18

Chapter 18: Fishing for pawnsNotes:

I managed to overcome my temporary writer´s block so I still got the chapter out today.

Also my parents screamed at me for an hour so I am a little late. (Not a pleasant expirience let me tell you)

Chapter Text

Chapter 18

The not-quite-obvious negotiations were proceeding worse than expected. Priscilla Barielle was barely cooperative and spent her time either looking bored while adding nothing to the conversation or letting out a flood of barely concealed insults and mocking comments that also were rather unhelpful. Tanya´s opinion of the insufferable woman had only sunken with each agonizing minute she had to endure her presence. Yes, Priscilla was extremely perceptive and was certainly not stupid, but her general attitude ensured that she would be unfit for any ruling position.

Crush was pleasant enough to converse with, but she seemed far too on edge to let anything of value slip past her lips despite Tanya´s repeated attempts to ease the tension in the room. Social interaction with those that stood on equal footing on the societal ladder was not her speciality. She excelled at conversing with both higher-ups and subordinates, but not with equals.

Anastasia gave the impression of naive happiness and carefree foolishness, but that masquerade was easy enough to see through. There was a hungry glint in her eyes which showed that she was waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Like a lurking predator who disguised itself as harmless prey.

Lastly, Emilia took nearly no part in the discourse. She looked away when anybody tried to talk to her and fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably. Her shyness in these kinds of situations was palpable.

All in all it was a disappointing endeavour. Nobody had accidentally revealed any critical information; although that was to be expected. They still managed to learn more about each other´s goals and methods of achieving them so it was not a complete waste of time. After a few hours Tanya decided to politely end the meeting and escorted her rivals to the front gates. While she said goodbye to most of the candidates, she bade Emilia to stay behind for a short moment, because over the course of the relatively fruitless meeting a plan had hatched in Tanya´s mind.

The silver-haired girl was at the weakest power position, which not only meant that she was easiest to manipulate, but also that she would be seen as the smallest threat to the other camps. Allying with one of more powerful candidates would be interpreted as a huge danger from the other camps and could provoke an immediate action to eliminate them both or break up the coalition.

"Emilia, I want to propose an alliance of sorts between our two camps."

"W-What?"

"I think we both aid help each other enormously. So I am suggesting that we help each other out in certain aspects of our respective candidacies."

"How? You know that I am a half-elf, right?"

"Yes I do and frankly I do not care. From where I come from demi-humans do not exist at all so I am not compelled by stupid biases."

"B-But what could I offer you?"

"What exactly is your reason for becoming queen?"

"I don't understand. What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, it is pretty clear that ruling over this kingdom will be extremely hard for you. I assume you have been shunned by the public for your appearance since when you were young? So attempting such a feat like participating in the royal selection must be caused by some ulterior motivation. I ask again... Why do you want to become queen of a country that will never love you?"

Emilia looked very unsure of herself before she took a deep breath and finally answered.

"It´s for my friends... They... I lived in a small village in the Elior forest and one day it... it was frozen. All of them were frozen... I want to save them."

The girl looked down at her tightly clasped hands.

If they were frozen how could they be saved? Would a normal fire not be enough to thaw the ice? And if they did that wouldn´t the villagers be dead anyway? Tanya had seen enough people freeze to death at the eastern front to know that the victims of ice and snow normally didn't just wake up again if you heated them over a fire. You might get grilled meat, but even in her hungriest state Tanya would have never stooped so low. Cannibalism was sometimes the only logical option to get certain nutrients, but the health risks were mostly not worth it. That didn't meant she had not sometimes considered it after five month of constant cold and hard, tasteless bread.

"And winning the royal selection will help you how?"

"Roswaal... he promised that with a few drops of the dragon´s blood I will be able to free them from their prison."

It seemed like Roswaal was puppeteering the unfortunate girl. Tanya felt a rare notion of pity for Emilia. They both had some astounding similarities. Thrust into a mad world hell-bent on destroying them all the while powerful figures tried to manipulate them. The difference between them was that Tanya had succeeded in carving out a path of her own design by fighting back against the forces that tried to conrtol her.

"So you want to become queen for a small quantity of dragon´s blood."

It was not a question; it was a statement.

"No-No! Not only for the blood! I want to help others too! I know that sounds kind of selfish, but I really want to achieve equality for all races and classes. Nobody should get hunted down or seen as lesser because of circumstances that they cannot change."

There was a fire in these amethyst eyes that had burned with such intensity that Emilia had nearly looked like a different person in that moment. Talking about her dream seemed to spark a fiery determination in her that was notably absent from her usual timid persona.

