A year had already passed since defeating Ragnaros.
During that time, there were many changes in Bedrokka, Magnus, and Tetris.
Those who had been ruling their countries steadily passed on their thrones to their successors and stepped back.
Bedrokka was the first, Tetris was the second, and finally, Magnus also had a change of royal power.
The new kings of the new era were David, Karan, and Ilaria.
The three were as close as blood brothers. So they cheered for the development of each country and cooperated in everything.
The people of the continent firmly believed that as long as these three were kings, there would be no war between the three countries.
But war doesn’t only happen between countries.
“I absolutely cannot concede! This is disrespecting our country. Abolish tariffs? While maintaining tariffs on seafood from Magnus?”
“Madam, listen. Bedrokka’s alcohol tastes better and has a better aroma than Magnus’s, and it causes less of a hangover. Allowing Magnus people to enjoy Bedrokka’s alcohol more cheaply is actually for the benefit of Magnus people…”
“Nonsense! Who doesn’t know that you’re trying to raise alcohol prices after dominating Magnus’s liquor industry?”
War can also occur between couples.
Ilaria, the current Queen of Magnus and Queen of Bedrokka, raised her voice.
She was relentless in berating and pushing around a king of a country.
It was fitting for Ilaria, who was called a rampaging horse in a dress.
“Madam, are you really going to be like this? Then the big deal about food we tentatively agreed on last month will be null and void. Let’s discuss from scratch.”
David, who usually seemed weak, didn’t back down when it came to national interests.
“David!”
“Would you call me ‘Your Majesty’, Madam?”
“I’m not just a madam here, I’m also Your Majesty, you know?”
Just as the fight was getting more childish, David’s aide made a big decision and knocked on the door.
Whoosh, two pairs of eyes sent a cold gaze. Sweat trickled down the aide’s back.
“A guest has arrived.”
“Who… Ah! Show them in.”
David remembered that an important guest was scheduled to arrive. So did Ilaria.
“Let’s stop here.”
“A fair person is coming, so let’s leave the judgment to them.”
Ilaria easily dismissed David’s offer of a truce. While David swallowed a groan, the person they had been waiting for appeared.
“Elise!”
Ilaria ran out, ignoring how her dress fluttered and almost lifted off the ground.
In an instant, Ilaria crossed the king’s office and grabbed Elise’s hands.
“It’s been a while, Elise? Welcome.”
“Am I invisible?”
Ilaria glanced at Karan standing next to Elise and then led only Elise to the sofa.
It was rude, but Karan didn’t mind. It wasn’t the first or second time this had happened.
Instead, David greeted Karan.
“How have you been, Your Majesty Karan?”
“So-so. Ilaria seems the same as ever, Your Majesty. For a Queen of Bedrokka…”
Karan shook his head as if understanding David’s hardships. David’s lips formed a small arc.
“She’s doing well. She’s enduring and following along despite it being very uncomfortable.”
“Isn’t it the same for you? The old folks in Magnus must not be easy to deal with.”
Magnus and Bedrokka were as different in people’s dispositions as they were in natural environment.
The aggressive people of Magnus and the docile people of Bedrokka were as different as the cultures of Tetris and Bedrokka.
So when David and Ilaria announced their marriage, most people thought it was a scandal for publicity.
But the two went ahead with the marriage. They say they felt it was destiny after sharing life and death experiences.
From then on, a tug-of-war began between the two countries. Since the couple couldn’t live separately, there were endless negotiations about how long and when they would stay in each country, whether the king’s duties or the duties as a royal spouse took priority.
The marriage that was so difficult to achieve continued to be a topic of discussion afterwards.
Especially when issues of conflicting national interests arose, the media in both countries went wild.
While words like “traitor selling out the country for love” weren’t used, slightly milder terms were constantly printed.
“We got married knowing all this. It’s our burden to bear.”
David smiled as he watched Ilaria chatting away with Elise.
David is too soft on Ilaria, after all.
Thinking they’ll manage well on their own, Karan shrugged and looked at Elise.
“Elise, did you listen to my explanation well? What do you think? David is really bad, right?”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
Elise had just heard the details of Ilaria and David’s quarrel.
