71 – Negotiation with Jarletia!

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PART 1 – Oil!

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After the welcoming party, Skarla continued to stay in Jarletia, being well looked after with the best food on offer and being treated like a queen. Adehir was sending her various gifts and it was not yet time for lunch.

She's not that kind of woman, but as she needs to use Adehir for her future plans, she doesn't mind receiving his gifts.

“Madid, right? You're in charge of the finances, I remember our meeting.” - Skarla said calmly to the person who was leaving the gifts.

“It's an honor to be remembered by your majesty.” - Madid bowed.

“I wish to have a word alone.” - Skarla said and Madid nodded, waving his hand and they all left. - “To what do I owe the honor?” - He asked, his eyes narrowed.

“I'm someone who is extremely sensitive about intentions directed at me. I don't know if your Khalifa is perverted, naïve or stupid, but somehow he's taken quite an interest in me.” - Skarla said calmly and Madid frowned.

“In fact, you've never seen my Khalifa act like this towards a woman before. He has interacted with futanaris like you, Your Majesty, but you are special in his eyes.” - Madid said calmly.

Skarla sighed. - “I have grandiose plans for the future, among them, I wish to suffocate the empire and other kingdoms using money, until they accept my method of government, turning the entire continent into my method of government.” - She smiled and Madid was surprised.

“A dream full of ambition, but... what does that have to do with an old man like me?” - Madid narrowed his eyes.

“Even if Adehir doesn't appreciate you, it's obvious that you do everything, I've done my research. So nothing happens in this desert without you knowing about it.” - Skarla smiled and Madid was silent.

“I don't want you to cheat, but to listen to my proposal and think of a way to explain it to Khalifa, because when we have the official meeting, I'm going to make my proposals sound grandiose and from the little I've noticed and the way he looks at me, he won't hesitate to agree just to try and make me happy. He's what you'd call a passionate and foolish young man, in the hands of a woman like me, that kind of man doesn't know a good ending.” - Skarla smiled slightly.

“I'm listening.” - Madid closed her eyes and frowned.

“You know the black water spread all over the desert? Which you use as a war tactic?” - Skarla said calmly and Madid nodded. - “Where it came from, it's called oil and it has many uses, at the moment you don't know how to refine it or use its by-products, but I know and I have in my possession the methods to use and profit from this black water, as well as drilling into the ground to get more out of it.”

“What use are we talking about?” - Madid scratched his chin.

“It varies, but understand that oil is a very scarce resource and on our continent, the desert has more than 80% of the known oil wells, there are some in the oceans, but let's not think about that just yet.”

“In the future I have plans to develop land, sea and air vehicles. They will be the assimilation of engineering and magic, where refined oil will serve as fuel.”

“I don't see the profit in it yet. Chariots that walk on land, fly and sail, are you thinking of charging a lot for refined oil?” - Madid scratched his chin.

“You know that Krugar is a nation that's driven by money, it's protected by me, so no one dares to do anything, as a result, we're growing, attracting more investors and the wealth passing through us is not something you can ignore now.” - Skarla smiled and Madid nodded.

“As my cities get bigger, more populous and prosperous, my people will get richer. To put it simply, ignoring the exchange rate part of our currencies, let's use our average civilians as a standard. My citizens earn almost 3 times as much as they really need to live each month, where they can spend 1/3 of that money on their basic needs and 2/3 on leisure, saving and investing for the future, giving their children a better life, or spending it on useless things. As for your people... do they earn enough to eat their fill?” - Skarla teased and Madid remained silent.

“When my allies in the north consolidate their power and fulfill their promise, my method of government will spread to them, the north is almost 5 times bigger than Krugar, its population is 10 to 15 times bigger. When that happens and my plans work out, the wealth in my lands will surpass Jarletia. Of course, this is for the next 10 years, but in less than 2 years, Krugar is already so big, imagine in 10 years?”

“And what does all this have to do with oil? I think you get the idea. But as the land available to move my method of government expands, transportation will become more complex, as a result, more efficient vehicles will be needed, horses? That will be a thing of the past, vehicles that move on their own through magic or some special fuel, that will be the future.” - Skarla smiled broadly.

