Chapter 22
Chapter 22. The Price of the Tilted Scales
Even though his eyes met those of Emperor Tatar de Tessibania, Balak Utar acted as if he had seen nothing and bowed toward Vinea Madretta Veshnu.
“Once again, I extend my greetings. I am Balak Utar, operator of the Valita Trading Company.”
Balak bent his waist, keeping his shoulders straight. His right hand was placed over his left heart, bowing without bending his back, and ensuring his palm was not visible. His left arm was extended behind him, maintaining a space enough for a hand to pass through, to avoid appearing rigid.
This was an almost perfect etiquette, reserved for knights displaying respect to their superiors during official occasions. It was a result of diligently practicing the teachings of the one who ignited the flame in his heart under the cold moonlight.
How could a mere merchant know the posture of knights and perform it here? Tatar’s gaze shifted to Vinea.
Balak and Vinea’s first meeting began with Balak falling in love with her at first sight. Despite not exchanging a word at the merchants’ association banquet where they met, their connection began with a single encounter.
Not even making eye contact or exchanging a word, Balak used all his connections and wealth to appear at every banquet Vinea attended. This marked the beginning of their relationship during the thirty-second regression. Tatar had assumed it would be the same this time.
However, judging by Balak Utar’s actions, it seemed something had happened at the merchants’ association banquet.
With an even tone, Vinea addressed Tatar.
“I told you already, I would call him.”
“Yes, you did. Yet meeting him in person is even more unpleasant than I remembered.”
Balak was a merchant who had experienced many trials. He was quick-witted and skilled in survival tactics.
Thus, even though he knew the conversation between the two was about him, he stood upright, pretending he hadn’t heard anything, waiting for his turn.
No matter how wealthy a merchant was, having the Empress in his heart required resolve. He had been pining for her ever since that night under the moonlight, and upon hearing her summons, he had dropped everything and come running.
‘Yes, that’s why I’ve stayed silent. I haven’t done anything. Emotions are meant to flow naturally with time.’
But that was his arrogance. Upon receiving news that the Empress sought the head of the Valita Trading Company, his heart began to race as it had that night.
He calculated quickly, like a true merchant.
Killing his feelings and living as a recluse for a while, versus surrendering to emotions that might consume him. Continuing to live a life focused solely on work, versus dreaming of a future with her, even if it meant risking his life.
His balanced scale tipped absurdly easily the moment he opened the door to the palace.
Although harboring feelings for the Empress was difficult, he was confident in offering her treasures that even the Emperor would find hard to procure.
He could easily obtain the precious items every woman desired, and though he had never loved, he had a keen eye for understanding people. He knew what high-status women typically yearned for.
He was confident he could win a piece of her heart.
An Emperor who hadn’t even been on the throne for a year, an Empress bound to him by a contractual marriage—perhaps it wasn’t as hard a path as he thought.
No matter how much he tried, the Emperor wouldn’t be able to prevent him from being by her side, Balak was sure, watching the scales tip.
Seeing Balak’s determined expression, Tatar’s lips twisted.
In the three regressions where Balak intertwined with Vinea, he persistently tried to stay by her side, lowering himself and existing like a shadow. Yet, Tatar found him irritating every moment, like a thorn stuck under his nail.
When Balak’s eyes met Tatar’s again, he belatedly bowed his head.
“…I greet the glory of Tessibania.”
Even now, look at him. In front of the ruler of the land he stood on, he only gave a perfunctory greeting and bowed his head.
Seeing the red eyes filled only with Vinea, Tatar turned his body and walked toward Vinea.
Her blue eyes, unaffected by the turmoil he felt inside, met his. He wrapped his long fingers around the back of her neck.
As his cool touch met her skin, Vinea flinched, placing her hand on his arm.
“Should I leave, Empress?”
“Don’t you think being here is already a mistake? I’ve heard Deron Morkan has been searching for you since morning.”
“Seems like you’re itching to get rid of me.”
“And you seem eager to keep me tied here forever, Your Majesty.”
If he didn’t want to be bound in this regression forever, it was time to stop complicating things.
“How could I dare.”
Indeed, no matter his true intentions, he couldn’t prevent Vinea from what she wanted. He intended to ensure she wouldn’t get entangled with Balak again, unlike previous times.
Tatar lowered his head, and Vinea, looking into his silver-gray eyes, met the heavy warmth of his lips without resistance.
