When it was time to hold the meeting, the air instantly shifted into something more tense and cold.
“Why would the Solen Kingdom want our pointless gems? For luxury? It’s odd that they want it. To the point of agreeing to our terms and even giving a hostage as an assurance.” She asked as the meeting was held.
With that, the murmurs of a lot of the people attending intensify. A lot except for a selected few, Elda observed.
“My lady, you don’t know?” Asked Jibran who just widened his eyes with surprise.
Noir stayed silent, ruminating on something, probably knowing what the purpose was. His trusty attendant, Antoine, seemed to already caught up as well. The scholar Noir asked to come to this meeting also seemed not bewildered. But the rest of them were left wondering.
“What exactly?”
“The use of the gems?” he asked in return. Seemingly still stunned that Elda didn’t know anything. As if the knowledge was common knowledge.
“I implore you to tell me what exactly the deal is with these insignificant gems,” Elda commanded, increasingly feeling impatient.
Because there was no way they did it with the goodness of their heart. But without knowing the full intention of the trade it left a bitter taste.
“It is the gems that is used on the ‘Necklaces of Peace’ that was given to my Kingdom by the creator of the 7 Legendary relics or so the records said. Being the wise long living person I thought you would know about this information. But then again this knowledge was tightly kept within the Kingdom. Still it’s not leaking was something I’m astonished about.”
He explained and it made Elda frown. Something so useful around them and yet they didn’t know about it? The scholar who Elda has been told came from the Ventus region spoke up.
“What he said was true. It was tightly kept between the scholars across the country. In a way we were afraid of wars coming if all people knew. And for now who knows besides us are the Kings and Leaders around the world including Lord Noir. But I do guess it was time for people from your Land to know about this at least.”
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Elda glared at Noir who sighed knowingly. He put his fingers on his forehead and started rubbing it. Elda huffed but stayed silent, gesturing them to continue their explanations.
“But it’s not like any of us, and even you or lord Noir, could replicate that of the Seven Relics. But the gems truly have a bit of a barrier magic, if channeled right. Maybe some of the researchers and scholars of my Kingdom wanted to find out and study more of the gem,” explained Jibran.
“Insurance. So that we can’t attack them if things go south,” mused Noir, resting his chin on his hands. He squinted at Jibran. Jibran in response made his posture a bit more upright. Then a laugh broke the silence that was building.
“Delightful, such a trust they put on us,“ sneered Elda, Jibran turned to her, his face betraying no emotion. Elda then continued.
“Although if I’m being honest the distrust is mutual.”
Elda shot a sharp glance at Jibran. The personal guards of Jibran seemingly tensed up, resting their hands on their swords. Jibran flicked his eyes to his man and that seemed to calm them down.
“And how do supplies and a political hostage hold up to that kind of protection?” Inquired Elda as she tapped her slender finger on the table repeatedly.
“Firstly you’ll be able to survive, you and your people. Isn’t that big? At this rate if you don’t do anything you don’t need another Kingdom to attack you, Tenebris will perish succumbing to the climate,” answered Jibran confidently.
“And they gave us the most anticipated King candidate in their Kingdom. In a way it was to show their seriousness and the stakes,” interjected Noir. Elda scoffed.
“Yet I see layers. It’s also a test and a threat, if anything happened to him they would surely wage wars to us. If not the officials, the people would pressure them to. Or at least that would be the ‘reason’,” speculated Elda as she relaxed her posture as if already anticipating this.
“And that is also an extra layer of security they gave for the political hostage they sent, my Lady,” Jibran looked at her eyes straight.
“Hah! Truly, if they played chess I would like to challenge them. Such measured actions,” stated Elda, feeling amused. Jibran has become less tense after that.
“Aren’t you afraid of losing support as you went away, for quite a while it seems I might add?” prodded Elda.
Seeing her brother not quite stopping her must have been her brother also wanting to know the same information. Or that she hasn’t overstepped her bounds.
“I did think about it, my Lady. The other factions are probably using this opportunity to gain favors while I was away. But truly I was in a position safest, to be the hostage as of now,“ Jibran faced her with a determination. He accesses every face in the meeting room the same way.
“And it may be a gamble. If I come back and I still have the most supporters, then my position would be indisputable. And I may get more favors by showing my diplomatic skill, with the feared Tenebris Kingdom no less, if it were successful," continued Jibran.
Elda raised her eyebrows, while Noir still remained with the same expression and gesture as before.
“Also my team and faction, I trust they will take care of things right there. I’m not alone,” added Jibran
“How sweet,” remarked Elda with a tone that one can’t read whether it’s sarcastic or genuine. Jibran’s eyebrows knitted together and he seemed to be trying to figure her intention out. Not that he could because not long after Noir clapped his hand.
“I have heard all I need for today. You’re all dismissed as I will think over it and how many gems we would supply or if we have any other demands and or conditions we would have to add. I will summon you again at a later date but I will definitely supply the gems if your Kingdom gave some supplies first. Of how much is what I will discuss later,” commanded Noir. All of the other people including Jibran bowed and went out of the room.
