Chapter 34: Negotiations

I truly am trying to stand firmly.

I prepared for this right? I'm not a weak child anymore. I'm the unconfident woman left to her own insanity, nor am I the little pink haired girl that cried after a nightmare.

No, this is exactly what I wanted. A conflict to over come. This is it, what the Queen Fairy told me, what I needed to struggle so much for. I'll be facing my enemies head on this time.

I firmed my resolve, as stealthily began our journey to finding Ceil's room.

Judging from the layout of the Castle and a random last conversation where Ceil mentioned he changed his bedroom location so he could see the inner court garden his mother cared for, I assumed it would be in the inner most back area of the castle.

Damn this place is huge.

Like a couple of ruffians, we snuck past and evaded night patrolling knights.

When we finally made it to the back of the Castle on the fourth floor, I couldn't hold it any longer.

"Hey..." my voice was barely a whisper, "aren't we... cat burglars now..?"

Two pairs of eyes stared at me with such defeat, I nervously smiled. I couldn't help it, under so much stress, I needed some outlet.

We continued our search, and of course, I made my guess that the giant double doors no less than a king would have, were Ceil's.

We all nodded before quietly slipping into the room.

"I'll set up a noise proof barrier with my magic, so we don't have to worry about alerting anyone else" Ricin said lowly, as we moved past the first room decorated in light couches and a tea table. Ceil's usual paper work was nearly piled on a desk facing a window facing a garden.

Looks like we made the right choice.

Then we appeared before two double doors again, likely leading to the bedroom.

"I'll go in first" Kai spoke now, and I chocked up a little seeing the handsome man dressed like a mercenary. He fit the look more than the flirtation playboy he acted like at the Academy. His solemn attitude felt far more genuine.

I nodded, Ricin calmly stood back with his arms folded. He looked very scholarly, I must admit.

Kai easily opened the doors, all was quiet as we waited with baited breathe.

"Can I help you?" Ceil's familiar chilly voice floated out. I was a bit startled but calmed myself down.

This bastard was very unlikely to change. He will always remain the same unfeeling big boss of all villains.

Kai paused, before looking towards me.

Ceil emerged, not the least bit as if he was sleeping. He was still dressed in formal wear, expect he didn't have a heavy royal jacket.

Does... does he sleep like this? How much of a workaholic...?

His sharp eyes narrowed on me, before his brow furrowed as he looked a bit confused. He likely saw many differences between me and the Rosalia of this world.

Kai's heavy gaze made me realize he was leaving negotiations to me.

Why me though? I sighed.

"Well..." I felt extremely awkward now. I could see Ceil's fairy floating behind him, eyeing Ricin wearily.

"Guess you wouldn't believe me if I said I was just craving the palace's tea...? Haha..."

Now all eyes were looking at me like I've lost my damn mind. I have honestly. I'm exhausted.

"Okay, Calm your buttons, I swear my career in comedy will surely one day take off. You'll see" I said with a sigh.

"Well, Mr Prince Charming, I've come seeking asylum and negotiations. Honestly. I need your help" I said seriously now.

Ceil looked utterly confused and suspicious.

"Negotiations? With you of all people?" His voice was low, and his gaze which was normally lazy and languid was now full of loathing.

"Yeah. Me. Of all damn people, but worry not, I am after all an expert at negotiating with you, I come bearing knowledge that'll make your life easier. I know your a hellish fiend who loves that stuff. Care to sit and chat?"

Ceil looked a bit surprised, but his eyes narrowed again.

"Who the hell are you..?" His words weren't unexpected.

"A Rosalia from another dimension with the exact opposite life and personality than the one living in this one. Now that we've settled this, want to chat?"

"Clearly you've lost your mind as usual. Your ploys have become far more brazen and maniacal, I will admit this" he said sternly.

"Yeah? My ploy involves becoming shorter, and smaller? It involves getting a full contract fairy? Bringing the Duke Violet's heir and only son here? Yeah? Kai, I'm gonna make this Crown Prince impotent, don't sully your eyes" I said with a growl. Ceil always brought out my worst side.

This Ceil was pissing me off on a new level.

I made a step forward before Ricin held me back. I felt like an American Frat boy trying to start conflict at a house party, and my buddies are attempting to "hold me back".

"As much as I support your violence, this isn't the time. When we get home, go make that nasty Prince cry all you want" he tried to calm me, but the real issue remained.

"That Ceil knows all my powers and tricks, he isn't simple, the damn bastard only knows how to work me like a dog with no bone" I grumpily pouted. Ricin laughed slyly, agreeing. I have had many failed attempts at assassination.

Of course, this Ceil isn't simple either. He's always so level headed it makes me want to throw a tantrum. He's impossible to defeat.

"I see... this does make some sense. Alright. I'll listen." Ceil said casually, ignoring my deadly threats. Not taking me serious punk?!

Kai's sharp gaze also made me relax a bit, I felt a bit comforted. If his gaze and Xavier's were the same- he was trying to calm me. I knew that leopard's temper well. He likely had no need to hide his personality as Xavier.

We mutually agreed, and sat in Ceil's lounge area. Thus, began our discussion.