“Jarletia has the largest oil deposits on the continent, in a few years, you'll be able to perfect the means of collecting and producing oil, then supply it to the whole continent. Imagine not a few dozen or hundred rich and select people, but tens of thousands of civilians using vehicles that need your fuel to move, what an income that would be. And if not just Krugar or the north joined in, but the whole continent. Imagine transporting tens to hundreds of thousands of liters of processed oil every day across the continent, how gigantic would that profit be?” - His smile only widened.

Madid blinked, calculating and being impressed. - “Ordinary people owning carriages that move by themselves? How sure are you about that?” - He swallowed his saliva as he asked.

“Absolutely certain. The purchasing power of my people will be incredible, it's already extremely good, where I'm constantly needing to create new services, businesses and entertainment for my people. I have so much to do and create, but unfortunately I'm only one person.”

“I understand the massive profit that oil will be in the future, the need to have control over it. I could monopolize it, then use my name to buy every oil well in the desert, you don't understand the value of it yet and by the time you realize its value, it would be too late and you couldn't take it from me, unless you wanted to annoy me.” - Skarla smiled. - “But again, I'm just one person, I have 3 daughters and 2 sons to look after, I have hundreds of companies that are under my command, several research centers that need constant supervision, meetings with all kinds of rich, powerful and influential people.”

“I barely have time for my own children, recently my 2nd son, Thron was born, and I didn't have time to attend his birth, which made Gakai, my 6th wife very angry with me. I have an angry dragoness in my ear all the time, her adorable baby dragon who calls me mommy.”

Skarla laughed bitterly. - “Unfortunately, I don't have the time or the manpower to take the treasures of the desert. So, understanding that I can't do everything myself, because I'm only one person and everyone around me is still specializing, I need to make even future rivals or business enemies more capable so that I can benefit, even if I lose. In the end, sacrifices have to be made.”

Madid smiled slightly, Skarla was quite convincing. - “I guess these refining methods won't be free, right?”

“Naturally, nothing is free in this world. I'm going to propose that your Khalifa agrees to implement some methods of government that you have in my lands, you take care of it, try to improve the lives of your people, ending hunger a little and moving all the tons of gold stored in the brat's treasury.”

Madid frowned, but didn't dare point.

“Then implement methods to make Jarletia's currency stronger, accept branches of my banks here and support trade more. The money I get from selling the oil processing methods won't leave your country, but will stay in the banks as insurance.” - Skarla smiled and Madid thought.

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PART 2 – Negotiation!

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A delicious lunch was served, with Adehir sitting next to Skarla to eat, where he constantly tried to make a name for himself with lies and false conquests.

Skarla rolled her eyes at all this nonsense, hating having to talk to a spoiled heir who doesn't even know how to win over a woman without showing his wallet.

And after lunch, Skarla said. - “I think it would be good to start talking about business, because that's what I've been asked to do.”

“Naturally. I'll have everyone called up so we can get started.” - Adehir smiled.

“I don't think that's advisable.” - Madid, who hardly ever intruded, went on. - “From what little I know of Your Majesty Skarla, I believe that the opinions of more intellectual people are preferable, not closed-minded people who think of their own pockets.”

“What do you mean?” - Adehir frowned.

“It's just that many of our advisors are big businessmen, they're loyal to the Khalifa, but their trust can be bought. Skarla must have plans to negotiate to increase the Khalifa's wealth and certainly propose unique things. It would be good not to give these greedy people the opportunity to grab a piece before the Khalifa has control over what will be negotiated and discussed.”

Adehir scratched his chin; what Madid had said was unplanned, but his thoughts were real. The Khalifa is quite naive and spoiled, he knows little about managing his own money and leaves it in the hands of others to increase his wealth.

Skarla's proposals are too grandiose and the value of the oil, if it's what she said, it wouldn't be strange for so much gold to come in that her deposits wouldn't be able to support it all.

“Okay, so who do you suggest we call?” - Adehir scratched his chin.

“I believe that the most loyal and trustworthy should be called, both financially and in terms of military power.” - Madid said.

“Yes, a very good suggestion, do it, you have two hours.” - Adehir said, smiling and proud of his decision and choice.

