Chapter 29
Chapter 29.
"But, I must confirm His Highness's safety-"
Clang-
The sound of a liquor bottle breaking from inside made the attendants and Imperial Knights tremble.
"It seems confirmation was just made."
Enoch left the second prince's room after leaving a warning for the knights and attendants.
There would be no more disturbances until morning.
After handling the matter, he returned to the room to find Agatha awake and sitting on the sofa.
Seeing his wife waiting for him in the darkened room, Enoch gently stroked his slightly stiffened face.
"Did I wake you?"
"It wasn't because of you."
Drunken Fernand had called out Agatha's name at the top of his lungs dozens of times.
"It was too loud to ignore. I woke up a little while after you left."
"I wanted to resolve it without waking you, but I failed."
"No. You did more than well enough."
Agatha smiled for Enoch, who had gone through trouble, but she couldn't maintain it for long.
"The problem is the second prince."
Her mood soured the more she replayed Fernand's behavior.
"How could he possibly think of coming here at this hour?"
He was a man who had taken countless concubines, then a mistress, and finally brought an illegitimate child, yet he had never done anything to tarnish a prince's honor.
"He must have gotten dumber in the ten years I haven't seen him."
The more she thought about it, the more indignant and angry she became, a surge of emotion rising within her.
"I don't think it was just foolishness."
Enoch brought out warm tea to help Agatha calm down.
"He seemed to have no awareness of what duty he held or what position he was in."
Agatha took a long breath, her hand wrapped around the teacup.
"Did His Highness return to his room?"
"Yes. I escorted him back myself."
"He wouldn't have gone willingly, would he? Did you have to endure any unpleasantness again?"
Agatha scrutinized her husband, who showed no outward signs of distress.
However, this man, who was so meticulous in his self-control that one would have to look very closely to notice, would never reveal even a sliver of his emotions after the situation had concluded.
"Nothing of the sort happened."
Enoch gently laid Agatha back down in bed, as she kept worrying.
"Everything is resolved, so you don't need to worry."
He pulled the covers over her and turned off the lamp. In the darkness, only his low, gentle voice could be heard.
"Get some more sleep."
Agatha, feeling his warm embrace, murmured as if making a vow.
"I will definitely receive compensation for this matter."
"Yes. Please do so willingly."
A myriad of thoughts swirled in her mind, but Agatha closed her eyes without saying another word.
Let's think about the rest tomorrow.
She would need to get enough sleep to perfectly handle tomorrow's battle.
The next morning. The negotiation table opened early.
Agatha and Enoch sat in the seats of honor, with Fernand watching as demands were actively exchanged between both sides.
"The tax rate on goods is too high."
"If that's the case, then lower the tax rate and increase the trade volume."
"It would be problematic if too much gold flowed out."
Adjustments to the tax rates on specific goods were discussed.
"The number of piers seems a bit low for such a large volume of trade."
"Construction is still underway. Within a few weeks, at least ten more ships will be able to dock."
"Could you designate about two berths as special zones?"
"You mean to have them kept empty even when not in use?"
Demands for exclusive piers were also received.
"We wish to build a warehouse near the legation."
"Warehouses have been planned to be concentrated near the piers. Is there a particular reason you need a warehouse at the legation?"
Additional requests for facilities were also made.
However, Agatha enjoyed the refreshments with a gentle smile, satisfied.
'The delegation must have heard about yesterday's commotion too.'
Although it appeared to be a fair exchange on the surface, by the end, clauses overwhelmingly favorable to Agatha were being drafted.
It was an obvious outcome, given that their own prince had caused a disturbance trying to enter Agatha's chambers while drunk.
Count Montiol, the de facto head of operations who was rumored to be a candidate for the next Deputy Minister at a young age, as well as the entire delegation, were subtly intimidated.
Fernand was also unusually quiet. His usual attempts to strike up conversations were gone, and he didn't send any lecherous glances.
His gaze towards Enoch was sharp, and his face would occasionally flush red, but nothing happened.
The vassals of the Nobilis family, who had prepared for a combative negotiation, were able to achieve better results than expected due to Fernand's far more subdued attitude.
The Mainyucore delegation, which was being unilaterally pushed back, also seemed eager to wrap things up with some concessions before Fernand caused any further trouble.
