Precarious Negotiations (2)
The morning after confirming her burning feelings for Yushin and sharing an intimate physical bond.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, uh... yeah... g-good morning...”
Unlike Yushin’s casual greeting as always, Alonne couldn’t lift her head, her face flushed bright red. How can that guy act like nothing happened? She felt a surge of resentment toward Yushin’s calm demeanor, especially compared to her own flustered state. Normally, she’d have fired back with some cheeky prank, but right now, she couldn’t even bring herself to look at his face.
“Got your stuff?”
“All packed.”
“Where should we ditch class today? Nice breeze, clouds floating just right—perfect picnic weather.”
“No, I wanna go to lecture today.”
“Yeah? Alright.”
Things felt awkward with Yushin. She had no idea what to say or how to act. It was so uncomfortable that Alonne— who hated classical literature with a passion—was even willing to sit through that class. Better the torture of dusty old texts than the awkwardness of being alone with the first guy she’d given herself to.
“Good day.”
It was Leticia’s voice. The red-haired high elf girl appeared in neat attire, bowing her head politely to Yushin. She hadn’t gone straight from Santander Castle to Bria Academy. She always stopped by Valencia Castle first—to take the warp gate to the academy with Yushin.
“You seem off.”
“...Shut up.”
Alonne, who would normally screech at her to get lost, was unusually quiet today. Leticia found it strange. This high elf was usually bursting with so much energy she was a pain in the ass. Alonne kept stealing glances at Yushin before dropping her head again. Something definitely happened between her and Teacher yesterday. They’d sparred at Valencia Castle until late afternoon, so there must’ve been some “late-night connection.”
Teacher’s human first and foremost—a man. And men are all stallions whose role is to sow their seed, right? So, did he maybe spend the late night with Alonne...?
Squeeze—!
Leticia’s face turned red. She’d imagined Yushin and Alonne locked in a steamy tryst. The Santander heiress’s entire sex education came from her secret stash of 19+ romance novels. With her fantasy switch flipped, she pictured Yushin thrusting like a beast and Alonne writhing in ecstasy, moaning wildly—fueling her own private delusion.
An elf maybe, but a high elf getting knocked up by a human? Impossible. They must’ve used protection. Yeah, even ditzy Alonne knows that much common sense.
Leticia blushed harder, cupping her feverish cheeks with both hands as she avoided Yushin’s gaze.
The vibe’s super heavy today.
With Alonne refusing to meet his eyes and Leticia acting weird too, Yushin had no choice but to read the room between the two high elves.
After Alonne and Leticia headed into the lecture hall, Yushin had to kill time as usual in some quiet spot, lounging like a bum. He’d practice swordplay alone in the training grounds or chat with academy staff he’d gotten friendly with, but today felt especially idle.
“Aren’t you the man who stirred up the whole Elf Kingdom?”
An elf man approached. Silver-haired with curls, he was strikingly handsome.
“That’s me.”
“Black-haired Eastern human—not something you see every day. Spotted you right away.”
Yushin eyed the approaching elf curiously. An elf man. In the Elf Kingdom, with its brutal 8:2 gender imbalance, spotting a male elf was rare. He’d seen a few before, of course. But with most elves being women, men stood out. And this one wore obviously high-end clothes.
“I’m Manuel. Manuel Navás. I work for the Liberia Ministry of State Affairs.”
“Ministry of State Affairs?”
“Think of it like... the departments under the prime minister’s direct control in Valua Kingdom terms.”
“So, you handle internal affairs bureaucracy.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Then what brings a busy official like you to the academy? I’m no guard, but I gotta stay wary of shady outsiders.”
Manuel waved off Yushin’s guarded tone.
“I came to discuss the negotiations with Valua Kingdom.”
“Discuss?”
“Sure, it’s diplomacy between Elf Kingdom and Valua, but the principal party’s input matters too. Wanted to hear your thoughts.”
“Should’ve gone to Ardena for that. What power do I have?”
A mere slave deciding anything? Slave treatment was the master’s call. Manuel had picked the wrong guy to consult.
“Fair point—convincing. But as the lead on these Valua talks, I just wanted your perspective too, Yushin.”
“Why keep calling me ‘sir’? Does this country bow to slaves now?”
“I get called weird a lot.”
