Nalé entered the conference room briskly, planning to find a seat in order to review the presentation material only to have her attention immediately drawn to the gathering of a small group of people seated near the back of the large oval table adorning the middle of the room.
They seemed eager for the meeting to start, considering they came so early. Their well coiffed hair and clothing adorned with gold served as a stark reminder of how far removed she was from the life of a noble, both in her life now and the one she had then.
She shook herself free from thoughts of her past and looked to the side of the room near the door where the presentation board resided. Yami, who had arrived ahead of her, reclined nonchalantly in one of the seats nearest to the presentation board. His careless posture conveyed a sense of casual defiance and a sharp contrast to the nobles in the back.
"Captain, would you mind helping me out a bit?" Nalé requested, pointing towards the neatly stacked papers they'd brought along for this excursion. "Could you put these up on the board while I greet the early birds? Making a strong impression is key if I want to secure this project."
He let out a lazy groan, savoring a piece of jerky he had mysteriously procured from his pocket. 'What if I'm not up for it?'
A mischievous grin spread across her face. "'Tell you what, I'll hook you up with a year's supply of that "medicine" I've been concocting.'
"I'm in." he responded abruptly, suddenly intrigued by the mention of this mysterious pill. It was a digestive pill. The previous iteration had not only provided smooth bathroom experiences but left him feeling remarkably revitalized. The prospect of indulging in even more extravagant feasts and defying the boundaries of his insatiable appetite gave him a thrill. He blatantly ignored her advice that it's the smoking that's affecting his digestive system and leisurely started pinning the papers to the board.
"Thanks a bunch!" She exclaimed, unperturbed by Yami's ever-changing temperament. She knew he had a soft spot for free things especially if it was related to the bathroom.
----
Nalé gracefully navigated her way to the back of the room, where a small group of government officials and nobles engaged in hushed conversation. The atmosphere crackled with an unspoken tension, subtle cues of unease exchanged among them. Undeterred, Nalé approached them with a composed demeanor, her eyes reflecting a hint of determination.
"Good morning," she greeted them, her voice carrying an air of polite confidence. "I'm Nalé, and in just 20 minutes, I'll be presenting my project. I hope you all are enjoying the morning so far."
The officials exchanged guarded glances, their skepticism thinly veiled behind courteous smiles. Eventually the one closest to her responded back.
"Greetings, Nalé. I am Stram Serpentkeep, the Secretary of Treasury," he introduced himself, attempting to maintain a composed façade. "Your project has certainly captured our attention. It presents an intriguing opportunity."
Nalé's eyes sharpened, perceiving the underlying skepticism in his words. "Indeed," she agreed, her voice unwavering. "But more importantly, it is a necessary endeavor that holds great potential to benefit the Clover Kingdom."
Whispers of agreement and doubt were being muttered in the group as they discussed her answer, opinions divided.
A loud voice from the back interrupted their whispers, "Forgive me for prying, but I've heard you're not a native of the Clover Kingdom. What drives your passion for this.. Forsaken Realm Project? You're not even from here."
Nalé's lips curved into a faint smile before she responded, her voice carrying a firm undertone. "I have eyes, and I exist," she asserted, her words pregnant with meaning.
Confusion flickered across their faces, most evident on their furrowed brows. "What do you mean by that?" they questioned, their curiosity tinged with caution.
Nalé's gaze became frighteningly calm as she looked over the men who sat before her. "Born and raised in the comfortable upper echelon of the Clover Kingdom, you all occupy esteemed positions of power. Yet, while you bask in your privilege, most of the people of the Forsaken Realm continue to endure unimaginable suffering. Some villages lack access to even the most basic resources. Tell me, why has nothing been done to alleviate their plight? Have you not known about this, all these years?"
An uneasy silence settled upon the room as they grappled with her piercing inquiry.
"And so," Nalé continued calmly, "I'll reiterate: I have eyes, and I exist. As a 'human being', I firmly believe extending a helping hand to those in need, particularly when we possess the resources and means to do so is generally a good thing to do. Not only are most of them lacking resources, they've asked for help many times only to be met by silence, so I took action, now that I was made aware of it. It's as simple as that."
The weight of her words lingered in the air, filling the room with an undeniable gravity. In the face of their silence, she stood resolute, unyielding in her commitment to championing the rights and well-being of those who had long been neglected.
Feeling the urge to collect her scattered thoughts before the impending meeting, Nalé politely excused herself. "If you'll excuse me, I believe I need to take a moment to review my notes before the meeting," she declared with a slight tremble in her voice.
With a nod of acknowledgment from the assembled officials, she turned on her heels and walked toward the side of the table where her captain sat. As she approached, a subtle grin crept across his face, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes, a silent testament to her commanding performance.