Persuasion and Negotiation (8)

“Why on earth do I have to be monitored by the king?”

Julia glared at me in a nervous voice.

I knew why she was upset.

She has been under surveillance ever since I told her the king’s secret.

The king’s minions, they are more capable than they seem.

However, it seems that Schnella’s instinct to protect Yulia was revealed.

“Now that it’s like this, I can’t refuse.”

“You weren’t aiming for this situation, right? Then I feel really sad.”

“Is that possible? “I didn’t know the King had this ability to act.”

I said it without blinking, but in fact, I already knew.

In the first place, there was no way the king would not keep an eye on Julia.

Yulia just kept a sullen expression, not sure if she believed me or not.

However, surprisingly, there was no thought of reprimanding me.

“What does the king think of me?”

“Well. “It seems like he thinks he’s a loyal subject now.”

“You can’t trust your loyal subjects, but you still spy on them.”

Colin just listened to Julia’s remarks with an anxious expression.

Schnella, who was worse off, offered a word.

“Request director. “Please watch your mouth.”

“I know. Even now, I might be dropping on the conversation somewhere.”

People who know that are still talking about it.

It’s nature to be this fearless.

“What will happen if I refuse?”

“I don’t know either. At least I can’t help you.”

“…Are you serious?”

A venomous look passed through Yulia’s eyes, but she quickly looked away.

It means that you are truly disappointed by what I just said.

I could fully understand her feelings.

They fully supported and helped an adventurer with no reputation.

Since I am actually taking the king’s side, I will feel aggrieved.

But it was necessary to think calmly.

If I hadn’t developed a close relationship with the king, would the king have stopped being wary of Julia?

It wasn’t like that at all. Rather, mediation was possible because the country had a middle bridge.

‘There was no case like this in the original story.’

I knew nothing about the conflict between the king and Julia.

However, there was a scenario that was expected based on common sense.

In the original story, the capital is in chaos.

The request center system collapses and the adventurers disperse.

What happened to Julia in that situation?

At least it wouldn’t have reached the level it is now.

“Don’t think too hard.”

“…”

“The position of the client director will increase and the federation will also be helpful.”

“Do you think things will be resolved that easily?”

Julia sighed and looked around.

Schnella and Colin didn’t really refute her words.

At least, I could see that he felt similar to Julia.

“You really don’t know anything. That’s why I told you not to worry about politics.”

She must know better how precarious the king’s position is.

Even so, Julia couldn’t have just sat there without thinking.

The treacherous side, the king’s side. I had no choice but to lean one way or the other.

If you maintain a poor balance, you will end up making enemies on both sides.

“I’ll send a letter to the king first. “I will cooperate as much as possible.”

Schnella moved immediately upon Julia’s decision.

I brought high-quality parchment and a pen and placed them in front of her.

Then Julia pounded on the table in frustration.

“Ha… That doesn’t mean you’re going to do it right now!”

“No. Let’s do it right now. “The longer time passes, the deeper the conflict becomes.”

The reason Schnella was in a hurry was clear.

It would have been better to tie the knot quickly and think about the next plan.

Even now, at this very moment, the king is probably keeping an eye on Julia.

I had to get rid of doubt and convey confidence.

“Ha… “My dear… “

With a deep sigh, I grabbed a pen and wrote on the parchment.

Unlike her distraught voice, her hands moved in an instant.

Neat writing style and flowing sentences.

The parchment was stained black, and the letter to be delivered to the king was completed.

“Ruler. It’s over. “Go out and tell people.”

“Yes, yes!”

Colin carefully took the parchment and went out.

Also, Schnella followed her, and the only people left were the two of us.

My colleagues were waiting outside, and two of them also left, so only Julia and I remained.

Now that I think about it, isn’t it the first time I was alone with her?

“Julia. “I’m sorry.”

That’s why I revealed my honest feelings to her for the first time.

Honestly, I am the one who got Yulia caught up in this situation.

I couldn’t express it in front of others, but I felt sorry for her.

“It’s okay. There’s nothing I can do about it since it’s like this anyway.”

“If you come to the mansion, I’ll give you a drink.”

“…One drink is not enough.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to leave Schnella behind.”

Everything Schnella said was right, but sometimes I thought it was too much.

