The place where the Emperor faced Duke Bikan Deer was always the reception room.

Sitting in the most noble place adorned with gold and marble, looking down at the Duke kneeling beneath the table.

A clear gap that anyone could recognize. The Emperor’s intentions were clear.

However, the gaze in the office now was the opposite. The splendid face casually shrugged. Then, the gaze looking down remained loose, and she smiled lightly.

“I always have a habit of having meals with my lady.”

The Duke deliberately extended his left hand. It was an action that displayed the meaning of the sparkling red gemstone ring on his fourth finger, showing his elegant and large hand.

The Emperor endured the tightening sensation and gestured towards the table.

“…First, have a seat. Bring the tea.”

The servant set up a hot tea pot, tea cups, and snacks on the table and stepped back.

The Emperor waited for the atmosphere to settle. As expected, the Duke did nothing, just stared at the Emperor.

It was a leisurely attitude, like a predator waiting for the last breath of its prey, having bitten the prey’s neck.

Clearly, the Duke was at a disadvantage as long as the mine belonged to the princess.

The Emperor, who had been staring at Duke Bikan Deer with a ridiculous gaze, suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.

The Emperor had never let anyone have an advantage over him. Nevertheless, those red eyes strangely scratched the Emperor’s feelings.

In the end, the Emperor couldn’t swallow the rising impatience and brought up the matter first.

“…Engage with the princess.”

The Duke’s attitude towards the Emperor’s expectation was one of two.

Either he would provoke the Emperor’s anger by saying ‘my lady’ as he did before, or he would show hostility by flashing his eyes as before.

The Emperor preferred the latter.

However.

“…Engage with the princess.”

The slow laughter, looking at the Emperor, was a reaction he had not expected.

The Emperor, who unintentionally tensed his body, did not like this situation. Cough, he spoke with discomfort.

“I mentioned my engagement, but the princess is a part of the royal family. Be careful with your words.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Duke responded briskly, as if listening obediently. Under his beautiful smile, it was impossible to guess what thoughts hid.

The inside felt like a boiling boulder. Unfortunately, the tea was hot as well. The Emperor was displeased with all of this.

If he had known it would be like this, he would have moved to the reception room. There, he always felt psychologically superior. The Emperor furrowed his brow, but it was already too late.

“But if I engage with Princess, what benefit do I gain?”

“What?”

Talking about rewards so explicitly. The Emperor tried to suppress his discomfort.

If what he wanted was clear, it was actually a good thing. He already knew during the aristocratic meeting that only the Baeksoojeong mine was not enough to control the Duke.
If it’s wealth, the imperial warehouse was not just full but overflowing with the spoils he had dedicated. Giving up a small part of the princess’s property was like a drop in the bucket compared to the future spoils that the Duke would sweep up.

Especially considering the negotiations with Heperti.

The Emperor naturally thought about the benefits he would gain from the engagement between the Duke and the princess.

The solid position of the prince, the elevated status of the empire, and the perpetuation of the Bikan Deer Ducal family that would become forever his.

The Emperor laughed heartily, barely hiding the eyes gleaming with desire. The hand that had been nervously tapping the tea cup now casually drummed on the sofa armrest.

“Hahaha. It seems the Duke has finally developed some ambition, huh? Well, if you’re going to call yourself a patron, it’s only natural to have that level of greed.”

“…….”

“And I’ve already elevated my Duke’s merits so high that he can participate in negotiations with Heperti. If there’s anything else you wish for, speak. Of course,”

The Emperor looked at the Duke with a pause and subtly detached his luck.

“…you wouldn’t want the Baeksoojeong mine the most, would you?”

“…Ah.”

The Duke’s eyes squinted shrewdly.

“You mean Lowell’s, or rather, my mother’s Baeksoojeong mine. The one I’ve been hoping to get back.”

The Emperor, who unintentionally avoided eye contact, realized it. Ah, he was talking about the Baeksoojeong mine of his mother. The Emperor, with an uncomfortable sigh, spoke to the Duke.

“That’s right. Surely the princess wouldn’t allow herself to be in the position of a subject in my mine.”

“…….”

“Well, maybe when the direct lineage becomes stronger, it might be a gift for that son.”

Hahaha. The Emperor speculated while suppressing his discomfort. The Emperor’s desired blueprint was the Bikan Deer Duchy to become the Duke’s spouse and the Bikan Deer Ducal family mixed with the Emperor’s bloodline.

“So, Duke. Take good care of the princess, a treasure like no other in that precious position of mine.”

“Dear Emperor.”