Walking into the meeting hall, their animated faces bent into expressions of anticipation; one expected the worst, while the other was determined to do his best. They were envoys, both of whom had drastically different expectations of what they would be met with
They greeted the three people present in the hall: a woman and a man, both appearing to be in their mid-forties. However, the figure that stood out the most was a lady who carried herself with utmost elegance. Her regal presence commanded the most authority over everyone in the entire meeting hall.
What the female envoy, Clementine, felt at that moment was incidentally not a feeling of honor or pride; rather, it was a certain dread that quietly hovered over her. She had never felt so heavy in her uniform. She smiled and adjusted the insignia on her uniform, a red plated symbol depicting a phoenix.
However, the young man she was accompanied by displayed the total opposite of how she felt; it was as if he was sure the negotiations would be a success.
That is, if they even could negotiate in the first place.
"Ms. Rohesia, the alliance that we are proposing outlines a three way cooperation agreement between your state of Bastresk, Civinham and Zorexia. We hope for an alliance where Civinham can have more access to the natural resources of Bastresk, while providing more opportunities for infrastructure development and trade with Zorexia. The full framework in included in the document that had also been submitted a month prior."
Her voice was elaborate, and she spoke without pause, as if she had recited this multiple times before. She had gone over the material numerous times, although it had not been the most extensively detailed document, she was hopeful it would be enough to persuade the ones before her.
The alliance proposed a simple three way deal between Rohesia's state of Bastresk, the state that the young envoys represented — Civinham, and the state to the north of it, Zorexia.
What they wanted was access to the port of Bastresk which they believed would allow them to not only sufficiently export their goods, but also to import resources without much difficulty as compared to their own.
Rohesia's hand gradually swept across the document bound in black trimmed leather, but her focus remained on the envoy's carefully picketed words.
The faces of the ministers sitting to Rohesia's left and right side remained in contempt.
As the girl's voice came to a slow end, a gleeful voice spoke up, it belonged to the man that seemed confident, almost to an arrogant degree,
"And! Mr. Claude is eager to see this alliance through. It would really be a great benefit to both of our states, maybe even Zorexia, who knows. Rejecting this would, be a waste really."
Rohesia's lips twitched slightly and a small smile formed on her face, but it seemed devoid of warmth, almost demeaning.
"Is that so? Well then Mr. Madoc. Answer me, if you would, what is the specified location where you want to establish yourself on the port? Not to mention that the type of goods and their volume to be transported is not provided."
She came forward and her chin rested on the back of her hand as she gazed at the envoys, waiting for their response.
"-if you want to know them, please read the document thoroughly as they are already mentioned in them." his confident smirk did not break.
"I am already well aware of the contents of the document you see, and such information is also crucial if you want to proceed with this, did Mr. Claude really agree to not address the important details? Besides, you have yet to explain why you are eager for such an alliance in the first place. Civinham's port has been flourishing for the past few years has it not?" Her voice was calm and elegant, yet it seemed shocking for the young man as he was stumbled for find the right words.
"Ms. Rohesia, the Civinham port has been facing violent currents for the past few months that are not subsiding and it is much more effective to utilize the Bastresk's port."
"Hmm, I suppose so. Are there any reports that indicate this? And if this is true then, a temporary condition seems more sound doesn't it?"
The girl weakly shook her head as they carried no evidence of their claims.
From Rohesia's side, the coarse voice of the minister finally spoke, and its intention was ratting out the two individuals for their arrogance.
"What! You bear no evidence of your claims, no maritime data, no reports, why do you expect us to agree? Has Mr. Claude been treating this as no more than an elaborate farce? Ms. Clementine, under what conditions shall we agree if this is what you present to us?"
Madoc gritted his teeth as his eyes lowered, Clementine attempted to keep her composure at all costs, but that became more and more difficult as the time passed.
"Ms. Rohesia, this has not been mentioned before, but Zorexia has also agreed to grant Bastresk the rights to mine on an island offshore from it.
