Chapter 29

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 29

Chapter Title: Smooth Negotiations

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“But we must confirm His Highness's safety—”

Crash—

The sound of a liquor bottle shattering from inside made the attendants and imperial knights tremble.

“Looks like that's been confirmed just now.”

Enoch left a warning for the knights and attendants before stepping out of the Second Prince's room.

There wouldn't be any more disturbances until morning now.

After handling the matter, he returned to his room to find Agatha awake and sitting on the sofa.

Seeing his wife waiting for him in the darkened room, Enoch smoothed out the tension from his face.

“Did I wake you?”

“Not because of you.”

The drunken Fernando had shouted Agatha's name at the top of his lungs dozens of times.

“It was so loud I couldn't ignore it. I woke up a little after you left.”

“I wanted to resolve it without waking you, but I failed.”

“No, you handled it perfectly.”

Agatha smiled for Enoch's hard work, but it didn't last long.

“The problem is the Second Prince.”

The more she thought about Fernando's behavior, the worse her mood got.

“How dare he even think of coming here at this hour?”

He was a man who kept countless concubines, even took a mistress, and brought illegitimate children into the picture—but even so, he had never done anything to tarnish a prince's honor.

“He must have gotten even stupider in the ten years I haven't seen him.”

The more she dwelled on it, the more infuriating it became, and her stomach churned with anger.

“More than stupid, I'd say.”

Enoch brought her a cup of warm tea to help her calm down.

“He doesn't seem to have any awareness of the duties he holds or the position he's in.”

Agatha let out a long sigh, clutching the teacup.

“Did His Highness return to his room?”

“Yes. I escorted him there myself.”

“He probably didn't go quietly. You didn't have to deal with anything unpleasant again, did you?”

Agatha scrutinized her husband, who showed no outward change.

But unless she looked very closely, this meticulously self-controlled man would never reveal even a fragment of his emotions after the situation had passed.

“Nothing like that happened.”

Enoch laid Agatha back down in bed as she kept worrying.

“It's all settled, so don't worry.”

He tucked her in and extinguished the bedside lamp. In the pitch-black room, only his low, gentle voice remained.

“Get some more sleep.”

Feeling his warm embrace, Agatha murmured like a vow.

“We have to make him pay for this.”

“Yes. By all means, do so.”

Various thoughts swirled in her mind, but Agatha closed her eyes without saying more.

She'd think about the rest tomorrow.

Only with a full night's sleep could she handle tomorrow's battle perfectly.

The next morning, negotiations began early at the table.

With Agatha, Enoch, and Fernando seated at the head, demands flew back and forth actively between both sides.

“The tariffs on goods are too high.”

“Then lower the tariffs in exchange for increasing trade volume.”

“We can't afford too much gold flowing out.”

Adjustments to tariffs on specific goods were discussed.

“There aren't enough berths for the volume of traffic.”

“Construction is still underway. In a few weeks, we can accommodate at least ten more ships.”

“Could you designate a couple of berths as exclusive zones?”

“You mean keep them empty even when not in use?”

Requests for dedicated berths came up.

“We'd like to build a warehouse near the consulate.”

“Warehouses are planned to cluster near the berths. Is there a special reason you need one at the consulate?”

Additional demands for convenience facilities arose too.

But Agatha sipped her tea with a serene smile, satisfied.

'The delegation must have heard about yesterday's commotion.'

On the surface, it seemed like a fair exchange, but the fine print was tilting heavily in her favor.

Anyone could see it was only natural—their prince had gotten drunk and caused a scene trying to barge into Agatha's bedroom.

Montiol Count, the pragmatic leader once tipped as the next deputy minister at a young age, and the entire delegation were visibly subdued, whether openly or not.

Fernando was uncharacteristically quiet too. No pointless attempts to chat her up, no sleazy glances.

His gaze toward Enoch was fierce, and his face flushed red now and then, but nothing happened.

With Fernando far tamer than expected, the Noblesse retainers—who had braced for a fierce fight—achieved better results than anticipated.

