Chapter 49: You are a very nice person!
Cynthia stifled a yawn behind her warm smile, boredom gnawing at her.
Zekas’s words weren’t dull—she listened—but most of it she already knew.
Her mind drifted to what this meeting could yield for the Kalmoz Empire.
Infrastructure here’s solid, she mused, recalling Bazerolle’s streets.
If Zekas shared his methods, it could benefit the empire.
Tara Town’s road project could be a test case.
One deal secured.
Her gaze settled on the black tea.
This is rare, even for the imperial court.
Alicia might like it—a peace offering to keep her at bay.
Better than nothing.
“Miss Cynthia? Still listening?”
Zekas’s stiff voice snapped her back.
“I am,” she lied smoothly, hiding her lapse.
“I know there’s a misunderstanding, but please, give me a chance to make amends!”
Misunderstanding? What’d he say?
Cynthia’s mind blanked, but asking now would expose her.
She coughed, sipped her tea, and pivoted.
“Bazerolle’s a fine city, isn’t it?”
“Uh… yes?”
Zekas trembled, thrown by her shift.
“Under your rule, it’s beautiful, well-built. Even the tea’s exceptional.”
She leaned forward, smiling.
“If a city like this vanished, it’d be a loss to the world.”
Zekas paled, hearing a threat.
She’s warning me.
He searched her face for jest but found none.
As a lord, he’d defied the king’s orders to aid Barov covertly, hiring adventurers instead.
Now, he played dumb.
“I don’t follow…”
“A deal, perhaps?”
Cynthia tapped her teacup, choosing her words.
“I’m interested in your infrastructure and products—especially the tea.”
“Trade?”
“A fair one. At a reasonable price.”
She stressed “fair” and “price,” signaling a legitimate offer.
Zekas’s dilated pupils and furrowed brow told her he got it.
Good. He’s considering it.
But Zekas’s mind spiraled.
Trade for Bazerolle’s safety?
His teeth chattered.
Barov’s Kalmoz meddling, Cynthia’s arrival, her slaying him, her calm acceptance of this meeting—it screamed retribution.
With Barlia’s instability and his city’s limited power, refusal seemed impossible.
Cynthia stood.
“You need time to think. I’ll—”
“Wait!”
Zekas, soaked in sweat, blurted, “I agree!”
He feared her departure meant Bazerolle’s doom.
“…You sure?”
Cynthia blinked, surprised by his haste.
“The situation leaves little room for delay,” Zekas said, forcing a smile.
Refuse, and I’m dead—arrows in the back, no doubt.
“Then I’ll send someone to finalize details. I’ll take my leave.”
Cynthia paused his attempt to escort her.
Zekas hesitated, then asked, “Your plans next?”
“The capital. Some… minor matters.”
She smiled.
“Here’s to pleasant cooperation.”
“C-Cooperation… yes…”
Zekas watched them leave from his window, sighing heavily.
“My lord, what’s wrong?” his butler asked.
“The kingdom’s about to change,” Zekas muttered, eyes distant.
In the return carriage, Lorena drove as Ina pestered Cynthia.
“What’d you talk about with the lord?”
“Cooperation, mostly.”
“With Zekas? That’s tough,” Lorena chimed in.
“He’s a former merchant. Must’ve taken ages.”
“Nope. Suggested it, and he agreed instantly.”
“Really?”
“Lorena, your lord’s fair for a noble. Quite decent.”
Cynthia’s boredom masked her strategic focus—securing deals for Kalmoz.
Zekas, misreading her words as threats, caved quickly, fearing retribution tied to Barov’s schemes.
The Blood Crown awaited in the capital, where the Saint’s corruption loomed.
Ina, still hiding her identity, rode alongside, unaware her “purge list” status tightened the noose.
Luofengte’s shadow lingered, but for now, Cynthia had a deal—and tea—to show for it.