Chapter 32:

A Diplomatic Dinner

The Barrister From Beyond


I found myself in the same room where Amber and I had once countered Fredreich’s new tax proposals, a room where he had openly boasted about preparing for war against Ur. This time, I was sitting right beside Fredreich, with Jaeger and my scouts standing behind me, as the rest of the nobles stared, occasional whispers darting around the table.

“Times change fast, now don’t they,” Fredreich said, eyeing everyone and gesturing towards me. “This man here was representing the city of Luxion only a few weeks ago, and today, he’s representing the Kingdom of Ur!” He laughed, and the nobles let out a few nervous chuckles.

“Thank you for the introduction, Your Majesty,” I replied, navigating the situation as carefully as I could. “I can understand all of your reservations, but we are here only to talk peace, so please, rest easy.”

“Is it true that Alaric is dead?” an old noble at the end of the table asked, his voice low and soft.

“Yes, I can assure you that Alaric is indeed dead, and the rightful heir of Ur now rules,” I replied.

“Who exactly is this rightful heir?” a woman clad in extravagant clothing asked from beside me.

“Ambrose Ashvale, heir of Arthur Ashvale, has now ascended the throne, as was her right by law,” I replied.

“Very fascinating indeed,” Fredreich spoke up from beside me, his tone mocking. “But pray tell me, where has this rightful heir been all this time?”

“I fail to see how that is important, Your Majesty, or relevant to the maintaining of peace between our kingdoms,” I replied curtly, garnering a few whispers from the crowd.

“We simply must know what kind of benevolent ruler is ruling all of Ur, given our strained tension with them, wouldn’t you agree?” Fredreich asked the crowd, receiving murmurs of approval.

“Forced to flee her home of Ur, she spent most of her time in Mittengrad,” I replied, looking each noble in the eye. “Amongst you and your people. She has not forgotten the hospitality she received here, and she wishes that lives on each side of the border are spared.”

Some of the nobles appeared shocked, while others nodded upon learning of Amber’s stay in Mittengrad. Their whispers were only brought to a standstill when Fredreich pounded the table in front of him.

“So, you wish for peace, is that it?” Fredreich scoffed. “And what is to come of our noble men that died in attacks near the Blutklamm range? Are we simply to forget that tragedy?”

The table’s chattering grew, some even yelling “No peace!” as Fredreich’s statements resonated with many of the military higher-ups at the table.

I took a deep breath and inspected the room. “Whosoever conspired with Alaric to break the peace we have kept with Mittengrad will be punished,” my words slow and deliberate. “I understand that asking you to trust us is a difficult thought to process for some, but we will get to the bottom of this.”

The silence following my offer to investigate the Blutklamm attacks was heavy, broken only by the crackle of the fireplace. Fredreich continued to stare, his silence a deliberate performance to gauge my sincerity—or my fear. I knew I couldn't let the conversation end there, or Fredreich would declare a victory in sentiment.

"Distinguished guests," I continued, pressing the advantage, "it is necessary to ensure that no more of our soldiers, our citizens lose their lives to pointless bickering and feuds. This is why, for the first time in decades, a diplomatic mission has arrived at the behest of the Urian crown."

I looked directly at Fredreich, my gaze firm. "Queen Ambrose is not her predecessor. She seeks an end to the cycle of violence and guarantees peace for her people as well as yours. Yet, you have troops active in the Blutklamm region, preparing for an onslaught that will cost the lives of thousands.”

The noble beside the king, a stout man with a military bearing, slammed his fist on the table. "Nonsense! We are merely ensuring border security against the very chaos your coup caused!"

"Chaos caused by one man, now removed," I countered smoothly. "If Queen Ambrose is willing to investigate and punish any Urian agents responsible for the Blutklamm attacks, and offers guarantees of non-aggression, what exactly does Mittengrad require to stand down its forces?"

Fredreich leaned back on his throne, his earlier mocking tone gone, replaced by calculated malice. "Mittengrad requires assurance, Aizawa. And that assurance is not cheap."

He looked around the room, making sure every noble and officer present was listening.

"We demand control of all border crossings from Myradel to the coast for a period of no less than five years, allowing us to maintain the peace that your Queen broke," Fredreich declared, his voice ringing with false piety. "And we demand a permanent garrison be established near the crossing at the Blutklamm mountains.”

“Your highness, the trade route that is shared by Ur and Mittengrad has been declared a no-conflict zone by your own father,” I pushed back. “Giving you complete control is against the terms of the treaty.”

“A treaty that Urian forces broke by attacking our soldiers.” Fredreich took a sip of his wine, his face gleaming with a fabricated smile.

He knew we would never accept this. Giving them control over the trade route would mean starving half of Ur as well as dominance over the Blutklamm range. I looked at his smug smile, part of me wished to wipe it off of his face with a punch.

"That is not a demand for peace, Your Majesty," I said, my words slow and careful. "That is a demand for surrender."

"Call it what you will," Fredreich replied. "It is the price of keeping your Queen alive and your people from starving. Do you accept?"

“No, Your Highness, I cannot possibly agree to these terms,” I replied, my voice firm yet low. “However, I can offer the people of Mittengrad this: A period of peace as long as Ambrose Ashvale remains on the throne, provided there is no aggression from the other side, and unrestricted trade between the two kingdoms. Further, we are willing to cooperate with the Kingdom of Mittengrad against the people who violated your sovereignty.”

The voices grew restless, some nodding in approval while others vehemently opposed such a truce. Fredreich watched, observing both me and the guests in front of him. He tapped the table once more to get everyone’s attention.

“Thank you for putting forth your Kingdom’s wishes, Aizawa,” he looked at me and then at Jaeger and the scouts accompanying him. “We’ll have to convene on this and get back to you, so for now, please enjoy a feast.”

Mika
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