Several ministers who had been about to offer similar suggestions immediately swallowed their words. They had almost forgotten about Mr. Juren. That single man alone made the most straightforward political solutions far more complicated.
After another stretch of silence, the Crown Prince slowly rose once more. This time, his voice was calmer.
"Your Majesty," he said, "if direct persuasion is difficult, then perhaps we can offer Miss Kiara sufficient compensation. For example, we could grant her a vassal territory and allow her to govern it independently. In exchange, she divorces Young lord Arceus."
He looked toward the Emperor with confidence.
"With territory, wealth, and authority… surely a merchant like her would at least consider such an offer."
The Emperor's fingers pressed against the armrest of his throne. For a brief moment, the wood creaked under the pressure.
He understood the proposal better than anyone else in the room.
