Chapter 27
“I apologize once again for what happened today. You said it was okay, but I will make sure to make amends in some way, Your Imperial Highness.”
Khalid retracted his gaze and opened his mouth with a serious expression. Renato said he was okay because it happened often, but Khalid thought he was lucky.
Military-trained dogs were different from normal dogs in every way. If an accident had happened, Renato would not have been able to sit like this in front of him now.
For a moment, the image of Renato who collapsed and was covered in blood flashed across Khalid’s mind. Because of that horrific sight, his neat forehead frowned, and one of his eyes contorted.
“If you feel sorry, will you accept the offer I gave you the other day?”
Feeling the heavy air, Renato deliberately brought the story up playfully to lighten the mood.
“About that……”
“It was a joke. I can’t ask for that kind of thing.”
Renato smiled reassuringly when Khalid looked perplexed. But unlike his smiling face, his insides were burning. His round fingertips fiddled with the soft cardigan’s sleeves to relieve his anxiety.
“However, there were many things that I couldn’t say properly last time because I was in a hurry. Actually, I didn’t intend to make an offer that day.”
“Uhm?”
“But different from my original intention, I was impatient when thinking I might have to step down from the position of a protocol officer, so I was rude. It’s late now, but I apologize for that.”
Hearing Renato’s words, Khalid naturally thought of Maximo. That day, Renato lost his composure after talking to Maximo. When he suddenly proposed, Khalid also certainly felt as if Renato was chased by something.
“Aside from the apology, if you are okay with it, I would like to make a proper offer this time, your highness. I’ll tell you what I couldn’t explain before.”
After finishing his words, Renato looked at Khalid. He wanted to be confident, but he had no choice because he didn’t have the upper hand.
‘My apologies, but I’ll pretend I didn’t hear your suggestion, Your Imperial Highness. I don’t think this is something I can handle.’
What if I get rejected again this time?
A shadow cast over his violet-colored eyes when he recalled the moment of being rejected by Khalid. He enthusiastically told Louis that there is no tree that won’t fall if you chop it ten times, but in reality, he was going crazy with nervousness.
I thought I was used to someone rejecting me.
A bitter smile appeared on his slightly curled lips. When he brooded over it again, it was the first time he was rejected by Khalid. For the man was always the first to reach out to him.
“……”
Khalid remained silent for quite some time again. He still had no intention of accepting Renato’s offer. However, it was difficult for him to refuse immediately like last time.
Was he feeling guilty about what happened a while ago? Or because of another reason?
Khalid wondered why he was hesitating, not being able to refuse right away. He glanced at Renato, who was waiting for an answer with his eyes closed like a prisoner awaiting his sentence.
Then, he paused when seeing the fingers exposed under the cardigan sleeves fiddling nervously. Now, he could see a small scratch on the white finger. His red eyes wavered when he noticed a red line on that finger, perhaps caused by a grass leaf’s cut.
Nasir was disappointed that he had not listened properly before rejecting, and he personally had questions regarding that as well, so maybe he should listen to the specific story before rejecting the offer.
Feeling his heart waver, Khalid slowly moved his lips, struggling to rationalize his action.
“All right.”
“Pardon?”
Wondering if the answer would be a rejection this time as well, Renato was surprised when Khalid agreed to listen to his story, contrary to expectations.
“At that time, you said that in return for the marriage, you would give me an ice-free port and plain, and also reduce my political burden, Your Imperial Highness. I would like to hear that in detail.”
“T, thank you very much.”
“It’s too early to thank me. I’m saying I want to listen to the details, not accept the offer. Please do not misunderstand this part.”
“Of course.”
Renato’s round head vigorously nodded. His beautiful cheeks were dyed a ripe peach color. Renato looked at Khalid with a slightly flushed face.
“I am grateful enough that you listen to me without driving me out right away. Ah, I have prepared something for you.”
Renato faintly smiled and took a paper out of his bag. Receiving a document with the Emperor’s seal, Khalid’s eyes slightly widened. What he had in hand was a letter of territory appointment.
“Appointment of Renato El Fleurette as the owner of Esteban territory?”
“It is the territory that His Majesty the Emperor bestowed upon me at my coming-of-age ceremony. In the territory, there is the Perus Plain, one of the four major granary areas of the Empire, and the Iris River that connects to the sea.”
“I know about that.”
Khalid lightly nodded. Esteban territory was the largest city in the northwestern border region of the Empire and was quite close to the Khan Kingdom. The shorter the distance traveled in winter, the less the damage would be, so most merchants in the Khan Kingdom traded with the Esteban territory.
So he felt even more surprised. Even if there was a risk of invasion because it was close to the border, considering the value and potential of the territory, it was too valuable for Renato, who was disregarded as a sidekick Prince, to receive.
Either the Emperor cared more for Renato than people thought, or the power of the Medus family was greater than they thought.
If it was the latter case, the Medus family would have used the 1st Prince as an arrowhead to obtain the golden land. However, seeing that Renato was able to freely exercise the right to the territory and use it as a trading tool, it fortunately seemed to be the former case.
