The arrogant man who acted as if he had nothing above him. Even the filthy-minded emperor behaved modestly in front of the woman he loved.

Without such a context, a woman like her wouldn’t have thought of engaging in a marriage-like event.

“I didn’t realize you were busy with this matter. You’re indeed quite occupied. I won’t hold any grudges.”

“Please let go of any resentment.”

Cloe replied with a professional smile. Even Liam, who usually distinguished between business and personal matters well, momentarily misunderstood her smile, thinking there might be some affection mixed in.

“By the way, I have a concern.”

Belatedly realizing, he delved into the main issue.

“I’ll do my best if it’s a problem I can help with.”

“It’s about Argent Duke’s ‘food storage jar.'”

He thought it might be a subject related to Cloe’s favor. However, as Chae’s gaze met her eyes, which had been dry all along, he hesitated.

“Though his items are indeed helpful, doubts have been arising.”

“Doubts, you say?”
Liam, with his chin raised on the back of his hand, leaned even closer to the other party.

“In the contract between us, the Duke of Argent has priority negotiation rights. The Duke wanted to reduce the percentage of the profit generated from distribution going to the Duke’s estate.”

“By how much does he want to reduce it?”

“By 10%.”

“10%…?”

“By the way, let me tell you, the costs incurred during distribution will all be borne by the Duke’s estate.”

Moving from one continent to another required the ships to transport goods, and the freight for delivering many logistics wouldn’t be insignificant. Additionally, the labor involved in redistributing the products to various stores in the Sahir Empire was also a cost.

Liam bearing the distribution costs while the net profit was merely 10% was glaringly insufficient, even to an outsider.

“It’s clearly unfair.”

“Yes. However, even if we demand it, there doesn’t seem to be a meaningful change. At best, he might increase that by half.”

Liam’s expression darkened. Eventually, he sighed.

“But we can’t do without those goods. The knights and even the Imperial citizens are searching for them.”

Argent’s medicine had become an essential item in the Sahir Empire. Except for the nobility, even commoners with limited food options could have satisfactory meals thanks to it.

“Even if I accept a reduced profit, it’s a problem. The increased product prices against the Empire make it difficult for Imperial citizens to purchase them as freely as before.”

Cloe, who had been quietly listening to Liam’s words, cautiously asked a question.
“Do you have any plans to produce those goods in the Empire?”

“I haven’t ruled out the idea, but it’s impossible. Sahir, in the first place, has limited resources. The cost of obtaining all those materials is higher than the returns.”

Upon hearing that, Cloe pondered even more. Liam desired her to treat this issue as her own.

“I wondered if there might be someone in the Empire or other kingdoms who could create a new invention, but everyone seems to choose a safer path rather than attempting something new. Perhaps everyone has turned their hearts towards investments…”

With his eyes tightly closed, Liam sighed as if disappointed. As the expected silence continued, he gently opened one eye to glance at Cloe sitting across from him.

Cloe, sitting with a dignified expression, was deeply immersed in her thoughts.

“I thought I might have a conversation with you under the moonlight.”

As expected, his friend seemed deeply engrossed in the new letter game.

Cloe quickly brought the pigeon waiting by the window inside. The neatly folded note on his leg hinted at tonight’s meeting.

Cloe waited for him without fully preparing. Dressing up for the rendezvous was somewhat awkward.

It was a time when the faint moonlight softly filled the room. Kun arrived at the predetermined time.

“I hope I’m not disturbing your beauty sleep.”

“No worries about that.”

Kun’s face was filled with weariness.
It seems better to return to bed as soon as possible, wondering why they arranged this meeting.

“I heard you met with Duke Sahir today.”

Kun went straight to the point as if reading Cloe’s mind.

“Oh, yes. I met with Lord Liam.”

Before leaving, Liam insisted she use his name, claiming they had become closer. Thanks to that, Liam’s name remained firmly in Cloe’s mind.

“Liam?”

The man’s eyebrows gathered as he asked again. His beautiful eyes gracefully rose, narrowing sharply towards the inner corners.

However, Cloe, oblivious to the reason for his questioning, simply shook her head.

“Yes. He shared his concerns with me, mentioning issues in the contract with Duke Sahir.”

“Did you get close enough to share such a sensitive concern?”

“He seemed to want to stop the distribution with Duke Sahir. If an alternative product emerges…”

The conversation was strangely discordant.

Cloe, perhaps excited, continued her words without paying attention to Kun’s inquiry.

“Whether it’s an alternative or whatever… I can’t fathom what strange thoughts you’re having again.”

“…”

“It doesn’t seem like the conversation we should be having right now, Princess.”

At the sudden address, Cloe blinked her eyes. It wasn’t clear from which perspective, but he seemed upset.
“…Did you come to find out about the conversation between Liam and me?”

“Not at all.”

Approximately right, but not quite. It seemed like more misunderstandings were solidifying instead of resolving them.

Of course, Kun knew Cloe was an innocent person. The real issue was the little mouse that didn’t know how to quit its bad habits and still harbored expectations.

In the next meeting, Kun decided to tease Liam a bit.

With that in mind, Kun approached Cloe.

“Do you realize what tomorrow is?”

“…It’s our wedding day.”

“It’s good that you’re aware.”

He gently wrapped his arm around Cloe’s shoulder. It was amusing how he hid every inch of skin, not showing a trace.

“From tomorrow, we’ll be closest to each other. It’s a bit belated, but there won’t be anyone who doesn’t know that we’re lovers. Everyone must be aware that the Emperor is deeply in love, going to extreme lengths. Do you know that?”

A fleeting smile passed over Kun’s face.

“Princess, are you ready?”

Beyond Cloe’s slender shoulders, something sparkled. It was the glass slipper she would wear the next day.

This time, Kun’s laughter was a bit longer.

“Ready to be entangled with me in a deep bond.”