“I'll do it in 1 hour.” - Madid said.

...

The meeting place was different from the conventional. In a beautiful, luxurious room that had been modified to accommodate a throne for Adehir and seats for those who would be attending this more isolated meeting.

Madid was the one who proposed it. As the throne room is quite large, it's normal for more private conversations to tend to leak out, so it would be better for them to go to a smaller, more secluded place.

There's also the fact that as it's a negotiation, by law Skarla is a guest, even though she's technically a queen, she's still a visitor who has come for business and has to be below the Khalifa.

Using the line that Skarla might be unhappy, he convinced Adehir to change the normal location of the meeting, making the whole event less formal, so that Skarla would be more comfortable.

Adehir agreed and now here we are. A room that has been modified at the last minute, to accommodate everyone, where apart from Adehir, Madid and Skarla, there are 9 other senior people, 5 of them being the main military forces of the nation.

Everyone sat down on the cushions that had been prepared, and in front of them, a small table where drinks and snacks were served.

“Skarla, what do you say we get started?” - Adehir smiled and ate some grapes. He was lying on his side and exposing his body, which was handsome, but not at all attractive to Skarla.

“Thank you for the honor.” - Skarla thanked him, looked calmly at everyone and said. - “My proposal is something that will greatly benefit your country and the Khalifa's coffers. You will be able to turn what you call black water, to the equivalent of its weight in gold!”

“Black water?” - Some military personnel frowned.

“That stinking stuff that only serves to burn our enemies? How do you turn that into gold? It exists elsewhere on the continent, even if we have the largest amount here.” - Adehir said calmly, showing that he wasn't a complete layman.

“I'm glad you mentioned it. But we're not talking about black water in its pure state, but what it can be transformed into. If processed through the correct procedures, it can become even more flammable, and for what I need, it will become the best fuel.” - Skarla smiled.

“Fuel? What for?” someone asked.

“I think you got my present, I asked Madid to bring it so I could explain it better.” - Said Skarla and Madid stood up, bowed to Adehir, then went to the balcony that had a ramp and waved his hand.

It wasn't long before a mechanical carriage was driven up. Adehir smiled. - “I really liked this present, it's beautiful and unique, I wish I could have taken part in the auction and bought the first models.”

“I'm glad you liked my present.” - Skarla smiled and raised her hand towards the carriage. - “I have plans to create vehicles that not only move on the ground, but also in the air and water, they won't be powered by any living creature, but by themselves and all they'll need is fuel and that's what black water, which I call oil, can become.”

“And I have plans to spread the land vehicles all over the continent, making it accessible not only to the rich or noble, but to the common people. Allowing them to move more easily between cities, greatly strengthening trade and information gathering.”

“Now, imagine, you from Jarletia, who own 80% of the oil wells on the entire continent, you're practically going to monopolize that. I have the method and I'm willing to sell it, it will be expensive, but you can afford it.” - Skarla smiled.

“We understand. But how do you plan to get the common people to have such vehicles? Why are you telling us this instead of using this knowledge for your own benefit?” - Madid narrowed his eyes as he asked.

“My people are prosperous and their wealth will only increase. Soon my plans for government will extend to the north, which will prosper alongside me. It would only be a matter of time before the entire north gave in to the progress that would come from my lands. The rest of the continent will see how Krugar and the north are prospering so much, its people having an easy, dignified life full of opportunities for growth. It won't be long before the empire joins in and other nations too.”

“And as Krugar is quite vast, where the North will soon be added to the sum, I will need more efficient methods of transportation, where I will create strong roads throughout the mountains and the North, then provide easy access for vehicles to help move the economy and resources.”

“With easy access to such vehicles, we're not talking about the fuel needs of a few dozen or hundred rich or noble people, but rather thousands to tens of thousands of people over the next 10 to 20 years, having a vehicle and refueling that fuel every few days.”

“Wouldn't it be strange if... let's assume that 1 liter of fuel is equivalent to 1 gold coin. A family with 1 vehicle like that could consume 4 to 6 liters a week, in 1 month, that would be 20 gold coins per family. But that's just for ordinary civilians who will be traveling within their city, visiting stores, work, entertainment venues and so on, but let's focus on merchants who will constantly need dozens of vehicles to transport their things, going to other cities to close deals.”

