Chapter 402 (2): Not Villainous or Crafty Enough
Buckingham Palace.
Another meeting of the Windsorian leadership was convened, organized by Yvette, the Vice Minister of Magic. Today’s meeting had nothing to do with the world of magic, so she attended as a member of the Tulip Families.
Most of the participants were from the Tulip Families, joined by officials in the military and political spheres. One of the latter group was Winston Churchwell, soon-to-be Prime Minister who would take office in a few days.
At the meeting table, Queen Sophelia occupied the center seat, flanked by Auston and Wayne, the father-son duo. She used to pretend to be a figurehead and a mascot. Now, she just was. Her life was full of ups, downs, and further downs.
“Prussia has been transporting supplies with increasing frequency. The military believes that they’re preparing for a great war, with Franc and her neighboring countries as the targets. Our allied forces are in Prussia...”
“Franc is focusing on defense rather than offense. Though the trip will be long, we are not going to abandon any of our allies. We’ll provide them with all support aside from actual support.”
“It’s too late. There’s nothing we can do even if we want to do something. Perhaps we could’ve acted before, but it’s too late now.”
“Winston Churchwell will be our new Prime Minister. The cabinet has formed...”
“Victory will be Windsor’s!”
That should be followed by “Victory will be Her Majesty’s,” but the line was deleted for a well-known reason. No one dared to say it or talk about it.
The general meeting didn’t include any actual discussion or voting since the decisions had been made during the smaller meeting Wayne had attended yesterday. This was merely an occasion for announcing the conclusions and reaffirming their determination for justice to prevail.
After taking office, Winston would immediately visit Franc to renegotiate the strategic partnership on behalf of the new government, including the sales of firearms and the payment for Windsor’s military deployment. They had to maximize their profit while supplies were in high demand.
During yesterday’s meeting, Queen Sophelia had entrusted Winston with a task: to bring the Prince and Princess back when he visited Palis.
Though Londan wasn’t exactly peaceful, and the Prince and Princess would stick out like a sore thumb and provoke the Lando father and son into further machinations, Palis was far more dangerous. In the new battlefield, the Prince and Princess were too appealing. Not only were Prussia interested in them, but Franc was, too.
Nowhere was safe. The Queen had it hard.
What made her life even more difficult was Auston’s refusal to spare her a glance even though she was wearing a fitted skirt and stockings. When they were still dating, Auston would even dive under her skirt to look at her, but he had already tired of the old because of the new. That bastard!
Three hours later, the meeting ended. Wayne looked at Auston as he left with the Queen, realizing why Master Silvia had been cranky and kept picking on her daughter-in-law recently. He had thought it was because of her frustration with her career, but it turned out to be caused by her husband’s infidelity.
Tired of the old because of the new? Bah, that bastard!
With him serving as a negative example, Wayne swore to never become someone like Auston. It was wrong to abandon an old love. Be it new cars or old cars, he would take care of them all after driving them.
***
Wayne’s Detective Agency, the next day.
At the desk, Wayne wrote at a furious speed. Since he was set to make a trip to Palis, he seized the time to write diaries for Veronica.
“I’m done.”
He lowered his pen. Having finished his future diary, he felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. He felt relaxed, even a little empty.
Mona climbed out from under the desk, using the tea on the desk to rinse out the taste.
“Boss, the cathedral contacted me and said that the Church of Heavenly Father is under suppression from an unknown faction in Palis. Based on the information we’ve gathered before, they concluded that the Gates of Hell might be opened in Palis. The Papal State is mobilizing a significant force, and they asked if you would like to join them.”
“This is big. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Because you’re the only one who can shut anyone up here. I had my mouth full.
Mona didn’t voice the actual explanation, apologizing instead, “I’m sorry, Boss. I always get lewd thoughts when I see you. I won’t do it again.”
“Um, you can do it again.” Wayne waved at her and exonerated her. “It’s not a fundamental mistake.”
Mona blinked at him. “Boss, I’d like to go to Palis, too.”
“Why, is the city of romance that appealing to you?” Wayne teased. “Or are the demons more appealing?”
“The demons are more appealing,” Mona said quietly. “It’s Hesione’s idea. When she heard from the Papal State, she was eager to set out immediately.”
“If it’s what Hesione wants, she should be the one to make the request.” Wayne pinched her face to reprimand her. “You spoiled her too much. I have to say something. Take my advice and don’t let her get away with it again.”
“Yeah.”
They kept up the banter while the Śār cursed out loud in the background. Since her reincarnation, Hesione had lost her purity and anger control. Though her vocabulary for insults was still poor, she became more and more used to cursing out.
“Boss, would you like to talk to Hesione?”
“Hmph, I don’t want to.”
Wayne huffed in annoyance. Hesione had a bad temper and a difficult personality, far from as considerate as Mona. Unless she got on her knees, he would not talk to her.
