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“I see. Then, you should stay in the capital for a while before going back,” Rafael suggested.
Jacob blinked in surprise-he hadn’t realized that was a question one could ask.
Everett, clearly eager to wrap things up, urged, “You two should go rest now.”
Kyle, who had been quiet until now, stood up. He said he was tired and prepared to leave.
Before he could even move, however, Everett’s sharp voice rang out, “What, are you going to the negotiations tomorrow too?”
Kyle, who had barely lifted himself from the chair, sank back down without a word.
Once Rafael, Garissa, and Jacob left, Everett’s voice turned cold, “Your mentor blew up my bedroom on purpose to force me to the capital and keep an eye on your junior apprentice. He doesn’t want me to be comfortable, so neither should you expect any comfort.”
Kyle had no reply. What could he say? He had no choice but to endure.
The next day, the negotiations took place at the Diplomatic Affairs Department.
Despite the Westhaven envoy’s best efforts to appear composed, their exhaustion was evident. Lisandra wore her formal court attire. While she held the title of grand princess in Westhaven, she had no official position or rank.
Leroy was also far from his usual energetic self. The dark circles under his eyes made him look particularly worn, and the others weren’t faring much better. It was likely they had stayed up all night.
Rafael and Davis led the negotiations on the Starhaven side, with the officials from the
Diplomatic Affairs Department providing assistance. Jeremiah was present as well, though e was th only to observe and not to take part in the discussions.
A long, intricately carved cherry wood table was set in the middle of the hall, surrounded by chairs for the participants. Due to the nature of the negotiations, refreshments were prepared to help sustain them.
Rafael gestured for everyone to take their seats. Documents were placed on the table, and interpreters were present to translate between the two languages. As was customary, the proceedings would be recorded in writing.
Before the discussions began,
Rafael said, “Last night, an incident that has stirred great anger occurred. Grand Princess Lisandra I’m sure you and our other honored guests are already aware. The ovel commander of your nation’s Sovereign Guard colluded with assassins in an attempt to murder my wife. I have his confession here and I’d like all of you to review it.”
The confession had been copied several times in advance, so there was no need for everyone to take turns reading it. Officials from the Diplomatic Affairs Department assisted with distributing the copies of the confession. Last night, the discussions among the Westhaven envoys had centered around what Icarus would say. The tension was evident in their eyes as they took the documents, their unease as clear as day.
Once the confessions had been handed out, Rafael continued, “This incident took place last night. I expect Grand Princess Lisandra to provide us with an explanation.”
The confession was written entirely in Stellish, which Westhaven envoys couldn’t fully understand. The two interpreters read it aloud in Westic for them.
Icarus took full responsibility for the plot, explaining that his motive stemmed from Hector’s past victory of Westhaven, which had resulted in the deaths of many Westhaven soldiers. He also harbored a deep grudge against the Sullivan family, particularly Sophie, whose grandfather, Dominic, had guarded Victory Pass for many years and fought in countless battles. Consumed by hatred, Icarus had seized the opportunity to strike at Sophie when he came to the capital, hoping to vent his anger.
Even after hearing the confession, the Westhaven envoys didn’t seem any less tense. Regardless of their stance, this meant the attempt on Sophie’s life was tied to Victory Pass.
The Westhaven envoys couldn’t help but respect the Hell Monarch for his straightforwardness in not bringing this matter to the negotiating table directly. Instead, he had sought justice before the talks even began.
This, in turn, made the mood heavier. They would have preferred it if Starhaven had been a little more ruthless and put the matter directly on the table. Were that the case, they wouldn’t have to worry about preserving their dignity.
All the envoys, except for Amos, were inwardly cursing Leroy. How foolish to think he could compare to his brother, Liam. Did he even realize how much like a clown he appeared?
Rafael remained calm as he watched them with a steady gaze. In negotiations, it was all about the psychological game.
