Married into Alpha Lord

Chapter 17

King Alexis and the prime minister support our proposal... but the majority of the Honorary Consul don't.

One thing that miss Darren's calculation was the King of Dorsenburg doesn't hold all power in making decision that could affect the whole kingdom. Those kind of deals need to be discussed with the king, prime minister, and twelve council members, then decide by vote. To our 'luck', this proposal was one of few things that deem affecting the whole kingdom. 

The council members is not all nobles. Interesting. They are leaders for each groups that represent people of Dorsenburg. Besides the nobles, there are leaders from the merchants, farmers, doctors, and even youth group. Even though many members are both a leader and a noble, doesn't mean an ordinary citizen can't become the council member. The most noticeable person who reject our deal the most is Duke Fluenti. He is the leader of current scientist group and also the most influential family in this kingdom. Even more than the prime minister. I can understand his viewpoints because this deal will affect him most. He would have to share the intellectual property of his scientists. Well, I know this deal do not give too much advantage for them.

On the first day, only the Prime Minister and a member fully accept it, while the leader of the merchant would cooperate with the condition that we are not their exclusive distributor. Understandable. The King choose to abstain. 

The next day, today, the King and one noble decide to support our deal. Still five against nine. We need at least two more to prolong the discussion and another one to flip the table. If it stay even until the very last vote, the deal would be cut off.

I didn't contribute much on the discussion other than helping Darren with the papers. Oza did an 'okay' job in translating what Darren said and back, even though I think he needs to improve his choice of words better. We head back early today as there's a report of problem from the royal palace.

Darren looks so frustrated when he came back into our house. "Why can't they understand the benefits of this deal?" he grumbled in annoyance. He decided to use the rest of the day to call back home and discuss which part of the proposal can be revised. I understand his desperation as this deal would make our Kingdom be the first allies of the most unfriendly country across the continent. 

Knowing I can't join his discussion, Darren let me take a walk across the town. I have a bad feeling that he starting to regret bringing me here as I don't even do anything other than acting like his personal assistant.

--

The capital city of Dorsenburg reminds me of my hometown. I forgot which, but I'm pretty sure I've lived in a city like this before. The building has a similar height with a taste of romance in their classic architecture. I wander around, visiting strange store and trying local foods. Being alone in a strange city actually boost my mood after getting trapped in hectic schedule for last couple of days. I'm glad I can convince Leo not to follow me and just stay back and guard Darren. I could speak the local language, thus blending in becomes an easy thing.

"Gratias," I thank the woman as I hand her the money and accept the fresh cooked food handed over me. I step out the store while checking things to making sure I didn't left anything, when someone hit me hard. I manage not to fall down but the fresh food on my hand fall dramatically staining both mine and the other person clothes. It now lay on the ground, wasted. "Paenitet!" said a girl voice apologizing to me. I sighed a little and squatted down to clean the mess, feeling sorry for the untouched food. "I'm really sorry! I was in a hurry and didn't see you,"  the girl also squat down trying to help me clean the mess. "It's okay," I assured her. "I'll compensate your food and clothes," she said again feeling really guilty. "I'm really fine, you don't have to," I said looking up to her.

There I saw a girl with long blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. Her white porcelain skin doesn't match up with how simple her clothes is. She looked shocked when our eyes met. We stare at each other for few seconds and I feel a strange sense of familiarity towards her. A sudden pain coming from my head as memories flooding my brain, giving me information to the identity of this girl.

"Erica," I called her name, not really sure if she will answer. To my surprise, she recognised that name and looks as a surprise as I was.

"Rene?"