The Baddest Villainess Is Back
Chapter 74
“It’s better than I expected.”
“Yes, thank you.”
The Emperor admired it candidly.
In Roselyn’s world, the Dianitas Empire and Kaluta had fought a great war.
And there, the King of Kaluta died, and the Emperor suffered a wound that ultimately claimed his life as well.
She didn't know the specifics, but it likely meant the Emperor’s power was great enough to defeat the King of Kaluta.
‘Considering the individual strength of those from Kaluta, one can see just how much of a monster the Emperor is.’
Even though he acted so nonchalantly, that idle leisure was proof that he feared 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 little different from Kaluta becoming a vassal state of Dianitas.
The treaty written back then had been announced to the entire nation.
Roselyn had simply taken the treaty she had seen and heard of then, kept the meaning of a proper ‘alliance’ in mind, and refined it over and over into a much milder version.
Kaluta’s borders will not be opened immediately.
The opening of Kaluta’s borders will be determined through mutual agreement between both parties in the future, once trust has been established through exchange.
The Dianitas Empire will provide unstinting financial and material aid so that Kaluta can take shape as a nation.
The Dianitas Empire holds the right of first refusal for Kaluta’s trades or commerce.
Both nations have the duty to request cooperation from their ally when in danger, and the ally has the obligation to accept it.
The opening of trade routes will be developed under the responsibility of the Dianitas Empire through consultation with Kaluta.
Both nations shall not, for any reason, inflict financial or material damage on each other that risks inciting a national war. \(However, in the case of criminals who threaten peace, the disposition shall be decided through consultation.\)
Both nations shall establish a communication channel for periodic exchange and select representatives from each country to reside there.
Both nations shall respect each other's military facilities and shall not impose sanctions regarding them.
Trade goods shall be decided under mutual agreement and gradually increased.
For the next five years, Kaluta will not trade with any country other than the Dianitas Empire. \(However, Dianitas shall not apply tariffs on these trades.\)
These types of contents were written in quite long and detailed terms.
At a glance, it seemed favorable to Kaluta, yet it did not miss the interests of the Dianitas Empire.
The Emperor was surprised by that point.
That a young lady he thought had learned nothing proper had organized a treaty at a reasonable line—slightly bothersome to both sides, yet acceptable enough to turn a blind eye to.
“Rin.”
“Yes.”
“Does the Empire having the right of first refusal mean we can refuse if we don’t like the Empire’s terms?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Roselyn nodded at Khan’s words.
“It literally means a right of first refusal, so the Empire only has the authority to negotiate first.”
“Isn’t it too harsh to say we can’t trade with anyone but the Dianitas Empire for the next five years?”
Roselyn shook her head at Khan’s question, which was laced with a hint of laughter.
“This is actually a treaty for Kaluta’s sake as well. Of course, modifications… are possible, right?”
Roselyn said, glancing at the Emperor.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin, yet he gave a nod.
“A treaty for us?”
“Yes. If word spreads that this agreement has been signed, many nations will likely try to contact Kaluta.”
“…I suppose so.”
Khan nodded, furrowing his brow as if the mere thought was unpleasant.
“It’s also a means to prevent that. There will certainly be those trying to rip you off… Ah, excuse me.”
Roselyn smiled brightly as she corrected the coarse word she had let slip.
“They will push treaties favorable to themselves using the excuse that Kaluta has just opened its borders. Of course… I don’t think you and Hatan would be easily fooled, but there are plenty of people in the world who are more insidious than you can imagine.”
Roselyn spoke calmly.
“If this treaty is signed, no one will dare approach you for the next five years out of fear of the Empire. In the meantime, I believe Kaluta will have much to learn through trade with the Empire.”
“So it’s a treaty for Kaluta?”
“Yes. And of course, there is the advantage for us that the Empire monopolizes Kaluta’s trade goods, which can’t be found anywhere else.”
Khan burst into a loud laugh at Roselyn’s nonchalant remark.
She laughed for a long time before nodding her head.
“Indeed, there don’t seem to be any clauses we would strongly oppose. Of course, there are things that need to be fine-tuned and adjusted more precisely…”
Having read through the contents, Khan nodded readily.
“I trust you, Rin. That the work you are doing is in a direction that won’t harm us.”
“…I appreciate that, but if you trust people so easily, you’ll get stabbed in the back.”
Roselyn added dryly.
