained huge profits by trading with the Acacia’s kingdom, and for the Acacia’s Kingdom, the Almeria Duke has more value, more than the country itself, Third, Ms. Iris said that she has highly capable intelligence agents. We should work on this issue, probably under the direction of Iris. And we need to examine the thoughts of the Acacia kingdom towards this war and our country. Maybe this time the investigation has already started when the marriage proposal reached her ears. Fourth, though this is the most important, how will we change the situation of our country regarding the urgent needs with this negotiation? What kind of solution would come up from this meeting?, And is it not unjust to bring this problem to the Almeria Duke to solve? However, there was no preparation for what happened and the situation onsite where the attack is not known to us as we have not intervened. Our understanding of what happened is just scratching the surface… It’s hard to imagine what backlashes will come if we manage this with our current knowledge on the situation.

We swear in favor of that option… the three of us said in unison.

“But.. the other families views that will come after this decision… are not good… In addition to having strong financial strength and talented human resources, the Almeria Duke also has enough military power to repel an army. ”

While saying so, Leticia sighed.

“Bern and Rudy are relatives of the Almeria Duke, but I trust you. But to be honest, the royal family and court officials fear that Almeria Duke has great power. ”

Bern body responded slightly at that mention.

“Originally, the King… Since the time my grandmother ruled, had the Almeria Duke as one of the noble powers, and was concerned about it. … But at the same time, the Duke of Almeria is the most noble house among the nobles, understanding the responsibilities of the aristocrats, and making great contributions to the country, hence the Duke of Almeria has been left alone until now. but……”

“… I know that it’s difficult to ask you this… but would you please tell me if someday you decide to take action to reduce the power of the Almeria Duke?”

Leticia smiled at my request.

” The Almeria Duke has become too strong … so the royal family will have to take actions regarding that matter from now on. ”

We didn’t thought that would be the answer, I. … and Rudy opened our eyes surprised.

“We already gave a lot of trouble to the Almeria Duke, due to the policies taken by my second brother and his mother Queen Elis. We didn’t protect the Almeria Duke, but rather treated it like the enemy, and even harassing it when collecting supplies. Impressive… Honestly, if I’m Iris, I’m afraid that this country who is the only cause of harm for me, will be stumped on the ground. If.. I have the same power as a country, I would stump the country that’s for sure. And, the country is in trouble if there is no Almeria Duke but the Almeria duke will not be in trouble even if there is no country.
The problem lies in that there are many nobles who do not understand it yet. ”

“Leticia … I swear on my family’s honor that the Duke of Almeria is never going to rebel against the country.”

“Yeah, Bern. I know that, and you’re telling the truth, the Almerica Duke is dedicating everything to this country. So, I don’t doubt the Almeria Duke… but a pure power relationship is so. ”

I and Rudy had an indescribable expression on our faces.

“If you and the other royals lock the Almeria state down and break its current state, the country will miss a source of reliable and stable tax revenue. And If you dismantle the territory, and remove the power of the Almeria duke, you will see the power of the people who are united under it at once, and you know that it is a sword that can cut down the royals of this country… The Almeria Duke has a more advanced law, tax system, and living standards than the capital city, and it’s impossible to raise the country to the same level as that of Almeria Duke immediately even if concentrating all our efforts on it. I think that it would be beneficial for the country to give some degree of discretion to the Almeria Duke as a special zone rather than going against it or trying to remove its power. ”

A voice of refusal did not rise anymore at that statement.

………….

After the end of the meeting…

“Bern, Rudy, lets get going, there’s a place I have to show you…”

“… Well, lets get going…”

“… By the way, why are we heading to the tower now?”

When Rudy asked, Leticia smiled slightly.

“To see the end of this story, we have to fix the trajectory until the end so everything goes well for the winner, and it’s not overturned by something wrong midway.”

Rudy and Bern both turned their heads to Leticia’s words.

“Rudy. Your father told you to stay here today only because of this important deal. Are you ready?”

Leticia asked with a smile quietly.
However, I felt that there was a bottomless enthusiasm emanating from her about this thing she was talking about.

According to the words of Leticia, Rudy, who was originally an accomplice and escort, was supposed to take part on this.

“You’ll know what all this is about when the time comes. I want you to remain with me because I trust you. ”

“I’m prepared from the beginning. Because this sword is not adorned with ornaments, but for Leticia’s use.”

“Bern, please don’t say anything about what you will see in the near future, alright?”

“… Okay… This road is tiring..”

I entered a room being led by Leticia.
It was a room with no bookshelf, just walls.