Complete Opposites
“E-Elizalina-sama and I are going to study together, just the two of us!?”
“Yep! Negotiation is my strong suit, and I’ve got plenty of knowledge about commerce too, so I think I can teach you lots of things, you know?”
It’s true that Elizalina-sama used her unbelievable skill to successfully mediate this entire country.
Thanks to that, there are hardly any major conflicts between noble houses here.
It goes without saying how incredible that is, so being taught by Elizalina-sama would make me really happy.
But even more than that.
“I’m sorry for taking up Elizalina-sama’s precious time just for someone like me, so it’s really oka—”
“Lux, you’re not allowed to say things like someone like me! You’re working so hard, you know! Come on, let’s study together at that table over there.”
“P-please wait. Elizalina-sama, you were just looking at the bookshelves earlier, so weren’t you actually here to read?”
If that were the case, it’d feel wrong to interfere with Elizalina-sama’s original purpose just because of me.
Thinking that, I spoke up, but Elizalina-sama shook her head.
“I just happened to have some official business at this library today, so I took a look around while I was here… Besides, do you really think I need to study negotiation techniques at this point?”
“Well…”
When someone with the achievement of mediating an entire country asks you that, of course…
“I don’t think you do.”
“Exactly! Since you understand that, it’s fine if I teach you while we study together, just the two of us, right?”
“Y-yes… but is it really okay? Studying together with me, just the two of us…”
“You already said yes and nodded, and before you start saying even more things you don’t need to, I’m going to take you over to the table~!”
Saying that, Elizalina-sama placed her hand on my back and gently pushed me toward the table.
Maybe it’s because I’ve recently had the chance to talk with Felisiana-sama and Rezamiliana-sama, but Elizalina-sama really does feel completely different from them, even among royalty.
Talking with those two is a lot of fun too, and I want to spend more time with them, but Elizalina-sama has a kind of brightness they don’t, which makes her very easy to talk to.
Maybe that side of her is also one of the reasons she’s able to mediate this country.
While thinking that, I was guided forward by Elizalina-sama until I reached the chair in front of the table and was seated. Elizalina-sama then sat down right next to me.
“There’s a bit of distance between us, so I’m going to scoot closer.”
“…!”
As she said that, Elizalina-sama moved the chairs closer together, until there was only a little space left, so close our shoulders might touch.
My heartbeat sped up just a bit, but I quickly calmed myself, telling myself this was for studying.
“Alright then, let’s start studying together! For now, I’ll explain everything straight through, from the first page of this book to a good stopping point.”
“Th-thank you very much!”
“Mm! Then let’s start here…”
“I see… but…”
“Ah, about that part…”
After that, Elizalina-sama taught me about commerce in a very considerate, detailed, and careful way.
From the way she taught and her every movement, I could really feel just how kind Elizalina-sama truly is.
And when she finished teaching me up to a good stopping point.
“That’s about how it works! How was it? Was there anything you didn’t understand?”
“No! You explained everything so carefully, Elizalina-sama, that I understood it very well!”
“I see~! I’m glad to hear that~!”
“Yes! From partway through, you were even teaching me while anticipating the things I wouldn’t understand. It was really amazing!”
“You’re honest and a good guy, Lux, so when it comes to areas involving bargaining, or rules meant to stop bad people, I could tell early on that those things wouldn’t sink in easily, since you don’t even think in those terms to begin with.”
The material at the start wasn’t that difficult, so I didn’t think it showed on my face, but Elizalina-sama’s ability to read even such fine details really proves how amazing she is.
As I was thinking that, Elizalina-sama muttered in a dark voice.
“Bad at bargaining… that’s the complete opposite of me.”
“…Elizalina-sama?”
“As you know, I’m mediating this country. I apply psychology to negotiation techniques, guide people psychologically, and sometimes even use royal authority, always thinking about the best possible outcome in my head.”
Then, lowering her face in a way I rarely see, she spoke again in that same dark voice.
“I’m a truly calculating person. Unlike you, Lux, if it’s for my goal, I’ll do anything, and I can do it. Even teaching you like this right now, maybe that too…”
Then she lifted her face again, looked straight at me, and asked with eyes that seemed to plead.
“Hey, Lux… would it be better if someone as calculating as I weren’t by your side? Would that make you happier?”