Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 489. Trade Meeting II
A fair exchange.
Tea and silk for steel and salt.
Herbs and potions for secure trade routes.
The Chancellor spoke enthusiastically.
"With proper tariffs and cooperative caravans, both kingdoms could see a twenty percent increase in annual revenue."
Seraphine shifted slightly.
She had not spoken yet.
Her presence filled the room differently.
Heavy.
Calculated.
Her gaze drifted from the map to Angel.
Younger.
More composed than Darius.
Power radiated from him without effort.
She studied the line of his jaw. The steadiness in his posture. The way he listened more than he spoke.
Control like that was rare.
It would be… useful.
If guided properly.
But Rose sat beside him.
Calm.
Observant.
That woman.
A political prisoner turned queen.
Seraphine's lips curved faintly.
Rose would be the obstacle.
Not Angel.
Angel would be easier.
Ambition, reputation, expansion.
All kings had vulnerabilities.
The Chancellor continued speaking.
"We could also explore joint military exercises. Symbolic cooperation."
Angel's eyes flicked briefly toward Seraphine.
"And mutual defense agreements," he added.
The Chancellor hesitated slightly.
"Pontus has historically preferred internal control."
Meaning Darius disliked sharing military spotlight.
Angel nodded slowly.
"Understandable."
Rose spoke gently.
"Trade first. Military cooperation later."
The Chancellor seemed relieved.
"Yes. Of course."
Seraphine finally spoke.
Her voice smooth as silk.
"And how does Euphorion ensure… loyalty within its ranks?"
The room quieted slightly.
Angel looked at her directly.
"We cultivate competence," he replied evenly.
No flinch.
No shift.
Seraphine smiled faintly.
"And obedience?"
Angel's expression did not change.
"We prefer trust."
The word hung in the air.
Seraphine's eyes gleamed briefly.
Trust was fragile.
Easy to fracture.
Rose placed a hand lightly over one of the documents.
"Stability benefits both kingdoms," she said calmly. "There is no need for dominance where cooperation suffices."
Seraphine's gaze moved to her.
The two women regarded each other silently for a moment.
Measured.
Assessing.
Rose's aura remained clear.
Clean.
Annoyingly clean.
Seraphine could not feel even a trace of corruption within it.
Which meant direct infiltration would be… difficult.
Angel leaned back slightly.
"If Pontus agrees to initial tea and silk import agreements," he said calmly, "Euphorion will offer preferential pricing on medicinal herbs for the first year."
The Chancellor's eyes widened. "That is generous."
Angel's gaze remained steady. "It is strategic."
Seraphine watched him carefully.
Generous but strategic.
Calculated but composed.
Yes.
He would be valuable.
If bent correctly.
The meeting continued with numbers, routes, and projected timelines. The Chancellor became more animated with every suggestion, thrilled to demonstrate competence in front of a king who actually listened.
Unlike Darius.
The jealous king avoided prolonged discussion because expertise in his court often threatened his pride.
Nobles learned quickly.
Do not shine too brightly.
The Chancellor had mastered survival by appearing useful but not ambitious.
Today, however, his enthusiasm slipped slightly. And yes, he liked this king.
Angel encouraged competence.
That alone shifted the room's energy.
By the time the session concluded, preliminary agreements were drafted.
Nothing finalized.
But enough to signal intent.
Angel stood.
"We will review the documents tonight."
The Chancellor bowed deeply.
"Pontus looks forward to prosperous cooperation."
Seraphine watched Angel rise.
He carried himself like someone who expected the world to move correctly.
She imagined guiding that expectation.
Reshaping it.
Her fingers curled slightly against the window ledge.
But Rose stood beside him.
Close.
Protective.
And Seraphine understood something clearly.
She could not approach Angel the way she approached Roric.
Angel's mind was layered.
Guarded.
His aura felt sharp, almost hostile to intrusion.
And Rose.
Rose would notice the smallest shift.
That made this… interesting.
Outside the meeting chamber, Jane sat quietly with two knights stationed nearby.
She stared at a distant tapestry, expression mild.
Her fingers lightly traced the fabric of her sleeve.
Pretending.
Only Roric knew.
And soon, Rose would know everything.
Inside the castle walls, alliances were forming quietly.
And cracks were spreading beneath polished marble floors.
Roric walked the corridors calmly, herbs at his side, physician's note secured.
He looked every bit the loyal prince.
Head slightly bowed.
Steps measured.
But inside him, something had shifted permanently.
He had stepped off the path Seraphine designed for him.
And now, he was walking toward something far more dangerous.
Truth.
>Read the original on webnovel* .com
>Read 10 chapter ahead of DM + 2 weekly update
My Pat*reo*n-page: pat*reon.*com/nanakawaichan
(erase the *)
My ko-fi page: ko-fi.*com/nanakawaichan
My Discord: discord.gg/mSRHyMVhnG