The discussion shifted. Instead of entrenched positions, they began problem-solving together. By the end of the afternoon, they’d outlined a treaty framework that satisfied all three kingdoms including shared resources, mutual benefits, and collaborative enforcement.
As delegates filed out, Queen Valdis stopped beside Finn. “Lord Castellan mentioned you suggested the resource management approach.”
Finn felt his stomach tighten.Shit.He had overstepped and interfered in a negotiation that wasn’t his responsibility. “I apologize if I…”
“Don’t apologize.” She cut him off. “Your refreshingly direct approach cut through hours of pointless posturing. If you see similar opportunities to inject common sense into political theater, I encourage you to continue.”
She swept out before Finn could respond, but clearly what he’d done had been noticed. Over the next two days, Finn could see a real shift in how delegates interacted with him. They still came to him about the logistical side of things - room arrangements, schedule adjustments, dietary requirements. But increasingly, they sought him out for other reasons as well.
A delegate from the Eastern Provinces vented frustration about trade negotiations bogged down in tariff complications. Finn listened and asked a simple question: “What goods are you actually trying to move, and what’s the real barrier?” The answer led to a breakthrough. It turns out the tariff structure was the problem, not the solution. Simplifying it served everyone’s interests better than maintaining complicated controls.
Two kingdoms arguing over border patrol protocols found themselves at an impasse over formal language and historical grievances. Finn, reviewing the conference room during their break, heard one delegate complain that the real issue was confusion about jurisdiction when incidents occurred near the border. “So agree on who handles what type of incident,” Finn suggested. “Ignore everything else.” The framework they developed from that conversation resolved disputes that had been festering for years.
Finn wasn’t being diplomatic. He already knew from his first days in the castle that he had no training for that. But he could act as a translator. Political language obscured practical concerns, and Finn spoke “practical” fluently. When delegates talked to him, they dropped their own need to be seen as perfectand discussed actual problems. Finn helped them see past their own formal positions to the real issues underneath.
Queen Cressida sought him out on the sixth day, finding him in the gardens reviewing the setup for that evening’s reception.
“I have a favor to ask.” She settled on the bench beside him. “The grain export discussions with the Southern Territories aren’t progressing. We’re arguing about transportation routes and storage requirements, but I suspect the real issue is something neither party wants to admit directly.”
Finn glanced at the friendly queen and smiled. “You want me to talk to the Southern Territories delegation?”
“If you’re willing. Their lead negotiator is Lord Haverson. He’s practical-minded, but he seems trapped in diplomatic protocols. You might be able to help him articulate what he actually needs.”
Finn found Lord Haverson that afternoon, during the scheduled break between sessions. The man looked exhausted, papers spread across his workspace in the castle’s library.
“Your Majesty.” Haverson stood, bowing slightly. “How can I help you?”
“I’m not here for help. I’m here because Queen Cressida mentioned you’re stuck on grain exports.” Finn stayed casual, leaning against the bookshelf rather than sitting formally. “What’s the actual problem?”
Haverson blinked. “Theactualproblem?”
“Yes. Under all the transportation route arguments and storage requirement discussions. What’s really stopping the agreement?”
The man was silent for a long moment, then sighed. “Our infrastructure is outdated. The routes Queen Cressida proposes are more efficient, but our current facilities can’t handle thevolume. We’d need significant upgrades before we can commit to her export levels.”
“So why not just tell her that?” There were times when Finn wondered if anyone spoke honestly anymore.
“Because admitting infrastructure inadequacy makes us look weak and incompetent.” Haverson rubbed his face. “The Southern Territories can’t appear to be behind other kingdoms in development and resources.”
Finn understood that concern to a point. He’d spent months terrified of appearing incompetent himself. “What if you framed the whole thing as an opportunity instead of a weakness? Suggest that you’re willing to make infrastructure investments if the grain export agreement justifies them. That’s not inadequacy, that’s smart business planning.”
Haverson stared at him. “That’s...actually brilliant. If we position the infrastructure upgrades as conditional on the agreement terms, we’re negotiating from strength rather than admitting limitation.”
“And Queen Cressida gets what she wants, which is reliable export routes and proper storage. You both win.”
The grain export agreement was finalized the following day, with infrastructure development explicitly built into the treaty terms. Queen Cressida thanked Finn privately, her smile warm. “You’ve missed your calling. You should be mediating disputes professionally.”
“I don’t mediate,” Finn protested. “I just ask obvious questions.”
“Sometimes obvious questions are exactly what’s needed.”
/~/~/~/~/
The representatives from the Northern Collective - the trading partnership that had threatened to boycott Safe Harbor - hadbeen attending summit sessions and social events throughout the week. Finn noticed them watching everything closely, and he mentally dared any of them to find fault with the summit so far.
The logistics were running smoothly, the authentic cultural presentations were proving a hit among the guests, and the effective partnership between himself and Darragh showed they were solid as a couple and could be respected. Above all, the respect other delegates showed in what was going on had to be obvious.
On the seventh day, they approached Darragh privately. Finn learned about it that evening in their chambers, when Darragh swept him into an enthusiastic embrace.
