TVHR - Chapter 74

“It exceeded my expectations.”

"Thank you."

The Emperor was simply impressed.

In Roselyn's world, the Dianitas Empire and Kaluta waged a great war.

And there, the King of Kaluta died, and the Emperor also suffered a fatal wound.

She doesn't know the details, but she supposes it means the Emperor's power is enough to defeat the King of Kaluta.

'Considering the individual power of Kaluta, you can see just how much of a monster the Emperor is.'

Even though he acts so nonchalantly, that carefree air is the very proof that he fears nothing.

After the war ended, Kaluta and the Dianitas Empire signed a peace treaty.

It was called an alliance and peace, but in reality, it was not much different from Kaluta becoming a vassal state of Dianitas.

The treaty drafted at that time was announced nationwide.

Roselyn merely refined and organized the treaty she had seen and heard about back then, keeping in mind the proper meaning of an 'alliance' this time.

The border with Kaluta is not opening immediately.

The opening of the border to Kaluta will be decided by mutual agreement once mutual trust has been built through future exchanges.

The Dianitas Empire spares no financial or material assistance to help Kaluta take on the form of a nation.

The Dianitas Empire has the right of first negotiation for Kaluta's trade or commerce.

Both countries request cooperation from their allies when in danger, and the allies have an obligation to accept it.

The opening of trade routes is the responsibility of the Dianitas Empire, which develops them through consultation with Kaluta.

Both countries shall not, for any reason whatsoever, inflict financial or material damage on each other that poses a risk of triggering a national war. (However, in the case of criminals who threaten peace, the disposition shall be determined through consultation.)

The two countries establish a communication channel for periodic exchanges in each other's countries and elect representatives from each country to stay.

Both countries respect each other's military facilities and do not impose sanctions regarding them.

Regarding trade goods, decisions will be made through mutual consultation, and the range will be gradually increased.

For the next five years, no trade will be conducted with countries outside the Empire of Dianitas. (However, Dianitas will not apply tariffs on this.)

This kind of content was written quite long and in detail.

At first glance, it seemed to be in Kaluta's favor, yet it did not miss out on the interests of the Dianitas Empire.

The Emperor was surprised by that point.

To the young lady, who thought she hadn't learned anything properly, who had drafted the agreement at a reasonable level where things were slightly bothersome to each other but could be overlooked.

“Lyn.”

"Yes."

"Does the Empire having the right of first negotiation mean that we can refuse if we don't like their conditions?"

“Yes, that’s right.”

Roselyn nodded at Khan's words.

"It is literally a priority negotiation right, so it is merely the right to negotiate in advance."

"Isn't it too harsh to prohibit trading with anyone other than the Dianitas Empire for the next five years?"

Roselyn shook her head at Khan's question, which was tinged with laughter.

"Essentially, this is also a treaty for Kaluta. Of course, it can be modified, right?"

Roselyn glanced at the Emperor and spoke.

The Emperor, narrowing his eyes, rubbed his chin while nodding.

"A treaty for us?"

"Yes. If word gets out that this agreement has been signed, many countries will likely try to contact Kaluta."

“...I guess so.”

Khan nodded, frowning as if the mere thought of it was unpleasant.

"It is also a means to prevent that. Those who are clearly trying to rip you off... Ah. Excuse me."

Roselyn smiled and smoothed over the rough words she had spat out.

"They will likely use the fact that Kaluta has just opened the border as an excuse to push through a treaty favorable to themselves. Of course, I don't think Khan and Hatan will fall for it easily, but there are plenty of people in this world who are far more insidious than you can imagine."

Roselyn said calmly.

"If we conclude this treaty, no one will dare to speak to us for the next five years out of fear of the Empire, and I believe Kaluta will have much to learn through dealings with the Empire during that time."

"So, is it a treaty for Kaluta?"

"Yes. Of course, we also have the advantage of the Empire monopolizing Kaluta's trade goods, which cannot be obtained anywhere else."

Khan burst into loud laughter at Roselyn's innocent remark.

She laughed for a long time, then nodded.

"Right, it doesn't seem like there are any clauses we would strongly object to. Of course, there do seem to be some areas that need further fine-tuning and adjustment, but..."

After reading the contents, Khan nodded readily.

"I trust you, Lyn. That what you are doing will not harm us."

"...I am grateful for that, but if you trust people that easily, you’ll get stabbed in the back."

