Chapter 18: The Deal-Part 1

Chapter 18: The Deal-Part 1

POV: Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw

The grand hall of Myint Zine's golden palace was eerily quiet, save for the flickering flames of the ornate oil lamps casting elongated shadows against the carved wooden walls. Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw sat on his high-backed throne, his fingers interlaced, his mind weighed down by the enormity of the decisions he had to make.

His family had served the Pagan Empire since its very founding, over two centuries ago. Through war, through peace, through dynastic changes, and through civil unrest, the House of Myat Kyaw Saw had remained steadfastly loyal. His ancestors had fought and bled for the Empire, had expanded its borders, and had turned the Province of Sagan into the most prosperous and influential province in the entire Empire.

And yet, loyalty now felt like a curse.

The taxes were suffocating.

Because of his province's immense wealth, the Imperial Court imposed unfair levies, stripping his coffers bare in the name of the Empire's failing economy. Roads, irrigation, and trade development suffered under the weight of these taxes. The people, once prosperous and proud, now grumbled and resented their rulers.

What was worse, there was no protection.

The Magul Empire, Pagan's greatest rival, lay just beyond his borders, its forces constantly probing, testing his defenses. Yet, despite the threat of invasion, the Imperial Court did nothing. They were too busy trying to suppress southern rebellions, too consumed with their own internal struggles to care about the border provinces.

If war came, his province would be the first to fall.

The Crown had made no effort to reinforce his defenses, had provided no soldiers, and had sent no supplies. He had been left to fend for himself while the Crown bled his province dry with taxes and duties.

And now, the Magul Empire had made their offer.

Independence.

If he declared sovereignty, they would recognize him as ruler, guaranteeing that his lands would not be touched when they moved to conquer the rest of the Empire. They had also made their threats abundantly clear—

Refuse, and his entire bloodline would be erased.

His hands curled into fists.

The Pagan Empire was dying. The king was bedridden, frail, and powerless. The Crown Prince, Min Ye Kyaw Htin, was nothing but a greedy tyrant, more concerned with securing his own rule than protecting his people. And then, there was the Second Prince, Aung.

An insignificant prince, one with no real power. He had no territory, no noble support, and no strong influence in court politics.

"At least, that was what I believed."

Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw leaned back, exhaling slowly.

The reports from Thazin had caught his attention.

- Prince Aung had won over Mayor Hla Than.

- He had exposed and purged a royal auditor's corruption.

- He had secured 3,000 elite knights under the disguise of the mercenaries under his command.

- He had left the city with the loyalty of its people.

This was not a weak prince. This was a man who knew how to move the chess pieces in his favor.

"Is he a fool? Or is he dangerous?"

Prince Aung's visit to Myint Zine would last five days. Five days of careful maneuvering, five days of assessing the young prince's intentions, five days to decide whether he would deal with him as an ally or a threat.

He needed to use these five days wisely.

Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw stood, pacing toward the large map of the Pagan Empire mounted on the wall. His advisors sat in a semi-circle, waiting for his command.

His most trusted strategist, Minister Thar Lin, spoke first.

"My Lord, the Second Prince's arrival presents an opportunity, but also a risk."

The Duke folded his arms. "Explain."

Thar Lin adjusted his spectacles.

"The Magul Empire's proposal is generous. But there is a problem—**we cannot trust them.**"

Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw frowned.

"If we declare independence, we risk immediate war with the Imperial Court. Even if the Magul Empire initially honors their word, what's stopping them from invading once the Empire has crumbled? Pagan is weak now, but what happens if another faction rises from the ashes? We could end up fighting on two fronts."

A murmur of agreement swept through the room.

Then, Commander Min Sein, leader of the 25,000-strong provincial army, spoke.

"There is another problem, my lord," he said grimly. "Even if we were to cut ties with the Empire, we must consider the loyalists within our own ranks."

The Duke clenched his jaw. He knew what Min Sein meant.

Not all of his nobles and generals would agree with secession. Some were staunch loyalists to the Empire, believing that even in its decline, it was worth fighting for.

An internal war would be just as dangerous as an external one.

Silence settled in the chamber.

Then, Minister Thar Lin spoke again.

"My Lord, before we make a final decision… should we test the Second Prince's resolve?"

The duke arched an eyebrow. "You mean?"

Thar Lin smiled slightly.

"The prince is not like his brother. He is calculated but still untested. He is also in need of allies."

Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw nodded slowly, understanding.

"If we bring him into our confidence," Thar Lin continued, "perhaps we can learn more about his true intentions. If he is truly different from the Crown Prince, then he may be worth keeping as an ally rather than an enemy."

The Duke tapped his fingers on the table.

"An alliance… with Prince Aung?"

The idea wasn't entirely foolish.

If the Empire was truly collapsing, he would need strong allies to secure his province's safety—**whether Pagan survived or not.**

The question was—**could Prince Aung be trusted?**

Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw exhaled and gave his final order for the night.

"For the next five days, we will observe the prince. Test his intelligence, his character, and his political views."

He turned to Thar Lin and Min Sein.

"I will meet with him personally. But under no circumstance will we reveal our negotiations with the Magul Empire."

His eyes darkened.

"We play our cards close. If the prince is useful… we will consider a deal."

His voice grew colder.

"If he is a threat—" His fingers curled into a fist. "—then we will remove him."

Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw stood at the balcony of his golden palace, watching the distant dust rise from the approaching Imperial Army.

The Second Prince, Aung, was on his way.

The pieces were moving.

A battle of words, loyalty, and ambition was about to begin.

And by the end of it, one of them would emerge with the upper hand.

---

(To be continued...)