The Water Magician

Meeting room of the Cultural Exchange Hall.

The delegation from the Empire was guided in and took their seats.

Soon after, a member from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Naitorei Kingdom began to explain.

"As previously communicated, Duke Rondo and Marquis Heinlein will be arriving shortly as representatives from the kingdom. Please wait a moment."

As he said this and attempted to return to a seat in the corner of the room, Fiona asked a question.

"I believe there was a prior request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Empire regarding an audience with his majesty the king after the negotiations. Is it still difficult?"

"Y-yes. We are doing our best, but we haven't received a favorable response from the royal castle... I apologize."

The official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered, his voice cracking.

He might be weak to unexpected questions... Or perhaps he was flustered by Fiona's beauty...

"It really is quite bad, isn't it..."

Oscar's whisper was so quiet that only Fiona sitting next to him could hear.

Upon hearing this, Fiona nodded.

A minute after the explanation, the door to the meeting room opened, and the herald announced the arrival of Duke Rondo and Marquis Heinlein.

The first to enter was Marquis Alexis Heinlein, who held the position of Chancellor of the Kingdom and was also known as a great noble from the Southern region.

He is a figure who truly supports the backbone of the kingdom.

He was a former commander of the Royal Knight Order, who made a name for himself during the 'Great War' when the kingdom clashed with the alliance, earning the title of "Oni" or "Demon."

Additionally, he is known for his insights in intelligence matters, which has made surrounding nations wary of him.

A man without any gaps in martial strategy, wisdom, political maneuvering, and intrigue.

(This is indeed a troublesome man...)

Oscar thought as he watched Marquis Heinlein enter.

Perhaps because of this, he was a bit slow to look at Duke Rondo, who entered next.

However, Fiona, who had been paying attention to Duke Rondo since their arrival in the royal capital, quickly shifted her gaze.

And Oscar could tell she held her breath.

Sensing this, Oscar also turned his gaze to Duke Rondo...

And his eyes widened.

"Why are you here...?"

The words slipped out involuntarily...

Fortunately, they were uttered at the very edge of the audible range, so only Fiona sitting next to him would have heard.

Yet even Fiona whispered,

"Could it be...?"

Oscar struggled to control his emotions.

Nevertheless, the surprise was so unforeseen that he was barely holding it together.

"Ah, hello, it's been a while. Since the war of kingdom liberation, right? I remember you because you cut off half of my body."

If someone said something so ridiculous, of course, one would get angry.

...If it had been earlier.

However, taking a deep, heavy breath, Oscar barely managed to prevent his emotions from spiraling out of control.

Seeing this, Ryo was honestly a bit impressed.

It wasn't that he intended to provoke Oscar and mess up the negotiations.

He merely wanted to tease someone irritating in front of him.

It was also a check on how strong his mental state was.

However, that irritating person managed to control his emotions with just a deep breath.

That was remarkable.

Ryo disliked Oscar, but he certainly did not underestimate him.

If he did, there wouldn't be any feelings of like or dislike...

And after noticing Oscar's deep breath, he understood he was growing and raised his evaluation of him.

Of course, his dislike remained unchanged.

Ryo and Marquis Heinlein took their seats, and the negotiations began.

That said, it seemed the Empire's envoy had something to say.

"I was surprised to learn that you are the first duke, Duke Rondo."

"Is that so? It's simply because the military power of the House of Rondo is the largest in the kingdom. Please don't mind it. More importantly, you two have gotten married, congratulations."

"...Thank you."

Ryo casually explained and then smiled brightly to congratulate them, and Fiona also smiled back to receive the congratulations.