Roselyn added calmly.

"Ah. Come to think of it, Khan. While we're at it, let's proceed with the royal marriage as well."

And without forgetting, she drove a wedge into Yuldian's royal marriage.

It was meant to be sold to Kaluta in advance, as he would only cause trouble in many ways if kept in the Empire.

"...Hmm? Come to think of it, my daughter took a liking to the Second Prince here. What does the Emperor of the Empire think?"

"For us, it is for the sake of a stronger alliance, so as long as Kaluta is okay with it, it doesn't matter."

"Since going straight to a royal marriage would be too much of a burden, how about we start with an engagement?"

"Alright. Feel free to call me Sevirus privately. They say that's a sign of affection in Kaluta."

"That's right. I'm counting on you, Sevirus. Let's coordinate the details to our mutual benefit."

The two people shook hands.

After several hours of negotiations that followed, the engagement was finally decided.

In this way, Roselyn succeeded brilliantly in selling out Yuldian.

***

"Thanks to you, the matter was resolved."

"Yes."

Roselyn, who remained in the drawing room after Khan and Hatan left, answered without being able to erase the uncomfortable expression from her face.

'I don't know why he told me to stay.'

She's going to go inside and rest soon.

"You were talking quite a bit earlier, but you seem to be getting quiet only in front of me. Am I imagining things?"

"Because I believe that you should demonstrate your social skills when necessary."

“...Not now?”

"I decided that there was no need to demonstrate my skills because I had done everything I needed to do."

Roselyn answered indifferently and finished tilting her teacup.

"I don't know where such boldness comes from in the Princess."

"This is a judgment based on objective facts. As long as Your Majesty considers me useful, I do not think you would dispose of me."

"...Disposal? Who am I disposing of?"

The Emperor let out a laugh.

"It seems the Princess hasn't heard anything about the rumors about me."

"Even if a tiger doesn't hunt its prey with its claws hidden, that doesn't mean it ceases to be a tiger."

The Emperor paused at Roselyn's words. He looked at Roselyn with a suspicious expression, a smile playing on his lips.

"Oh dear, I really wonder what kind of Abyss the Princess possesses."

The middle-aged Emperor, sitting arrogantly with his legs crossed, rubbed his chin once and muttered.

"Then, have you ever thought about why that tiger is hiding its claws?"

"To hunt more."

“Why?”

Roselyn slowly raised her head.

His voice was tinged with laughter, but his eyes were not smiling.

The Emperor, who seemed benevolent, affectionate, and somewhat sloppy like a playboy, was actually not sloppy at all.

It sent shivers down her spine, feeling as if she were standing before an unapproachable beast.

Roselyn was extremely nervous inside, but it did not show on her face.

Roselyn picked up the teacup for no reason, then let go and spoke.

"Well... it’s more dramatic and intense that way. And... it’s more fun."

The Emperor burst into loud laughter at Roselyn's slow addition.

She got a shiver down her spine at the sight of him uncrossing his legs, bending at the waist, and bursting into laughter.

"Ah, sorry."

He wiped the corner of his mouth once with his hand and opened his mouth.

"The Princess is the second person to say something like that to me."

The Emperor felt a sense of longing for that day. As if noticing Roselyn's puzzled expression, he opened his mouth.

"The first woman who saw right through me said the same thing to me."

And because of that crime, she was deprived of her freedom.

Because the Emperor broke those infinitely free wings and held them in his grasp.

He wore a natural smile by rubbing the corners of his mouth a few times with his palm.

"Anyway, why did you think that? Fun? That’s not something a Princess raised in such a privileged environment should be thinking."

Seventeen-year-old Roselyn might not have known, but twenty-seven-year-old Roselyn knew a lot.

"They say that some beasts... hunt even when they aren't hungry. Because they can't forget the thrill of the hunt."

"...Hmm."

And some animals starve themselves to the limit before hunting. Because they have learned that doing so makes their meal taste better.

Roselyn continued the story in a rather low voice.

'But what if some beast is so smart that it wants to do both things at the same time?'

Roselyn met the Emperor's blue eyes.

The man who looked more upright and pure than anything in the world just by looking at his eyes was the most cruel man Roselyn knew in this world.

"And if we do that, no one will even think about climbing up for nearly 10 years."

It was then that the Emperor's expression contorted strangely.

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