Chapter 7

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 7

Chapter Title: The Emperor's Bargain

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“It's already more than enough, even now. I think just the interest-free loan and support from the merchant guild would suffice.”

“Does my life truly not even warrant a value of 100,000 kar gold coins?”

“…….”

The staggering sum made his aide swallow hard. Yet the parties involved, Enoch and Agatha, simply stared at each other with calm composure.

Of course, he's probably the only one truly unruffled.

Agatha lowered her faintly trembling eyes.

“……This amount was also set as the penalty for cancellation—since I requested it first, but can no longer hire you, Marquis, or the Aratus Knights as escorts.”

The man pondered briefly before finally placing the document on the table.

“So, you no longer need protection now.”

“Yes. It seems I'll be getting married soon.”

A touch bitter, perhaps.

But Agatha quickly accepted the current situation. Stubbornly refusing marriage wouldn't solve anything, and since things had come to this, seeking a husband now wasn't a bad idea either.

On the other hand, she was gauging the odds of this man becoming her seventh husband.

He was already the head of his house, with only one younger sister in his family.

He himself was an exceptional knight leading a formidable knight order.

She couldn't be entirely sure yet since he'd only recently arrived in the capital, but she'd never heard rumors of him having sticky fingers.

He'll surely be on the list my vassals prepare.

Would she end up proposing marriage to him this time?

I hear he's only twenty.

Agatha, who had always been the one choosing and never chosen, found herself lost in unfamiliar thoughts.

“The Sun of the Roxiba Empire, His Majesty Warmirai II, arrives!”

In that instant, Agatha—who had frowned briefly—met Enoch's gaze and reflexively smiled.

It was a bit early, but who else but the emperor himself could predict his movements?

“We see the Sun of the Empire.”

The emperor, entering through the garden entrance, spotted Enoch and paused before quickly approaching and taking a seat.

“Rise. I came to see Agatha, but the Marquis Aratus is here as well?”

“Yes. I was invited by the lady for tea.”

“Fine tea. Mind if I join for a bit, Agatha?”

“Of course. It's an honor for me, Your Majesty.”

As fresh tea was prepared, the emperor peppered Agatha with questions about her condition.

He was greedy, that was the problem—but at heart, he did care for Agatha in his own way.

Whether it was for his goddaughter or the sole heiress of Noblesse, she couldn't say.

“But what brings Your Majesty here amid such a busy schedule?”

“Business. We're tracking the culprits behind those who dared touch my goddaughter quite well, so I stopped by to discuss what comes next.”

“Ah.”

His unexpectedly prompt arrival was a sign that the emperor's plans were sailing smoothly with the wind at their back, or so Agatha thought.

She had already heard through the nobility that the lairs of those who attacked her had been utterly demolished, and the evidence found there was being used to pursue the families behind it all.

This would wipe out several aggressive kin houses that had openly targeted her life.

With that done effortlessly, the emperor—solidifying his imperial authority—now had only one focus for his attention. He leaned openly toward Agatha.

“Agatha. You've heard the news, I assume? The assailants have all been executed, and every noble who orchestrated the attack has been rounded up—not a single one spared.”

“Of course. I am truly grateful to you, Your Majesty.”

“That's why, Agatha.”

Here it comes. The emperor's blue eyes, so like Antoni's, gleamed sharply.

“How about considering your next marriage soon? After this incident, I can't help but worry for your safety.”

“Isn't it a bit too soon?”

“Too soon? It's been two months since your divorce. Given your circumstances, that's more than polite enough.”

Agatha consciously avoided looking back at the emperor—but she was aware of Enoch beside her in that fleeting moment.

Nobles could wed the day after a spouse's death if circumstances demanded.

Still, she didn't want to flaunt this so openly.

Yet at the same time, a part of her wanted to reveal her situation plainly. Agatha smiled brightly.

“Do you have someone particular in mind?”

“Naturally! I've already lined up a few candidates. If you like one, I can arrange it immediately.”

