"Ah."
The ssenger from vani flinched at the emperor's words. He quickly regained his composure, however, and continued rattling off about a personal guarantee that the princess was the only woman with golden hair on the entire continent.
"Fine. That's enough," Calix silenced Dashien. "There's still the most important aspect of this so-called deal that we've yet to discuss."
"I think we've already covered what's in this for you," Dashien responded bluntly.
"Yes, yes. A bargaining chip as you say," the emperor smirked. "But the most important aspect of this all is not what's in it for , but what's in it for you?"
Rising from his seat, Calix stepped closer to the vanian man until they were within arm's reach of one another.
"In other words, Dashien," he hissed, "who sent you, and what do they hope to gain from this?"
"I've co of my own accord," Dashien replied in a remarkably calm tone considering the threatening man in front of him. "I'm hoping my deal proves extrely valuable to you."
"Ha. Valuable?" Calix snorted. "How valuable are you talking?"
"Well, it's difficult to put a number on the ans to take over an entire country, but if I had to…" The man trailed off as he reached into his pocket, producing a small piece of parchnt with a number scrawled on it. "I'd say sothing close to this."
Without a word, the emperor snatched the paper and returned to his seat. The hum of murmuring among the council mbers filled the room as Calix contemplated the proposal.
Just how stupid did the king of vani think he was? That old man really sent a kid with horrible acting skills and a clear ulterior motive to offer him sothing like the sole royal heir of an entire country. In the first place, was he supposed to believe this guy was capable of bringing the princess to him without a single person in vani noticing?
What a joke.
Was it money they were after? Then why not ask for a much greater sum?
It was almost as if the king, or whoever had sent the young Sir Dashien, was trying to place a spy in Serin's palace. Royalty is the only rank high enough to be held hostage in the palace instead of a dungeon, so is that why they wanted to send the princess?
Or.. perhaps.. her body double?
Calix didn't dare hope.
Could it possibly be that easy?
"Alright, I'll agree to your deal," he grinned. "This should be fun."
Motioning the courier from earlier over, Calix handed him the paper.
"Give this man double the amount written here," he ordered.
"E-excuse , Sire," Dashien stuttered. "Double?"
"It's like you said. Such a modest amount is hardly worth an entire country," the emperor replied. "That is.. if what you say is true."
"I can assure you it is true, Sire," the man imdiately bowed his head.
"It better be," Calix scoffed. "Or I will kill every single person involved with this trick."
His mood significantly improved by the unexpectedly entertaining exchange, he continued smiling as Ira handed him the eting itinerary once again and ordered soone to take care of Dashien.
"Oh, wait, Your Majesty?" Dashien suddenly turned back toward the emperor, causing his escort to gasp with worry. "There's one more thing I wanted to ask of you."
"Sir, you can't do this," the escort pleaded, tugging on the man's sleeves.
How interesting, Calix thought to himself.
For the first ti since entering the hall, the man from vani was breaking character.
"Let him speak," Calix commanded.
Now, he could finally get a glimpse of the man's true intentions.
"I'd like to request a place to live here in the capital as well," Dashien bravely suggested. "Since I will beco a wanted traitor in my own country after the deal is complete."
Ignoring the protests coming from Ira and several council mbers, the Dragon Emperor nodded.
"I suppose it only makes sense," he agreed. "I happen to possess a spare lodging in the quiet part of the city that you can use."
"Your personal lodging, Sire?!" Ira seethed quietly behind him. "Why would-"
"I look forward to working with you, Dashien," the emperor continued. "Let us et later to discuss the details."
With a barely perceptible look of relief, Dashien bowed graciously and exited the hall.
Amidst the uproar that erupted as soon as the doors closed, Calix grinned devilishly in his seat.
That boy, contrary to the design of whoever sent him, couldn't bear to take his eyes off the hostage he was bringing. To go so far as asking the Dragon Emperor for sanctuary in his city, there had to be sothing between the two of them.
Sothing he could exploit if he needed to.
The rest of negotiations went smoothly, Dashien never again deviating from his carefully rehearsed script, and the date was decided. Since the emperor would soon be taking so of his n to go et an army faction that was due to return from the southwestern borders, they agreed on Dashien bringing the princess at that ti.
"I still don't understand why you're going so far for one princess," Ira groaned as he brought his horse to a trot alongside Calix's. "Even if, by so miracle, that kid is telling the truth, you could easily take vani without a bargaining hostage."
"His Majesty is probably lonely, Ira," Thane argued, pulling up on the other side of Calix. "I wouldn't mind a golden-haired beauty in my life, eith-Ow!"
The knight turned to the emperor with teary eyes as he rubbed the spot near his rump that had just been struck with the emperor's riding crop.
"I thought for sure I was striking a noisy horse," Calix shrugged, spurring his steed into a gallop.
The plan was for his troop to et at the camp of the soldiers currently carrying his prize and all return to the capital together. He didn't realize how much of a challenge it would be to keep his dignity when boyish excitent coursed through his veins at the thought of eting his new hostage.
Which woman would he find under the golden hair? The princess, as Dashien had so resolutely promised to him?
Or Keliyah?
Reviews
All reviews (0)