To you who survived (5)
“Ziggs, why do you look like that?”
“huh? no… Just something to think about… .”
When Ziggs arrived at the student library to pick up Elka, the closing ceremony had already begun in the central square.
It was an event that all students were looking forward to as it featured all kinds of spectacular stages. Ziggs would have also wanted to see the stage at the central square, but Elka was both sorry and grateful that she had bothered to come pick her up.
Elka’s chronic illness, asthma, is getting worse day by day. The coughing became so strong that it eventually led to bleeding when sneezing.
Nevertheless, in order to be considerate of Elka, who did not want to stop studying, Ziggs moved to the dormitory and took care of Elka.
For Ziggs, it was just a natural thing.
If he hadn’t met Elka and been picked up by the Islan family when he was walking through the grasslands in the first place, he wouldn’t have been able to attend Sylvania Academy, and Ziggs’ talent would never have blossomed.
To Ziggs, Elka was like a benefactor, so he didn’t think it was particularly difficult to take care of her when she was weak.
If it weren’t for Elka in the first place, there was a high possibility that I wouldn’t have attended this academy.
“I’ve been thinking about it lately, but I think I’m living a pretty peaceful life.”
“I don’t think that’s what a kid who spent his childhood chasing giant wolves in the grasslands would say… Plus, even when you lived in the Islan family, every day was a series of accidents… ”
“Listen… Elka… . Something like that… It wasn’t even an accident… ”
“… “What on earth did you experience while working on the student council, Ziggs?”
“Well… . A lot happened… ”
“… “You must be very busy just caring for me, but isn’t it hard to work on the student council as well?”
“No, it’s not that difficult. “It’s rewarding in its own way.”
It has a positive effect on the calculation of grades, and if you are a member of the Sylvania Student Council, you will receive considerable credit even if you leave the academy after graduation.
Since he can’t live with the Islan family forever, it’s not a bad condition for Ziggs, who is thinking about going out on his own.
“and… Surprisingly, there are many good things about being close to power.”
Ziggs escorted Elka and together they walked down the downhill road below the student library.
“Good point… ? Ziggs, have you found the taste of power?”
“No, I think power is more often than not a nuisance… If you are close to power, you can see many rare scenes up close… ”
“What is that… ”
“no… Still, school life is quite enjoyable these days. “If I hadn’t met you, I wouldn’t have experienced this.”
“well… I am just an opportunity, and everything you achieved while attending Sylvania was thanks to your ability. There’s no need to pass the ball over too much. And, you’re helping me when I’m not feeling well.”
It was hard to count how many times he had to explain that it was natural, so Ziggs just chuckled instead.
“I heard you’ve been assisting President Tanya recently? how is it?”
“hmm… “What kind of person do you think you are, Elka?”
“Well, according to the rumors I heard, he’s a great person… I heard there was no one like this among past presidents? How about from a close aide? “Are you a respectable person?”
“Hmm… ”
Compared to his childhood when he was chased by wolves in the grasslands, his life these days, where he takes on the role of a chaser and hunts down Tanya, doesn’t seem to have improved much. Still, I’m glad there’s no life-threatening situation.
It’s a busy day, catching Tanya or taking care of Elka… However, there are times when you suddenly feel a strange feeling.
― ‘Ji, if your real brother becomes engaged to Princess Selaha… So, the moment I became the real power of the imperial family, my retirement plans were completely blown away… !’
Ziggs was assisting Tanya on the way out of the royal quarters and toward the central stage.
When I see Tanya scratching her head and sighing, she really doesn’t want to work and is acting like she’s dying.
― ‘My retirement plans for a quiet country life almost went to waste… I’m glad your brother refused… !’
― ‘Normally, you would be confused as to why you would turn down such a great opportunity.’
― ‘I don’t need anything like power. What good is authority? ! I want to rest… ! I want to rest… !!’
An immature childish brat. A pathetic human being who struggles because he doesn’t want to work. He was lucky enough to sit in the chairman’s chair, but he is an idiot who kicks his luck by relying solely on his family’s authority.