“Let's say that with 10 vehicles, a merchant would consume 50 to 60 liters of fuel per vehicle in 1 week, which would be 600 gold coins in 1 month, 2400 gold coins, from just one merchant with 10 vehicles. Now imagine not 10 or 20, but a merchant with 100 vehicles, then imagine tens to hundreds of merchants with tens or hundreds of vehicles spread across the continent, mentally consuming tens of thousands in gold coins.”

“Of course, these are broad calculations and do not portray reality. The price of fuel may be higher or lower, fuel consumption per week may be lower or higher, because we are still producing such vehicles. But one thing is certain, refining oil and selling fuel across the continent will be the most lucrative and reliable source of income in the world.” - Skarla smiled as she made her proposal.

“Will we have enough black water?” - Adehir was interested, but doubtful.

“Khalifa, there is a lot more oil underground that needs to be extracted. Certainly it's reserves that can be extracted for decades or centuries, it's hard to predict, but we're certainly talking about many thousands or millions of liters of oil.” - Skarla said calmly.

“And you'll be selling us the means to create ways to collect the oil, then the method to refine it, right?” - Madid asked, narrowing his eyes.

“For 60 million, I'm willing to give you the designs for refineries, drilling rigs and oil-collecting pumps. I'll also provide some of my engineers to receive and educate your inventors. Send a few dozen of them to my house, they will be educated and treated well, in 1 year they will have the knowledge to work on the assembly and construction of these projects. In 3 years, maximum 5 years, you can start producing the fuel and slowly expanding your means of production.”

“In 10 years, you'll have the means of production stabilized, I'll have the production of the vehicles stabilized as well and sending them all over the continent, we'd work together to find good places to install the fuel supply.”

“In 15 to 20 years, the 60 million you pay now will seem like a pittance. Even if I asked for 100 million, it would still be cheap.” - Skarla laughed and looking at Adehir she said. - “I think you can see and understand how lucrative it is to be able to generate a product that you will have control of 80% of its entire production line and distribute throughout the continent. We're not talking millions in gold, but billions!”

“I could cheat you, because at the moment, I'm the only one with this knowledge. I could buy the oil wells, which you have little use for and even see as useless. I could extract it and send it to my house, then produce the fuel and have control over the production and distribution methods. I could take the riches of the desert that belong to you and if you tried to take the land I bought, you would be provoking me and I would retaliate, since the land would be mine. We'd be fighting and making enemies unnecessarily. So I'm showing my sincerity by pointing out the gold mine on your land, which you trample on and think is useless, but which could be the biggest source of income.”

“Khalifa, in your lifetime, if you manage to establish a strong market for oil, think of all the previous Khalifas put together, all the wealth they generated in their lifetimes, they wouldn't measure up to you in terms of wealth, because we're talking about a product that the whole continent will use within 30 years, where I'll only sell the methods of collecting and refining it to you, so it'll be 50 years before other nations start creating imitations, unless you sell for tens or hundreds of millions in gold copies of what I sell you.”

Adehir's eyes shone brightly, he ignored most of what Skarla said, but he knew he could be richer than all the Khalifas who came before him.

“Madid, what do you think?” - He asked.

“If the scale of the value of this product is what Skarla really says it is, then we'll be swimming in gold in the next few years. In 100 years, your wealth, my Khalifa, will surpass the wealth of all the previous Khalifas combined. We're not talking about the time when the biggest gold mine on the continent was found and wars broke out, the Khalifa of that time wouldn't be able to reach your feet.” - With every passing second, Madid thinks how absurd it all is.

The potential of it is unbelievable.

Adehir clenched his fist, wanting to laugh, but held back. - “Sixty million, right?” - He scratched his chin thoughtfully, where Madid signaled for him to wait.

“Your Majesty, I believe that's quite tempting and we certainly have your word about not selling these methods to anyone else, right?” - Madid asked.

“Within this continent, I won't sell the method to anyone else. I have no plans to sell it to other continents, but I believe that in the future, when they see the value of oil, they will try to get the methods for high prices and it won't be good to retain all this knowledge.” - Skarla said calmly.