Originally, the Westhaven envoys had come a long way to demand an explanation from Starhaven. Westhaven was the aggrieved party, with the right to present their conditions. They could be angry, could question, and could demand more than what was fair. Now, with the assassination attempt on Sophie, they suddenly found themselves at a disadvantage.
In reality, their only wrong lay in the eradication of the Devin family. The assassination attempt took place just last night, and today was the negotiation. That was what truly shook them psychologically.
Leroy pressed his hand against the confession, meeting Rafael’s gaze. He raised his voice as he said, “Let’s be clear. Whether the assassination attempt is true or not, we don’t know yet. We can wait for the investigation to confirm the details. Let’s return to the main topic, shall we?”
Rafael’s posture was rigid, his face solemn. “You don’t know whether it’s true? Didn’t you hear it with your own ears last night, Mr. Stellwyn? If you doubt the assassination attempt, why not investigate it further before we continue?”
“No, this can’t be delayed any further!” Leroy’s voice grew a little sharp. “You want an explanation, right? Since he attempted assassination in Starhaven, then your kingdom can handle the punishment according to your laws. Don’t drag this out here.”
Her patience already worn thin, Lisandra suddenly snapped. “Shut up!”
She hadn’t slept all night. Her head was pounding, and she had only been able to leave the inn after taking some medicine. Before she left, she had repeatedly reminded them that the Hell Monarch would likely bring up the assassination attempt. She had stressed how important it was to maintain an apologetic attitude about the incident.
Their stance would directly influence Starhaven’s response. If they were arrogant and dismissive, Starhaven would return that same attitude in the negotiations.
But now, Leroy was making trouble again.
Leroy shot Lisandra an irritable glance. No matter what, he was her uncle. How could she disrespect him so?
Seeing her cold expression and the icy authority she held, he snapped his mouth shut, silenced by the force of her presence.
Lisandra stood up and bowed slightly to Rafael. “Commander Icarus is a Westhaven official. His attempt on your princess consort’s life is a grievous offense. In my capacity as a grand princess of Westhaven, I offer my apologies. How to deal with him is for your kingdom to decide.”
Since Icarus attempted to kill a princess consort of Starhaven, then Starhaven would handle the punishment.
Just as Freya’s massacre in Fawnrun City should be dealt with by Westhaven.
Rafael also rose, giving a respectful nod. “Very well. We’ll do as you say, Your Highness. This matter is closed.”
Lisandra felt her brow twitch slightly.
She knew that Icarus’ assassination attempt would put them in a disadvantageous position for the negotiations, but it had become unavoidable.
Now, Rafael wasn’t pressing the issue further. His leniency effectively set the tone for the negotiations on both sides today.
She shot Leroy a sidelong glance.
See? A true general plans ahead. And you?
Leroy was seething with frustration. Today’s negotiations had been his opportunity to take the initiative by demanding accountability and making unacceptable conditions, then declaring the talks a failure. After that, he would return to Westhaven and declare war. Yet now, not only had he been unable to follow through with his plan, the negotiations had also shifted into a disadvantageous position. To make matters worse, his niece, the grand princess, was looking down on him.
The humiliation gnawed at him.
Jeremiah, who had been sitting quietly to the side, felt a sense of resolve settle over him as he watched the proceedings. If they could negotiate peacefully, that would be ideal. The massacre in Fawnrun City was Starhaven’s fault, and they were willing to offer apologies, compensation, and make amends-but only if given a chance for peaceful negotiations.
Westhaven had distributed the case files regarding the Fawnrun City incident, which contained numerous firsthand accounts from soldiers who had been captured alongside the late Westhaven crown prince, Arthur. Some had survived, and they had given detailed testimonies to recreate the true events.
Not everyone in the villages had met a tragic end. Some had managed to escape. Even those survivors had seen part of the brutality that had unfolded.
The case files referred to the crown prince as “Artie,” but Rafael and Davis understood it was a pseudonym.