Chapter 67 I want to stay by your side for a long time
Chapter 67 I want to stay by your side for a long time
Since Cecilia received the reply from Duke Kailos, I had to remain in the office even when I went off work for the past two days.
It was to organize the matters to be discussed with Cecilia in advance.
Thanks to putting our heads together, giving our opinions, and coordinating the content, we were able to narrow down the content to just a decent amount.
The most important thing here is to search for someone who can speak the language of the Kingdom of Serel.
It was the result of Cecilia’s complete acceptance of my opinion that it would be better for Cecilia to ask someone else to investigate rather than directly.
And today, the day of the interview with Duke Kailos has finally arrived.
Around 3:00 PM, a butler came to the office.
“Your Majesty. It is said that Duke Kailos arrived at the parlor a little while ago.”
“I see.”
Cecilia put her quill in her pen holder and called for me.
“Luke.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I also stopped what I was doing and stood up straight away.
Before leaving her office, Cecilia gave instructions to her two ladies-in-waiting.
“Flora, Mulia. Take care of the rest of your work.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Have a good trip, Your Majesty!”
We left the office with the butler while being seen off by the two ladies-in-waiting.
“Luke. Are you familiar with the contents?”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Could it be that I forgot something important?”
“Yes. I was just asking to confirm.”
A calm yet dignified tone.
Still, there was a subtle hint of liking it.
…… You seem to be sticking around all the time, so you notice even the smallest things like this.
We quickly arrived at the drawing room located on the first floor of the Imperial Palace.
The butler, who had been following me from the back, hurriedly ran to the door. The butler announced the visit of the empress to the duke inside and then opened the door.
“Meet Her Majesty, Empress Cecilia, Mother of the Empire.”
Duke Kylos bowed lightly and bowed.
“It seems like it’s been a long time since I met a duke in a place other than the Great Conference Room.”
“Yes, it is. Your majesty.”
The sight of the two facing each other was like looking at a granddaughter and a grandfather.
It’s just that it feels that way.
The conversation between the two has come to an end. This time it’s my turn to greet the duke.
“Good afternoon, Duke Kylos.”
“Good afternoon.”
After a short greeting, we sat around a round table, not a sofa.
“First, I would like to thank the duke for accepting my request to meet.”
“How could I reject Your Majesty’s call?”
Well, first of all, the atmosphere itself isn’t bad.
The expectation that the story might turn out well if done well raised its head slightly.
“The reason I called the duke was nothing else, because I wanted to ask for help.”
Cecilia looked straight into the eyes of Duke Kylos.
Just in time, I was sitting in a nearby seat, so I could clearly see what kind of look she was making.
‘I am burning with will… ….’
I felt a little bit bloody because the yard with bloody eyes even had an intense light.
However, Duke Kylos only received her attention with a calm face.
As expected, it should be said that it is like a veteran who has been in the aristocracy for a long time.
“If you need God’s help.”
Cecilia nodded her head softly. Then she suddenly turned her head towards me.
“Your Majesty?”
Why are you looking at me all of a sudden?
Now is not the time for me to step out.
“I only saw it once.”
Cecilia turned her gaze back to Duke Kyloth.
“Duke. Do you remember what you said to me at the last banquet? You said that if I made an achievement, I would show active support.”
“Of course.”
“We are going to resume trade with Sergel Kingdom this time, what do you think of the duke?”
Cecilia put her main point on her table.
The eyelids of Kylos, who had maintained his composure the whole time, fluttered momentarily. You must have never thought that Cecilia would come with this.
“This will not be normal, Your Majesty.”
“I am already prepared for that order.”
It is certainly as Kylos said.
Thanks to her studies of Sergel Kingdom, she learned a little about her past history.
About 40 years ago, a ‘five-year war’ broke out between the Eckhart Empire and the Sergel Kingdom.
The main reason for the outbreak of the war was an incident in which a high-ranking official from the Eckhart Empire got into a fight with a noble from the Sergel Kingdom in broad daylight and killed them in anger.
If we had properly reconciled here and the empire had severely punished the offenders, our feelings wouldn’t have intensified.
However, the Empire responded by saying, “I don’t know.” The enraged Sergel Kingdom declared war in the name of obtaining an apology.
After this war, trade was completely cut off, and this situation continued for nearly 30 years.
“Now we need to take responsibility. Even if that is the fault of the older generation.”
Cecilia talked about the past incident in a broad way.
It was the result of my tutoring on Sergel Kingdom for the past two days.
“I agree wholeheartedly, Your Majesty. Haona…….”
The Duke stopped talking and let out a heavy moan.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that the Kingdom still harbors ill feelings toward the Empire. If so, how would Your Majesty plan to solve it?”
“First, we need to see if they really harbor any ill feelings toward our empire. As the duke mentioned, if you harbor ill feelings, we will first have to offer a sincere apology and at the same time show that kind of sincerity.”
“… ….”
The Duke didn’t say anything.
Actually, I know. That this is a really fundamental answer.
Looks like it’s time to step up.
“Your Majesty. Will you give God a say?”