Looking at Tanya like this, some people might say that.
However, there was silence for a moment, and soon Tanya’s childish and childish tone subsided. And then, as if instantly seeping into the darkness, he chanted in a quiet, downcast voice.
– ‘Then, the plan to bring together the Calamore family and the Bloomriver family to bring down Princess Selaha from her position as number one in the imperial family should also be reconsidered.’
Anyway, Tanya Rosstaylor is the next successor to the Rosstaylor family and the student council president of Sylvania Academy.
While grunting and whining… He never reveals any gaps in crucial areas.
The back of Tanya lowering her head and chanting as she crossed the path… There are times when something mysterious and mysterious appears behind the scenes.
― ‘We’ll have to wait and see which one will benefit the Rosstaylor family.’
At a dark corner of the trail, a ray of light caught Tanya’s eyes as she lowered her head.
“He’s such an easy person, but he’s so pathetic that you wonder if this is okay.”
As they went down the slope in front of the student library, Ziggs spoke while supporting Elka’s shoulder.
“Still, you should never take it easy.”
As we live in the world, there are many people who seem infinitely easy-going and act carefree as if they are nothing.
Most of them are actually easy-going, penniless people.
However, among them, there are those who are mixed in with that group of people and hide their sharply sharpened senses like a dagger.
Those people are truly scary people.
Ziggs narrowed his eyebrows and spoke to Elka in a serious tone.
*“Let me be blunt, what do you want?”
The event to be held in the central square is not very long.
In fact, after watching all the stages that could be the highlight at once, the venue ends with a closing speech and huge fireworks being set off at the end.
The procession of fireworks that filled the night sky must have been truly spectacular, but the rest of the stage was actually a collection of things that had been performed separately here and there on the Bachelor’s stage.
There will also be new preparations for some orchestra stages, plays, and magic performances… Still, it wasn’t enough to get my attention.
Rather, what got my nerves was Princess Selaha, who followed me to the student square and sat me down on the other side of the bench, frowning.
“I have never given in to someone this much.”
When the bluish hair is swept to one side, the alluring lines of the shoulders are clearly revealed. It was a gesture only those who were confident in their appearance could make.
A dress that is neatly fitted and exposes the shoulders is more glamorous than usual. It could be seen as a perfect outfit for Princess Selaha, who looked like the main character wherever she went.
Thanks to that, it goes without saying that the eyes of the surrounding students were gathered together.
Most of the students were heading towards the stage in the central square, but it was difficult to ignore the strange sight of the princess of a country sitting with one student next to her.
– ‘That thing over there…’ . ‘Isn’t that senior Ed?’
– ‘I… Last time, I was sitting next to Saint Clarice, and this time, it was Princess Selaha… ?’
– ‘count… This is my first time seeing Princess Selaha in person… But, what happened to those two people… ?’
As I looked at the already noisy crowd around me, I could barely suppress a sigh.
Anyway, the opponent is the royal family. You can’t sigh openly or be rude like you’re showing off.
“okay. I admit you are in a pretty important position. I never thought that even Abama would listen to you. “He is, after all, a man who is good at managing things.”
“no. “I just expressed my opinion as it is.”
“Do you still think I would fall for such naive words? Say what you think without hesitation. “I will do my best to accommodate all your requirements.”
Princess Selaha spoke through gritted teeth.
It’s still an overbearing attitude, but even to this extent, Princess Selaha’s pride has been greatly diminished.
I will do my best to accommodate all your requirements.
Just saying that line would make Princess Selaha feel like she was dying of pride.
She is a person who is synonymous with arrogance.
Even though the situation has come to this point, I never do anything to lower my head.
Even if the world beats you to death, you will never give up the last bit of pride you have in your heart. There is absolutely no need to cling to or ask for favors from someone of lower status than oneself.
I am now at the point where I am holding my tongue against that belief.
“I have decided to grant all of my requests, especially yours.”
“I don’t have anything in particular to ask for.”
“still… Are you saying that? ?”
― ‘No matter what happens, you must never be tricked by Sister Selaha. ‘This is an issue that is directly related to not only my political position, but also yours, Ed.’
