"Your Highness Gwendolyn, Krober has told me everything about this matter."
"I came here this time just to ask for your personal opinion on this matter."
Veronica sat upright in her chair, showing no anger at Gwendolen's offense against her marriage.
After all, she had ruled the country for many years and had seen almost everything she should and shouldn't have seen.
She had a deep understanding of her lover's charm, so she was mentally prepared before marrying Kroeber.
But she didn't expect that the first enemy she met was the high-ranking dragon knight, the Queen of the Sea - Her Majesty Gwendolyn.
If there is a problem, we must solve it.
Since Gwendolen had bad thoughts and even threats about her marriage, she had to take countermeasures.
Her response was to have a heart-to-heart talk with Gwendolen.
"Actually... I just want to provide some protection for my people. What if Klobk treats us mermaids harshly after I join?"
"So I need a position of high esteem in this kingdom. Duke is too low, so the only thing left is King."
"Coincidentally, we are of the opposite sex. According to your human tradition, if we become a couple, we can share the throne."
Gwendoline had a relatively good impression of Veronica.
It just so happened that she wasn't sure what Krober was thinking, so she might as well just say what she was thinking.
"There are many ways to strengthen a relationship. There's no need to hook up with a married man."
Veronica retorted, expressing her strong disagreement with Gwendolyn's reason.
In this world, marriage is sacred and pure, and she will never allow others to interfere in her marriage.
Even if this person is a high-ranking dragon knight, one of the strongest people in the world.
"I understand what you mean. I can be honest with you."
Gwendolen sat on the bed, clenching her fists slightly.
"Mermaids cannot give birth to offspring through sexual intercourse like you humans do."
"Our mermaid clan consists of only females, and to give birth to offspring, we need to drink a specially formulated potion."
"So I just need Krober to nominally grant me the status I deserve, or if he's willing to crown me king, I'll give up competing with you for the position."
Her meaning was very clear.
Can’t win—surrender—still be the queen.
Kroeber's guess was absolutely correct.
In the final analysis, Gwendolen was still unwilling to give up the halo around her and the so-called glory.
Gwendolyn knew that if she went to war with Kroeber, she would definitely lose, but she was unwilling to lose everything.
So she chose to negotiate to gain the final benefits for herself.
And what about Kroeber?
He actually didn't want to go to war with Gwendolyn because that would only result in heavy losses for both sides.
He hoped to achieve complete integration of the two ethnic groups through negotiations, so as to truly avoid war and usher in peaceful reunification.
Therefore, on this point, the two of them still have a certain consensus.
However, the difficulty before them is the seemingly impossible condition proposed by Gwendolyn - recognition of their partnership.
This was simply a fantasy for Kroeber.
He would never agree to this condition.
However, the other condition - becoming king - is actually very easy to achieve.
The "king" mentioned here is not a king in the true sense, but a special title that is higher than the duke and second only to the king.
This title is usually awarded to those who have the ability to become a high-ranking dragon knight but do not have the ability to establish a new kingdom.
Therefore, it has become the lowest title that a high-ranking dragon knight can obtain.
This title was relatively common in some large kingdoms throughout history.
When a country has two dragon knights at the same time, the higher-ranking dragon knight who is not the king will naturally be granted this title.
Despite this, they are still respectfully addressed as "Your Majesty" and enjoy the same treatment as the king.
However, there is a subtle difference between the two:
These "royals" do not have direct ruling power over their kingdoms.
"Becoming a king shouldn't be difficult. Why didn't you tell Krober?"
Veronica asked, looking at Gwendolen with confusion.
Gwendolyn shook her head helplessly:
"I didn't have time to say anything. He left right after I finished talking about my partner. Besides, my title of king also has conditions."
Veronica nodded in understanding: "Then what are your conditions?"
Gwendolyn said with a firm look in her eyes:
"I don't care about other races, but the ruling power of the mermaid race must be in my hands. I can share the ruling power with Krober, but I will never give it away for free."
Veronica nodded in agreement:
"That's as it should be. I don't think Krober will refuse your proposal as long as he also has the right to rule."
"Then do you have any other requests? If Krober agrees to your conditions, will you directly declare your allegiance to the Amethyst Ocean Kingdom?"
Gwendolen thought for a moment and then replied:
"Well, I just want to protect the interests of the tribe, that's all."
In fact, she had no intention of confronting Krober. After all, Bo Taolong had warned her that she would be the one who would suffer if she had a conflict with Krober.
Since you don't want to use force, then use words.
Her demands have been met, and in order not to appear to be pushing things too far, knowing when to stop is the right choice.
"Okay, I understand what you're thinking. As long as you give up your desire for Krober, I'll say something good to you."
Veronica said to Gwendoline in a light tone.
After hearing these words, a smile appeared on Gwendolyn's face, which instantly relaxed her originally tense expression.
"good."
For some reason, Gwendoline suddenly felt that Veronica's presence had become reliable.
She unknowingly believed what Veronica said and personally got up and sent her out of the room.
Along the way, neither of them spoke, but their eye contact revealed a tacit understanding and trust.
When they reached the door, Gwendolyn gently opened it, then turned and smiled at Veronica and said:
"Thank you, Veronica."
Veronica nodded slightly and responded:
"You're welcome. I hope we can always maintain this friendly relationship."
After saying this, she left the room, leaving Gwendolen standing alone at the door. She looked at her departing figure, and a sense of peace welled up in her heart.
It’s settled!
Stable in every sense!
Looking at Veronica's back, Gwendolyn smiled.
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