"For the sake of cost savings, how about sharing the maritime patrol schedule?"
"We have already decided to expand the patrol areas of the Eastern Navy. How about dividing the sectors instead of sharing the schedule?"
Thanks to the circumstances of both sides, the negotiations proceeded quickly and smoothly.
"It's already evening. Shall we conclude for today and meet again tomorrow?"
"So be it."
As the first negotiation session ended, Fernand, who had been sitting with an uncomfortable expression, was the first to storm out.
Agatha followed him out with Enoch and whispered,
"What happened overnight? It doesn't seem like he suddenly changed his mind."
His gaze towards Enoch was still not entirely friendly, suggesting he hadn't fully repented.
In response to Agatha's question, Enoch repeated what he had said the previous night.
"Didn't I tell you I resolved everything?"
The prince must have realized it was time to shut his mouth, having recalled the Emperor of the Mainyucore Empire who had sent him and the resulting implications.
Especially since Enoch had informed him directly, it was an expected outcome.
Agatha, unaware of how Enoch had resolved the situation last night, murmured softly,
"I didn't realize that 'resolution' meant this kind of resolution."
She was amazed at whatever method he had used to tie down Fernand's rampage.
'I should have asked him how he handled it yesterday.'
Whether she knew the method or not, the feeling of relief and clarity remained unchanged. Fernand didn't even show up for the banquet.
"His Highness states he is tired and wishes to rest."
Count Montiol, who came down alone without the prince, announced Fernand's absence.
"Is he perhaps unwell? Shall I call for a physician?"
"No. He truly just said he was tired."
Count Montiol's expression, as he tried to dissuade Agatha, was awkward and embarrassed. At that moment, everyone present realized Fernand was feigning illness.
If he wasn't going to come himself, there was no need to force him.
For Agatha, Fernand's absence was a welcome development. With Fernand out of the picture, the atmosphere became even more cordial.
"Count Montiol. If things continue like this, don't you think we can conclude by tomorrow?"
"I believe so as well."
With Fernand, the biggest obstacle, cooperating, the negotiations concluded quickly as expected.
The Nobilis family secured substantial port usage fees, land and building rental fees, and complete control over the new trade hub.
The Mainyucore Empire, in return for reasonable maritime usage fees and donations, was able to secure a foothold in the designated trade zone.
In the end, it was an agreement that greatly benefited the Nobilis family.
"If you have confirmed all the clauses, please sign."
Fernand, who had remained silent throughout, affixed his seal and signed.
After confirming his signature, Agatha picked up her pen.
After distributing copies of the agreement with the same content, all procedures were finally complete.
"Did it turn out as you wished, Agatha?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Agatha handed the scroll to her aide and turned to face Fernand.
He hesitated as if he had something to say, but glancing at Enoch, he closed his mouth.
Agatha preempted him before he could say anything unnecessary.
"I heard you are returning today. I wish you a pleasant voyage."
That was the end of the personal conversation between Agatha and Fernand.
After affixing their seals and signing, the Mainyucore side hurried their preparations to depart.
Count Montiol, in particular, made no secret of his desire to leave as soon as possible.
He seemed worried that Fernand might change his mind and cause a scene at any moment.
"...Farewell, Madam."
And so, in front of the ship that had finished its preparations for departure that afternoon, Fernand offered a brief farewell before boarding.
The distinctive sailboats of the Mainyucore Empire, escorted by the Roxbard Empire's navy, sailed away.
It was the end of a long schedule.
The island, where the Mainyucore Empire's delegation had departed, became quiet.
With the port and road construction scheduled to finish in a week, Agatha decided to spend the remainder of her honeymoon there.
The days were uneventful.
She fished with her husband, strolled through the forest, and enjoyed horseback riding.
But it was these ordinary things that made Agatha feel excited. It was thanks to the man by her side.
Enoch Aratus.
A peculiar atmosphere had formed between the two since that day.
He said nothing, but after crossing a certain line, they began sharing a bed, and Agatha found herself spending more time in his embrace.
This was also why their time spent in the bedroom grew longer, as if they had simply fallen asleep.
Days passed, and finally, on the seventh day.
"Madam. The construction of the port city is complete."
The administrator, Phil Butler, delivered the news that the construction was finished. It was time to leave the island.