“Currently, a proxy from the imperial family is acting as the deputy lord, but when I turn 25 or marry someone, I will be granted an Archduke title and will formally rule the place.”
“This must be the plain and ice-free port you mentioned before, Your Imperial Highness.”
“That’s right. If your highness marries me, I will give you half of the rights to the territory. Half of the production from the Perus Plain will be yours. Whether you give it to the kingdom for free or sell it to the merchant guilds to earn profits, I will not interfere.”
“……”
“In addition, once they have permits, the Khan Kingdom’s merchant guilds will be granted unrestricted access to the port within the territory, as long as they do not commit a crime.”
Khalid was a little surprised when he saw Renato talk eloquently. His words were logical and clear. He could feel long-time contemplation and preparation from each word.
“These two conditions will not disappear even if you divorce me three years later. I will leave a document saying that I will pay those rights as alimony.”
Did I say it properly? After speaking, Renato took a deep breath. His heart was pounding, perhaps because he spoke non-stop or because he was too nervous.
“How about your last offer? From what you said last time, you seem to know my situation well……”
Putting down the paper in his hand, Khalid asked what he was most curious about.
“I don’t know it for sure, but I just guessed from the information I picked up here and there.”
It was an expected question, so Renato calmly answered without panic. Khalid then raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“You guessed it all by yourself, Your Imperial Highness?”
“Yes. However, I cannot tell you the source of the information. I ask for your understanding.”
Let’s not hesitate or show nervousness. Renato put strength to his lips to make a confident expression. At times like this, it was also necessary to moderately bluff.
“I guessed that there is a force within the Khan Kingdom that uses you to shake Her Majesty the Queen, and that both of you are under pressure because of this. I think this is also the reason why you have been appointed as the diplomatic ambassador this time, your highness. Am I wrong?”
It was in his previous life that Renato became aware of the subtle enmity between Khalid and Maryam. He heard about it from Khalid who agreed to help him with his asylum at the time. Renato appropriately modified it within his ability.
“……It seems like I can’t deny it.”
It was useless to lie to someone who already knew the circumstances. Khalid affirmed Renato’s words and raised his evaluation of Renato in his mind.
“It is true that there is a strange atmosphere between me and Her Majesty recently. To be more exact, noonim has changed her mind. She seems to feel that I am a threat to her throne.”
Explaining the situation, Khalid’s voice gradually became lower. He let out a heavy sigh.
“But I have no desire for the throne. I just want to live as Her Majesty’s sword, both in the past and now.”
Khalid retracted his gaze and opened his mouth with a serious expression. Renato said he was okay because it happened often, but Khalid thought he was lucky.
Military-trained dogs were different from normal dogs in every way. If an accident had happened, Renato would not have been able to sit like this in front of him now.
For a moment, the image of Renato who collapsed and was covered in blood flashed across Khalid’s mind. Because of that horrific sight, his neat forehead frowned, and one of his eyes contorted.
“If you feel sorry, will you accept the offer I gave you the other day?”
Feeling the heavy air, Renato deliberately brought the story up playfully to lighten the mood.
“About that……”
“It was a joke. I can’t ask for that kind of thing.”
Renato smiled reassuringly when Khalid looked perplexed. But unlike his smiling face, his insides were burning. His round fingertips fiddled with the soft cardigan’s sleeves to relieve his anxiety.
“However, there were many things that I couldn’t say properly last time because I was in a hurry. Actually, I didn’t intend to make an offer that day.”
“Uhm?”
“But different from my original intention, I was impatient when thinking I might have to step down from the position of a protocol officer, so I was rude. It’s late now, but I apologize for that.”
Hearing Renato’s words, Khalid naturally thought of Maximo. That day, Renato lost his composure after talking to Maximo. When he suddenly proposed, Khalid also certainly felt as if Renato was chased by something.
“Aside from the apology, if you are okay with it, I would like to make a proper offer this time, your highness. I’ll tell you what I couldn’t explain before.”
After finishing his words, Renato looked at Khalid. He wanted to be confident, but he had no choice because he didn’t have the upper hand.
‘My apologies, but I’ll pretend I didn’t hear your suggestion, Your Imperial Highness. I don’t think this is something I can handle.’
What if I get rejected again this time?
A shadow cast over his violet-colored eyes when he recalled the moment of being rejected by Khalid. He enthusiastically told Louis that there is no tree that won’t fall if you chop it ten times, but in reality, he was going crazy with nervousness.
I thought I was used to someone rejecting me.
A bitter smile appeared on his slightly curled lips. When he brooded over it again, it was the first time he was rejected by Khalid. For the man was always the first to reach out to him.
“……”
Khalid remained silent for quite some time again. He still had no intention of accepting Renato’s offer. However, it was difficult for him to refuse immediately like last time.
Was he feeling guilty about what happened a while ago? Or because of another reason?