A woman wearing glasses tilted them downwards whilst staring at Clementine in disbelief, "No, no, no, that must not be the case. Are ya unaware? Zorexia has been making great rounds at that island, it would be a miracle if it was still profitable!"
This was not something that Clementine could believe, she attempted to refute the statement but her attempts were in vain, Madoc tried again, but his terrible endeavors at persuasions did more harm than good.
For all they were aware, the island had been remained mostly swept under the radar when it came to natural exploitation, what could all of this mean, Clementine wondered.
"It is pretty unfortunate, Ms Clementine and Mr. Madoc, that I have to reject your proposal. I would really suggest for matters such as this to be handled with the utmost care if you desire to allow future negotiations to succeed. Also, talk to Mr Claude, both of you really need to be aware of this "eagerness" for this plan, it is more hollow than usual."
"But, no! Ms Rohesia! Please reconsider this! See all the benefits that you are getting from this! Why are you still disagreeing. Wait, I understand, if this matter has not been really discussed completely from your side from all the different figures of authority then please take your time. This alliance only wants to do good for both sides!"
Clementine could only burrow her face in her palm as she was unable to control Madoc's immature remark.
"You misunderstand, Mr. Madoc. This has already been discussed and debated from our sides from the 'figures of authority' you call them. Rest assured, it may seem that it's your fault this hasn't succeed but, the fault lies not in your actions, just that the proposal is flawed by itself."
"But Ms. Rohesia! Why do you not understand what I mean, if you really care then-"
Madoc tried to retaliate even further, but noticing his growing irritation, Clementine pinched his thigh from beneath and table, he let out a weak yelp before she bowed her head, followed by Madoc doing the same, even if reluctantly.
Rohesia let out a smile, not to ameliorate the situation, but to dismiss what had just occurred.
The duo stood up and paid their respects to all three of them, albeit in a rushed manner with Madoc barely containing himself from lashing out at her.
As the envoys took their leave, the tension in the room dissipated, and scowls of the ministers softened, "There was no need to bother yourself by having such a formal meeting Ms. Rohesia. Especially with the haphazardly arranged pair of envoys had little to no information of what they proposed as representatives! Truly shameful."
"No. Rejecting it outright wouldn't have left a good impression you know? And I wanted to examine that boy's capabilities myself, though they are worse than I expected."
"Examine? Why, why? Is there a reason for that?" The woman on the side asked.
"Well, while Clementine isn't someone well known, Madoc's father is closely tied to the government in Civinham, with that influence, there is a high chance that boy's going places, even though he has no capabilities as both of you saw."
Rohesia relaxed on the chair and stretched her fingers,
"Well, we'll see whatever comes our way. Now, it's already been an hour and a half, why have those three not returned yet?"
As soon as those words escaped Rohesia, low footsteps, followed by three loud and slow paced knocks were made on the door.
"I spoke too soon it seems." She chuckled.
As she allowed entry into the hall, a tall man entered into the room, along with a boy who fell a few inches short of him. As she witnessed their entry, Leonard greeted Rohesia, to which she responded with a "good work".
Shortly afterwards, she bent forward and with her head resting on her interlaced fingers, she smiled at Ronan, but this one felt genuine and heartfelt as she asked about why the boy looked so out of it.
"And where's Lucas? Don't tell me you're making him run an errand." She slightly chuckled at the thought, it had never happened before and she was sure it wouldn't, but it was still fun to tease Ronan about it.
But the look in the boy's eyes did not ease up after her words. Sensing something was wrong, she stood up and approached Ronan, looking him in the eyes, she asked him, "Did anything happen?"
The words that followed left even Rohesia stunned momentarily,
"Lucas is dead."
Rohesia's real worries were yet to come though, as Leonard stepped forward and continued Ronan's statement, "The perpetrator was Mr. Bain, I have escorted him to the east wing and ensured he will not leave the quarters."
"Do you have the evidence?" It was not that she didn't trust them, but that the others wouldn't have the same level of trust she had in them. If they were going to claim something of this caliber, then they needed to prove it to the others that they are correct.
"There is Ms. Rohesia. For Mr. Bain was the one who brought the body here."