What is it?

　I wasn't expecting to be spoken to, so I respond with a little surprise. Unlike Orda, she treats me favorably, so I don't have a hard time talking to her.

'A little talk ... no, I want to negotiate with you.
Negotiation?

　Seth's expression gives off the vibe that he has a reason for being. I can't ignore it. When Wraith was about to ask for more details, his clothes were pulled back with a yank.

　When Wraith, who is stepping on the tatara, tries to complain to Lurimes, the culprit who pulled him down.

'Is that going to be a long story?'

　Rulimes held his stomach and said with a grim expression. Wraith remembered now that he hadn't eaten in the morning.

　Seth chuckled at the question.

'If you're okay with your time, I'll be fine with my food.
All right, I'll do it!　I don't disagree, though I wouldn't admit it if I did.

　The decision was half forced, but even as a Wraith, I have no objection to it. We were going to talk anyway. Standing around and talking is something, and if you can sit back and do it, it's better that way.

　Wraith and Seth followed Lurimes, who was ahead of them by one.



　*****



My master took the liberty of choosing this place. Are you okay here?
Oh, never mind. I don't mind that much.
'It's okay if...'

　Since he is a nobleman, I was worried that he might not like the coffee shops that the common people would enter, but my fears were unfounded. The person who was leading the charge, Rulimes, had already finished ordering and was ready for the food that had been brought to her.

　She has a happy expression on her face, and she puts the food on her plate into her stomach at a terrific speed. Lace turned away from the stomach-churning scene and worried a bit about the price.

''Well, can we get to the point now?''
Yeah, I'll be fine.

　Seth nodded lightly and looked straight into Wraith's eyes. Then, he clearly mentioned the details of the negotiations.

''Can you help me regarding this request?''
What do you mean by that?　You mean you want the credit?
No, that's not what I'm saying. You can do the job. But I don't want my brother to do it.
'Oh, well, he's certainly not a very nice guy... but you're asking him to bring back a national 'symbol'.　Honestly, I don't care who you are as long as you can accomplish it.

　I was purposely bumped on the shoulder, looked down on as a commoner, and stared at. I don't remember a rogue. Still, I didn't understand why they didn't want Alda to accomplish the request.

　The royal family should have gathered influential people in order to increase the chances of reviving the 'symbol' as much as possible. Then it doesn't matter how good or bad the personalities are there. They are only looking for results.

　Seth's expression was a bit bitter as he was hit with a pure question. I guess it's like being hit in the sore spot, isn't it?

You are right. I'm sure you're right. You are right, you are right. It's just a personal situation.
It's a long shot.
That's what I mean.
What's the story behind it, if you don't mind me asking?

　When Lace says this, Seth laughs with a troubled look on his face. It's not so much that he doesn't want to talk about it, it's more of a mood of embarrassment.

'It's not a very interesting story, is it?
Okay, I'm just curious.

　Wraith drinks the tea at hand and urges him to continue. A nobleman's story, and that's not something you get to hear very often when you're his age. The Wraith listens with curiosity.

I'm not saying this, but I was born into the eldest son of a noble family of the highest rank in this country.
Well, if that name sounds familiar to you, that's what it is.
What, Master, do you know about this?

　Lurimes, who was supposed to be concentrating on his meal, entered the conversation, and Wraith realized that all the food had disappeared before he knew it.

　Fearfully, the demon's stomach. And by the way, I'm wondering about the price.

''As I recall, that's it, the house of the four great noblemen who are famous as medicine men!　I remember the people who lived there hated me so much!
I've been meaning to tell you, sir.
''Haha........Well, Rulimes-san is such an excellent alchemist that she can destroy the role of a medicine man. He's going to be my so-called business enemy, so I'd be grateful if you could consider it the flip side of my admiration.
I don't care that much to begin with, so it's okay!

　So I thought that means that similar me would be hated as well, but I realized that Alda already hated me. Sadly, I didn't know that both my teacher and brother would be hated by people from the same family.

I know this is a bit of a digression, but I'm the eldest son of the family, so naturally I'm the most likely candidate to become the heir apparent. So if things go in order, I'll be the one to take over the family, but...
"Uh-huh.
Depending on the outcome of this royal affair, it could be my brother who takes over the house.
So you want me to help you avoid that.
'Maybe it's not very complimentary, but that's the way it is. Of course I'm going to pay you accordingly.
"Hmm.

　Wraith sips at his cup again and ponders.

　This negotiation, if you look at the contents, it's not so bad for Wraith. The bottom line is that just accomplishing this request earlier than Alda will increase the reward.

　As a Wraith who is thinking about opening a store, this is a nice proposal because it will increase his war chest.

　Seth is also a commoner, so he has a good feeling about the Wraiths. I'm willing to cooperate with him.

I'm thinking I'm open to the idea.
Really?
Yeah, just one question.　It doesn't look like Seth has much of a desire for success or anything like that from my perspective, but...

　If anything, I get the impression that he's not as active as he should be. It's like he's quietly reading a book by himself.

'So why do I want to be the head of the family?'

　Wraith shook his head in affirmation.
　Seth gave a sort of embarrassed smile and swept his eyes.

'Well, my sister wants it that way, and I'm not sure I'd be comfortable leaving it up to Alda...'

　I couldn't shake the feeling that the reason for the second half of the game was that it was too much of a cliché. It's not a master and student who misses that.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. You're a good brother who cares for his sister.
It's a pretty thing.

　The teacher and student, who instantly guessed that the first half would be the main reason, smile in the same way without showing any signs of being together. In other words, it's a devilish smile as if to say that they have found an interesting toy (toy).

　Seth's cheeks turn bright red and he turns over to hide his face.

''That's why I didn't want to say...''
Oh, well, that's okay. I think that's a noble cause.
'Huh ... I wonder if the person who gave me that yawning smile would say that.
'Well, Seth is pretty easy to talk to for a nobleman.
It's an honor.

　Seth says this with a barb, then coughs once. When he dispels the mood, he makes a serious face.

''Well then, I guess we can call this negotiation a done deal.
Yeah, you're welcome to think so.

　The negotiations are officially concluded. For some reason, Wraith has a reputation for getting to know the big boys, and this is another one. If Daisy or anyone around here heard this, they would wonder what they had done again.

Well, it's good to see you. Feel free to call me Lace.
Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, Wraith.

　They shook hands lightly.

　Inwardly, Wraith was glad to have gotten to know Seth. After all, he was the first person who seemed to be a friend of the same s*x that he had made since coming to King's Landing.

　Although there is a same-s*x acquaintance named Wills, Wraith doesn't count him as a friend because he is not good at it.

　After all, a relationship that can be easily talked about is important.