Chapter 64
"A marriage proposal?"
That one phrase alone made Das's skin prickle. The man continued to radiate an utterly intimidating presence.
Drak=Delassa, the first Emperor of the Greedle Empire. Das had met him several times in business, but he still could not grow accustomed to this feeling.
To put it simply, it felt as though a blade were always held to his throat. Would it get the point across to say that a chill lingered around his neck?
At the behest of the King of Fezaris, Das had been granted an audience with the Emperor of Greedle. He had come to discuss an alliance with Fezaris and a marriage proposal for Princess Luluria.
The Emperor had four sons.
It would be best if Das could somehow arrange a marriage with one of them. But even in the worst case, if the Emperor adopted some man of his choosing and had the princess marry him, Fezaris was in no position to complain, given the disparity in national power.
Nevertheless, since Princess Luluria was the one Fezaris was offering, Das wanted to secure a response that would satisfy him.
"That is correct, Your Majesty. Our king wishes to deepen his friendship with Your Majesty."
Even when Das bowed deeply, the Emperor's demeanor remained unchanged.
"You are not the first person to bring a marriage proposal from the Southern Continent to Greedle. To be frank, there have been more than can be counted on one hand."
The Emperor's words were exactly what Das had expected. Still, the claim that there were more than five was probably an exaggeration.
The countries that wished to be on friendly terms with Greedle were easy enough to predict. Only two or three had a princess of marriageable age. That was probably about right.
But Das gave no hint that he knew this and continued the conversation.
"As expected of the Emperor—and of Greedle, I suppose. Now, what sort of gifts did the others bring?"
For the first time, the Emperor raised one eyebrow, looking intrigued.
"The other countries are beside the point. If you ask that, your country must have prepared a gift too, yes? Speak."
"Very well. First, priority export rights to our nation's resources."
"A proposal befitting a country rich in resources. But it is insufficient."
At that, Das shook his head.
"With respect, I said 'first.'"
"Oh? What else do you have?"
Das straightened his posture again, then sat down right there. The Empire had no such custom. The Emperor looked at Das with a puzzled expression.
"What do you mean by this?"
"What I am about to say is merely a proposal from me, Das. Should Your Majesty judge it mistaken, all responsibility will fall not upon Fezaris, but upon me—upon Das alone."
"A merchant of your caliber would say such a thing...? Very well. Speak."
Das closed his eyes for a moment, then began to speak.
"What our country is offering is a person of talent, someone who could be called our nation's greatest treasure."
"I do not understand what you mean. Was this not a marriage proposal?"
"As you say, it is a marriage proposal. And the princess our country is offering is our greatest treasure."
"...Continue."
"Your Majesty is aware, I believe, that I have repeatedly turned down marriage offers from various countries."
"Yes. Greedle is one of the countries you turned down, after all. No explanation is necessary."
"The offers were more than this unworthy man deserved, but being a merchant suited my nature. However, it was this princess who made me change my mind."
After hearing this, the Emperor fell silent for a while. Then he rose slowly and approached Das with heavy steps.
"How old is the girl who is to marry into our country?"
"She turned nineteen the other day."
"You mean a man like you was won over by a princess who is still little more than a girl? ...Did you fall in love with her?"
The Emperor's words were blunt and to the point. Watching him, Das smiled a little.
"Yes, I fell in love with her talent. The princess said to me, 'Though you're a merchant, can't you even seize a business opportunity?' Then she continued, 'I am the business opportunity.'"
"If you're offering her to me, that means she isn't first in line for succession, does it?"
"No. Nevertheless, I truly sensed something extraordinary in that princess."
"In a mere girl?"
"Yes. In a mere girl."
Das met the Emperor's sharp glare with a gentle smile. It was neither exaggeration nor falsehood. Since it was the truth, Das had nothing to be ashamed of.
After a while, it was the Emperor who relented.
"Hmph. That little girl has piqued my interest. ...Rocabill!"
"Yes."
Among the assembled generals, it was the Emperor's own son—the third prince—whom he called.
"Do you have a wife?"
At the Emperor's brusque question, Rocabill shook his head.
"I am not looking for one at present."
The Emperor did not dwell on the curt reply and asked another question.
"Lev is in Bittegald, after all. So it is either Filemas or Tsetsedra."
Rocabill answered in the same dispassionate tone he might have used for a business report.
"Then Tsetsedra. If I may be so bold, given Fezaris's national strength, it would be an unsuitable match for my elder brother Filemas, who has the stronger claim to the throne."
From Fezaris's perspective, the remark was nearly an insult, but Greedle was now powerful enough to permit such words. Das remained seated, lowered his gaze to the floor, and said nothing.
"...Then marry her to Tsetsedra. Das, tell the King of Fezaris that."
"We are honored... And congratulations."
"Hmph. If your words prove false, I will simply throw you and that princess out of my country."
Thus, the ill-matched marriage between the great power of Greedle and the small nation of Fezaris was finalized.