A Good Deal

Chapter 4: A Good Deal

Lord Cedric, the adviser assigned to oversee that the calling off of the engagement was quietly concluded was in a bit of a dilemma.

First of all, the foolish knight assigned to protect them had instead put them in a predicament with his foolish actions.

Secondly, the prince who was supposed to be timid and gullible was in front of him, yet he was nothing like what he was told. He was bold, straightforward and carried the arrogance of a ruler.

And the most puzzling part was the request he had just made. It made no sense for him to ask for such a thing.

"Pardon me your Highness, but could you repeat what you had just said?" Lord Cedric said delicately, trying not to make it too obvious he was dumbfounded by the request of the prince.

"I said I want the Ashton ruins." He said again, throwing the whole room into further confusion.

The issue wasn't the fact that the land was too valuable to give away, quite the opposite. The land was too worthless for it to be seen as payment for such a serious matter.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but that land is barren. It's an abandoned stretch of wilderness filled with ravines and dry riverbeds. It holds no value."

James gave a knowing smile. That's exactly what they think.

The Ashton ruins sat on the border between Drazenovia and Veridion, dismissed as worthless due to its rough, cracked terrain and lack of fertile soil. But what they didn't know—what James knew—was that beneath that wasteland lay one of the richest untapped iron and rare mineral deposits in the entire region.

'I didn't add this place for no reason.' he thought to himself. 'I wanted players to wonder why such a huge land was abandoned. Why would the empire let it go to waste? Why were the ruins never explored? The answer was always there, just waiting to be found.'

A perfect foundation for rebuilding Drazenovia's weakened economy and military.

He tilted his head, pretending to consider their concern. "I understand your hesitation, but you must see it from my perspective. The Veridion Kingdom is ending an engagement that you proposed after my kingdom has suffered losses. This is simply a token of goodwill—land you claim has no value, in exchange for avoiding a political scandal."

"Also, how cruel that you would come to break such terrible news to a man in a coma only a few days ago." He said, putting his hand on his forehead and feigning distress.

"I think this is more than fair." He said, sitting back up in his dominant position.

The empress and Duke were simply watching from the side. Ordinarily, they would have interrupted but as long as they could get the gold and silver needed for the kingdom they would stay mute.

Empress Katarina was watching in awe as the child she had raised, the one who had been looked upon as weak and foolish was so confidently using his authority to get what he wanted.

While the Duke looked at him as a fool who was wasting such an opportunity on an abandoned wasteland. Veridion was one of the wealthiest nations around, yet he could only ask for a piece of unusable land.

He didn't complain though, this only helped his ambition. He could tell the royal court that the prince was a man who pursued foolish self-gain instead of the good of the empire.

However, he had a hard time understanding why Evelyn was finding it difficult to just give in to his request. It was useless land anyway.

But Evelyn was no fool. She narrowed her eyes at him for the first time. "If it's truly worthless, why do you want it?"

It would make no sense that out of all the things he could have asked for, he wanted an abandoned piece of land. Why leave everything else to ask for wastelands?

Perhaps he wasn't as smart as she had thought, just more bold.

James let out a soft chuckle. "Perhaps I wish to use it as a personal hunting ground. Or maybe I just like the idea of owning a useless piece of land." He shrugged. "Either way, it's a small price to pay to formally end this engagement without tarnishing your kingdom's reputation."

Evelyn glanced at her advisor, who whispered in her ear.

"…We will need to confirm this with King Reinhardt."

James waved a hand dismissively. "Take your time. But the engagement will not be considered formally dissolved until the land transfer is finalized."

"We ask that you would host us until a messenger is sent and brings back word from the King concerning the Land." Cedric said, bowing deeply.

"Of course, you will be provided with the best accommodations. You may send a servant to inform me when the king has given his decision." James concluded.

"Then we will go to our accommodation now if it is alright with all here present." Cedric said humbly.

"Alright, we will await the king's response." The empress said.

The Duke did not speak but nodded in acknowledgement.

"And lastly.." the prince said, sending shivers through the spines of all Veridians present.

"You, the night. Come here." He said in short menacing sentences, gesturing towards Callen who had been standing with his head down.

Looking around, Callen slowly walked in front of Prince Julian, sat on the throne.

"Yes… Your Highness." He said, obviously trying to keep his composure.

"You came in here and tried to embarrass the Drazenovian empire, and not only that. You dared to speak against my mother." He said, the menace in his voice palpable.

"I deeply apologize, Your Highnesses." He bowed deeply to all Drazenovians present.

As much as Callen had bad decision-making skills, he could tell he needed to be as careful and humble as possible here.

This Julian was much different from the one he had seen. If he ordered it, his head could be sent flying and there would be nothing done to stop it.

"Hmm, I can feel your sincerity. But unfortunately, that isn't enough for me, come closer." Said James.

Callen cautiously got up and stood before James, who then got up from his throne, towering over him.

And before everyone struck him across the face twice. Everyone was awestruck.

For a moment Evelyn and Sir Cedric's mouths were ajar but they quickly recollected themselves.

"Okay, with this I think we've addressed everything. You may leave now." He said smugly.

He could practically hear Callens teeth grinding in his mouth but he bowed and took his leave with the rest of Evelyn's entourage.

Almost immediately after they left, he felt as though he had come out of a trance. His vision blurred and cleared again.

He did his best not to let the Duke and empress not know what was wrong.

"Julian, is there any particular reason you asked for the Ashton ruins?" Katarina asked.

"Don't worry Mother, it will all make sense in due time." He reassured her, while the Duke in the corner of the room scoffed.

"I'm still quite tired so I will be going back to my chambers to rest." He said as he held his mother's hand and gave it a delicate kiss.

As he left the hall, Edwin followed closely behind him as he made his way back to his room.

***

Back in his room, James sat on the bed looking at the status window, more specifically a small bar on the right side of his screen.

[The Monarch's Path]

With a small bar, above it was [Tyrant - 13%]

He forgot he added something like this. When creating his game, he didn't want it to be too stiff, so he added "The monarch's path" which was a personality system that influenced how the prince would turn out in the game.

Based on decisions, the system would categorize him under a certain archetype.

He clicked on the bar and saw an info button which he clicked, displaying all the possible archetypes and positives and negatives associated with them.

[The Tyrant King]

[Pros: Gains fear unquestioned obedience and rapid empire expansion.]

[Cons: Rebellions, backstabbing nobles, and an empire that crumbles the moment he shows weakness.]

——

[The Just Emperor.]

[Pros: Gains the loyalty of his people, scholars, and fair-minded nobles.]

[Cons: Some will see him as soft, and stronger enemies may test his limits.]

——

[The Iron-Handed Sovereign (Balanced)]

[Pros: Walks the line between mercy and ruthlessness.]

[Cons: Becomes the most feared and respected ruler—but also makes the most enemies.]

——

[The Foolish King.]

[Pros: Unavailable]

[Cons: Easily manipulated by nobles. Player he could even be overthrown if they fall too deep into this path.]

——

He would aim to balance ruthlessness with mercy To be the [The Iron-Handed Sovereign] but that could all be worked out over time.

The system also explained why he entered into character the moment he was in situations that required "Prince Julian" and not James.

He needed to find a way to make sure he didn't completely lose himself whenever he was playing to a certain archetype.

He yawned and stretched before plopping to the ground and beginning his exercises.

Push-ups, squats, sit-ups. He did all the basics he could do without any training equipment since his body was still weak and scrawny.

As he made his way to take a bath the quest window popped up once again. But this time the message was more sinister.

[Complete the quest in 13 days or player will Die.]