11. Gift.

* * *

 

 

 

 

5 days later.

 

 

Aran and his party, having set sail via Soyul Port, arrived in Constantinople, the imperial capital of Persia.

Of course, before that, Katarina had set off on a separate journey to conquer the Pirate Archipelago.

 

 

 

“Welcome. You’ve worked hard.”

 

 

Cornelia was the first to come out and greet them.

On either side of her were Iliana and Huana, each with contrasting expressions.

 

“Mother.”

 

Aran hugged Cornelia.

Her frame was quite small, making it look like a father hugging his daughter, but it was clearly the opposite.

 

 

After the hug with Cornelia, it was Iliana’s turn.

Huana’s expression subtly twisted.

 

 

“By the way, there’s someone I don’t recognize.”

 

Cornelia’s gaze turned to Moae.

Even without this, she was monopolizing the attention of those around her thanks to her beautiful looks.

 

 

She stepped slightly forward, lifted the hem of her skirt, and bowed.

 

 

“I am Moae Yueun, the First Princess of the Mei Empire.”

“?!”

 

The people who came to greet them were all surprised.

 

 

What reason would the Mei Empire’s princess have to come to Persia?

 

 

“From now on, I will serve Prince Aran as his wife. Please take care of me.”

“…..?”

 

The gazes of Cornelia, Iliana, Huana, Ayla, and others all turned to Aran.

It was a demand for an explanation.

 

 

“Well… it just… happened.”

“….”

 

 

Just what the hell did he do to bring the empire’s princess, the first princess no less, who would be the next emperor unless something drastic happened, when he was just a prince from a nation that was looked down upon as barbarians?

 

 

Even though he was entrusted with full authority, it was not an understandable situation at all.

 

 

“…Anyway, welcome.”

 

But they couldn’t just stand there dumbfounded.

The Mei Empire’s princess was the highest state guest no matter which country she went to in the world. Moreover, she came as his wife, so it was only polite to welcome her.

 

 

Moae slightly bowed her head at Cornelia’s greeting.

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Mother, this is absurd! Marriage with the Mei Empire’s princess! They must have squeezed something out of us for that!”

 

As soon as they came inside, Huana questioned her.

Aran and the others were sent back to their rooms, concerned that they would be tired from the voyage, so she came out like this.

 

 

“…That’s a concern… but even so, to suddenly give away the First Princess as his wife. That bitch is strange too.”

“She must have been sent as a spy. And that man was so taken by her beauty that he grabbed her!”

“….”

 

 

Cornelia frowned.

 

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t a welcome situation.

 

“Let’s listen to the report tonight and think about it.”

“…I knew we shouldn’t have given full authority to a man. He fell for it so easily.”

 

Huana left the room after saying only that.

It was rude behavior, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop her.

 

 

‘…What are you thinking, Emperor…Aran…!’

 

 

Cornelia, who was left behind, couldn’t help but wear a complicated expression.

 

 

 

 

.

.

.

 

 

 

 

“It’s a mess.”

 

Before the report, Moae came to visit.

She had a slightly pale expression.

 

 

“Maybe it’s because I’m too beautiful, but I can hear people talking about me everywhere. I guess everything in moderation is good. If I were a hundred times uglier than I am now, I’d still be the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“…Anyway, let’s go quickly.”

“Why should I go with you? I’m not a Persian noble.”

“It’s a report and a banquet.”

“Hmm….”

 

 

She pondered.

She couldn’t miss a banquet.

Because

she had to spread her beauty.

 

 

“Then let’s go.”

 

 

She swept back her long hair.

 

 

“I will let everyone know that there is beauty that is on a different level, like me. In other words, I am a walking enlightenment.”

 

 

Aran ignored her slightly and walked ahead.

 

 

“W-wait, don’t ignore me!”

 

Moae followed behind.

 

 

Hancock then joined, and Lamias also joined.

 

“Hehe. His Majesty will be shocked. I wonder what kind of expression he will make when he finds out that we have been ceded half of the Srodia Peninsula!”

“I’m more curious about Princess Huana’s expression than him. Hoho.”

“Ah, that’s right. She was there too. For once, you’re making a relatable sound, Cow.”

“…Empty Milk Your Highness, for once, you’re saying something with volume, which doesn’t match your breasts.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight?”

“Of course not. How could I, a lowly person, do such a presumptuous thing to the great Empty Milk Your Highness.”

“You’re doing it right now!!”

“Stop fighting. And why is your fighting so underdeveloped?”

“It’s because you lack grace. A woman who is not beautiful is truly unfortunate. Since there is no grace from her face, such words and actions naturally come out.”

 

With Hancock, Lamias, and even Moae joining in, it became very noisy.

Aran, who was stuck in the middle, couldn’t mediate.

 

 

Lamias was at least quiet, but Hancock and Moae bickered like water and oil.

 

 

It continued until they arrived at the banquet hall, where it stopped as if by a lie in front of the hall.

 

 

“Hoho. They must be very nervous. Because they will finally see the reality of beauty.”

