<Karma>
Before Nagisa and I made our departure to the Eye of Thrones, we were summoned by the current Crowns. They explained that my younger sister would also be joining the council meetings from now on even if she was not at the age requirement. Probably more than half a year before she would turn fifteen.
It was an agreeable matter. Essentially, it would be troublesome with another addition later on when two new representatives were already joining today. Might as well let this slip so that further meetings can run more smoothly.
•••••
With Karasuma at our side, we entered the meeting hall to a room of new faces. Three new faces to be exact and not including the advisors accompany the nobles.
Everyone stood up and bowed their heads. Karasuma stood behind our seats and along the wall, obviously not leaning against it.
"Hope that you've meet each other and talked before we've arrived. Though, knowing the traits of some, it may be useless." I turned my gaze slightly to Rinka Hayami and smiled.
Even though it was meant as a tease, Nagisa nudged my arm and cleared his throat.
"For formality sake, we'll greet each other properly." He added after me and placed his crest on the table.
"Nagisa Shiota, House of the Python and the heir to the throne. For those that are new, please introduce yourself thoroughly." Nagisa gleamed at Yuriko and she returned a blissful expression back. He even made eye contact with his older cousin.
"Karma Akabane, House of the Cerberus and heir to the thrown. For newcomers, I understand that this may be intimidating at first but don't fret over such matters. We are civilized."
Rather than individually picking people out, I spoke out for the whole.
After the two of us spoke, everyone sat down until it was their turn to speak. Rinka stood up and everyone casted their eyes on her.
"Greetings, my name is Rinka Hayami and heir to the House of the Sabertooth. I hope that we get along." She acknowledged the three new members before she sat back down.
"Nice to meet you all. My name is Hiroto Maehara and heir to the House of the Elk."
Compared to Rinka, Hiroto had a more friendly aura that made it easier for the three to confide in him than her. That's expected right?
"My name is Ryunosuke Chiba, heir to the House of the Hawk." He stared at the three of them without saying anything else and sat down.
That really set a downhill mood especially when Hiroto managed to lift it even by a little.
I guess I can't expect much from everyone at this point. Some of us need to work on our social skills.
"It's an honor to start working along side you all. My name is Gaisu Asano, new heir to the House of the Lion. I am eighteen years old and unfortunately I don't have much else to share that is interesting."
And here is another one.
I leaned back in my seat and Nagisa gave me a side eye because he knew that I was thinking harshly about them.
"Good morning, my name is Yuriko Akabane and heir to the House of the Cerberus. I am almost fifteen years old but I don't think my youthfulness will be a concern." She looked at all our faces with the coldness I knew she is capable of. "I enjoy reading in my spare time as well."
When Yuriko sat down, she refused to look in my direction even when I was trying to search for her gaze. But unlike me, Nagisa was the one who she shared a moment with.
The next to stand up was Nagisa's cousin. This time around, I could definitely see that the spark of nervousness was apparent. There was three females in the room including Rinka's advisor. A good challenge if I do say so myself.
"Greetings, my name is Reiji Shiota and new heir to the House of the Python. I'm nineteen years of age and I spend most of my time on training grounds along with my younger brother."
I winked at Reiji and he immediately started having a short coughing fit. His ears burned red as I was able to break his concentration.
Nagisa leaned over to my side and with a slight whisper said,
"leave my cousin alone."
With a slight smile I quietly said back,
"stop looking at my sister."
Nagisa straightened himself out and shook his head in further discontent. From there, we resumed our meeting as the older members were wondering if our discussion today was going to be formal.
"I take it that you all heard about the things that have happened in Scienion. With the current communication with them now, we'll need something more elaborate and hassle free to keep our relationship preserved." I brought up.
"Are you supposing we create an embassy of sorts?" Rinka questioned, "how can we trust them completely to have a base in our land?"
"I assure you that they mean no harm after all that has happened." Nagisa spoke, "we have a common goal of making our kingdoms prosper for the betterment of our citizens."
"Will you be accounting for the xenophobic community? Surely there will be opinions." Gaisu brought up, "I am all for a strengthened relationship with Scienion but what if there's a significant uproar?"
"Then we'll have to persuade them." I replied, "news must have circulated that two of our esteemed Tempus Five members are working with their Queen. Wouldn't that spark an interest? Whether gradual acknowledgement or not, we cannot make everybody happy." I explained.
"I heard from Sir Karasuma that their technology is rather unique and advance. Such things like this can stir the public for the better." Chiba agreed.
With the head nods around the table, Yuriko leaned in and caught both Nagisa and my attention.
"I suggest that for the public sake, we announce diplomatic relationships first. If we want them to understand the benefits with ease, we can't project all these ideas all at once and overwhelm them. Transition is good but abrupt change is not ideal." Yuriko added to the conversation.
"I agree. We can't get ahead of ourselves promising everything when we're not sure if these relations can withhold." Rinka made eye contact with Yuriko and they both smiled at each other.
Maybe it was present of another respected female that she was able to show such a expression that was rare at the table.
"I assume that with our involvement in their kingdom, it will be the same here?" Reiji wondered, "aren't they still filtering out their military after the coup? What a surviving member from the coup infiltrates our kingdom?"
With the dilemma at hand that I did not forget about, a sigh slipped out and I think that worried them more.
"We cannot continue unless this is taken care of my King. We'll put our kingdom in danger." Hiroto said.
"Then what about us? Is our military just and righteous? Just because they may have a few rats amongst their men, we simply can't say that we don't have any either."
"So we'll tread blindly? Take all the risks?" Gaisu leaned back in his chair rather intrigued by the idea.
I stood up and the tension squeezed the air out of the room. I could see the sweat dribbling down the foreheads if the advisors who were also contemplating about the idea.
Turning my head slightly to make eye contact with Karasuma, he tipped his head quietly without sharing his thoughts.
Facing the group once more, I placed both my hands on the round table and made myself clear.
"Life is but a risk. Obviously we're not super-humans who can fix and deal with every problem possible. However, if there are rats stepping on our land, we'll show no mercy if they threaten the wellbeing of the kingdom. I promise you all at least that much."
I paused and made sure to look at everyone at the table at least once to acknowledge them.
"Our future is brighter than ever now that we've made alliances with another kingdom. Just imagine how far we'll be able to go from here."