The Temptation and the Trap
"Even for one million coins of silver, we will never agree!"
The hall resounded with the bellow of outraged voices, a storm of outrage and loyalty which shook the golden decorations along the marble pillars. Ministers clashed their hands onto their sleeves, their eyes aglow like torches.
Ironforge Kingdom Envoy Silas kept his head down but his voice firm, though a slight nervousness vibrated under his urbane calm.
"Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom, kindly do not be in a hurry," he insisted with forced diplomatic smile. "Our Emperor's bonafides are immense—we have greater things to give. Five hundred thousand silver coins! And additionally, two million K.g. of wheat!"
Gasps spread through the ranks of the officials. The aroma of incense became keener, denser, as every eye turned to the Imperial throne.
But Lucian Drake remained completely motionless. His dark, flowing hair cascaded down the shoulders of his Imperial robe, his violet eyes unexpressive under the gentle glow of the suspended lanterns. When he at last spoke, his voice was measured—too measured.
"Although the lands of our kingdom are barren and grain is scarce," he said, voice echoing through the vast chamber, "to exchange the Red Rock Iron Mine for grain—no matter how much—is absolutely impossible."
He leaned back slightly, one hand resting on the carved armrest of the throne. "Grain can be harvested again. Iron cannot be replaced once lost."
"His Majesty is right!" a senior minister bellowed, thumping his staff onto the ground.
"This mine is our country's core! No silver or grain is enough to purchase it!"
"Our land is holy—it can never be bartered!"
Lucian nodded slightly, accepting their devotion. Still, his face was cold, regal, and precisely gauged.
Envoy Silas cleared his throat. Sweat sheened faintly on his forehead, but he went on, speaking louder to cut through the din.
"Besides," he added, "our Ironforge Kingdom is ready to offer two flawless jade ruyi, twenty of the highest-grade agates, one hundred dragon's eye pearls, ten emerald pendants, twelve sapphire rings, eight golden phoenix hairpins, and a thousand coins' worth of pure gold! Combined, their value is more than two hundred thousand coins!"
A low murmur ran through the officials. The proposal shone with riches—too rich for common men—but Lucian's face darkened, his eyes cutting toward Silas like the point of a knife.
Do you think me a man to covet luxury?" Lucian's voice was cold and cutting. "What do I want with your gold and gems, except to soil my soul and stain my honor? I will never consent to such filth and called generosity."
The force of his words was sufficient to cause the envoy to wince.
"His Majesty is correct!" a general shouted. "We will never consent!
"Whatever they provide, we will not give an inch of territory!"
"Our borders are inviolate!"
The collective thunder of voices rang through the court, harsh and unyielding.
The envoy's poise broke at last. The force of their anger weighed upon him like a physical burden. Nevertheless, he made himself hold firm, though his eyes revealed a flash of terror.
Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom," Silas said sternly, "we have already proved our highest sincerity with these grand concessions! If you continue to refuse… are you not afraid of war? Our Emperor's force of two hundred thousand soldiers is already on the border—ready to strike at a moment's notice!"
The hall went dead quiet.
Then Lucian laughed.
It wasn't a boisterous laugh—only a low, menacing sound that traveled through the calm air. The temperature chilled.
"Are you threatening me now?" he said softly, standing up from his throne. His violet eyes shone with a soft glow. "Go back and inform your Emperor of this: if war there is, so it will be. Do you believe I would be intimidated?"
The officials immediately bowed low.
"Your Majesty is wise and unyielding!"
For an instant, all the hearts in the hall brimmed over with pride. Their new Emperor—so young—had demonstrated the dignity and steel will of a born ruler.
Several gave each other sideways glances, silent thoughts crossing between them.
Perhaps… the Drake Kingdom has indeed discovered its dawn once more.
Before the hall, Prime Minister Thomas White and Grand General Eldric Bennett gazed upon Lucian with soft gratification.
"Old brother," Thomas whispered to himself, his creased face relaxing. "The Drake Kingdom has hope anew."
Lucian banged his hand against the table next to his throne, the noise echoing like thunder. His voice came after, strong and unshakeable.
"Whatever sorcery your Ironforge Kingdom still holds," he announced, "unleash them! If I so much as scowl, then I am no true man!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" the officials exclaimed, kneeling as a single man.
Silas's face went pale, his self-assurance foundering under the stifling atmosphere of the court. He swallowed hard, his next words wavering at the boundaries of propriety.
"Originally…" he spat out bitterly, "we had also intended to bring the loveliest woman of our Ironforge Kingdom before you. But now, it is not necessary. I will withdraw."
"Wait."
Lucian's voice sliced through the air, smooth but authoritative.
Silas hesitated halfway through his step and turned, his face confused. "Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom. is there something else?"
Lucian's mouth twitched into a faint smile, his voice instantly warmer—too warm. "This 'first beauty' of your Ironforge Kingdom you spoke of… might it be Eve, the one said to have beauty sufficient to shame the moon and mortify the flowers?
"Indeed," Silas replied, brows furrowing. "What about her?"
Lucian sank back onto the throne, the faintest smile playing on his lips. "I never expected such sincerity from your Emperor. To part with such a treasure… impressive." His fingers tapped the armrest slowly. "I find myself quite fond of this gift. It's only an iron mine, after all—let's make the exchange."
The hall exploded.
"Fck!" shouted the officials.
"Fck…" echoed Silas involuntarily.
Each face in the hall stiffened with shock.
All that righteous anger, all that blather of valor and integrity—His Majesty collapsed like a house of cards? For a woman?
The ministers gazed at one another, mouths agape.
So much for the unyielding ruler… he's as frail as the rest of us!
Silas was just as shocked, blinking as if trying to awaken from an otherworldly dream. "Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom… seriously? You're really willing to exchange the Red Rock Iron Mine for the number-one beauty of our country, Eve?"
Lucian scowled slightly, speaking in a cool and serious tone. "A word of an Emperor is his oath. Do you believe I would make a mockery of it?
Silas's face split with relief, his previous fear dissolving into frantic joy. "N-no, of course not! Then we have an agreement!"
"Wait!" Lucian's abrupt command stopped him. "You can't omit the rest. I want the silver. I want the grain. The gold. The jewels. All the things you offered previously. I want it all—not one thing less!"
"Yes, yes, certainly, Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom!" Silas exclaimed hastily, almost stumbling over his own feet.
The officials finally regained their senses, their white faces shocked.
"Your Majesty! This cannot be done!" they shouted together.
But Lucian merely leaned back a notch, the tiniest gleam of playfulness flickering in his purple eyes.
Let's see what the Ironforge Emperor does about this little trick, he thought.
The hall resounded with bewilderment, the smell of incense hanging heavy as thunderheads—nobody certain whether their Emperor had just acted the fool. or a genius.