Chapter 43
“…Ah!”
In the end, Countess Casper drew blood. She tried to act unaffected, but her anxiety was plain to see—and Cecilia couldn’t help but smirk at her.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. I’m fine.”
Countess Casper managed to lift the corners of her lips into a smile, though her face had gone pale. Her lips trembled so noticeably it was almost pitiable.
“Well, perhaps because of that, I’ve heard that those heavily in debt have been heading to Drithen.”
“Drithen… Isn’t that near the border?”
“Yes, the region adjacent to the border with Venia.”
Cecilia responded with ease.
“There’s an abandoned mine in the area. But apparently, it wasn’t shut down because it was unprofitable.”
“Then why?”
Countess Casper asked, her eyes now filled with curiosity.
“There was a major accident. After paying out the compensation, there wasn’t enough money left to continue development. And no one around was willing to work there.”
“Ah…”
“But in truth, I’ve heard it’s actually a gold mine.”
Lowering her voice, Cecilia leaned in closer to Countess Casper, speaking as if sharing a valuable secret. At that moment, Countess Casper’s eyes sparkled like stars.
“So now they’re looking for investors, though it’s something only a few know about. His Highness told me personally.”
Countess Casper let out a soft gasp. If Eden had told Cecilia in detail, the investment must truly be worthwhile.
“Oh, so this is the other investment venture His Highness mentioned earlier…”
As she murmured to herself, Cecilia lifted a finger to her lips.
“I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, but since you’re like a mother to His Highness, I thought you should know. Isn’t that right?”
Countess Casper beamed and nodded.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like you to keep it a secret from His Grace as well. I wouldn’t want to seem like someone who speaks lightly.”
“Of course, I would never do anything to harm His Highness.”
“I know. I trust you.”
Cecilia’s show of trust brought satisfaction to Countess Casper’s face. Part of it was surely the thrill of believing the young Grand Duke and Duchess were in her grasp, and the other part was the hope that her family’s problems might finally be resolved.
If Cecilia’s intentions had been pure, and if the investment weren’t destined to fail, then Countess Casper’s joy might have been justified.
Cecilia smiled quietly.
Eden, in the middle of fastening his tie, reached out and rang the bell on the table.
“Your Highness, it’s Ennon.”
As the sound echoed through the room, the door opened and Ennon stepped inside.
“The Venian envoy has arrived.”
“I’ll head down. Have them shown to the reception room.”
Eden finished tightening his tie and donned his white gloves—the final touch to a regal appearance befitting a prince. No matter the situation, the presence of royalty at the negotiation table changed the tone completely.
“Have the negotiation documents been prepared?”
“Yes, Your Highness. You needn’t worry.”
As Eden descended the stairs to the first floor, he posed the question, and Ennon answered promptly, his confidence clear.
“Presenting His Highness, Prince Eden Lobana Burnett, Second Prince of Wyatt and Grand Duke of Burnett.”
Standing outside the reception room, the attendant announced Eden’s arrival with an air of pride, as if boasting of something precious.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I am Claud Felice.”
The Venian Emperor’s envoy bowed respectfully. Eden returned the gesture with composed ease.
“Duke Felice, it’s unfortunate we meet under such circumstances. I hope today’s negotiations will bring this to a clean conclusion.”
At Eden’s words, Duke Felice nodded. He too found it tiresome to be dealing with diplomatic matters caused by incidents in a remote region.
“First of all, the Wyatt Imperial Family formally protests the detention of Laner Island’s residents.”
“That matter…”
“Is our official stance—at least on the surface.”
Just as Duke Felice was about to explain further to Eden, Eden calmly cut him off.
“The Imperial Family is well aware that the issue lies with the fishermen of Laner Island, who ignored repeated warnings from the Venian navy and continued their fishing activities.”
Eden’s composed demeanor showed neither resentment nor dissatisfaction toward Duke Felice or Venia. Having anticipated a contentious debate, Duke Felice appeared visibly relieved and nodded in agreement.
“However, I don’t believe it’s merely due to the fishermen’s greed.”
“What do you mean, Your Grace?”
Duke Felice asked cautiously.
“Why do these fishermen keep heading into Venian waters?”
Eden’s fingers tapped lightly on the table, almost as if playing an instrument. Duke Felice’s gaze was momentarily drawn to those long, graceful fingers, and he quickly looked away in embarrassment.
“Is it simply because there are more fish in those waters? Or is it that rebellious urge to do precisely what they’re told not to?”