Mona couldn’t believe them. Their relationship had been going well, and Hesione had learned to move on her own as Mona. The conversation about the Anointed One, though, triggered an argument between the opinionated man and the angel.
One refused to lower his pride, and the other refused to make a compromise. Stuck in the middle, Mona felt like a counselor trying to mediate a couple’s arguments.
Which was ridiculous. She had met Wayne first.
Mona and Hesione were still being integrated. Because Mona held absolute control with no concern for disappearing, she had been dealing with Hesione with a hard touch.
It was all because she wanted Hesione to accept Wayne. Both their memories were colored by Wayne’s presence. Mona had it all planned out. To increase her unique appeal and competitive edge, she wouldn’t fully integrate with Hesione, preserving her personality in the final stage.
However, she had to be the dominant personality, with Hesione as the cherry on top. Being relegated to mediation duty filled her with jealousy.
Mona’s expression suddenly changed. She glared at the man sitting at the office desk and opened her mouth to talk, but, tasting the unpleasant taste in her mouth, she picked up her teacup for a drink.
Bah, the taste was even stronger.
Her expression darkened with the ‘tea’ in her mouth, silently cursing at the shrew for sneakily making a milk tea. Her face distorted, and her lips twitched when Wayne looked over innocently.
Gulp!
“What’s wrong, Mona?” Wayne asked, batting his eyes.
“Boss, Hesione isn’t the only one who wants to go to Palis. Disregard what she wants. I hope you’ll respect my opinion,” Śār Hesione, pretending to be Mona, said.
“Good. Your acting has improved. You can compete for the Golden Heaven Award.” Wayne nodded approvingly. “Say it. Don’t I seem like the Anointed One?”
Not at all!
Hesione clenched her teeth, mumbling, “You didn’t look like him, but thinking back, you’re humanoid just like the Anointed One, with eyes and a nose. You aren’t that far off from him.”
“Ha, you want to go to Palis when you can’t even speak up properly?” Wayne dismissed her with a wave. “Come back to me once you learn to speak. Now... I want to talk to Mona. I don’t want to look at you.”
Don’t push it!
Hesione glared at him. She had even lost her purity. Why wouldn’t he let her win in exchange? He made promises when he was riding her, but forgot all about it after putting on his pants. The bastard!
Hesione refused to admit defeat. She could endure bullying from Wayne and Mona, but that was only because she couldn’t resist. She would never voluntarily do their bidding. It was her bottom line.
They glared at each other for five minutes until Mona swapped back. “Boss, it didn’t work. How about... I have her talk to you in private tonight?”
“No, I’m not giving her what she wants.”
There were too many demons in Palis, and the Death Knight made a formidable enemy, too. Wayne was certain that he would need Mona/Hesione. The Śār would be a great asset when the time came.
He wasn’t going to say that, though, still acting like he would not allow Hesione to go with him as long as she didn’t admit her fault.
Let’s see who’s winning the game of chicken.
Even he couldn’t resist the temptation of demons; Hesione had to be practically drooling. Wayne was certain that he would win.
“Tell the cathedral that I need to keep an eye on Londan in case the demons’ presence in Palis is merely a distraction. I won’t join them there.”
Impossible. You can’t possibly resist when the demons are so appealing.
Mona nodded, making for the door. After taking two steps, she turned around with a different expression. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Hesione tonight, Boss? She has something to discuss with you.”
(一`´≖) (Ő‸Ő;)
Already? Wayne thought with surprise. How much do you covet the demon’s body?
Wayne coughed into his fist, keeping his thoughts to himself. “Mona, right? Fine, I’ll meet up with Hesione for your sake. I’ll see how she’s going to convince me.”
***
Commercial Street, afternoon.
Wayne went shopping with his three secretaries.
When she was going undercover in Berlo, Regina had suffered much and made a significant contribution. To make sure she would continue to slave away and set a good example for the slackers, Wayne promised to make it up to her once they were in Londan.
She was a proper secretary to whom Wayne did not owe hundreds of millions in essence, so he only had to pay her back with a little money.
Buy all you want. You’ll be fully reimbursed by Young Master Wayne.
To make sure no one felt left out, Wayne brought Mona and Ottilia along. They were his secretaries, too, after all. In the end, he walked in front with Mona and Ottilia on each arm, while Regina carried all the bags behind them.
She pouted so hard that one could hang a bag on her mouth.
They walked one street after another. At a street corner, Wayne saw Regina stopping to look at something rather than following them. He turned around curiously.
What could be drawing her attention? A lottery shop, it turned out.
Wayne facepalmed. Londan’s tobacco and lottery industries were under the control of the Julian family. He had seen Forest during the meeting at Buckingham Palace.
He considered the man a weasel, a pervert, a fence-sitter, and a machine that only repeated what others said. He also had a boringly consistent taste, having replaced his secretaries many times, but always picking women with voluptuous figures.
He would sooner or later get a stroke with all the seafood he had been feasting on!
Clearly, he was also trash.
Comments