Both had very clear and valid grounds for their arguments, making it difficult to take sides.
“Elise, don’t side with David just because you’re from Bedrokka. What has Bedrokka ever done for you? They only used you.”
As Ilaria mentioned Elise’s past, Karan frowned and approached.
Karan’s large hands covered Elise’s ears.
“That’s enough, Ilaria. Settle your marital disputes on your own.”
“You too? This isn’t a marital dispute. We’re negotiating as king to king.”
Ilaria glared. Regardless, Karan only cared about Elise’s feelings.
Fortunately, a pretty smile was still on her lips.
Elise had become strong enough to be unfazed by words digging up her past.
Though Karan still worries she might fly away if he calls her, or crumble if he touches her.
“So you’re going to keep fighting in front of us, your guests?”
As Ilaria showed no sign of backing down, Karan raised his voice.
“That’s not it, but… Ah, I’d rather accept Tetris alcohol tariff-free!”
“Would you?”
Elise didn’t miss the comment Ilaria had casually made.
“Tetris alcohol is very good. You know that, right? It’s brewed in a naturally blessed high altitude.”
As Elise spoke seriously, Ilaria’s mouth gaped.
“Elise, uh, well…”
“I’ll send a working group to Magnus soon. Let’s have a taste and talk about it.”
Ilaria had forgotten. Elise was someone who would do anything for Tetris.
“You’ve become a true Tetris person, Your Majesty Elise.”
David said, sounding somewhat disappointed.
“Let’s stop talking about work.”
Ilaria declared. Despite being the most excited and talkative, she made others, including Karan, chuckle.
Embarrassed, Ilaria cleared her throat.
“We invited you to enjoy the New Year’s party, Elise. This year, don’t work, just rest and relax.”
Every time they visited each other’s countries, they had long meetings, leaving them exhausted when returning to their own countries.
So they invited Elise and Karan for a vacation and to see each other during Bedrokka’s New Year’s festival.
David and Ilaria, who hadn’t rested due to work, could also take a break under the pretext of hosting guests.
“There was an ulterior motive.”
When Karan muttered, Ilaria raised one eyebrow high.
“It’s killing two birds with one stone.”
As the two showed signs of bickering again, David intervened.
“Shall we enjoy the banquet first? We’ve cleared out a palace for you two. Your companions can rest comfortably too.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
There couldn’t be better hospitality and consideration than this.
****
“What kind of drink would you like?”
“Something moderate.”
As Karan sat at the bar in the pub, people glanced at him.
Karan ignored their gazes and casually watched the staff mixing and shaking drinks.
Soon after, two drinks were placed in front of him. One looked strong at a glance, while the other was colorful and pretty.
“I only ordered one drink.”
Karan tilted his head slightly.
“One is a gift from that table over there.”
The staff pointed to a table in the corner. Four sturdy men there made eye contact with Karan and then quickly turned away.
They were clearly embarrassed.
“And this is from me.”
This time, the staff placed some finger snacks next to the drinks. They were fried grain crackers.
Karan picked up one of the snacks and put it in his mouth – something he wouldn’t have done in the past, suspecting poison.
It was just sweet and salty enough to be perfect bar food. The kind that makes you want to drink more.
When Karan ate the snack, the staff grinned broadly. Karan drained his drink refreshingly.
“…He’s in great shape. I’m really envious.”
“Born to be a warrior. The people of Tetris must be lucky. They won’t have to worry even if monsters appear or war breaks out.”
“I heard he has a generous personality too.”
Snippets of people’s conversations drifted to Karan’s ears.
The content was vastly different from what he had heard in the same place in the past.
In just two years, the Bedrokka people’s antipathy towards Tetris people had disappeared.
Not just disappeared – they even seemed to like them now.
Although he knew about the changed social atmosphere from what David had told him and from Deboa’s newspaper articles, experiencing it firsthand was beyond fresh – it was amazing.
For some reason, it made his solar plexus tingle.
Karan emptied his second drink. Just as he was about to order the next one.
“The seat next to you is empty. May I sit here?”
A clear voice was heard.
