Chapter 65………………………………………..
Would they really kill us just for being a little late?
My husband Mikrok and I were seated across from the King of Malau at an important negotiation table.
Truthfully, before sitting down, I had assumed they would demand that Princess Shine be taken in as one of Mik’s concubines in exchange for handing over their heat-retaining magic stone processing technology. I had prepared thoroughly so we could refuse such a request while still making the negotiation succeed.
But to my surprise, instead of asking for a concubine position, the Kingdom of Malau requested spears and bows made of golden pine! That was when I realized they too had come to this table with their kingdom’s fate at stake.
When our silence dragged on, the King of Malau spoke again, a bit urgently.
“If providing both spears and bows is too difficult, then at least for the first ten years, we would like you to supply just bows.”
I exchanged another look with Mik, then asked the king directly.
“Could you not transfer the processing technology itself?”
“To use this technology properly, one needs a certain amount of magical power. Without it, even if we tell you, you will not be able to process the stones correctly.”
My brow furrowed slightly. That was never mentioned in Princess Shine’s initial proposal. Before laying down our hand, there was something I needed to make clear.
“You will not ask for anything else besides spears and bows, correct? For instance, a political marriage.”
In other words: don’t change your tune later.
“Of course. The exchange of processed heat-retaining magic stones for spears and bows made of golden pine will be sufficient.”
The King of Malau looked almost excited, as if relieved we had not taken offense at their demand for golden pine.
Hearing such an unexpected condition, my mind raced to find the terms most favorable for Pritan. Once my calculations were complete, I spoke slowly.
“Now it is our turn to propose. Listen carefully before you decide.”
The Malau delegation leaned in, hanging on to every word I said.
“First, the Kingdom of Malau will provide us with 10 tons of processed heat-retaining magic stones each year for the next ten years. The raw stones will be supplied by Pritan.”
“And what will Pritan provide in return?”
“Every year, for ten years, Pritan will supply 30,000 sets of bows and arrows, and 50,000 spears, all made from golden pine. Furthermore—”
I paused deliberately, and the Malau delegation grew tense.
“Within the next three years, Pritan will secure magicians. After that, within seven years, Malau will fully transfer the magic stone processing technology to Pritan. If you promise this, then Pritan will transplant 10,000 golden pine saplings each year onto Malau soil for ten years.”
The Malau delegation looked visibly shaken.
“Are you saying… you truly intend to transplant golden pine into the Kingdom of Malau?”
“That’s right. If the agreement is finalized, within three months we will select three candidate sites in Malau and transplant 1,000 golden pine saplings to test which environment they thrive in best.”
I saw the King of Malau swallow dryly without realizing it. Clearly, our proposal had whetted his appetite.
“With this, the Kingdom of Malau will join Pritan as one of the only holders of golden pine in the northern continent.”
At that, Princess Shine spoke, sounding a bit skeptical.
“What if we fail to complete the transfer of technology within the agreed period? By then, one hundred thousand golden pine saplings will already have taken root in Malau. Wouldn’t that make you uneasy?”
“We would never have come here without that much resolve.”
I answered with an easy smile.
“It takes fifteen years and special care for golden pine to reach the stage where it can be processed. If you do not complete the transfer within the deadline, Pritan will withdraw its caretakers from the transplanted trees, and they will immediately wither.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Mik, who had been sitting silently like a shadow, added one quiet line.
“Also remember that breaking the agreement would be regarded as a declaration of war against Pritan.”
Though calmly and politely spoken, his words carried the clear threat that if the treaty were broken, Pritan’s army would march on Malau—on top of the certain death of the golden pine.
It was a warning to remember the annihilation of the Maon tribe, who once betrayed Pritan, and a declaration that every contingency had already been prepared—so abandon any foolish ideas.
“Pritan has prepared for this negotiation most meticulously.”
Princess Shine muttered, sounding almost exhausted, and glanced at Chancellor Yamal and the King of Malau. Slowly, a smile spread across the king’s face.
“We understand Pritan’s proposal well.”
“Do you need time to deliberate?”
Though I was burning up inside, I asked in a deliberately relaxed tone, wanting to appear as though we were in no rush at all.
“We accept your proposal. Shall we now discuss the details?”
At last, the Kingdom of Malau had accepted our terms.
*
After six long hours of negotiation, I finally returned to my quarters. Millie, who had been waiting anxiously, was the first to rush to me.
“Your Majesty, how did it go? Did the negotiations go well?”
“So-so. The details still need to be worked out by the officials, but we’ve managed to fasten the first button correctly. In fact, we’ve obtained everything we wanted.”
“That’s such a relief after all your hard work~! And what about Prince Mikrok?”
“He stayed behind to talk a bit more with the King of Malau. Millie, could you prepare some hot tea for me?”
“Yes, right away!”
Once Millie left, a wave of exhaustion crashed over me. I sank into the armchair and closed my eyes.
“Lea.”
I don’t know how much time had passed, but when I heard Mik calling my name, I opened my eyes and sat up. I must have dozed off—I hadn’t even noticed him standing before me.
I quietly leaned my head against his chest, and he pulled me snugly into his arms. At last, the tension drained out of me.