Madid nodded, realizing that she was seeing too far ahead. - “We understand. But I hope you understand that at the end of it all, it's just guesswork, not everything can go according to plan. So we're willing to buy, but for safety's sake, the 60 million can't leave the desert.”

Skarla frowned, Adehir looked confused, but let Madid continue talking.

“What do you suggest?” - Skarla asked.

“Your proposal is great, it made even the heart of this old man, who thought he no longer had such ambitions, beat with strength. I was convinced and I'd certainly put all my money on it, but... the Khalifa is no fool and he can't gamble his money like that. So what do you think about setting up your banks in our cities? The money will serve as a guarantee and if you don't make as much profit as you said you would, we'll get our money back.” - Said Madid, who looked at Adehir for confirmation.

Adehir frowned, but nodded.

“I can agree to that, but having 60 million in gold that I can't use is worrying. So I will only agree to one option, if the Khalifa is willing to accept my country's laws here, I don't want him to change his laws and government, but to copy some to help with future negotiations and trade. The gold will serve as collateral and help move my Kru.”

Madid scratched his chin and made signs to approach Adehir, then went to his ear and said that if they agreed to this, not only would more money flow through the cities, which would be the money in Skarla's pockets, where gains and losses would be down to her, but her people would prosper, Jarletia's currency would appreciate and best of all, the empire would be affected.

Knowing that the Empire could be affected if Krugar's policies came to their lands, Adehir was tempted. - “Okay, I agree, but Madid and my other advisors will filter the laws and I'll decide which will enter my kingdom or not.”

“I'm not against it.” - Skarla said, smiling.

Adehir looked at the soldiers who were standing still and motioned for them to stand up. - “Antu, I want you and the other generals to secure all the oil-water wells in my lands. Have total control over them and anyone who refuses to give in, treat it as treason.”

“Consider it done!” - Antu thumped his chest and the other generals did the same.

Smiling, Adehir sat down and said. - “I don't want any information about what's been said here to get out. If I find out that anyone has leaked information, you can be sure that I'll have your heads impaled on stakes, along with your entire family!”

Everyone swallowed their saliva on hearing such a threat. - “As you seem to have understood, you are dismissed.”

......

Skarla stayed for dinner, where Adehir continued his extravagance. Adehir tried to get her to spend the night, but Skarla refused, saying that she had a lot of work to do and the almost two days she had been away must have accumulated a huge pile of work.

Adehir looked sad, but having listened to Madid's suggestion, he sent Nayara to accompany Skarla. - “Treat her as a gift, a reliable warrior, both on the battlefield and in bed.”

“I thank you and will accept her with pleasure.” - Skarla knew she couldn't refuse, it was also an agreement with Madid to receive his daughter, so that he would facilitate the whole process and ignore certain points.

In this way, Skarla acquired a 37-year-old woman of Level 16. She is strong and talented, and after receiving the proper training, she will become a reliable bodyguard.

Soon she and Nayara entered the teleportation matrix and in moments they were moved to the mountains.

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PART 3 – Return & …

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After her visit to Jarletia, Skarla returned home at dinner time. Soldiers came to greet her, performing military salutes.

“Abigail, right?” - Skarla pointed to a female captain of the guard, who got into position and confirmed it.

“This is Nayara, have someone guide her to the outer building. Nayara, find an unoccupied room, they'll explain the details, we'll talk tomorrow.” - Skarla said calmly and was already moving forward without waiting for any answers.

...

Skarla arrived at her large mansion, which is still undergoing all kinds of renovations and expansions, but the main building is already 70% complete, and just needs a few touch-ups.

Just as she was about to walk through the door, it opened and a group of children jumped out at her. A wide, happy smile formed on Skarla's face as she knelt down and opened her arms to welcome five children who shouted: Mommy!

“Ah, my little cuties, you've come to welcome Mommy. I couldn't ask for anything better.” - Skarla happily hugged them and lifted them off the ground, wrapping her arms around them with energy that emulates telekinesis.