Khalid wondered why he was hesitating, not being able to refuse right away. He glanced at Renato, who was waiting for an answer with his eyes closed like a prisoner awaiting his sentence.
Then, he paused when seeing the fingers exposed under the cardigan sleeves fiddling nervously. Now, he could see a small scratch on the white finger. His red eyes wavered when he noticed a red line on that finger, perhaps caused by a grass leaf’s cut.
Nasir was disappointed that he had not listened properly before rejecting, and he personally had questions regarding that as well, so maybe he should listen to the specific story before rejecting the offer.
Feeling his heart waver, Khalid slowly moved his lips, struggling to rationalize his action.
“All right.”
“Pardon?”
Wondering if the answer would be a rejection this time as well, Renato was surprised when Khalid agreed to listen to his story, contrary to expectations.
“At that time, you said that in return for the marriage, you would give me an ice-free port and plain, and also reduce my political burden, Your Imperial Highness. I would like to hear that in detail.”
“T, thank you very much.”
“It’s too early to thank me. I’m saying I want to listen to the details, not accept the offer. Please do not misunderstand this part.”
“Of course.”
Renato’s round head vigorously nodded. His beautiful cheeks were dyed a ripe peach color. Renato looked at Khalid with a slightly flushed face.
“I am grateful enough that you listen to me without driving me out right away. Ah, I have prepared something for you.”
Renato faintly smiled and took a paper out of his bag. Receiving a document with the Emperor’s seal, Khalid’s eyes slightly widened. What he had in hand was a letter of territory appointment.
“Appointment of Renato El Fleurette as the owner of Esteban territory?”
“It is the territory that His Majesty the Emperor bestowed upon me at my coming-of-age ceremony. In the territory, there is the Perus Plain, one of the four major granary areas of the Empire, and the Iris River that connects to the sea.”
“I know about that.”
Khalid lightly nodded. Esteban territory was the largest city in the northwestern border region of the Empire and was quite close to the Khan Kingdom. The shorter the distance traveled in winter, the less the damage would be, so most merchants in the Khan Kingdom traded with the Esteban territory.
So he felt even more surprised. Even if there was a risk of invasion because it was close to the border, considering the value and potential of the territory, it was too valuable for Renato, who was disregarded as a sidekick Prince, to receive.
Either the Emperor cared more for Renato than people thought, or the power of the Medus family was greater than they thought.
If it was the latter case, the Medus family would have used the 1st Prince as an arrowhead to obtain the golden land. However, seeing that Renato was able to freely exercise the right to the territory and use it as a trading tool, it fortunately seemed to be the former case.
“Currently, a proxy from the imperial family is acting as the deputy lord, but when I turn 25 or marry someone, I will be granted an Archduke title and will formally rule the place.”
“This must be the plain and ice-free port you mentioned before, Your Imperial Highness.”
“That’s right. If your highness marries me, I will give you half of the rights to the territory. Half of the production from the Perus Plain will be yours. Whether you give it to the kingdom for free or sell it to the merchant guilds to earn profits, I will not interfere.”
“……”
“In addition, once they have permits, the Khan Kingdom’s merchant guilds will be granted unrestricted access to the port within the territory, as long as they do not commit a crime.”
Khalid was a little surprised when he saw Renato talk eloquently. His words were logical and clear. He could feel long-time contemplation and preparation from each word.
“These two conditions will not disappear even if you divorce me three years later. I will leave a document saying that I will pay those rights as alimony.”
Did I say it properly? After speaking, Renato took a deep breath. His heart was pounding, perhaps because he spoke non-stop or because he was too nervous.
“How about your last offer? From what you said last time, you seem to know my situation well……”
Putting down the paper in his hand, Khalid asked what he was most curious about.
“I don’t know it for sure, but I just guessed from the information I picked up here and there.”
It was an expected question, so Renato calmly answered without panic. Khalid then raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“You guessed it all by yourself, Your Imperial Highness?”
“Yes. However, I cannot tell you the source of the information. I ask for your understanding.”
Let’s not hesitate or show nervousness. Renato put strength to his lips to make a confident expression. At times like this, it was also necessary to moderately bluff.
“I guessed that there is a force within the Khan Kingdom that uses you to shake Her Majesty the Queen, and that both of you are under pressure because of this. I think this is also the reason why you have been appointed as the diplomatic ambassador this time, your highness. Am I wrong?”
It was in his previous life that Renato became aware of the subtle enmity between Khalid and Maryam. He heard about it from Khalid who agreed to help him with his asylum at the time. Renato appropriately modified it within his ability.
“……It seems like I can’t deny it.”
It was useless to lie to someone who already knew the circumstances. Khalid affirmed Renato’s words and raised his evaluation of Renato in his mind.
“It is true that there is a strange atmosphere between me and Her Majesty recently. To be more exact, noonim has changed her mind. She seems to feel that I am a threat to her throne.”
Explaining the situation, Khalid’s voice gradually became lower. He let out a heavy sigh.
“But I have no desire for the throne. I just want to live as Her Majesty’s sword, both in the past and now.”
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