The Dragons Heir

Arc 3/part 5: A Political Meeting

ALEX

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the sky as I finally returned to our current residence. The familiar creak of the floorboards greeted me as I stepped inside, a sense of comfort mixed with a hint of unease washing over me. Almost immediately, I spotted Emilia sitting on the edge of the couch, her posture tense and her expression a blend of worry and frustration.

As I entered, she lifted her gaze to meet mine, and I could see the fire simmering behind her eyes. Without missing a beat, she strode over, her movements purposeful, and before I could utter a word, she smacked me lightly on the arm. A weary chuckle escaped my lips as I scratched my head, my guilt evident. "Yeah, I deserve that one," I admitted, trying to lighten the mood.

Instead of easing her frustration, my admission only seemed to stoke the flames. "Of course, you do! What the hell were you thinking?" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and irritation. I could sense that my impulsiveness had struck a nerve, and I began to brace myself for the conversation that was about to unfold.

Her question stirred a deep-seated irritation within me, flaring briefly before I managed to reign it in. "Julius insisted on fighting to the death during the duel, so I decided it would be best to end it quickly," I explained, my tone a mix of frustration and urgency as I sought a way to extricate myself from the situation. Emilia, after a moment of contemplation, shook her head gently, her expression softening as she placed a delicate hand on my chest.

"Just... be careful next time," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

I nodded, feeling a warm rush of affection as I reached up to pat her head gently. "As you wish, Your Highness ~" I added playfully, and to my surprise, her cheeks flushed with a crimson hue. My mind, however, was already shifting gears, focusing on a different matter at hand. "Is Roswaal still awake?" I asked, watching her brow furrow in confusion before she gave a small nod.

"Good. I need to talk with you both."

Emilia appeared to weigh my words carefully, then gave me an affirmative gesture as she began walking towards Roswaal's chamber, which served as a makeshift office. I followed closely, maintaining my pace. She reached the door and knocked lightly, stepping inside when Roswaal's voice beckoned us in.

As I entered the room, the sight of Roswaal took me aback. He was seated in his ornate chair, sifting through a thick pile of documents, but what truly astonished me was his appearance. The flamboyant clown makeup he usually wore had been washed away, leaving behind a ghostly pale complexion that added an unexpected severity to his demeanor.

"It was actually me who requested a meeting," I said, regaining my composure as the initial shock subsided. My declaration piqued Roswaal's curiosity; he gestured towards two extra chairs positioned in the corner of the room. Drawing one chair closer, I settled into it while motioning for Emilia to take the other.

"So, what is it you need, Alex-kun~" Roswaal asked, a playful lilt in his voice that masked the seriousness of the conversation we were about to have.

I paused for a moment, carefully formulating the words that would convey my proposal effectively. The air was thick with anticipation as I decided to lay everything bare. "I believe I might have a strategy that could significantly bolster Emilia's claim to the throne while simultaneously enhancing your domain," I began, sensing the flicker of intrigue in their eyes as they leaned in closer, captivated by the potential of what I was suggesting.

"You're aware of the dire conditions in the slums, correct?" I continued, receiving affirming nods from both Roswaal and Emilia. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on us. "Well, I was considering extending an invitation to the residents of those areas, offering them legitimate work opportunities within the Mathers domain. It could be a lifeline for them."