― ‘The only thing Sister Selaha longs for is what she can’t get. Because once she gets into my hands, I lose all interest in her and throw her away… So, the only way to fully preserve her self-worth is to never go beyond.’
Well, let’s say I understand Fenia’s advice.
I knew very well that the stronger the demands Selaha put forth, the more I had to endure and never give up.
however… until when?
Since when can I accept Selaha’s demands and act as if my stubbornness has been broken? ? At what point can we assume that the opponent has completely surrendered? ?
Unfortunately, I haven’t heard anything about that standard.
You just have to hold on, and hold on… That’s just what I heard. That’s natural. Because Selahara’s human nature, it is obvious that there will be clear limits to how much she can yield and bend.
However, the situation changed further due to Emperor Cloel’s intervention.
After the existence of Ed Rosstaylor became a more valuable variable in the competition for imperial power than expected, Princess Selaha bowed down her pride more than she had originally expected.
As I grind my teeth, I feel like I’m feeling an unbearable humiliation… He spits out his lines while holding his breath.
“I’ll give you everything you want… “Didn’t you say it clearly?”
“… ”
“It’s okay to make somewhat unreasonable demands… Tell me… ”
Even if I die soon, I will treat you poorly. You can never give up the stance of being generous.
Sky-high pride makes you hold your head high even if it burns your whole body.
“My requirements are not that great… I already know roughly. Abama has almost decided that I will be the next emperor. If there is anyone who can give me a little more insight… Abama, too, will completely bend his heart… ”
The final key may be Ed Rothtaylor.
Hwang Kwon, who seemed like I could touch him but couldn’t reach him, suddenly came right in front of me and whispered in my ear to grab me.
The desire for power and the ambition to achieve success will continue to speak in Princess Selaha’s ears.
If you bend this one time, you will be the next emperor.
That unbearable temptation would crush her head. Bow your head here.
I apologize for my rudeness so far, and let’s continue our friendly relationship from now on. Please, please take my side just once.
It would not be strange for any decent human being to already bow their head and pray for their hands to become feet.
Nevertheless.
nevertheless.
Even in this situation where brilliant glory and enormous power are just around the corner, most people would have surrendered.
Princess Selaha… Never lower your head. She expresses the fact that she is on top until the end.
Even the emperor of a country can’t help but be amazed. At this point, he is so strong that even God is dumbfounded. It can almost be said that it has reached the level of faith.
“or not… I… To you… Do you think I’ll even pray… ? It looked like he was going to bow his head and ask for a favor. I am Selaha Einir Cloel. “She is the first princess of the Cloel Empire.”
“… ”
“You must know that. I never lower my head. Even if the imperial power is right in front of you… “It seems like I’m going to ask someone lower than me to do me a favor by saying I’m sorry.”
“Princess Selaha.”
Can not help it.
No matter what Selaha says, I have no choice but to follow the established policy. If you are guided by a momentary decision and take things outside of the plan, you never know what variables may arise.
“I am a member of Princess Fenia’s forces.”
At those words, Selaha kicked the table and stood up as if he was having a seizure.
“also… ! Fenia again… ! how… Do you owe something to Fenia? ?! “It means that we can really love each other!”
“… That’s not the case. “I’m not driven by such personal feelings.”
“Then why on earth are you so loyal to Fenia? Didn’t I tell you I’d give you everything?! Money, power, the lottery of the Rosstaylor family, important positions in the imperial family… You say you’ll give me everything, but you’re saying you can’t even protect me in front of Abama?! There are degrees to that guy’s loyalty… ! “You are so incomprehensible!”
Princess Selaha, who momentarily lost her temper and raised her voice, suddenly came to her senses and gritted her teeth.
And then he talks while glaring at me.
“Okay, geary… Are you saying that you will only listen if I bow my head and ask for something?”
“That kind of thing… ”
“Then will you abandon Fenia and stick to me? You really have bad taste too. “Do you really want to see me lose my pride and bow my head to her?”
I shook my head. I strongly denied that it was anything like that.