Her children were flying around her, laughing happily as they hung from her body. Skarla walking happily while carrying her youngest, Thron Verona, the son she had with Gakai.

Unfortunately she was busy with a lot of work at the time and couldn't get back in time. Normally she would have dropped everything to attend the birth of her children, but she couldn't make it, which left Gakai feeling rather resentful.

Letiphia arrived, clutching the fat little girl flying through the air, Belisandre. - “I see the negotiation went well, I even brought a toy.” - Letiphia scoffed.

“Politics is annoying.” - Skarla said and then took her soft lips, slapping her on the butt and Belisandre flew out of her arms.

Skarla was letting her children fly around, while she welcomed Viper into her embrace and kiss. The children in the air made sounds of disgust.

Smiling, Viper patted her breast twice before leaving her embrace.

Ilyria and Talya were soon enveloped in his embrace, having their soft lips taken. Talya as always being aggressive and passionate.

A cross-armed Gakai was soon her target, standing in front of her and looking into her eyes. Gakai didn't take the initiative, she just stared at her. Skarla smiled and stole her lips, giving her a firm slap on the buttocks to try and relax her a little.

Then she looked around for Calah. - “Where's my fruit of the sea?” - She asked, smiling.

At her question, everyone's gaze changed, Skarla frowned and spread her senses, then handed her children to their respective mothers and took off, disappearing in a moment.

It didn't take her long to get to the underground area, where the best laboratory in all of Krugar is located. When she arrived, she ran into Calah, who noticed her but ignored her and continued working.

Skarla noticed how tired she was, but she didn't seem to mind. Next to the pile of products, she just continued mixing, an empty look on her face.

Skarla felt and shuddered, her eyes reddening, she stepped forward and wrapped Calah in a tight hug.

“I need to work, come back later.” - Calah said, moving her arms.

Skarla grabbed her arms, making her let go, Calah struggled, but she was weak, her arms trembled and in the end she let go. - “I need to work... I need to...” - Her voice trembled as she tried.

Skarla pulled back and sat on the floor, wrapping Calah in a tight hug, her repeating herself and tears escaping uncontrollably. - “I lost... I lost...” - Calah broke down, clutching her arms and shrinking away.

Her cry echoing throughout the laboratory.

“It's not your fault, my love.” - Skarla kissed his head.

“YES! IT'S MY FAULT!” - Calah screamed hysterically. - “The potions I took, the modifications to my body. It killed our son! I killed him!”

“No, you didn't kill him. You're not someone who would do that.” - Skarla hugged him tighter and Calah struggled more vehemently, not accepting her consolation.

Calah had consumed many potions throughout her life, altering her body and causing her difficulties in getting pregnant. It was difficult even for Skarla and all her control, as well as her strong seeds, to get Calah pregnant.

Finally she got her pregnant, but...

“My love, accidents happen and we have no control over any of it. You're not to blame, there's no one we can blame but bad luck.” - Skarla tried, even while crying and screaming.

“Am I being punished? What have I done? Why only me?” - Calah collapsed and Skarla's jaw clenched, veins popping.

“We have no control over this. We can only grieve, I'm here and I won't leave your side. We have to face it together.” - Skarla was in pain.

“STOP TALKING! YOU LIE! YOU HAVE SEVERAL!” - Calah roared. - “I'm just another slut you got pregnant. Just one lost child, you can make others, many others.” - She fiercely raised her head and froze.

Her eyes were red, her tears streaming, the pain in her countenance unwavering. Calah's jaw dropped, her body shuddered and she saw a smile on Skarla's face, it was gentle and full of sadness.

Calah couldn't think, she couldn't speak, she just cried, loudly.

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PART 4 – Advice!

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Skarla was flying in the sky with her legs crossed in the lotus position. She's been like this for almost a week.

She hasn't moved an inch, hasn't eaten or drunk anything. She's just stood in the air, gazing at the sky, saying nothing and showing no reaction.

“I think it's time to go back, your family misses you.” - A gentle voice sounded, a pale figure sat in front of her, horns pointing to the sky. Sueika stood in front of him.

“Go back to your den of evil.” - Skarla said coldly.

“It's hard to appreciate my den of evil when looking at you in this state hurts.” - Sueika smiled gently.

