“What about dinner…?”

“Later.”

At Helsion’s firm words, the chamberlain bowed and disappeared elsewhere.

Other people did the same. Many who had been nearby distanced themselves enough that they couldn’t overhear our conversation.

Helsion still had a relaxed expression, but her gaze was as serious as ever.

“Alright. What do you want to say to me?”

“It’s nothing other than I wanted to visit Your Majesty today to give an answer to the proposal you made last time, suggesting me to become the Empress.”
“I had a hunch. If there’s something you wanted to discuss and coordinate with me, you could have done it slowly over a meal… Seeing you in such a rush, it doesn’t seem like a positive answer, right?”

She was quick to catch on.

Since there was no reason to delay further here, I nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize, but I believe I am lacking to become the Empress of the Kallua Empire.”

I rejected it as gently as possible. However, rejection remained unchanged.

Helsion frowned. With a look of disbelief, he spoke.

“What’s the reason? I didn’t think the conditions I proposed were insufficient for you.”

It was a valid point.

Helsion’s conditions were not only good but tempting enough for anyone to accept. Most noble ladies had accepted the proposal. The problem was that I was not included in the majority.

“Your Majesty’s conditions were exceptionally excellent. However, it was just that what I desired was different. If there ever arises a need for magical engineering weapons, please feel free to contact me. I will give it top priority if it involves Your Majesty’s affairs.”

The reason Helsion proposed to me was undoubtedly due to magical engineering weapons. Therefore, to wrap things up nicely, I offered a reasonable compromise.

This should be enough for a good conclusion without hurting his feelings too much.

“Hehe.”

Suddenly, an unexpected laughter echoed. I hadn’t expected Helsion to react this way upon hearing my words.

While unintentionally staring at him, he spoke as if finding it amusing.

“Are you telling me to be satisfied with that?”

“My intention was…”

“The risk that the magical engineering weapons you create could support another country besides the Kallua Empire is not negligible. In that case, wouldn’t it be fairer to make sure no one gets it?”

“…!”

Whether I provide a weapon anywhere to any country, it was my choice as the continent’s greatest arms dealer.

As Helsion said, the only way to ensure that magical engineering weapons are not used by anyone else was for me to die.

Gulp, I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.

An uncomfortable feeling told me today’s meeting would be more uncomfortable than I thought.

Helsion laughed alone for a while, then spoke quietly.

“Don’t be so nervous. I’m a person with many desires who doesn’t like fairness. I prefer having more without exception.”

“…I see.”

The uneasy feeling couldn’t be erased. While I couldn’t accurately grasp Helsion’s intentions, it seemed like he wouldn’t kill me.

When I returned to the mansion today, I felt I needed to prepare thoroughly for Helsion’s moves in the future.

“Anyway, I understand Young Lady’s intention. I hoped for a better response, but it’s disappointing.”

“I apologize sincerely. I hope Your Majesty will welcome a more suitable Empress than me.”

Why was it? Unexpectedly, the words Seruna said last time came to mind.
“The Emperor’s Majesty is more formidable than you think. Since I proposed the position of Empress to you, I will make sure you cannot refuse it in any way.

In the novel ‘Beloved Saint,’ Helsion was not the Emperor of the Kallua Empire. Therefore, there was not much information about him.

Did I underestimate him just because he’s not a key figure?

My wariness towards Helsion increased. If he could say such things to me face-to-face, he was undoubtedly not an easy opponent.

I didn’t know what his intentions were, but I couldn’t lend my magically engineered weapons to a dangerous person.

Knowing the lethality of the weapons I created better than anyone else, I had been careful in my dealings until now.

While contemplating various thoughts in my mind, I didn’t reveal my emotions externally. I still smiled and spoke.

“Your Majesty, I will take my leave for today.”

“Oh, it’s disappointing if you leave like this. Even if you rejected the proposal, it’s still regrettable. Do you have no intention of having a meal with me now?”

“No, not at all.”

This cheeky guy!

I didn’t show it, but inwardly, I felt a surge of anger.

In this situation, no one would swallow food through their throats. Not after threatening me subtly just a while ago.

I continued to smile with a nonchalant expression and spoke.

“To be honest, telling Your Majesty such words today was nerve-wracking, and I’ve been on edge since yesterday. As you know, Your Majesty is overflowing with charisma. How about we reschedule the meal for another day instead of today?”

Apart from the fact that the meal was uncomfortable, now I couldn’t trust Helsion. I had suspicions that there might be something mixed into the food.

Even Queen Seruna, who was an expert at using various methods, tried to hypnotize me.

Having rejected the proposal, I couldn’t trust Helsion either.

He responded to my words with a satisfied smile that didn’t suit the situation.

“As expected, I like it. It’s a pity to let you go like this. Even if you rejected the proposal. Now, do you have no intention of having a meal with me?”

“Your Majesty, today, I will take my leave.”

“It can’t be helped. After all, I made you tense because of my charisma. Anyway, isn’t it alright to request a handshake as a final gesture?”

I couldn’t refuse, so I nodded reluctantly.

Today, I rejected the proposal and refused the meal. But I couldn’t say no to the last handshake he requested.

I reluctantly took Helsion’s rough hand with calloused skin.

Suddenly, as if pricked by a needle, something pierced through my skin.
I was startled and hastily pulled my hand away, only to find droplets of blood on my fingers.

That was the moment.

Hiss! Hiss!

A very small snake crawled up Helsion’s wrist. Despite its small size, it was a snake with vibrant, rainbow-like colors.

Seeing the small teeth marks on my fingers, there was no doubt that the snake had bitten me.

“This…!”

Just as I was about to question what he had done, I twisted my body without being able to finish my words.

As if it were a lie, all the strength drained from my body. I desperately grasped the table to stay upright, but it felt like I would collapse at any moment.

To someone like me, Helsion approached with a smug smile. He even came close, supporting me gently and asked with a soft voice.

“Young one, are you feeling dizzy?”

I glared at Helsion with furious eyes.

He undoubtedly played some trick. Despite my utmost caution, I never expected him to play such a prank while requesting a handshake.

It was despicable. He aimed to exploit my weakness, as I, due to my position as an emperor, couldn’t respond forcefully.

“Soon, your tongue will stiffen, making it difficult to speak. Moreover, the paralysis toxin of this snake will eventually render your whole body immobile. You won’t be able to control your body, not even a single finger.”

If his words were true, time was running out. I tried to summon the hidden magical engineering weapon to counter, but it was in vain.

‘Without the bracelet… I can’t summon magical engineering weapons.’

When I stole Calispeliver, I had been modifying a bracelet that could freely summon magical engineering weapons. Without being able to move my hands, I couldn’t use it.

As Helsion described, my entire body had stiffened, making it difficult to move as I wished.

Instinctively, I realized I had fallen into a trap.

“What kind of… treachery is this?”

I don’t know when he prepared this trap. There was no doubt that he meticulously planned it in case I rejected the proposal.

Looking at me, who could barely open my mouth, Helsion smiled. The touch of his hand gently stroking my cheek sent shivers down my spine.

“Even if you reject my proposal, I must marry you.”