Manuel scratched his head sheepishly. Used to the eccentric label, he owned it. To Yushin, the guy was a total oddball—severely so. This elf was heading the negotiations? Looked like Liberia Elf Kingdom was as full of weirdos as Valua.
“Ardena will attend the talks too. Can’t send her into negotiations without guards.”
“Valua’ll do the same. Kingdom’s Seven Swords for sure.”
“Yes, our Warrior Captains will step up.”
“That’s war-level.”
Valua’s Kingdom’s Seven Swords. Liberia’s 12 Warrior Captains. Both nations’ top forces gathering. Like a powder keg stuffed with explosives. One spark, and it’d burn everything in unquenchable flames.
Yushin, stuck at the storm’s eye, was beyond annoyed. Negotiations proceeding despite his refusal? And escalating way beyond necessary? Both fishy.
“I clearly told Ardena I’m not going back to the kingdom. Word didn’t reach Elf Kingdom brass?”
“No, she informed us.”
“Then no point holding talks.”
Even more baffling. Why bother with negotiations if it’s just a flat “no”? Seemed the elf nobles had ulterior motives. This wasn’t just about prisoner exchange—something bigger between the nations.
“I handle too many secrets to spill everything. Sorry I can’t be straightforward.”
“Tax collectors always say that.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Never said I did.”
Manuel smiled and nodded at Yushin’s sharp retort.
After persistent convincing, Heinkel finally let Allen join the delegation. No causing trouble. No killing intent until the elves draw first. Allen accepted his terms. Refuse, and he’d never allow it.
“You’re really okaying the marriage, right?”
“Of course, the parties’ feelings matter most.”
“No worries! I’m ready anytime!”
Not you, though... Heinkel almost asked about Yushin’s intentions but shut up to avoid drama. Poor kid. He pitied his disciple.
“Greetings, Sir Heinkel. Lady Allen. I’ll handle security for this delegation.”
A bespectacled man approached, bowing politely to his seniors. Kingdom’s Seven Swords, 5th seat: Roverdik Anje. Originally 5th and 6th were set for escort, but Allen’s sudden addition as 2nd bumped the 6th. Still, Allen wasn’t command material, so Roverdik led security.
“We’ve got a lead on Sir Yushin, captured by the elves.”
“What’s the word!”
Allen shouted, reacting fiercely at Yushin’s name. Heinkel raised a hand to restrain her charging impulse, then nodded at Roverdik to explain.
“Got intel from a trading company with Elf Kingdom ties. Sir Yushin’s in a city called Valencia.”
“Valencia?”
“Port city on the eastern Libria Peninsula.”
Valencia. A familiar name. Heinkel and Allen soon heard shocking news from Roverdik.
“He lost the war, but Sir Yushin defeated an Elf Kingdom Warrior Captain.”
“Heard from stragglers, huh.”
“The captain he beat was Ardena Valencia.”
“So he’s held in that captain’s city?”
“Circumstantial evidence says yes.”
Unbelievable. Heinkel let out a dry laugh in disbelief. Then Roverdik revealed Yushin had been sold as a slave at Pamplona auction, bought for a fortune by Ardena herself—5 billion Aether.
“Venting grudge? Losing in front of her men must’ve bruised her ego bad.”
“Reports say he looked fine. Doesn’t seem like revenge buy.”
“We prepped 10 billion Aether, so they’re probably pleased. Double profit.”
Heinkel hoped his dazed disciple returned safe. Money was irrelevant. Valua needed its 3rd Sword whole with the Demon King Army stirring. 2nd Prince Alpons hated Yushin’s guts and would sabotage endlessly, but couldn’t act rashly now.
Pray he’s safe. If anything happens to my boy... even I might lose control.
Heinkel nodded, thanking Roverdik. Meanwhile, Allen seemed calm after the full report. But inside, hearing Ardena Valencia ignited hatred and jealousy—she ground her teeth, vowing to kill the elf who’d bought her fiancé as a slave.
Ardena Valencia... Ardena Valencia! That damned elf bitch!!
Valua side didn’t know Ardena Valencia would guard the Elf Kingdom delegation.
Liberia Elf Kingdom didn’t know Yushin Gilliard’s fiancée, Allen Rocksfield, was joining theirs.
Ardena Valencia. Allen Rocksfield.
The two swordswomen would meet at the diplomatic table for the prisoner exchange.