If she pushed him away now, he would do something even worse in front of Balak.
In the repeated regressions where nothing was truly grasped, it wasn’t unusual to want to monopolize the only thing held. It was easier to play along with Tatar’s outbursts in moments like this.
With Balak’s eyes burning into his back, Tatar deepened the kiss, as if only the two of them existed in the room.
One of his hands caressed her cheek, parting her soft hair. Her left cheek was completely covered by his hand, blocking Balak’s view of her face.
A crack appeared in Balak’s composed face. Wasn’t this provocation too much for a first meeting, even if he was the Emperor? At the same time, he realized the Emperor had seen through his hidden intentions.
Despite the intense kiss that made it seem like they might move to the bed at any moment, Balak stood his ground, his decision unwavering.
Seeing Balak clench his fists so hard veins stood out, and Tatar pulling tightly at his trousers even in this situation, Vinea sighed softly.
Balak aside, calming Tatar was the priority.
Vinea wrapped her hand around Tatar’s neck and pulled his head down.
A brief peck compared to the kiss before, but judging by his expression, it had the intended effect.
Vinea Madretta Veshnu summoned a smile reminiscent of the one she had shown the children in Haksya Village. Balak Utar could clearly see her face unobstructed by Tatar de Tessibania’s hand, even from where he stood.
“Just wait a moment. I will come to see you again soon,” she said.
“…Playing in the palm of the Empress’s hand is quite amusing,” Tatar replied with a low chuckle, taking a step back. Even as he exited the Empress’s office, he did not spare a glance at Balak, acting as if no one else was present.
With a click, the door closed. Finally able to relax, Vinea sat on a sofa in the corner of her office and looked at Balak.
“Please sit. If it’s uncomfortable, I can arrange a different place.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just a bit overwhelming to adjust to the hospitality.”
“Let’s ensure there are no more awkward situations like this in the future.”
“It’s all right. It just means that there was something about me that disturbed His Majesty,” Balak said as he took a seat on the sofa opposite Vinea. His face looked relieved, as if he had finally made a decision he had been contemplating for a long time.
As expected, it seemed maintaining a simple relationship with Balak in this life would be impossible.
Having spent three regressions with him, Vinea could easily read the emotions in his red eyes—jealousy, desire, and love, which even he did not fully understand.
She had no intention of accepting his feelings, but there were things she could gain from him. Thus, she would have to keep adjusting their distance. Her gaze briefly fell on the wedding ring she wore on her ring finger after a long time.
‘You should know how much I am enduring,’ she thought.
Balak’s gaze also fell to the ring but quickly shifted away.
Recalling Tatar’s retreating figure, Vinea lightly rang the bell on the table to summon a servant.
“Serve tea.”
Soon, teacups and refreshments were set on the table. As the servant withdrew, Balak examined the table with curious eyes.
“You brew the tea yourself without a servant?”
“Being poisoned is something I cannot control, and I don’t prefer that,” Vinea replied.
Balak’s face hardened as he looked at the teacup. Had someone tried to poison her tea before? Who would dare poison the Empress’s tea?
Yet, no matter how closely he examined the clean teacup and the pot of hot water, he couldn’t tell if there was poison.
“Don’t worry. It’s not yet time for someone to poison me. This is just…”
Vinea traced the outside of the cold teacup with her fingertip.
“Just a habit.”
Ever since she had started taking her own life in various ways, she found it unpleasant to die in ways she couldn’t control.
If she didn’t know exactly who killed her, she might die the same way in the next regression, wasting time with futile methods that wouldn’t end the cycle.
Waiting for the tea to steep, Vinea lifted her gaze and met Balak’s eyes.
Despite knowing he was watching her every time she looked away, he averted his gaze when their eyes met directly. In the past, she might have sought to captivate his free spirit, but now it wasn’t necessary.
“I sought you because I need a favor. The Valita Trading Company mainly deals in jewelry, correct?”
“If there is a gem that Your Majesty desires, even if we don’t handle it, I will personally procure it for you.”
It was time to get to the point. Vinea’s eyes curved slightly as she spoke, this time holding Balak’s gaze directly.
“Even if it’s Sefitiana?”
Balak’s hand, which had been lifting the pot to pour tea for her, hesitated.
After a brief silence, he spoke to Vinea.
“If Your Majesty is willing to pay the corresponding price.”
