A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 738 Cleaning up - Part 6

"Uhh..." the General's stony demeanour evaporated as the attack came from an unexpected angle, and he tripped over his words trying to find a way to deflect it. "No, that was just speaking generally, in regards to women in general... probably."

"Weak, Daemon," Mary said.

Once more, Oliver reflected that their relationship wasn't a conventional one. What sort of maid could make her Lord grovel like that? He silently observed the two of them.

"Can we leave this?" Skullic said. "You can say all you want later, but let me finish this up for now."

"Fine," Mary said. "But Oliver, don't let you pressure him with his simple way of thinking. If you're quite sure an apology would not make the Princess happy, then you shouldn't force it on her. You shouldn't be trying to treat all women the same, as your good General Skullic seems to be advising."

"That's not what I'm saying..." Skullic said. "I'm just saying he needs to do something. He can't keep whatever pride he's clinging to and avoid speaking to her. Even if he had to thoroughly embarrass himself, it would be worth it, else he'll lose every ounce of political position that he has."

"Maybe," Mary said carefully, "this isn't something that can be reduced to mere politics, Daemon? I am not one to speak for a Princess, but perhaps she doesn't want all her friendships to be tainted by the want for political advantage."

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Mary's words struck a chord with Oliver and he tilted his head. He'd almost been convinced by Daemon's argument, but now that he'd heard Mary put it the other way, he was quite sure that wasn't the way to go. The girl was lonely, from what he'd seen of her. If he apologized – what was there even to apologise for? – merely for the sake of his own position, then what would be the point of it?

It'll work – and I'm sure you're smiling because you know just as well as I how the royalty are likely to take it."

"Right. I'm imagining they won't be too pleased," Oliver said.

"It's almost as if someone is trying to compel them to act," Skullic said lightly, running his fingers on the edge of the table. "At the very least, if I were at war with you – metaphorically speaking, of course – I would interpret this gesture as a blatant target to bait me in, sheerly on its brashness.

I'm sure the dustier of the old strategists in the Capital will be just as suspicious of its boldness as I would be."

"Meaning what?" Oliver asked.

"Meaning, the very fact of its ridiculous provocativeness could be the very fact that keeps it defensible. After all, it screams 'trap', does it not?" Skullic said.

Oliver was stunned. Skullic's interpretation of his plan, as one would expect from a General – and accomplished strategist – was thoroughly different from what he, Verdant, and Greeves had managed to come up with. They hadn't seen it through the lens of the High King – at least, not in the same manner that Skullic did.

"Wait, General... The way you phrase it makes it seem as though they're evaluating me strategically already... As though we're already at war," Oliver said.

"That's because I'm a General, boy, and that is how I evaluate everything in my life, from women, to food, to minor inconveniences. Though I think it to be a valid interpretation. The High King has a problem, who better to solve it than the strategists? You do not assume him to be sat on his bed dreaming up these solutions yourself, do you?

No, he'll have men advising him, calculating what to do," Skullic said.