The Mainucor delegation, getting pushed one-sidedly, seemed eager to concede just enough and wrap things up before Fernando caused more trouble.

“How about sharing maritime patrol schedules to cut costs?”

“We've decided to expand the Eastern Fleet's patrol areas. Instead of sharing schedules, how about dividing zones?”

Thanks to both sides' circumstances, the talks proceeded quickly and smoothly.

“It's already evening. Shall we call it here and resume tomorrow?”

“Yes, let's do that.”

As the first session ended, Fernando—who had sat with a sour expression—stormed out first, slamming the door.

Agatha whispered to Enoch as they followed.

“What happened overnight? It doesn't seem like he suddenly changed his mind.”

He wasn't fully repentant—his glares at Enoch were still sharp.

To Agatha's question, Enoch repeated what he'd said last night.

“Didn't I tell you I'd handled it?”

The prince must have realized it was time to shut up, recalling the emperor who sent him and the implications.

Especially since Enoch had spelled it out directly. A natural outcome.

Not knowing how Enoch had managed it, Agatha murmured softly.

“I didn't realize that was what you meant by 'handled.'”

She was amazed at whatever method he'd used to rein in Fernando's rampage.

'I should have asked how he did it yesterday.'

Whether she knew the method or not, the relief and satisfaction remained. Fernando even skipped the banquet.

“His Highness says he's tired and will rest.”

Montiol Count, who had come down alone without the prince, announced Fernando's absence.

“Is he unwell? Shall I call a doctor?”

“No, he really just said he's tired.”

Montiol Count's awkward, embarrassed expression as he deflected for Agatha gave it away. Everyone present realized it was a feigned illness.

No need to drag him if he chose not to come.

With Fernando absent, it was a blessing for Agatha. The atmosphere grew even more congenial.

“Count Montiol, at this rate, we could wrap up tomorrow, couldn't we?”

“I think so too.”

With the biggest obstacle—Fernando—cooperating, the negotiations concluded swiftly as expected.

The Noblesse family secured massive port usage fees, land and building leases, and full control over the new trade hub.

The Mainucor Empire got reasonable maritime fees and donations while claiming prime trade route zones.

Overall, it was a deal heavily favoring the Noblesse family.

“If you've reviewed all clauses, please sign.”

Fernando, who had stayed silent throughout, stamped his seal and signed.

Agatha confirmed his signature, then took up her pen.

Each side received a copy of the identical agreement, and all procedures were finally complete.

“Did it go as you wanted, Agatha?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Agatha handed the scroll to her aide and turned to face Fernando.

He hesitated as if he had something to say, but glanced at Enoch and clamped his mouth shut.

Before Fernando could spout nonsense, Agatha struck first.

“I hear you're leaving today. I wish you a safe voyage.”

That was the end of the personal exchange between Agatha and Fernando.

After stamping and signing, the Mainucor side hurried to prepare their departure.

Montiol Count especially made no secret of wanting to leave as soon as possible.

He seemed worried Fernando might change his mind and cause another scene.

“...Farewell, Marchioness.”

Thus, that afternoon by the ship ready to set sail, Fernando offered a curt goodbye before boarding.

The Mainucor Empire's distinctive galleon sailed away under escort from the Roxiba Empire's navy.

The long schedule had finally ended.

The island fell quiet once the Mainucor delegation departed.

With port and road construction finishing in a week, Agatha decided to spend the rest of her honeymoon there.

It was a simple routine.

Fishing with her husband, strolling through the woods, horseback riding.

Yet those ordinary moments thrilled Agatha—thanks to the man by her side.

Enoch Aratus.

Since that day, the two shared a peculiar atmosphere.

He said nothing, but after crossing that line once, they shared a bed, and Agatha spent more nights in his arms.

The time spent in the bedroom had lengthened, as if she'd simply dozed off without noticing.

Days passed, and on the seventh...

“My lady, the port city construction is complete.”

Phil Butler, the governor, brought news that it was time to leave the island.