Then, Princess Selaha’s expression became even more distorted.
“Then what on earth made you fall away from Fenia! Don’t you keep asking me to tell you something? If you want, why don’t you say that I will even take care of Fenia’s well-being! how… “What on earth are you dissatisfied with?”
“Because it is not Princess Fenia’s will.”
Selaha took a deep breath, making a strange muffled sound, and then swept his face to express his bewilderment.
“When you meet Abama, you plan to recommend Fenia to the emperor.”
“That is something to think about at that time. As I have said many times, I think Princess Selaha is more suited to be an emperor. However, I am just influenced by Princess Fenia’s ways and follow her. There is no way that the direction of loyalty necessarily follows the direction of power. I can’t give unfavorable advice to Princess Fenia, but that doesn’t mean I can tell a lie either… I’m a little worried… ”
“like that… The feeling of being given more and more room makes me even more upset… ! You would rather resent me, despise me, and be hostile toward me… !”
While Selaha was talking like that, he swallowed his breath in vain.
In an instant, the words came out without passing through my brain.
It is a repetition of repeatedly getting on people’s nerves and irritating their pride, only to then back away and say that they had no intention of doing so.
I feel like I’m going to get motion sickness from the attitude that seems to be walking a strange tightrope with people’s nerves.
I can’t tell if I’m aware of it or not.
For a person like Princess Selaha, this attitude is nothing short of poison.
Selaha gritted his teeth and placed his hand on the table again.
And, relax your back… Should I bow my head once? I was truly distressed.
The moment when the unbearable temptation of power is about to shake her head… Strength went into her arms again.
The pride engraved in the realm of instinct somehow prevents me from lowering my head. I grit my teeth and try to lower my stiff neck, but… Inevitably, the teeth part and the head does not go down.
It was a very difficult situation to watch quietly, so I stepped forward and held out my hand.
“Princess Selaha. Didn’t I tell you there was no need to do that? ”
“shut up… Shut up… ! Shut up, shut up that loud mouth… !”
Selaha’s eyes, glaring at Ed, were filled with a will that felt sublime.
“On the subject of Confucius’s decline… I… Do you know who I am… . The difference between you and me… Do you understand… ? I understand how infinitely high I am, and how noble I am, unlike others like you… That’s right… ”
Selaha said that while gritting his teeth… Nonetheless, he forced his arm to bend.
And, at the end… I slowly lowered my head and spoke.
“Please.”
It was a sight that all the imperial subjects would have doubted if they had seen it. Everyone will think they are dreaming.
“Come out from the Penia side and stick to my side.”
I am not unaware of how much it means for Princess Selaha to bend her pride.
Honestly, if I did this… From my perspective, since I just need troops for Belbroke anyway, it’s not a bad thing to roughly accept it.
however… There is a set policy.
If we accept Princess Selaha’s request as is, it is impossible to guess which variables will change and how… !
Honestly, what and how can I believe?
It wouldn’t be surprising if most people were taken aback by the fact that Princess Selaha did this, and I’m also in a shaky position…
After everything is over, we don’t know how Princess Selaha will change her attitude. For me, her life is at stake.
So, despite the inevitable thought that it might be acceptable at this point…
I speak through gritted teeth.
“If you nod your head here, Princess Fenia will be sad.”
“Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!”
– Boom!
Princess Selaha slammed the table and sat down, almost screaming and sighing.
*’What does this man want?’
If you want to persuade someone, you need to be able to figure out what that person wants.
If that part is met, most people will move on.
However, a man named Ed Rosstaylor can’t get over him even though he gives him everything he could want.
‘From the beginning… Isn’t he a man who would have been nothing if not for Abama’s favor? Why do you hold on so strongly to a topic that is not a big deal? ‘
Princess Selaha, who sat down on the seat opposite Ed and glared at him for a moment, gritted her teeth again.
Bowing one’s pride and bowing one’s head to one’s inferiors is, for Princess Selaha, a fatal humiliation that is as much as breaking one’s soul.
This man clearly knows that too. The sincerity contained in that act must have also been conveyed.
