The next mont.
Tea trickled into the cup.
During the era when the prohibition was enforced, it was difficult to find alcohol in ordinary households, and similarly in the market. Naturally, there was no such thing in governnt offices.
Especially in the Governor’s office.
It’s just before one-thirty in the afternoon now.
Winster City.
Governor’s Office.
More precisely, the current office of Governor Naruf Collins of Winster.
Right now, two people are sitting facing each other.
One is seated at the main seat, Naruf Collins, who has been in office for less than three months. He has a very politician-like smile on his face.
He has been practicing this smile since the age of ten, mastering it to perfection by now, so that it appears flawless to all.
In comparison, the person sitting opposite him, who also holds great power in Winster, can be called the real ruler of Winster, Ned Shire, has an imperfect expression on his face.
Expressionless, with a hint of underlying hostility.
Indeed, the countryside is the countryside, it can’t cultivate a true noble.
Naruf scorned internally, but outwardly he spoke with politeness, "Ned, please have so tea, try this variety. It’s said to be picked from the newly discovered Storm Island, possessing a unique flavor. I’m not adept at tasting, you being a tea connoisseur, give it a try."
This is already their second round of tea.
The previous round of tea leaves had beco bland and tasteless.
Ned has been here for a while now.
In normal tis, or should I say, in Ned’s political career, he has almost never visited this office.
Due to a certain rule of avoiding direct confrontations between rulers.
The most powerful Governor of a city and the Chief Judge would typically never appear in one place, except for necessary occasions; their offices are absolute no-go zones.
Such an act is tantamount to provocation.
As it happens, Ned and Naruf have always gotten along quite well.
The reason primarily being Naruf’s tact. Upon arriving in Winster, he proactively visited Ned, essentially showing submission.
Latterly, Naruf was almost hands-off during the series of work handovers, displaying a stance of just gilding himself and absolutely not interfering in local affairs.
This led to widespread rumors that this was the most harmonious dual rule in Winster’s history.
However, today, Ned himself disrupted this harmony.
In response to Ned’s sudden provocation, Naruf maintained his usual friendly deanor, completely unfazed, instead inviting Ned to have tea in his office.
Ned said nothing more, just drank tea.
Regarding Naruf’s second round of tea, he accepted without hesitation, picked it up and drank.
After drinking, he nodded and said, "Interesting tea, I could have another cup."
Thus, Naruf raised his hand, and the attendant brought from the Royal Capital, with a similarly affable attitude, poured tea for Ned.
At this mont, the clock on the wall pointed to the next minute.
Naruf finally said sothing completely different: "In fact, keeping here serves no purpose, Ned."
"Oh?" Ned raised his eyes to look at Naruf.
Finally, the main course is coming.
"I’m not at all critical."
Naruf still smiled.
"My real na standings are quite ordinary, not as good as Gohn."
He spoke while pointing to the attendant who was pouring tea.
The attendant shyly smiled, seemingly embarrassed by the praise from his master.
"This ga of chess is not mine to play."
Naruf picked up his own teacup, took a sip, and nodded.
"This thing is indeed quite costly, I can’t make sense of it."
Ned made no movent, just watched him, as if waiting for his next words.
"We’ve actually been quite happy together, haven’t we? These days, besides, if you think about it, we are indeed allies."
"We? You’re one of the top ten families from the Royal Capital. I’m just a minor na from a remote area."
Ned also picked up his teacup, the attendant nad Gohn was very perceptive, refilling the tea when it ran out.
"No, no, no."
Naruf repeatedly shook his head.
"You’re mistaken, Ned. I am with that person, and you... also have close ties with him, aren’t you practically his uncle?"
Almost the mont the word uncle left his lips, Naruf’s teacup shattered entirely as it was brought to his mouth, spilling tea all over Naruf.
The attendant Gohn had already blocked in front of Naruf, exhibiting an absolute combat stance, presenting a completely different persona from the previously slightly shy figure.
Like a ferocious monster.
"Don’t be so agitated, Gohn, Lord Ned wouldn’t do anything to . I misspoke. I apologize."
"Never ntion those two words again."
Ned’s face turned icy.
"Even dismissing that matter, Lord Ned, you’ve reached this position, do you not wish to advance further?"
Naruf switched direction in speaking.
"I don’t wish, I just want to grow old in Winster."
Ned answered straightforwardly.
If he truly had such aspirations, he would have left Winster long ago, not waiting until today.
"Then, for your family? To ensure the Shire na continues to shine brightly on this land, you ought to plan sooner. That person, he is eagerly awaited."
Naruf once again gazed at Ned.
This phrase seed to strike a chord in Ned.
He began to fall silent.
Naruf was very satisfied with this, he nodded slightly, indicating for the attendant Gohn to pour him another cup of tea.
Gohn promptly went to take a cup for tea.
Tea was brought to Naruf’s hand; he picked it up and rose, heading to the window.
The location of Winster City Hall is quite favorable; it offers a direct view of the sea.
At this mont, the sea surface was glowing golden, srizing those who gazed upon it.
Then he spoke a sentence to Ned: "It’s quite beneficial you ca to find today, because today you only have to do one thing, which is to stay here with until everything concludes."
Yet, at this point, Ned, who had maintained silence, suddenly began to laugh.
The laughter drew Naruf’s attention; he looked at Ned, seemingly beginning to understand the reason for the laughter, yet also appearing confused.
"Lord, you are..."
"I was rely laughing at myself foolishly, actually thinking I could win a bet against Ethan; he insisted that this sentence would be spoken. He won."
Ned again drank the tea in his cup and nodded.
"Indeed, today, my task is precisely to ensure you don’t leave here until everything concludes."
This statent made Naruf quite uncomfortable, yet he couldn’t pinpoint the discomfort. Everything should be within the plan, Ethan took away all the Bolita family’s forces.
Winster’s strongest is Ned, with the highest status being him. Apart from him, nobody can influence the situation anymore.
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