The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 111
“…Ducal Lady, your way with words reminds me very much of someone I know. She too once told me to my face that she disliked me.”
He spoke wistfully, then looked at Roxelyn.
“The Kaluta diplomatic issue was only meant for me to make the initial connections. Moreover, I am aware that there are far more capable diplomats in the empire.”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone so eager to give up the position of a prince’s fiancée.”
At this point, it seemed like the Emperor and Roxelyn were having two entirely different conversations.
‘It’s a pity.’
She was too talented to just let go. Arma must like her too.
“Your Majesty, with all due respect, may I speak freely?”
“What is it?”
“Though it’s not a bad idea to assign a suitable fiancée to your youngest son, how about you just try to apologize for what has been done until now? There’s nothing like communication for mending relationships.”
“…What?”
The Emperor blinked, not understanding the comment immediately.
“My father and I managed to resolve the misunderstandings between us through dialogue. It was the first time I realized how fragile he was and how easily he cried.”
“…Are you talking about the young duke?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, perhaps you should go and cry openly too? Children are surprisingly weak to their parents’ tears.”
A meaningful, heavy silence fell after Roxelyn’s calm words.
“…First, we need to coordinate with Kaluta.”
After a long silence, the Emperor acted as if he hadn’t heard Roxelyn’s suggestion.
Roxelyn slightly frowned as she realized she was being ignored, but the Emperor, pretending not to notice, continued on anyway.
The suggestion was absurd to even respond to.
“Kaluta says they won’t discuss unless you attend. They have taken a surprisingly tough stance.”
“…Kaluta?”
“Yes, the young leader from Kaluta said so.”
Roxelyn fell silent briefly.
‘The young leader… could it be Bataar?’
If he said it, it was likely conveyed by Khan herself.
Since she had declared she would open diplomatic relations, Roxelyn needed to help until Kaluta felt secure enough to establish trade with the empire.
After a short silence, Roxelyn nodded.
“I understand. The Kalutan Khan has also expressed a desire to visit the Empire, so I will try to arrange a meeting including the issue of the delegation.”
Roxelyn readily agreed with the Emperor’s explanation.
In response, the Emperor also nodded without bringing up the annulment any further.
“We also need to slowly ask for help regarding the disappearance cases. The anxiety is rising because not only commoners’ children but also nobles’ children are disappearing.”
“Yes, I will resolve it as long as my health permits.”
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Ah…”
At the Emperor’s question, Roxelyn looked down.
“Could you lend me the Second Prince?”
“…Could it be that you fancy Yuldian?”
“I think the worst of him as a person, but I do fancy the Abyss he has.”
“….”
The Emperor paused at the rather sharp assessment.
“Ducal Lady, do you not realize who you’re in front of right now?”
“Yes, the noble and brilliant sun of the—”
The Emperor raised his hand to stop Roxelyn’s words.
Roxelyn closed her mouth.
“And yet you continue to be quite direct with your words.”
“I apologize. I thought it was better than calling someone a ‘trashy scumbag,’ but it seems I was wrong.”
“…”
Astonishment crossed the Emperor’s face.
‘Didn’t she just say both anyway?’
The Emperor paused at the sudden thought.
The Second Prince indeed has a rough and reckless side, but does he deserve to be called trash and a scumbag?
“…He’s not that bad, is he?”
Roxelyn looked intently at the Emperor and then slowly nodded.
“…Well. Sure.”
She clearly did not agree, but there’s an implication that one cannot further insult their child in front of a parent.
Nevertheless, Roxelyn kept her mouth shut.
“The Second Prince’s Abyss is related to animal-handling. It might make the search easier.”
“…”
“And since we’re talking about the Second Prince, what do you think about a royal marriage with Kaluta?”
Roxelyn asked the Emperor.
A curious look reached the Emperor.
“Don’t you think a royal marriage with Kaluta would be acceptable?”
“Kaluta isn’t interested in such things.”
“What if they were interested?”
Roxelyn smiled brightly.
The corners of her mouth curled up, and her eyes twinkled with mirth. It was as if life sprang into her expressionless face.
The Emperor was slightly startled by the ducal lady’s mischievously charming smile.
“Kaluta is famous for never abandoning what’s within their walls. If the Empire does not betray them first, there would be no more reliable country.”
“You sound quite confident about that, is that also an Abyss?”
“Yes.”
Roxelyn said with a smile, her face so radiant it didn’t seem she was discussing something so calculated.