A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor-Chapter 737: Cleaning Up - Part 5

Now, he knocked on a door that was growing familiar, en route to a Command class that he hadn’t taken in the longest time – and likely never would take again, if the schedule that the Professors had managed to make for him was anything to go by.

"Come in," came a stern voice from inside.

Oliver opened the door with less fanfare than he would have done in the past. He didn’t need to walk as stiffly in front of Skullic, or attempt to feign a level of politeness he wasn’t comfortable employing. He was getting used to the man by now, after all.

Skullic had his quirks, and as long as Oliver made sure not to blunder too heavily over any of them, then he usually stayed within the realm of safety.

The General was feasting on his own tray of food, with Mary seated by the fire, dressed in her maid uniform, a tray of food on her own lap and a contented expression on her face. From the look of the two of them, they’d been in the middle of conversation when Oliver knocked. He felt a little bad for interrupting, but he still couldn’t help but spare them a curious glance.

After all, what maid was allowed to eat with her Lord? And what Lord seemed to be so pleased by his maid’s company? Oliver didn’t know exactly what type of relationship the two of them had, but he knew it certainly wasn’t a conventional one, and he couldn’t help but be curious about it, though he did his best not to let that curiosity show.

"You’ve eaten?" Skullic asked bluntly.

"Yes," Oliver said.

"Good, then you won’t mind us continuing our meal as we talk, will you?" Skullic said.

"No, I suppose not," Oliver replied.

"Take a seat if you want, though, since you left me waiting all day, I wonder if it’s more appropriate for you to stand," Skullic said. "Rightly, you should have visited me yesterday, should you not?"

"I didn’t realize that you would be so interested in the business I had in Solgrim," Oliver replied, sharing a smile with Mary as he went to fetch one of the chairs from by the fire. Enjoy new chapters from novelbuddy

"Are you dense, or are you merely pretending?" Skullic said exasperated. It was only when Oliver turned round and he saw his expression that he realized which. "The latter, then. Obviously, your business in Solgrim concerns me, as does your little tiff with Princess Asabel, which you seem to have neglected to properly go into with me, eh?"

"That was a while ago now," Oliver said dismissively.

"A ’while’? It’s barely been over a week. Besides, if we call it a while, by your books, then that more points to the depths of the problem, does it not? If it truly was a while, then you should have sorted it by now, shouldn’t you?" Skullic said. "Need I remind you that Princess Asabel is a large reason – though not the only one – why your head is not currently separated from your shoulder?

Or why you’ve been able to enjoy the peace that you have?"

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"No, I’m well aware of it, which is why I shall keep firmly to my stance," Oliver said, dragging the seat in front of Skullic’s desk and sitting on it.

"…Can you at least divulge the nature of the discussion that you shared with her?" Skullic said. "What could have possibly led to such an argument? By all accounts, the two of you were unexpectedly close, for the few times that you’d met each other."

"I certainly respect the woman," Oliver said. "That much I can say. The argument was unexpected for us as it probably was for everyone who’s overheard it. But you need not worry. It does not change her faction’s position – she’s loyal, and she said as much to me, even after the argument."

"No, it already has," Skullic told him. "I’m not accusing the girl of using empty words, but perhaps she simply doesn’t see it herself. You can say that your two factions are close all you want, but if you’re not meeting, and you don’t even wish to speak with each other, then that seems to be the opposite of truth, does it not? There are eyes everywhere. They’ll take advantage of that fact.

If rumour spreads that Asabel Pendragon no longer sides with the Patricks, then your position loses all its footing. They will act."

"The position is as she says it is," Oliver said. "Even if they interpret it one way, it doesn’t mean it is."

"It’s only that interpretation buying you a grace period, stopping them from moving. Even if something were to happen, and Asabel, as you seem to suppose, once more sides with you – that doesn’t change the fact that it has already happened. They’ve made a move against you. Need I point out how little that would work in your favour? Your position, right now, should be one of quiet building.

Any conflict of the national magnitude is a tightrope that could crush you," Skullic told him.

"So, you’re saying, even if we’re actually strong, if they move, and we win, it’s still bad for me?" Oliver said.

"Precisely. Any action on their part, whether strong or weak, is bad for you. They, obviously, don’t wish to lose. That’s about the only thing staying their hand at the moment. But you present them with a chance of victory, they’ll move in whatever ways they can, and it’ll inconvenience you," Skullic said. "You need to make up with the girl, even if you have to grovel, and beg for her forgiveness."

"It’s not the sort of thing that I can apologize for…" Oliver said.

"Swallow your pride and do it all the same," Skullic said. "Matters with women can be solved with an apology, or some sort of heartfelt line, perhaps. I don’t know. I doubt Princess Asabel wants to hear anything heartfelt from you, but you can probably try it."

"Shall I ignore those comments, Daemon?" Mary said icily from the living room. "A heartfelt comment – is that all you need?"