Shouldn’t there be days when you drink comfortably and times when you can relax comfortably?

There was a reason why she obediently served alcohol every time she came to the mansion.

You probably suffer from stress on a regular basis, so wouldn’t it be nice to just be at ease when you’re with me?

Maybe that’s why the number of days I see Yulia has increased significantly recently.

“I honestly don’t know the king.”

“…”

“But I think you have reason to trust the King.”

Unlike usual, she adjusted her posture and spoke in a serious tone.

“Honestly, I don’t trust the king. But I will trust you.”

Fortunately, Julia had a sincere intention to follow the king.

With her ability and the King’s support, it will not fall easily.

However, there was something unsettling.

“So please don’t forget this fact.”

“What… ?”

“How much I am thinking of you. And what happens without you?”

Because they both united for me.

I don’t know what would happen to the two of us without me.

However, the meaning of what Julia wanted to say seemed a little different.

Not my colleagues, just me.

My colleagues, Julia, the king, and even Yeriel.

Everyone was looking to me for help.

I never wanted this situation from the beginning.

On the contrary, there were times when my shoulders felt heavy due to the expectations of people around me.

“Julia. It’s okay to not be too guarded.”

“How can you believe that?”

“If the King treats you unfairly, please tell me.”

“Then can you stop it?”

“Okay. At least I don’t have any intention of having a bad relationship with you.”

Still, Yulia’s expression improved a little at my words.

Even if she doesn’t like it, it seems like she’s trying to get over it for me.

“Don’t worry too much. The king also has the intention to trust you.”

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see about that.”

“If you don’t trust the king, trust me.”

“Tsk, you speak well.”

In fact, the king was very wary of Julia.

It’s a relationship that was formed because I persuaded her and asked her to bring Julia in.

What our relationship will be like is still unknown.

‘I won’t be able to rest comfortably even after defeating the Demon King.’

Since I decided to remain in this world, I also had to prepare a foundation for my life.

I wanted to continue living with Erina, Yulia, and other colleagues in the mansion I received from Yulia.

In order to do that, he needed strong helpers in the form of Julia and the King.

I thought the conversation would end like that, but Julia left me one last question.

“If the king tries to dethrone me as head of the commission.”

“That will never happen.”

“So it’s just an example. “What will you do if something like that happens?”

As she said, it couldn’t have happened.

But the answer Julia wanted was already decided.

“No matter what happens, I will stop it.”

“Even if it means betraying the king… ?”

“Okay. Even if I have to turn against the king.”

Julia laughed as if she was dumbfounded.

But her expression became softer, as if she was satisfied.

Of course, it couldn’t have happened, but Julia needed reassurance.

Knowing that fact, I also gave her confidence.

And I wasn’t lying either.

If you have to walk a tightrope between the king and Julia.

‘Maybe I’ll take Julia’s side.’

We need to intervene in advance to prevent something like that from happening.

***

“Julia. If you are caught by Master Schnella, you will be very scolded…”

“This much is okay…! “It’s only three bottles… !”

After the conversation at the request center was over, Julia left to visit with a serious expression.

He separated Seohyun from Schnella, saying that he had something to share with Seohyun alone.

Of course, it was impossible to be without an escort, so Colin followed along.

Even that was factored into Julia’s calculations.

She followed me to my mansion and started looking for alcohol as soon as the front door closed.

When Yulia gave her alcohol as she had requested, she uncapped the bottle and began to drink.

Just before a drinking binge broke out, Celica took the children into the room.

Celica, aware of her drunkenness, hurriedly left the place.

The people left are me, Erina, and Kayla.

Among them, the only people who could drink were me and Kayla.

“Ruler! Drink quickly too!”

“I’m drinking it even though I’m not that fussy.”

Unlike Julia, who was already half drunk, Kayla was drinking with an expression of no hesitation.

Meanwhile, Erina glared at the two with a sullen expression.

“It’s too loud…”

“It’s okay to go upstairs if you don’t want to.”

“Do you hate me being next to you… ? ?”

Erina’s complaining begins again. Still, I hung out with her this time.

Every time I took care of my colleagues, Erina would get upset, so I had to take care of her like this on a regular basis.

While the two were drinking, I took care of Erina and time passed.