“You did well.”
“So did you.”
As he gently patted my back, I smiled faintly with my eyes closed.
“When you first suggested handing over golden pine to Malau, I was truly shocked.”
“You were the one who said there were leftover saplings we had intended to plant in Maon lands. I thought we could relocate them to Malau instead.”
“I had never planned to let golden pine leave Pritan again… but seeing how you persuaded everyone who opposed it, I realize you are a born negotiator.”
“That’s only because you were on my side.”
“And you persuaded me first.”
Mik pressed his lips gently against my forehead, and the praise made me feel even better.
“With heat-retaining stones and food secured, our army won’t have to fight dark dragons on behalf of other kingdoms anymore. I thought it wouldn’t matter if Malau took over that burden.”
Mik lifted me up into his arms and sat in the armchair, so that I ended up sprawled across him. The chair creaked under the extra weight.
As it rocked back and forth pleasantly, I burrowed against his chest like a cat, eyes closed, cheek pressed to his warmth.
He stroked my hair tenderly. Thump-thump—his heartbeat was such a comforting sound. Even with my eyes shut, I could feel his cheek brush against my hair.
“Mik, I wonder if the nobles will resent us for complicating things instead of simply taking in a concubine.”
“Let them resent us. I’ll handle it.”
His steady words and warm touch brought a constant smile to my lips. I realized again that no chair in the world was more comforting than my husband’s arms.
“Now we’ll need to travel across the north to recruit capable magicians…”
There were still many challenges to overcome before we could fully master the magic stone processing technology.
“Leave that to me. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
He whispered sweetly, holding me close.
The gentle rocking of the chair, the slow but powerful beat of his heart, the strong arms supporting me, the tender brush of his lips against my hair—it was all so comforting that I drifted off to sleep. I didn’t even notice when Millie returned, quietly carrying hot tea after knocking softly.
“Shh!”
I never saw Mik raise a finger to his lips, signaling Millie to be quiet.
*
“Your Majesty, shall I tighten your waist a little more?”
Ahead of the dinner banquet hosted by the King of Malau, I was busy dressing with Millie’s help.
At the negotiation table, I had wanted to appear as a shrewd negotiator. Tonight, however, I wanted to shine like a dazzling butterfly of Pritan’s high society. And truthfully, I did want to deal Princess Shine one last blow.
So I boldly chose a black-rose-colored gown, long considered her trademark. Unlike her daringly revealing style, though, mine clung to my figure, emphasizing my lines to the extreme before flaring out below the knees like petals.
“Millie… you’ve tightened it enough already.”
“This dress looks better the tighter it fits. Just a little more.”
“…Fine.”
“Alright, deep breath—one, two, three!!”
“Hff!!”
“There! Perfect now.”
Millie’s eyes sparkled as she adjusted the dress.
Madame Lusso, the royal designer, had added a halter neck tied at the back to give flair to an otherwise bright but somewhat plain design.
From the front it looked demure and elegant, but from the back, it revealed a boldly bare expanse.
“Hm… but Your Majesty.”
“What? Does something look off?”
“Before you put it on, I thought this was a ‘surprise reveal’ dress…”
“Why? Even with such a low back, it’s not sexy?”
I nearly pouted. Honestly, trying to compete with Princess Shine’s voluptuous figure on exposure alone was a losing game. Perhaps I had chosen wrong with such a low-back design, and I regretted it for a moment.
“No, that’s not it. Even though there’s no exposure in front, the way the fabric clings so tightly makes it… well… very, very alluring.”
“Really?”
I checked myself in the full-length mirror, but I couldn’t see much difference. My eyes only lingered on what I lacked—if only I were a bit taller, if only my bust were fuller…
Millie clasped a necklace of purple diamonds around my neck, with matching earrings, and draped a snow-white fur cape over my shoulders. Now I was ready.
Just then, Mik walked in after knocking.
“Lea, are you fin—”
He stopped when our eyes met, his eyebrows arching as his lips curved into a soft smile. I instantly felt relieved.
“Yes, I’m finished. Do I look pretty?”
“Is that even a question?”
He gently took my hand and kissed the back of it.
Unlike me in my crimson gown and white fur, Mik had chosen a black suit. The stark contrast made it clear we would stand out together anywhere.
“As always, you look truly stunning.”
He quietly pulled me into his arms. Before I realized it, his fingers were already tugging at the cape’s clasp. Really—leave him alone for a moment and this happens!
“Mik, stop it!!”
I caught his hands firmly before he could take off the cloak.
“It’s bad enough if you act like this in Pritan, but here, in another country, it’s completely inappropriate. What if we’re late to a banquet hosted personally by the King of Malau?”
“We just signed a new treaty. Do you think they’d kill us for being a little late?”
If I followed his line of extreme logic, my own head would spin.
“If you won’t escort me properly, then I’ll ask Sir Ralph.”
At that, Mik sighed lightly and guided my hand to rest on his arm again. Then he whispered softly.
“Then promise we’ll come back as quickly as possible, alright?”
I couldn’t help laughing. For some reason, seeing this large, imposing man acting so childishly stubborn was endlessly endearing.