Cecilia looked at me quietly,
“Yunheohaji.”
Nodded.
Duke Kyloth turned his head slightly in my direction. The eyes of the Duke looking at me contained a light of interest.
“I was just wondering what Secretary Nedville was thinking.”
It seems that depending on how I respond, the duke’s mind may change…….
I chose the words in my head for a moment before I opened my mouth.
“The principles Your Majesty said are very important. Even if you play directly in the field, I think that principle should be followed.”
Looking at the expression on the duke’s face, it seemed that he wanted to listen more.
“However, diplomacy is not only a meeting between countries, but also a meeting place between people. So, while apologizing, I think you can also consider gradually unraveling the twisted relationship by meeting the other party’s demands.”
“What if I ask for too much?”
“You have to coordinate. Isn’t diplomacy originally like that?”
“… ….”
The Duke just stared blankly at me.
First of all, I think that I said what I thought in the best way possible.
The rest can be said to be up to the Duke’s judgment.
“As expected, this is a principled answer.”
I couldn’t move my heart…….
“However, it is worth praising the fact that you are clearly aware of your attitude toward diplomacy.”
Oh, can we count on winning the attitude score?
Kailos looked at Cecilia.
“I believe that Your Majesty also has such thoughts.”
“Of course.”
There was a firm will in Cecilia’s eyes.
“Good. We will actively cooperate. However, it is better to approach it with enough time to spare.”
“I know that well enough. Still, I’m relieved to hear that the duke is cooperating.”
After that, Cecilia explained the blueprint for trade with Sergel Kingdom. It was the content that I put my head to head.
Duke Kylos did a good job pointing out what we didn’t get.
Thanks to that, I had a lot of trouble writing from the side.
“Duke. And there is something I want to ask for urgently.”
“Which one?”
“Among the duke’s acquaintances, is there anyone who is fluent in Sergel Kingdom? Although my secretary is currently studying hard, she is somewhat insecure.”
Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden…….
I suppressed the desire to argue and received the Duke’s interested gaze.
“Secretary Nedville. Can you speak the Kingdom language right now?”
“Yes. I can say a few words.”
The duke asked to hear it. I took a deep breath and uttered a few sentences from the book.
It was my first time speaking a foreign language in front of others, but I managed to do it somehow.
“Hmm… ….”
Duke Kyloth groaned and rubbed his lower jaw.
Through that reaction, I realized one thing for sure. My kingdom language skills aren’t that great!
“Once upon a time, one of my acquaintances knew how to speak Sergel Kingdom fluently. It’s been over 20 years already, though.”
“Then can I ask him? I want my secretary to teach me.”
Actually, taking him as an interpreter would be a good idea.
Even so, what kind of intention is hidden in trying to teach me?
“If he can still speak fluently, why not use him as an interpreter?”
The duke thought the same as I did.
Then Cecilia lifted the corners of her mouth.
“The Duke is right. It’s more efficient to do that. But… ….”
Cecilia turned her head towards me again. What the hell are you trying to say this time?
“This is my request because I want my secretary to be more versatile. I can do even my little greed.”
That doesn’t seem like a small greed…….
“Yes. As soon as we return, we will ask him.”
“Please.”
Anyway, I am certain that I was destined to suck honey and not be able to work.
* * *
I made an appointment with the Duke of Kailos to meet again in the near future. That concludes today’s meeting.
“Okay, see you next time. I hope you have a peaceful day, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. Be careful going in.”
Kaylos left the office.
Shouldn’t we be returning to the office soon?
“Luke. Thanks to your wit, I succeeded in winning the duke’s heart.”
“No. The Duke must have seen Your Majesty’s will and enthusiasm.”
“Whoops. Thank you for saying that.”
Cecilia curled her eyebrows and smiled. Things went well and I felt pretty good.
“I think it was really good that I selected you as my direct secretary these days.”
“Congratulations.”
“Luke.”
Cecilia, who suddenly called her my name, thrust her own right hand out in front of her.
“Reach out her hand.”
Why are you suddenly asking for her hand?
I held out my hand in doubt, and the next moment something startling happened.
Cecilia snapped my hand!
“Your Majesty?”
I got confused. I don’t know why I’m holding her hand.
It’s not as painful as last time.
“Your hands are large, but not rough.”
“I missed it because I always work indoors.”
She nodded her head softly but didn’t let go of my hand.
“If possible, I want to keep you by my side for as long as possible.”
“… ….”
I’m not joking, I really had to put all my energy into managing my expression. You can’t show a stupid figure with your lower jaw wide open in front of the Empress.
“Luke?”
“Oh, no. Stop being so embarrassed……. I apologize.”
“It could be.”
After saying that, Cecilia let go of my hand. At the same time, the warmth she felt in her palms disappeared in an instant.
“Slowly go back to her office. Flora and Mulia will be waiting for us.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
We got up from our seats and left the drawing room. As I followed her, I felt an ominous feeling.
If you make a mistake, you might end up being caught.
‘No. But I’m going to break out.’
I’ll do my best!
Inwardly, I burned the will to fight.
-Continued
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