“But, I have to make sure that the safety of His Highness-”
Clang-
The servants and royal knights trembled at the sound of breaking bottles coming from inside.
“I think it was just confirmed.”
Enoch left the second Prince's room, leaving a warning for the knights and attendants.
There would be no more commotion until morning.
After finishing his work and returning to his room, he found Agatha up and sitting on the sofa.
Enoch's stiff face softened slightly as he saw his wife waiting for him in the dark room.
“Did I wake you up?”
“It’s not because of you.”
Fernand, drunk, called Agatha's name out loud dozens of times.
“It was so loud that I couldn’t help but hear it. I woke up a little after you left.”
“I wanted to solve it without waking you up, but I failed.”
“No, you did well enough.”
Agatha smiled at the suffering Enoch, but her smile did not last long.
“The problem is the second Prince.”
The more she thought about Fernand's behavior, the more she felt bad.
“How dare he think of coming here at this hour?”
He was a man who took in countless concubines, created a government, and even had an illegitimate child, but he was still a man who would not do anything that would harm the Prince's honor.
“I guess he’s gotten dumber in the past 10 years.”
The more she thought about it, the more upset and angry she became, and her stomach started to boil.
“I don’t think it was that stupid.”
Enoch brought out some warm tea to help Agatha calm down.
“It seemed like he had no awareness of what duties he had or what position he was in.”
Agatha took a long breath, holding the teacup in her hand.
“Have he returned to his room?”
“Yes. I brought him to his room myself.”
“He probably wouldn’t have gone back quietly, but didn’t you have another unpleasant experience?”
Agatha carefully examined her husband, who appeared to have no change on the outside.
But unless she looked very closely, there was no way this man with such thorough self-control would show even a hint of his emotions after the incident was over.
“That never happened.”
Enoch laid Agatha, who was still worried, back on the bed.
“I’ve taken care of everything, so don’t worry.”
After covering her with the blanket, Enoch turned off the light. In the darkness all around, only a low, affectionate voice could be heard.
“Let's sleep a little more.”
Agatha felt the warm embrace and muttered as if making a promise.
“I must pay for this.”
“Yes, I would be happy to do so.”
All sorts of thoughts came to mind, but Agatha closed her eyes without saying anything.
Let's think about the rest tomorrow.
She needed to get enough sleep so she could be fully prepared for tomorrow's battle.
The next morning, the negotiating table was opened early.
Agatha, Enoch, and Fernand sat at the head table, watching as demands were exchanged between both sides.
“The tax rates on goods are too high.”
“Then, instead of lowering the tax rate, please increase the trade volume.”
“If too much gold leaks out, it’s a problem.”
There are adjustments to tax rates for certain items.
“It seems like there aren’t enough docks to accommodate a lot of cargo.”
“It’s still under construction. We should have at least ten more ships ready to go in the next few weeks.”
“Could you please assign two seats to a special zone?”
“Are you saying to empty it even when not in use?”
They also receive requests for dedicated docks.
“I want to build a warehouse near the embassy.”
“The warehouses are planned to be clustered near the docks. Is there a particular reason why you need a warehouse at the embassy?”
There were also additional requests for amenities.
However, Agatha enjoyed the tea with a gentle face and was satisfied.
'I guess the delegation heard about the commotion yesterday.'
On the surface, it seemed like a fair exchange, but in the end, a clause was created that was unilaterally advantageous to Agatha.
It was a natural result for anyone to see that the Prince of his own country was drinking and causing a commotion while trying to enter Agatha's bedroom.
The entire delegation, including the Count of Montiol, who was considered a possible successor to the throne at an early age, was unconsciously intimidated.
Fernand was also unusually quiet. He didn't make any of the silly remarks that kept interrupting him, and he didn't even give him a sensitive look.
His gaze toward Enoch was fierce and his face occasionally turned red, but nothing happened.
The vassals of Nobilis, who had been prepared for a fierce fight due to Fernand's attitude being much more docile than expected, were able to produce better results than expected.
The delegation from Mainukor, who were being pushed back unilaterally, also seemed to want to make some concessions and finish the matter before Fernand caused any more trouble.
“How about sharing your maritime patrol schedule to save money?”
