Day 15:
9:00 AM – Woke up to the sound of birds chirping and the unmistakable hum of activity. Today, a delegation from the nearby kingdom is visiting. They're here to see if the "reformed villain" thing is genuine or just a cunning ruse. No pressure.
9:30 AM – Breakfast was a light affair—tea, toast, and a side of nervous anticipation. Agnes was bustling around, making sure everything was perfect. Grog was surprisingly calm, though I did catch him trying to polish his armor with a ham sandwich.
Interlude – Pre-Diplomat Prep:
Agnes: "Max, remember to smile and be polite. First impressions are everything." Vortax: "Got it, Agnes. Smile, be polite, and no turning anyone into a frog. Noted."
10:00 AM – The diplomats arrived promptly, looking as stern as a group of librarians who'd discovered someone eating spaghetti near their prized books. Led them to the freshly decorated main hall, hoping the new tapestries and flowers would soften their demeanor.
11:00 AM – Gave the diplomats a tour of the castle, highlighting all the improvements and emphasizing our commitment to peace. They were particularly impressed with the garden, especially the sunflowers, which seemed to smile as brightly as I was trying to.
Interlude – Diplomat Discussions:
Diplomat 1: "Your garden is quite beautiful, Lord Vortax. A stark contrast to your, er, previous reputation." Vortax: "Thank you. We believe in growth, both horticultural and personal."
12:00 PM – Sat down for a formal lunch with the diplomats. Agnes outdid herself with a spread that included roast chicken, fresh bread, and an assortment of vegetables. Grog was on his best behavior, which meant he only ate with his hands half the time.
2:00 PM – After lunch, we held a formal meeting in the newly refurbished council room. Discussed potential trade agreements, mutual protection pacts, and ways to promote peace. It felt like negotiating at a high-stakes poker game, but with fewer cards and more baked goods.
4:00 PM – The discussions were going well until one of the diplomats brought up the subject of taxes. Apparently, the king wasn't too pleased about losing revenue from a former villain's territory. Tried to assure them that we were more than willing to contribute, just without the previous pillaging.
Interlude – Taxation Talk:
Diplomat 2: "The king is concerned about the economic impact of your reform. How do you plan to compensate for the lost tribute?" Vortax: "We're exploring new avenues of revenue. Have you ever considered the lucrative potential of dragon fruit farming?"
6:00 PM – After some tense moments, we reached a tentative agreement. We'd contribute a portion of our agricultural profits to the kingdom's coffers, with the understanding that our focus was now on sustainable growth and mutual benefit.
8:00 PM – The diplomats left, promising to report back to the king. We celebrated the successful negotiations with a small feast in the main hall. Grog even managed to bake a cake, which was only slightly burnt around the edges.
Interlude – Diplomat Departure:
Agnes: "I think that went rather well, don't you?" Vortax: "Considering we didn't end up in a dungeon or at the business end of a pitchfork, I'd call it a success."
10:00 PM – Retreated to my chambers, exhausted but optimistic. Today had been a test, and we'd passed it with flying colors. The castle was starting to feel like a hub of diplomacy and hope, rather than a fortress of fear.
End of Day 15
Diary Commentary – Vortax (formerly known as Max):
Today was a day of diplomats and dragon fruit, of negotiations and nervous laughter. Despite the challenges, we managed to forge new connections and strengthen old ones. It's strange to think that just a few weeks ago, I was a terror to the kingdom. Now, I'm debating trade agreements and tax policies. Here's to tomorrow, and whatever diplomatic dilemmas it may bring. We'll face them head-on, with a smile, a strategy, and hopefully fewer tax debates.