"Well, you´re in luck. That´s exactly where I come in. You see, I don't want to sit on the throne any more than you probably do, but I have a certain advantage over you."

The half-elf gave her a confused look.

"I am not a silver-haired half-elf. Again, I don´t have a problem with how you look as long as you are a decent person, but the citizens of this country don't see it that way. They are ignorant fools who will never accept somebody as their ruler who looks like the witch of envy."

Emilia flinched both at the name as well as the sad truth in Tanya´s words.

"You want equality? I want that as well. Discrimination is stupid and only hinders progress. I swear to you that if I become queen then I am going to empower the demi-human population to a level where they become just as protected by the law as regular humans. To force many able workers out of profitable jobs they could excel at, because they look different hinders the economy massively. This will not only be good for the populace, but also the country at large."

"Yes, but... what does that have to do with our possible alliance?"

"If your goal truly is to bring about equality for all then I am simply better suited for the task. I will not be hated by the public for everything I do and I actually have experience in leadership management. It is the hard truth that when I become queen I will be able to achieve your objectives and aspirations far better than you ever could. I simply am the better option. But there is one thing I could do specifically for you."

Tanya made sure to lean forward and pin Emilia in place with her intense stare.

"I will give you the dragon blood if I become queen."

Stunned silence froze the girl in near comical shock.

"My proposal is that you will support my campaign for the throne from the shadows and in return I will make all your wishes real that you would have tried to achieve anyway. I will create equality in law for all races and classes in Lugnica and I will aim to massively improve living conditions across Lugnica. Furthermore, I am going to procure a few drops of dragon just blood for you. With this action you will not only help your friends, but the whole nation while you won´t have to worry about trying to become queen anymore. Everything you ever wanted can become yours if you help in getting me on the throne. The prize for a good and peaceful life full of accomplishments is that you will leave the throne to me."

"Ah... I... Uh..."

This risky offer had robbed the poor girl of her ability to speak coherently. How tragic.

"I don´t want to sound harsh, but how good are your chances of achieving victory in a battle for this title anyway? Do you really think you will have more luck on your own? It´s not like you don´t have a choice, but I would advise to choose wisely."

These last few words of discouragement had sealed the deal. Emilia had temporarily lost all confidence in herself. This was going better than anticipated!

"How do I... How do I know that you are going to uphold your end of the bargain?"

Clever question. The girl was not as hopeless as Tanya once thought.

"I read in law book that you can swear on the Od Laguna. You will apparently die if you break your promise although I do not know if that is true. We could do that if you wish."

"I don´t know..."

"That´s alright. Even though I have significantly more to lose than you it is still an incredible risk for you. I will give you a week´s time to come to a decision so that you don't do anything you might come to regret."

It was very important to appear trustworthy so as if she had only the girl´s best interests in mind. Not that was even a lie. Tanya truly believed that she had far better chances at fulfilling Emilia´s wishes than the half-elf herself. This was a deal they both would profit from.

"Roswaal... He won´t approve, I think?"

"Would it be acceptable if I talked to him? I am sure we can come to an agreeable solution."

"Well, he insisted that we travel back to the mansion tomorrow morning for some reason. And he has business today so I don´t think you can meet him any time soon."

Taking a risk was always painful for Tanya, but sometimes it was necessary. This had the potential to end horribly, but escape per flight was always an option for her.

"Would you be alright if came back with you?"

Emilia made a confused "eh" sound. It was pretty cute.

"I could stay for a week at the mansion while you think about our potential agreement. Meanwhile I also get to negotiate with Roswaal and we can learn a bit more about how each of us thinks and acts. Don´t you think that sounds like a good idea?"

No, it sounded like a terrible plan. Even to Tanya.

"Why... not?"

"That´s the spirit! Ask the margrave kindly if he would accommodate me for a week. I would be very thankful for that. But now it is getting late. You should make your trip back home and find some sleep. Shall I lend you a carriage to bring you back quicker?"

Overwhelming the girl before she had time to protest was an important strategy in her plan. Emilia was so shy and naive that she could not be allowed to dwell on such important choices. That was also why Tanya didn't want her to be left alone in the following week. Only if she was present would she be able to influence her decision-making process and mould the young half-elf into an ally.

"N-No. I don't believe that will be necessary. See you tomorrow Tanya!"

Very good! The girl had already accepted the reality that Tanya would accompany her back to the mansion. It nearly felt too easy. Could this be a trap? She would need to prepare for that just in case. This night would undoubtedly not hold much sleep for her; that was for sure.