“We have decided to expand the patrol area of the Eastern Navy. Rather than sharing schedules, how about dividing the area?”
Thanks to the circumstances of both parties, the negotiations proceeded quickly and smoothly.
“It’s already dinner time. Should we call it a day and meet again tomorrow?”
“Please do so.”
As the first negotiation session ended, Fernand, who had been standing there with an uncomfortable expression, was the first to kick the door and leave.
Agatha followed behind Enoch, whispering.
“What happened last night? I don’t think he suddenly changed his mind.”
The look in Fernand's eyes toward Enoch was not yet kind enough to be considered a complete reflection.
In response to Agatha's question, Enoch repeated what he had said the night before.
“Didn’t I say I solved everything?”
If the Prince had thought about the Emperor of the Mainukor Empire who had sent him and his position accordingly, he would have realized that it was time to keep his mouth shut.
It was a natural result since Enoch had even told him directly.
Agatha muttered quietly, not knowing how Enoch had solved it last night.
“I didn’t know that solution was referring to this solution.”
It was amazing what they had to do to stop Fernand's rampage.
'If I had known this would happen, I would have asked what you did yesterday.'
Whether or not he knew the method, the refreshing and invigorating feeling didn't change. Fernand didn't even show up at the dinner party.
“His Highness the Crown Prince says he is tired and would like to rest.”
The Count of Montiol, who had come down alone without the Prince, informed Fernand absence.
“Is he feeling unwell? Should I call a doctor?”
“No, he really just said he was tired.”
The expression on Count Montiol's face as he tried to stop Agatha was awkward and embarrassing. At that moment, everyone present noticed Fernand's fake illness.
There's no need to call someone if they don't want to come on their own.
If Fernand had left, it would have been a welcome thing for Agatha. With Fernand gone, the atmosphere had become even more cheerful.
“Count Montiol. If things continue as they are, don’t you think we can finish it tomorrow?”
“I think so too.”
As expected, the negotiations were concluded quickly when Fernand, who had been the biggest obstacle, cooperated.
Nobilis received huge port fees, rental fees for land and buildings, and complete control of the new trading post.
The Mainukor Empire was able to secure areas that would become trade routes in exchange for appropriate maritime fees and donations.
As a result, it was an agreement from which the Nobilis family benefited considerably.
“If you have read all the terms, please sign.”
Fernand, who had been keeping his mouth shut the whole time, stamped his seal and signed.
Agatha checked his signature and picked up her pen.
After each of them received a copy of the agreement with the same contents, all the procedures were truly complete.
“Did it turn out as you wished, Agatha?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Agatha handed the scroll over to her aide and turned to face Fernand.
He hesitated as if he had something to say, but he glanced at Enoch and kept his mouth shut.
Agatha struck first before Fernand could start talking nonsense.
“I heard you’re leaving today. I hope you have a comfortable voyage.”
That was the end of the private conversation between Agatha and Fernand.
After stamping the seal and exchanging signatures, the Mainukor side hurriedly prepared to leave.
In particular, Count Montiol did not hide his desire to leave as soon as possible.
It seemed like he was worried that Fernand might change his mind and cause trouble at any moment.
“...Goodbye, Marchioness.”
So that afternoon, Fernand left a brief greeting in front of the ship preparing to set sail, and boarded the ship.
The Mainukor Empire's signature sailing ship, escorted by the Roxbard Imperial Navy, sailed away.
It was the end of a long schedule.
The island where the Mainukor Empire delegation left became quiet.
Agatha decided to spend the rest of her honeymoon here, as the port and road construction would be completed in a week.
It was a day without anything special.
She enjoys fishing, walking in the woods, and horseback riding with her husband.
But that insignificant thing excited Agatha. It was because of the man beside her.
Enoch Aratus.
The two of them had been forming a strange atmosphere since that day.
He didn't say anything, but once he crossed the line, they started sharing a bed and Agatha spent more and more time in his arms.
That was also why she spent more time in the bedroom as if she had just fallen asleep.
Day after day passed and finally, the 7th day arrived.
“Madam, the construction of the port city has been completed.”
The butler, Phil Butler, has informed them that construction is complete. It is time to leave the island.
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