“Leave me alone with my grief.” - Skarla closed her eyes.

“I know that for you, eating, drinking or sleeping is irrelevant, but you're still a mortal and everyone below sees you that way. You can treat me like a bitch, I never said I wasn't, but the people below, your children, their wives and the mother who lost the baby, are worried about you. They need you, tens of thousands of people need you.”

“Don't act like you care. You're just playing games to manipulate me and get more techniques out of me.” - Skarla snorted.

“In fact, I'm quite selfish and you acting so pathetically and unattractively makes it difficult for me to fulfill my selfish desires.” - Sueika laughed. - “You've lost a son, a shame, but that's life, just move on now. I've lived for millions of years and I know what you're feeling.”

“You don't know.” - Skarla said coldly, looking her in the eye. - “You've been a demon since birth, absorbing people's evil and lust, devouring their memories and experiences to try to fill the void of your miserable existence that is without love, pain, sadness or hate. Just an empty aberration that imitates such feelings. You've lived for so long, I've lived for about 100 years, experienced childhood and puberty 3 times.”

“I've died twice, lost a lot, gained a lot. You don't understand, because you've never had anything to really care about or be attached to. The feelings you have are copies of your victims that you've tormented for millennia and that's what you are. Don't tell me you understand what I'm feeling, you have no right to.” - Skarla touched her thigh and slowly stood up.

“I don't know how you got here or for what reason, but go back to your meaningless palace, masturbate, play with whatever twisted souls you've collected from the worlds you've conquered. You won't score any points with me.” - Skarla turned her back, because the last thing she wanted to hear was a demon saying that he understood her pain.

Sueika remained silent, without reaction, then her body fragmented and she disappeared, returning to her throne, blinking. For the first time in her life, she was having an existential crisis.

......

Skarla noticed that she was being too selfish, she had lost track of time. It took an even more selfish demon to make her realize this. It was frustrating, so she stopped her mourning and went to look after her family.

In the end, mourning comes with acceptance. She won't accept what happened by isolating herself.

With a smile on her face, she hugged her children tightly, then accompanied them for a meal, Skarla making her adorable children feed her, because Mama was starving.

She accompanied Calah, not saying anything, just hugging her and taking her to visit the sites.

She went back to work, but received a warning from Letiphia.

“When I lost my last child to my ex-husband, I withdrew from everything and everyone, focused on my work and ignored my children. I missed important moments and couldn't give them the love they deserved. Many of my children grew up without the love of their parents, becoming cold, distant and ambitious, putting ambition before family. Don't drown yourself in work or push others away.” - Letiphia had pain in her eyes as she spoke.

Smiling, Skarla stroked her head, kissed her forehead and said. - “I'll take your advice.”

...

Days later!

Skarla was doing some paperwork, until the balcony door to her office opened. She didn't have to look to know who it was.

“You look awful.” - Skarla said calmly.

“I'm rotting, that's normal.” - Shunam's hoarse voice rang out.

“Tired of trying to do things yourself?” - Skarla snorted.

“I found him, but he had too many strong guards. I couldn't kill him and... I think I screwed everything up.” - Shunam fell to his knees and caught his breath.

Skarla stood up, finding Shunam covered in bruises and bandages, which were smeared with blood and a gooey green liquid.

Touching her shoulder, Skarla assessed her body and eased the pain. - “Four months, that's how long you have before you die.”

Shunam bit his lip when he heard that.

Skarla coldly said - “Go to my wife Calah, she'll find a way to patch you up. Then come back to me and let's put an end to this matter once and for all.”

Growling, Shunam stood up and jumped off the balcony.

Looking down at the ground, Skarla waved her hand, pushing some of the gore and blood away. - “God... that's going to stain.” - She grunted and ripped up the carpet, calling someone telepathically, a servant entered.

“Send someone to change the carpet, the last one's ruined.” - She said.

“Yes ma'am. Anything else?” - The servant bowed as she asked.

“Bring me a mug of coffee.” - Skarla waved her hand and the servant stepped back.

Sighing, Skarla looked up at the sky for a while until the servant returned, she took the mug, sat down and went back to work.