Nevertheless, the man’s actions of shaking his head are now astonishing. This is the first time I have ever seen a human being endure so tenaciously.
There are limits to human loyalty.
Ultimately, all humans are not free from the logic of self-interest and calculation.
In the end, if you can’t appease someone, it means you haven’t been able to accurately understand that person’s true wishes.
‘This me…’ Even though I was shown such a humiliating behavior, even though I let go of everything… ?’
It could be so.
The pride of Princess Selaha, who never lowers her stiff head no matter who comes… She is worth a thousand pounds to herself.
However, it may be of no value to this man. Of course. I understand that.
However, isn’t it just a day or two?
Even after days and days of letters and persuasion, the steadfastness of this man who never gives in to his stubborn heart… The reason it doesn’t change even after all this… .
really… Is it possible to stand still like that with loyalty alone?
The head of Selaha Einir Cloel, the first princess who commands the world, is lowered to the ground, but does that mean she cannot break the heart of even one child raised by the declining Duke Nabulaeng?
That fact disturbs Selaha’s heart. The last struggle of the noble person in the world, the proud honor that he thought was most valuable… I feel like I am being thrown away like a devoted partner without any value.
I just can’t understand it myself.
Like the scenery of the sea facing a storm, Selaha’s mind begins to fluctuate like crazy. She can’t be convinced like this. It feels as if she is denying her own high authority.
Everyone has a psychological defense mechanism.
When Princess Selaha, who had lost the pride she had cherished her entire life, had to accept that it was all in vain.
In order to somehow protect that high pride… It breaks the flow of thought. It’s a natural thing for any human being to do.
‘At best…’ To a man like this… I came this far… The reason for doing this… There is no reason… This me… There is no way I would bow my head for such a crude reason… ‘
I don’t want to be a person who throws away the beliefs he has maintained his whole life just to break someone’s loyalty.
Therefore, you need a reason to justify yourself.
Twisted beliefs even affect our own thinking.
Not only that, the contents of the letter I wrote while suffering and agonizing over the past few days are still engraved in my mind.
The words of love for Ed Ross-Taylor, words of wanting to embrace him, take him in my arms, keep him by my side as a staff member, and be with him until the end echo in my head.
Only then does Selaha begin to understand his own actions.
The occasion is not important. In the end, all you have to do is convince yourself that it is the conclusion you came to at the end. Human psychology is such a treacherous thing.
Ultimately, it is the same as an opportunity for love. Because they all share the same heart.
‘I am… perhaps… This man… really… ? … No way, that’s… No way… ‘
Suddenly, Selaha lifted his head and looked at Ed Rosstaylor.
This is a man who gritted his teeth and struggled to get his hands on it. In the end, she is a person who never gives in to her feelings.
An inexplicable heat rose up the back of her neck, and Selaha was momentarily embarrassed.
A sensation that even Selaha himself could not understand crawled up the back of his head, and he immediately lowered his head again. This was truly ridiculous. This can’t be reality. Hasn’t she lived her whole life controlling others?
With that unfamiliar feeling, Princess Selaha felt a distant feeling, like facing a huge wall. It was her fear when she faced the unknown.
*“When would be a good time to schedule a meeting with the Elphelan family?”
“I think it would be appropriate once the festival is over and the surrounding situation becomes quiet. Still, the sooner the better.”
“All right. “I will pass it on to you that way, Princess Fenia.”
After giving Claire these instructions, Fenia organized all the letters sent from the Elphelan family and placed them in a drawer.
Then, I breathed a sigh of relief and sank into the VIP sofa.
“Everything… It’s going smoothly… ”
Princess Selaha, who has strong pride, will never be able to find a compromise with Ed. The longer the sluggish situation continues, the more anxious the Elphelan family will feel.
However, when things seem to be going well, that’s when you need to be most alert.
This is because the plan from the beginning never goes as planned.
“There is nothing more that can be called a variable… I think it’ll be okay, but… ”
Fenia sighed for no reason as she looked at the various documents spread out on the table.
The night was getting deeper.
