“I was a little lost on this project when I first started, and it was Natalia who suggested that we go through the agent’s data. Actually, she did the analysis herself and came up with the candidates for the interview. She helped with the analysis of the current training programs while I worked closely with the experts to get their advice on how to improve the training. Natalia then did more analysis to estimate the improvement in the survival rate and mission success rate based on our proposal,” Reiner explained quite accurately and concisely.
Well, I did notice that he gave me quite a lot of credit without misrepresenting what I worked on. My eyes wandered to King to see his reaction. King didn’t seem impressed or anything, but he did nod his head once.
“The project can go ahead. I expect an update on the pilot in three month’s time,” King stated before waving his hand to dismiss us.
“Thank you very much…” I thanked him softly.
We both turned to head towards the exit before King spoke up again behind us.
“You can go on ahead, Knight. I want to talk to Natalia…” King said, and I froze in place.
My relief was so short-lived that I was shocked. I had thought that everything was over and done with but now King wanted to talk to me…and alone too!
“Noted,” Reiner said before he turned to nod firmly at me.
I wanted to scream and tell him not to leave me here all alone, but I knew that that wasn’t an option. It was time that I learnt to face King on my own. Like it or not, he’s my father-in-law now and it would be that way until he passed away because there was no way that I could break up with Reiner.
Reiner left and I was left alone with King in the large auditorium. Suddenly, it felt very cold in there and my nose and lips started to go numb. Simply because I didn’t know what I should do, I walked back to stand where I was standing when I was presenting to him.
“Come and sit down here,” King said as he pointed a finger to the seat right next to where he was seated.
Isn’t that a little too close for my comfort?
I plastered a polite smile on my face as I made my way to the seat and sat down on it. King turned to look at my face and I was forced to meet his gaze. Surprisingly, his blue eyes held no animosity and he seemed to be looking at me honestly.
“Don’t act so stiff around me. It makes me feel bad…” King said before letting out a sigh.
“I’ll try my best…” I replied with the first thing that I could think of.
“You’re funny…and quite honest. I think I can see why my son is very fond of you,” King said with a small nod of his head.
I felt tongue tied and very surprised at the direction that this conversation was taking. It was all very new for me, I had never seen King talk this casually before. For a moment, he seemed like a normal man who perhaps had a little bit more to worry than the rest of us.
“I’m very happy that you think that way,” I replied with a hopeful smile.
“Knight chose to marry you. That is that. Did he tell you that on this island people are not required to get their parent’s consent to get married? Not legally and not by practice,” King asked as he stared at me.
“Yes, he did…” I replied truthfully as I wondered where this was going to lead.
“I made that rule. I didn’t think that parents should have a say who their child decides to marry, and I still feel the same way. With that being said, I want you to know that I fully respect the decision that Knight has made,” King said, and I could tell that he was being serious.
I was simply speechless.
“I’m not overjoyed that he had chosen you and I am not disappointed either. What matters to me is how well you will fulfill your role now that you are his wife. You’re smart, your logic isn’t bad, you’re beautiful and you seem to love Knight a lot. I trust in my son’s judgement a lot because I was the one who raised him,” King said as he seemed to appraise me at the same time.
“Thank you…I guess…” I replied softly.
“It’s just as I told you the other day. Welcome to the family, Natalia. This family is this company. I am now the head of the family and the head of this company. Hopefully soon, I can retire and pass the position to Knight and to you. That’s right. Being part of this family comes with a long list of responsibilities,” King said before his eyes rested sternly on my face.
“I realized that…” I replied truthfully.
I’ve heard King say it more than enough times already and I’ve also observed it firsthand on all the work that Queen does even at her age. I can only imagine what she’s worked on to get to where she is today. There is no such thing as a free meal here which was probably the way that the world was supposed to turn.
“Good. You did well on your project with Knight. What do you want to do next regarding your career?” King asked and I could tell that he was slightly curious.
“I can do anything. I’m willing to do anything. I might not be very experienced about this…umm…industry but I believe that I can learn. So, I would appreciate any opportunity that you throw at me…” I replied enthusiastically.
“I see. You might not have Knight’s support on your next project,” King said as his eyes narrowed slightly at me.
“That’s fine. I’ll try to work more independently,” I replied, unfazed by his words.
I never expected that Reiner would be with me every step of the way of my career anyways. That was just unrealistic. He had things that he needed to do, and I had things that I had to achieve on my own to prove myself too.
“Good. Then onto the next topic,” King said, and he seemed quite satisfied with my response.
“Ok…” I mumbled softly as I wondered what else he wanted to talk to me about.
“When do you plan on having Knight’s children?” King asked straight forwardly.
–To be continued…