After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 79
Chapter 79: The First Imperial Prince
Negotiations for surrender began at the headquarters tent.
Seated at the center across the table, there was the first prince, Maximilian of the Rubriana Empire, with his chestnut hair and purple eyes… I never saw such eye color in my former world… He seemed to be in his early twenties. Despite his Latin features, he emitted a refreshing aura of attractiveness. Moreover, he wore an unusually bright smile, appearing completely unperturbed despite coming for consultations after defeat. I’m not very familiar with this, but is this also part of negotiation tactics?
“I appreciate your assistance this time. I am Maximilian, the first prince of the Rubriana Empire. Our forces have been decimated, and we have come to plead for mercy from Belzenbrücke. I have no intention of engaging in strange negotiations, so I would like you to present your conditions.”
I was surprised. This man seems to approach negotiations with complete openness and transparency. Beatrice, who is our main negotiator on this side, also seemed taken aback, with her doll-like lips unconsciously parting.
“I am Princess Beatrice of Belzenbrücke. You may be surprised to see such a young negotiator, but I have been entrusted with full authority by the queen, so please rest assured.”
On our side, there’s me and Lisa sitting beside Beatrice, with Gretel standing behind us. Why have a lady standing by? Because in this case, Gretel is not a member of the negotiation team but serves as the strongest bodyguard present.
“Setting aside the princess, those around her are just children… It seems the kingdom is disrespecting us. Unforgivable!”
Suddenly, the chubby woman in her thirties next to the prince began to shout. Well, besides the eighteen-year-old sister, both Gretel and I are unmistakably minors, so why would we even get angry?
“Quiet down, Rosa, and sit still.”
Before Beatrice could argue with the woman, Prince Maximilian sharply intervened.
“However, it’s impossible to conduct proper negotiations with such people.”
“If you can’t keep quiet, leave right now. Whether the other party is young or old, we have no choice but to comply. Do you understand? You’re interfering with negotiations, so leave.”
“But, Your Highness, as a general entrusted with a whole army, to be spoken to in such terms…”
“Yes, to the incompetent commander who easily led his army to annihilation. Now leave quickly!”
As the carefree smile from a moment ago turned into a severe gaze, the woman gradually backed away… eventually fleeing from the tent.
“Sorry about that. There are many in the empire who refuse to face reality. My mother, who instigated this war, was the most foolish of them all.”
The prince sighed softly, casually criticizing his own country. While his demeanor as a prince might be questionable, what he said was quite sensible.
“Prince Maximilian seems to have a reasonable perspective. However, if that’s your position, couldn’t you have persuaded the emperor to stop the war?”
Beatrice’s tone was gentle, but her words were sharp. In other words, she was saying, “Hey, instead of just complaining afterward, why didn’t you, in your position as a prince, persuade the emperor and prevent the war?”
“Well, yeah. But even though I’m the first prince, I’m just a man, after all. It’s probably similar in Belzenbrücke, but royal family members who can’t use magic are mostly used as pawns in marriage policies and are laughed at for intervening in national affairs. I thought seriously about this war and tried to advise against it… but instead, I was labeled a coward. That’s why I’ve ended up being sent to the front lines like this.”
When he said that, deep furrows appeared on the prince’s forehead for the first time. I see, even in the empire, where they focus on developing the army as well as magic, a man’s position is just that. Oh, what a poignant world this is.
“Well, after such a spectacular defeat, everyone seems to want to cling to the false glory of being a prince. The soldiers who can be reached within the castle have mostly entrusted their fate to me. Now, shall we start negotiations positively instead of being idle?”
The prince smiled broadly again, and no traces of the previous worry could be seen on his refreshing face.