“I wonder….”

 

 

As they got closer to the door, the guard loudly introduced the group and opened the door.

 

 

Beyond the door, the gazes of countless people gathered.

 

 

“Hehe. Everyone is paying attention to me.”

 

 

The antique interior and the orchestra that enhanced the dignity.

And the vocalist who resonated loudly throughout the hall.

They echoed as if they were Aran’s march.

 

 

“Did you hear? The person next to him is Princess Moae of the Mei Empire.”

“Yes, I heard. I heard that he brought her as his wife… then he must have lost something in return?”

“That’s why you can’t trust men….”

“Shh! Be quiet. He is a favorite of His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

The whispering sounds directly pierced Aran’s ears.

 

 

“Tsk tsk tsk. I heard he’s from Srodia, so he’s selling the country.”

“That’s why there’s a saying that if a rooster crows, the family will be ruined.”

“Sigh. It’s the end of the world. The end of the world.”

 

 

Some great nobles even said it openly.

 

Aran felt bad, but when he thought about their expressions after the report, it brought a strange sense of pleasure.

 

 

He ignored the nobles’ whispering and walked straight ahead.

 

Cornelia was sitting in the highest seat, and Huana was sitting below her.

Judging from the fact that she was in a higher position than the princesses such as Iliana and Ayla, it seemed that she was going to be appointed as the Crown Princess in this position.

 

Aran knelt down in front of the high throne and bowed once.

All the nobles who had been laughing and talking until then, all the musicians who had been playing, and all the vocalists who had been showing off their volume stopped their actions and fell silent.

 

 

“Your Majesty. I have gone to the Mei Empire to negotiate according to Your Majesty’s orders.”

 

A fairly familiar tone came from Aran’s mouth.

 

“Yes. Report the results.”

 

 

Aran took out a scroll from his chest and unfolded it.

 

 

He read out the results in the loudest voice possible, and as he read, the expressions of the people who had not expected much and the people who were worried gradually turned to surprise.

 

 

“Therefore, we have acquired the sovereignty of the lower peninsula of the Srodia Peninsula. That is, the six regions of Trua, Kora, Karma, Roana, Roysi, and Logos, and we have been recognized for the authority to determine the King of Srodia once in the future.

Along with the recognition of such territories and political and economic interests, we have formally made them recognize the national name ‘Persia’, and we have imprinted and pledged that His Majesty the Emperor of this country is in an equal position with their Emperor….(omitted)….Hereby, I report to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Persian Empire.”

 

 

Aran rolled up the scroll and handed it to the eunuch next to him.

She respectfully received it and took it to Cornelia.

 

 

Buzz buzz.

 

 

The hall became as noisy as a marketplace.

 

Unexpected results.

Aside from other things, it was unimaginable to bring the lower peninsula of Srodia and the national name of Persia at the same time.

 

 

Moreover, they could even appoint the King of Srodia.

This meant that if they did well, they could make the entire peninsula into Persia’s sphere of influence.

 

 

 

Cornelia, who received the report from the eunuch, read it with disbelief.

Even she couldn’t believe what she had heard from Aran.

 

 

‘Is this…is this…possible?’

 

 

She suspected that the results were too poor and had been manipulated, but she didn’t think he would manipulate something that would be discovered in just a few days.

 

 

“…Is this really true?”

 

Cornelia, who still didn’t understand after reading it.

 

 

“Everything you have read and heard is true.”

“….”

 

 

She fell into contemplation.

 

It was definitely a huge achievement.

But that’s why she couldn’t help but think about the intentions of the Mei Empire.

Seorae, whom she knew, might be lazy, but he was never an incompetent emperor, but rather one of the best emperors.

 

 

‘He’s thinking something.’

 

 

The gaze she had lowered to read suddenly touched the top of Huana’s head.

And a thought flashed like lightning.

 

 

‘Could it be…!’

 

 

It was a precarious and shocking thought that made her mind flash.

 

 

‘That damn bitch…does she know even that?’

 

 

Complicated thoughts intertwined.

 

The precariousness that the situations she had prepared for the future of her children might lead to the destruction of the country surged wildly.

 

 

‘Yes…then it makes sense that Princess Moae was sent as Aran’s wife.’

 

 

She bit her lip tightly.

She was a woman she couldn’t let her guard down against.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the hall was still noisy with nobles, even though Cornelia was not giving an answer.

 

 

“Did you hear? Is this possible?”

“Well…could it be manipulation?”

“Hey…how can you manipulate something that will be revealed in a few days?”

“But….”

 

Everyone expressed their surprise, some expressed their joy, and some expressed their anger.

 

“This is definitely manipulation! He obtained the lower peninsula? Is that possible?!”

“That’s right. Even if he is His Highness the Prince, such abuse cannot be allowed.”

 

Bba deuk.

 

 

Huana gritted her teeth.

 

 

She didn’t know how he did it, but he achieved unbelievable results.

 

‘What the hell…what the hell is it?’

 

 

Knowing about Aran’s great kingdom, she couldn’t help but be even more jealous.