“I believe it’s both, but…”
“But?”
At Eden’s prompt, Duke Felice met his gaze directly. Though Eden was royalty, Duke Felice was an experienced diplomat, seasoned enough to represent his nation in foreign affairs.
“It’s likely due to the lack of a clearly defined boundary between our two nations.”
Eden nodded at the duke’s words.
“I agree with you. The fishermen were likely following old customary fishing routes, and since no official boundary has ever been declared, their actions are understandable.”
In saying so, Eden showed respect for Duke Felice’s position while also acknowledging Wyatt’s administrative oversight. The duke looked at Eden with mild surprise, having expected him to respond with stubborn arrogance.
“Therefore, I believe it’s best that we resolve this issue clearly during this meeting.”
“…”
“I trust you’ve already received similar instructions from the Venian Emperor.”
Well, I suppose a man raised in such comfort wouldn’t be full of baseless pride. Duke Felice agreed without resistance.
“I’ve prepared a draft of the agreement in advance.”
At Eden’s signal, Ennon brought over the negotiation document. Duke Felice silently examined the crisp papers spread across the table. The contents were simple.
Wyatt pledges to respect Venia’s maritime boundaries moving forward, to restrict the fishing activities of its citizens, and to redirect the islanders toward tourism. Any future violations will be subject to Venia’s discretion, but the currently detained fishermen are to be released.
“Furthermore, to prevent future disputes, Wyatt seeks to clearly assert ownership of Laner Island as part of its sovereign territory…”
Of course, the matter of territorial ownership wasn’t something Duke Felice could decide on his own. Though he was an envoy, he was little more than the Emperor’s mouthpiece.
“If it’s an imperial territory of Wyatt, then take full responsibility for it!”
Ironically, he had been ordered to deliver a decisive blow to this troublesome island—a drain on Venia’s resources.
“Is there any clause that troubles you?”
“No. It’s a clean and reasonable agreement.”
After all, Laner Island was poor, resource-scarce, and a constant source of conflict. Its existence mattered little to anyone.
“However, rather than simply taking this document back and releasing criminals…”
Naturally, Duke Felice couldn’t ignore the practicalities. He hinted that it would be preferable if some form of compensation were offered in exchange for releasing the detained islanders.
“I will pay for them personally.”
To Duke Felice’s surprise, Eden agreed without hesitation to pay for the release, contrary to the expectation that he would show displeasure.
Why is he so agreeable? Does he have a hidden agenda? Duke Felice felt a flicker of doubt.
“The father of the Grand Duchess’s favored maid is among the detainees.”
But the next moment, Eden mentioned his wife, smiling as he spoke. The affection in his softened features was unmistakably genuine.
“You must care deeply for Her Grace.”
Eden didn’t reply, but Duke Felice read the answer clearly enough in his expression. Had Eden claimed it was out of benevolence toward the Empire’s people, Duke Felice wouldn’t have believed it—but personal affection? That, he could understand.
“Fifty thousand Deleruts per person. About the value of a gold ingot by Venian standards.”
“…”
“Is that insufficient?”
“Not at all.”
Duke Felice shook his head. The detained individuals weren’t nobles, just commoners. Paying too much for their release wouldn’t be proper.
Besides, Venia had no intention of severing ties with Wyatt.
“His Majesty will be more than satisfied.”
With a satisfied look, Eden added a clause to the agreement promising 50,000 Deleruts for each detained fisherman and signed it on behalf of Wyatt. Duke Felice also signed as the Emperor’s proxy.
“The negotiations ended faster than it takes to smoke a cigar.”
Duke Felice chuckled as he looked down at the two signed copies of the agreement.
“Thanks to you, Your Grace.”
Eden offered a polite compliment, then signaled Ennon to collect the documents. Ennon placed one signed copy in a scroll case and secured it.
“Upon my return, I will report this to His Majesty and, in the name of House Felice, ensure that the detainees are safely returned to Wyatt.”
Having emphasized that the agreement bore his name, Duke Felice departed from the Wyatt Imperial residence.
“I knew you’d resolve it in one go.”
Ennon, who had remained at Eden’s side throughout, smiled proudly as if it had been a given.
“Then perhaps we can rest a bit before—”
“I plan to leave immediately.”
Ennon blinked in surprise, unable to question it aloud. With all matters concluded, he had expected some rest. Everything had been so hectic that a break seemed overdue.
But his superior clearly had other plans. Unable to object, Ennon sighed quietly and nodded.
