While Andrew was browsing through the markets, he was called by Tarina.
-Andrew, the Adurian diplomat, is ready to see you now.
She said.
-Finally.
Aelita told me to see them as soon as possible, but the moment I arrived, they were unavailable.
The human sighed.
-You can blame Iliana, if you want, but I doubt you will.
The diplomat giggled, amused by his complaining.
-Alright, I'll see them in a few minutes, let me just finish up this deal.
He said closing the connection.
The deal was more important that Adurians, at least for him, since it was a basic nanite technology, which he not only wanted but also needed to develop all kinds of nanites for the empire.
Tanera found this deal by accident and it was dirt cheap, considering how many resources and how much time it would cost them to do the research themselves.
The best part was that it allowed them to bypass some research, that was required to unlock the basic nanite technology.
Soon Andrew payed a hundred thousand silver credits, confirming the transaction as successful.
The data would arrive within a day by merchant ship.
-Alright, now that that's done, I need to go see the diplomat, if you find any more of such occasions, contact me, as for the people, you know what to look for.
He smiled at the elf.
Tanera nodded, also with a smile, since the more they traded the better off she was.
What she didn't tell Andrew or anyone else for that matter, was that she was very close, to reaching the same level of influence in the guild as her brother, thanks to all the trade she was doing.
It was Terelen who suggested becoming Andrew's resident merchant to her.
The main reason was that this way she would advance quicker, especially since he knew that Andrew would not waste the opportunity to make a profit while buying what he needed.
The second reason was that her brother knew that she fancied the human, so giving them an opportunity to live at the same station was the best way he could think of for her to get the man she wanted.
Unfortunately it wasn't working so far as there was always to much to do.
However despite that she didn't loose hope.
Andrew entered the conference room. only to find that he was the last to arrive.
Inside there were four adurians already seated and he knew two of them.
Iliana was sitting right next to her grandmother, who he once talked to over the comms.
Seeing him enter everyone stood up to greet him.
-Stay seated.
Andrew said, while taking his seat.
-Your majesty, my name is Irna and I'm here to represent the Adurian council.
Iliana's grandmother introduced herself.
The woman looked even younger than on the screen and Andrew could have sworn she was Ilia's mother not a grandmother.
-Lady Irna, what can the Empire do for you?
Andrew asked, warmly, it didn't escape his notice that Iliana was very happy to see her grandmother.
Not to mention that technically speaking she was also his grandmother in law.
-Your majesty, there are two reasons I was sent here as an envoy.
The first one is that the Adurian council wishes to join the empire, but not as a vasal state.
We wish to join as a satellite state.
Irna said not beating around the bush.
Iliana already informed her that it was the easiest way of achieving her goals, not to mention the fastest one as well.
-That can be arranged.
Andrew said after thinking about it for a while.
In the end the Adurian council would sooner or later be annexed by the Empire, if for no other reason than it's territory being surrounded by the empire, so if they wanted to become a satellite state for a while, he had no objections to that.
-What's the second reason?
The human asked, wishing to get the official work out of the way as soon as possible, and give Iliana as much time with her grandmother as he could.
-The second request might not be as easy to accept your majesty.
The Adurian council wishes for my granddaughter Iliana of the Highest caste to come back for the highest caste assembly.
Irna said, not as calmly as before.
-You are right, Lady Irna, this is not easy to accept, especially since I know that this Lord Muret is after her.
So unless you can guarantee her safety, and that this guy will keep his distance, I don't see a way to make it happen.
Andrew said, not even thinking about it.
-That is impossible, Lord Muret has been chosen as the head of the Adurian Council, and he need's to be present during the assembly.
One of the other Adurians said while trying to hide a sneer.
This told Andrew everything he needed to know about this guy.
He was not an aide he was Muret's eyes and ears.
What's more he didn't even care to act professional in the presence of an Emperor, showing contempt to a leader of a star nation capable of wiping out their whole council space if he wished to do so.
-Since that's the case, then you can go back and tell the council that I rejected both of your requests.
Andrew's voice turned cold, the warm an agreeable man from a moment ago was nowhere to be found, replaced by a serious and cold monarch who the Envoy's Aide just offended, without even realizing the consequences.
Even Iliana was surprised by his abrupt change
However unlike the other Adurians she knew what triggered it.
-But why, your majesty?
Irna asked.
-You previously agreed to our first request, so why reject both right now?
She wanted to know the reason, not understanding the change in his attitude.
-It's easy, this whole Lord Muret, is not someone I wish to see as the head of my Empire's satellite state, and if he will ever approach Ilia and I find out about it, I'm going to end him personally.
Additionally, I will not be disrespected, by some nameless aide, while you are asking the empire for protection, which is exactly the reason you came here.
As for the whole assembly, it seems to be nothing more than a reason to bring Ilia back with you, removing the protection she has in the empire.
Andrew explained while his voice turned colder with each sentence.
-Let me make something clear for you all.
His cold gaze looked at the three adurians like they were worms not worthy of his attention.
-Iliana is an Empress of the Lantean Empire, and even if she went back, the moment she would disappear, or was even scratched, would mean war, and don't be mistaken, your council can't hope to defeat the empire in an open conflict.
Andrew decided to get rid of the delusion the Adurians had, about having any worth in his eyes.
Truth be told the only reason he didn't order Runir to take down the council's space, was because he didn't wish to hurt Ilia's people, knowing that this would sadden her greatly.
-Your majesty, I apologize if my subordinate offended you.
Irna said carefully, understanding that it didn't take much to trigger the wrath of the emperor, when it came to the safety of his empresses.
She was secretly happy seeing how protective he was of her granddaughter.
However the mission she was here on was crucial for the survival of the Adurian race and she had to at least try to salvage the situation.
-As for Lord Muret being a head of the council, it does not make him the head of our star nation as he still answers to the council.
Regarding his attendance during the assembly, it is required as the head of the council is also temporarily elevated to the highest caste, but I can assure you that he will not get anywhere close to Iliana.
Besides, I'm certain that Iliana would be accompanied by guards if she was to attend the assembly, so I doubt that there would be anyone stupid enough to try to harm her in any way.
Additionally, I will relay your warning to the council, making sure that she is safe and even adding my personal guards to her protection.
Andrew considered her words, and he had to admit that her explanation had a lot of sense.
-Alright, I'll leave the decision to Iliana since it will affect her the most and as an empress she also has the power to make such decisions.
However like I said before, the moment that guy gets out of line or anything happens to Ilia, I'll end him, and possibly take down your whole council while I'm at it.