“Ah, speaking of which, Khan. Let’s proceed with the royal marriage as well while we’re at it.”
And she didn't forget to hammer the final nail into Yuldian’s royal marriage.
It was with the intention of selling him off to Kaluta early, as he was a fellow who would only cause trouble in various ways if left in the Empire.
“…Hmm? Come to think of it, my daughter took a liking to the 2nd Prince here. What does the Emperor of the Empire think?”
“As it is for the sake of a firmer alliance, as long as Kaluta is fine with it, it doesn’t matter to us.”
“It’s a lot of pressure to have a royal wedding right away, so how about starting with an engagement first?”
“Fine. In private, feel free to call me Severus. I hear that’s a sign of affection in Kaluta.”
“That’s right. I look forward to working with you, Severus. Let’s adjust the details well in a direction that benefits both of us.”
The two men shook hands.
Through the adjustments that continued for several hours after that, the engagement was finally decided.
In that way, Roselyn successfully managed to sell Yuldian off brilliantly.
\* \* \*
“Thanks to you, things have been settled well.”
“Yes.”
Roselyn, who remained in the drawing room after Khan and Hatan had left, replied with an uncomfortable expression she couldn't quite hide.
‘I don’t know why he told me to stay.’
She wanted to go in and rest soon.
“You were talking quite a bit earlier, but it seems you’ve become taciturn only in front of me. Is it just my imagination?”
“It’s because I believe one should exercise social skills when necessary.”
“…And now is not the time?”
“I judged that there is no need to exercise them since I have done everything I needed to do.”
Roselyn replied indifferently as she finished the rest of her tea.
“I don’t know where the Lady gets such audacity.”
“It is a judgment based on objective facts. As long as you think I am useful, I don’t believe Your Majesty will dispose of me.”
“…Dispose? Who am I disposing of?”
The Emperor let out a chuckle.
“It seems the Lady hasn’t heard the rumors about me.”
“Even if a tiger doesn’t hunt prey with its claws hidden, it doesn’t stop being a tiger.”
The Emperor faltered at Roselyn’s words. He looked at Roselyn with a mysterious expression, a smile playing on his lips.
“My, my. It makes me wonder exactly what kind of Abyss the Lady possesses.”
The middle-aged Emperor, sitting arrogantly with his legs crossed, stroked his chin once and murmured.
“Then have you ever thought about why that tiger is hiding its claws?”
“To hunt even more.”
“Why?”
Roselyn slowly raised her head.
His voice was laced with laughter, but his eyes were not smiling.
The Emperor, who had seemed like a benevolent, kind, and somewhat loose-ended idler, was actually not loose-ended at all right now.
A chill ran down her spine; it felt like standing before an untouchable predator.
Roselyn was tense inside, but it didn't show on her face.
Roselyn picked up her teacup and set it down for no reason before speaking.
“Because… that way is more dramatic and intense. And… because it’s more fun.”
The Emperor burst into a loud laugh at Roselyn’s slowly added words.
Seeing him lean back and laugh, having even uncrossed his legs, made her skin crawl.
“Ah, forgive me.”
He wiped his mouth with his hand once before speaking.
“The Lady is only the second person to say such a thing to my face.”
The Emperor had a somewhat nostalgic look. As if he had seen Roselyn’s puzzled expression, he spoke.
“The first woman to see through me said the same thing to me.”
And for that crime, she was deprived of her freedom.
Because the Emperor had broken those infinitely free wings and kept her in his grasp.
He rubbed his mouth a few times with his palm to bring a natural smile back to his lips.
“Anyway, why did you think that? Fun? That’s not a thought a delicately raised noble lady should have.”
The seventeen-year-old Roselyn might not have known, but the twenty-seven-year-old Roselyn knew many things.
“They say some beasts… hunt even when they aren't hungry. Because they can’t forget the thrill of the hunt.”
“…Hmm.”
“And some other beasts starve and starve themselves to their limit before hunting. Because they’ve learned they can enjoy their meal more that way.”
Roselyn continued her story quite quietly.
‘But what if… that beast is very smart and wants to do both at the same time?’
Roselyn met the Emperor’s blue eyes.
The man, who seemed like he would be more upright and pure than anything else in the world just by looking at his eyes, was the most cruel man in the world that Roselyn knew.
“And because if you do that, no one will even think of crossing you for nearly ten years.”
It was then that the Emperor’s expression twisted strangely.