Father tugs my arms and leans on my ear to whisper, "Csille, what are you doing? What plan are you talking about?"
I look at Father and smile reassuringly at him. Even if I were rude to them these past few days, I wouldn't let anyone disrespect Father like that.
The noble frowns. "If that is true, then why don't you tell us your plan? So we can see if your plan is feasible."
I flash a smile at the noble. It's not a taunting smile but a normal smile because I know he will still not like it. And I was right. His frown deepened when he saw my smile.
I turn my head at the King. I still need to ask permission if I am allowed to speak. "You are allowed to speak. Tell us why we shouldn't agree with the Aeslaerean Kingdom."
I nod my head and look at the nobles. "What my Father said is right. If we comply with the Aeslaerean's request, they will only use us as much as they can, but do you really think they wouldn't launch an attack on us in the future?" I shake my head. "There is no certainty. Even if we produced a thousand weapons for them, it is still no use. There is no guarantee they will not use those weapons against us. Rember, they are our nesis, not our allies."
I paused for a few seconds and let them process the information I said before I continue what I wanted to say.
"And have anyone of you thought what will happen after? After we produce a thousand weapons?" I look at the nobles who voice out their agreents just now. "Do you know how many centis do we need to spend to produce such weapons? The Kingdom's fund will definitely be emptied because of it, and do you know what will happen after? Everyone will suffer, including all the people who are present here. How can the Kingdom survives if we don't have funds? Do you think we will survive if the Aeslaerean Kingdom decides to start a war against us?"
I stopped talking and observed the expression of everyone, and based on their expression, I know I managed to let them see how grave the effects were if we decided to comply with the Aeslaerean Kingdom.
Then I turn my head at his majesty. "It's the reason why I think the best decision is to disagree with the Aeslaerean Kingdom, and if you are worried about the threat, there is a simple way to solve that."
His majesty frowns. "And what is the solution you are talking about?"
"It's simple. Don't give them a reason that they can use to threaten us."
The noble, who insulted Father earlier, retorts. "And how can that be simple? Are you joking at us, Da Csille?"
I turn my gaze at him and stare at him coldly. I already let him off even if he disrespected my Father, yet here he is still trying to mock ? Does he really think I wouldn't fight back?
"Do I look like I am joking here? I might not have a position in the monarchy, but you don't have any right to mock my intelligence. Do you want to remind you where I graduated?" He avoids his gaze at . It looks like he didn't expect I would respond to his remarks.
I turn my head at his majesty. "Apologies, your majesty. I couldn't help but retort to his words. I know it is not right for to flaunt my achievents like that, and I never an it that way. I just couldn't help it. They had been trying to sar my na earlier, and I held back because I didn't want to be disrespectful. However, I couldn't bear to sit still while they were disrespecting like that. So, I hope you can forgive , your majesty. If my forgiveness is not enough, I am willing to face the consequences of my actions."
Arguing in front of the royalties can be punishable. So, I ask for his forgiveness before he can punish .
His majesty shakes his head. "I understand you, Da Csille, and you don't need to apologize. But next ti, try to control your temper."
I nod my head at him. I was planning to let them off at first, but they keep coming at us. Do they really think the Lauretré family is an easy target just because I will not be the future Queen of the Kingdom?
His majesty turns his head at the noble who mocks just now. "And you, don't casually throw words to anyone. You are all an official of the monarchy. Your words will reflect the Kingdom. So, please be careful with your words, or I wouldn't have a choice but to punish anyone who tries to disobey ."
Although his majesty ntioned everyone, I am sure he was referring to the nobles who had been pushing the bla on the Lauretré family earlier.
His Majesty heaves a sigh. "Da Csille, may I know what solution you are talking about?"
I nod my head. "The Aeslaerean Kingdom is using the fact that we are producing our own weapons and have been keeping it as a secret from everyone. If we want to outsmart the Aeslaerean Kingdom, all we need to do is reveal this information to everyone so they wouldn't have a chance to threaten us."
I heard murmurs around after I said those words. But I just ignored them. Their opinions don't matter to . What matters is his majesty's opinion.
The King frowns. "But wouldn't the other Kingdoms and Cities beco mad at us if they knew we have been keeping this to ourselves?"
I smile reassuringly at him. "It's inevitable. The secret we keep from them is sothing valuable. But we can compensate by giving them sothing in return."
"Sothing in return? What are you suggesting, Da Csille?"
"Everyone here knows the current status of the funds of the Vrawyth Kingdom. We don't have much funds left, and if the war starts, I'm sure it will be difficult for us to survive with the
funds we have currently."
The nobles who were reprimanded by his majesty just now interrupted . "But what does it have to do with what you have said before that? What can we give them in return to quail their
anger?"