Just as she thought. He coveted the tax revenue from her trade, so of course he'd prepared options in advance.

Antoni would probably show up within days with the precise list.

Agatha cast her eyes demurely downward.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“You promised me freedom in marriage once I came of age.”

“I did. But with things as they are, don't you need to marry? With a knight order, you'd be safe from attacks, and using a husband as your proxy would make intimidating your kin easier……”

The emperor's words all rang true. That was why Agatha had married so far.

But from now on, she would choose her partners herself. Yielding even once to the emperor's will would set a precedent for the future.

Above all, his picks never matched her ideal of a husband.

Agatha tilted her head without consciously glancing aside. Her cheek oddly stung.

“I understand, but must we rush?”

“…….”

“I will marry. I won't forget Your Majesty's consideration. But I might find a better match and propose it to you, so please wait just a little.”

I'll marry, and if you give me the choice, I can bring you even greater gains.

As always, the emperor had surely been waiting for those words.

After feigning contemplation, he lowered his voice slyly.

“Agatha. You mean it?”

“Of course. I'm always sincere.”

“Very well. If that's your will, so be it. Then do as you wish until I've executed every last one behind this affair. But if it doesn't satisfy me, you'll marry the one I choose. Understood?”

“I'll do my best, Your Majesty.”

Agatha avoided a firm yes this time too. If her prepared proposal or man didn't please him, she'd devise another plan.

Checking the time, the emperor rose.

“Alright, then. I'll take my leave. Take care of yourself.”

“Farewell, Your Majesty. I'll visit soon.”

“Good. Ah, Marquis Aratus. Good to see you. Let's dine together next time.”

With Enoch's slight bow, the emperor departed briskly. Having carved out time from his schedule, this was already a long stay.

Agatha sighed in relief and pulled back the proposal she'd set aside.

“So, shall we finish our discussion?”

“…….”

As she moved to sit again, there was no response from the man. Agatha looked up at him curiously.

“Marquis?”

Enoch blinked slowly. The woman who had seemed fragile at first, spirited later, and now astonishingly toying with the emperor—struck him anew.

Yet she was still overexerting herself.

Noting how her skin had noticeably paled after the tense exchange with the emperor, Enoch picked up the proposal while still standing.

“I'll take this and review it again.”

“Leaving already?”

For Agatha, holding someone back was exceedingly rare.

The man, who had stared plainly, slowly raised a hand and lightly tapped her cheek.

“Your color isn't good. Retire inside and rest, my lady.”

“……!”

Agatha stood dazed until after he'd turned away, reacting belatedly.

“Thank you for your concern. I'll send an invitation again in a few days.”

The man nodded lightly and vanished from the garden with his aide.

Only then did Agatha press a hand to her burning cheek.

Those indifferent eyes.

That casual consideration, like when he'd draped her cloak, stung sweetly in a strangely poignant way.

“……He seems good.”

No doubt about it—she was thoroughly smitten.

Already looking forward to their next meeting.

Returning to the Aratus residence in the capital, Enoch Aratus immediately ordered his vassals assembled.

Settling into the chair in his study, he appeared lost in thought.

The steward who followed quietly prepared tea.

The aide, John, hesitated to place the proposal on the desk.

The desk, pristine that morning, was now piled mountain-high with an enormous stack of letters.

Enoch, lifting his head at the fragrant tea aroma, furrowed his brow.

“I hope my suspicions are wrong.”

“They're correct, my lord. These are the new introductions that arrived today.”

Agatha Noblesse was hardly special. He too had been inundated with introductions from marriageable young ladies these past few days.

“No need to worry, master. There are introductions for the young masters too. These came addressed to Lady Isabel.”

“…….”

Enoch silently reached for the teacup Ben the steward had set down.

The battlefield had never been easy, but lately, he sometimes thought wielding his sword had been more refreshing than dealing with the current state of affairs.

He was only just restoring his house to its former glory—how much busier must Agatha Noblesse be at the heart of power?