"I see... now I can comprehend this better. Your personality and her's are much different as you've said. I doubt she could pretend to such an extent" Ceil said calmly, sipping tea.

It was morning now by the way.

"Alright, I'll aid your cause. What was your life changing knowledge that you are planning to bargain with?" He asked slyly.

This bastard.

"I'm slightly comforted you haven't changed in the slightest you wicked workaholic grandma" I said with a laugh. Ceil raised an eyebrow at me.

"Ah~ you wouldn't know this. In our world, You and Rose are quite good friends, and not engaged. Instead you have a mutual platonic relationship" Ricin explained easily.

"Also, Rose, you're uncharacteristically casual huh? Is it because you don't care how others will see your true nature?" Ricin asked curiously.

True, for Nobility purposes, I'm only informal when me and Ceil aren't around servants.

"Yeah. Manners aren't required here, I don't really care. Besides, I'm in a fairly stressful position, no? I think I'm allowed some way to vent. Insulting this hell goblin helps calm me" I said casually.

"I see~" Ricin laughed, already back in his cat form and lounging on my lap.

"I see you're a vulgar woman. Is it due to height insecurities? I hear short folk hide their inabilities with arrogance" Ceil said sweetly with a smile.

"No, I'm short due to the experiments I performed on my body. It stunted my growth, small price to pay I suppose" I said lazily. Not feeding his insults. The Ceil in my world is far more vicious.

What was I so worried about?

I'll relax with Ricin and Kai here.

"And for your negotiation piece, I'll offer these" I said, pulling out multiple organized documents from my bracelet.

These were all my ideas over the years I've given to Ceil for Kingdom prosperity.

There is farming methods, natural disaster planning, tax methods, all sorts of lovely reforms and blue prints.

Any other Kingdom would die for these.

I handed them over to Ceil who only briefly glanced before looking in awe for a moment.

"These are all your ideas...?" He asked seriously.

"Despite my personality and hobbies, I am a genius more or less" I felt insulted.

"Truly... I am amazed. No wonder we are friends in your world" he said with a nod, handing the documents over to his fairy who disappeared with them.

Ceil seemed in high spirits.

Crazy man.

"I give my sincere condolences to the poor woman tricked by your schemes into marrying you. I'll light a candle for her" I said with a sigh.

Ceil seemed amused.

"The Rosalia in this world is obsessed with me, insomuch I have difficulties in that area, but I've found a truly suitable Queen candidate" He said leisurely.

Seems he's comfortable with me now. Quite an ass to become all buddy buddy after I've given him the Holy Grail.

"Maybe if you show your awful personality, she'll run crying for the hills. Well, I think I can make a guess to who she is, it's the girl with light magic right? She's a good choice, not enough power and family backing to threaten the throne, but with a holy magic which can entice the public. Poor Katrina... " I said in pity.

Ceil seemed surprised.

"Are you two friends in your world?" He asked, interested.

"We aren't really associated, but I find her presence nice enough. Hehe, without a villainous lady to push the two of you together in my world, it's likely that's why the romance is so slow. No chance for a wolf in Prince clothes to shield her" I laughed.

Ceil's lip twitched.

Oh~! A direct hit? I've won!

"So... what now though? It's not like I can just appear in society like everything is normal... and we have to search for where that Demon is hiding..." I murmured.

Kai spoke up now, "No, don't you dare go running to your death. I'll chain you down and put 24/7 watch on you if you even try. Me and Ricin will take turns searching with the help of the Prince"

"Just now... you said something really ominous?" I said slightly worried.

"It's just your imagination" he said calmly, his face neutral.

I felt a cold chill.

I'll leave that for now...

"Well, I suppose switching you and the original Rosalia is quite plausible. She disappeared about a day ago" Ceil said calmly, sipping his tea like nothing of importance occurred.

"Dear god... who has her? Maxwell? Don't tell me it's..."

"Gerald" Ceil said plainly.

"Stop that. You and I both know that it is a sick and twisted punishment" I said with a warped expression.

"True... I was merely turning a blind eye for Katrina's expense..." Ceil murmured as if he was actually reflecting. Don't bullshit me.

"Ceil..." I sighed.

"Ricin, you remember where the Cowell residence is right? Go stop Gerald, that psychopath. She may even be dead by now..." I said with a chill.

These were my nightmares, but are now happening to someone else.

It made me feel sick.

An arm pulled me to sit directly beside Kai who looked down at me with concern.

I was a bit surprised, but the warm and strong arm keeping me close felt reassuring. I relaxed a bit with a grateful smile.

I had to have a good talk with him later though.

"You two seem quite close. I'm assuming your fiancé in your world is the Duke's heir?" He said calculatingly.

My face flushed.

"T-that isn't it... "

"Yes"

We spoke at the same time, causing my already red face to further flush.

I looked up at Kai with wide eyes, but he refused to look down at me and calmly eyed Ceil with a narrowed gaze.

Is that so...?

Ceil appeared greatly amused.

"It's a pity the Duke's heir in this world passed away at a young age. I suppose your connection to Lady Vermillion changed this?" Ceil asked Kai now.

I froze, my blood cold.

Is this?

I watched Kai nod his head without a hint of any emotion showing on his face.

Truly...