I smile at the noble. "Simple, just give them free weapons if they buy weapons on us. In this case, we won't just have enough funding. The Aeslaerean Kingdom will also don't have anything to hold against us."
Everyone becos silent after I finish speaking. They are all probably contemplating my words.
I turn my head at his majesty. Hoping I have managed to convince him to agree with my suggestions.
Mister Sewell didn't ntion anything about how I will convince his majesty. I hope what I suggested will coincide with his plan.
Everyone was waiting for his majesty's decision when soone suddenly stood up and spoke. "Your majesty, I think it is still not safe to do that. After all, we still haven't found the traitor. What if they heard about our plan and passed it to the Aeslaerean Kingdom? Then it will beco too late for us to quail the anger of everyone. Also, we don't even have enough people who can forge weapons. How can we be able to produce weapons to sell to the other Kingdoms and Cities?"
I look at Prince Fraser and frown. My plan is already solid and is way safer than his plan. Why is he insisting to disagree with ? What does this Prince want?
"Your highness, I understand your concern. However, haven't his majesty already told us earlier that he already caught the possible culprits. So, why would we need to worry? Also, if ever this information was leaked to others, then all of us can just sign a life and death contract. With that, I don't think anyone would dare to betray the Vrawyth Kingdom."
Father tugs my hand when he heads the words 'life and death contract', but I just ignore him. I wouldn't let this Prince to ruin my plan.
Prince Fraser frowns. "Are you seriously suggesting to make all of us sign a life and death
contract?"
The life and death contract is the most unused contract in this world. Only those who are sure that they won't ever break that contract agrees with that.
I shrugged my shoulders at Prince Fraser. "Why do they need to be afraid if they don't have any intentions to betray the monarchy? Or maybe soone here is a traitor too?" I take a quick glance at the nobles around before I turn my gaze at Prince Fraser again. "Also, aren't you worried that soone might leak this information to the Aeslaerean Kingdom? I'm just giving you a solution."
Prince Fraser opened his mouth, but he didn't say anything. He just stares at coldly. He probably couldn't find any words to retort at .
"And if you are worried that we don't have much master forger, you don't have to worry about this. I knew that soday we would need to produce a number of weapons in the future. So, I ask the master forger to train anyone he thinks has a talent with forging. If you are worried that they will betray us, he made them sign a life and death contract. It is to ensure the secret of forging a high quality weapons will not expose to other people. So, you don't
have to worry anymore."
Prince Fraser's stares beco more intense. It looks like he doesn't like what I have said.
I just stare at him in return. I don't want him to think that I am afraid of him. He might be the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom, but it doesn't an that everything he says or thinks is the right thing.
I was busy having a heated staring competition with Prince Fraser when we suddenly heard his majesty clears his throat. The two of us imdiately stop our staring competition and turn our heads to his majesty.
His Majesty stands up from his throne and walks a few steps forward. "I think I already heard enough for today. I know you are all worried about the Aeslaerean Kingdom's threat, but this decision is a matter of everyone's safety. So, I won't be able to make a decision today. I will think about the consequences first and inform everyone about my decision tomorrow. You can
all be dismissed."
Everyone stares at the King for a couple of seconds. Then we all stand up to give our respect to the King before each one of us leaves the hall.
I was about to leave, but Father held my hand. I look at him and stare at him confusedly.
"Father?"
He shakes his head. "Let them leave first. I need to talk to you after."
I nod my head and follow his words. I don't know if Father appreciates what I did, but I am
hoping he is not mad at .
Father and I wait for the nobles to leave the hall first. However, we were both shocked when Prince Fraser suddenly walked toward us.
Father imdiately covers using his body and bows his head at Prince Fraser. "Your
highness?"
I couldn't see Prince Fraser's expression because Father was blocking my view.
"Count, can I excuse Da Csille? I have sothing important to talk to her."
I frowned when I heard what he said. He wants to talk to ? But what does he wants to talk about? Will he get mad at because of what I suggested to his majesty?
"Your highness, may I know what you want to talk about with my daughter?" Although Father sounds calm, I can still sense the edge in his voice. He was probably worried that Prince Fraser would say sothing to again.
I wait for Prince Fraser's response, but all I can hear is silence. I frowned and tried to take a
peek, but Father turned his head at and gave a glare. So, I have no choice but to be contented with hearing what Prince Fraser is saying.
"Count, I know I have said sothing terrible to Da Csille before, but I just want to talk
about the suggestion she said earlier. I want to know more about it. So, I hope you can allow to talk to her."
I frown. Talk? Does he really want to talk, or is he just making an excuse so he could scold
after?
I am not afraid of Prince Fraser but arguing with him in the Palace is sothing I don't want
to do.
I look anxiously at Father's back and wish he would disagree. Father, please don't allow him to talk to . I beg of you!!
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