The Temptation and the Trap
"Even for one million coins of silver, we will never agree!"
The hall erupted with the roar of indignant voices, a storm of loyalty and outrage that rattled the golden ornaments along the marble pillars. Ministers slammed their hands against their sleeves, their eyes blazing like torches.
Envoy Silas from the Ironforge Kingdom kept his head bowed but his tone remained steady, though a faint unease trembled beneath his polished composure.
"Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom, please do not be hasty," he said, forcing a diplomatic smile. "Our Emperor's sincerity is vast—we have more to offer. Five hundred thousand coins of silver! And in addition, two million K.g. of grain!"
Gasps rippled through the ranks of officials. The scent of incense seemed to grow sharper, heavier, as all eyes turned toward the Imperial throne.
But Lucian Drake sat utterly still. His long black hair flowed over the shoulders of his Imperial robe, his violet eyes unreadable beneath the soft light from the hanging lanterns. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm—too calm.
"Although the lands of our kingdom are barren and grain is scarce," he said, voice echoing through the vast chamber, "to exchange the Red Rock Iron Mine for grain—no matter how much—is absolutely impossible."
He leaned back slightly, one hand resting on the carved armrest of the throne. "Grain can be harvested again. Iron cannot be replaced once lost."
"His Majesty is right!" an elder minister shouted, slamming his staff against the ground.
"This mine is the foundation of our nation! No amount of silver or grain can buy it!"
"Our territory is sacred—it must never be traded!"
Lucian gave a faint nod, acknowledging their loyalty. Yet his expression remained cold, regal, and perfectly measured.
Envoy Silas cleared his throat. Sweat glimmered faintly on his brow, but he continued, raising his voice to pierce through the noise.
"In addition," he said, "our Ironforge Kingdom is willing to present two exquisite jade ruyi, twenty top-grade agates, one hundred dragon-eye pearls, ten emerald pendants, twelve sapphire rings, eight golden phoenix hairpins, and one thousand coins worth of pure gold! Altogether, their total value exceeds two hundred thousand coins!"
A low murmur rippled through the officials. The offer glittered with wealth—too tempting for ordinary men—but Lucian's expression hardened, his gaze slicing toward Silas like the edge of a blade.
"Do you take me for a man who covets luxury?" Lucian's voice rang cold and sharp. "What use have I for your gold and jewels, except to corrupt my soul and tarnish my honor? I will never agree to such filth disguised as generosity."
The force behind his words was enough to make the envoy flinch.
"His Majesty is right!" a general barked. "We will never agree!"
"No matter what they offer, we won't yield an inch of land!"
"Our borders are sacred!"
The unified roar of voices filled the court, fierce and immovable.
The envoy's composure faltered at last. The weight of their hostility pressed down on him like a physical force. Still, he forced his tone to remain firm, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of fear.
"Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom," Silas said tightly, "we have already demonstrated our utmost sincerity with these great concessions! If you still refuse… are you not afraid of war? Our Emperor's army of two hundred thousand men is already stationed at the border—ready to strike at a moment's notice!"
The hall fell dead silent.
Then Lucian laughed.
It wasn't a loud laugh—just a low, dangerous sound that carried through the still air. The temperature seemed to drop.
"Are you resorting to threats now?" he asked quietly, rising from his throne. His violet eyes gleamed with a faint glow. "Go back and tell your Emperor this: if war comes, so be it. Do you really think I would be afraid?"
The officials instantly bowed low.
"Your Majesty is wise and unyielding!"
For a moment, every heart in the hall swelled with pride. Their new Emperor—young as he was—had shown the poise and iron will of a true ruler.
Many exchanged glances, silent thoughts flashing between them.
Perhaps… the Drake Kingdom truly has found its dawn again.
At the front of the hall, Prime Minister Thomas White and Grand General Eldric Bennett both looked upon Lucian with quiet satisfaction.
"Elder brother," Thomas murmured under his breath, his weathered face softening. "The Drake Kingdom has hope again."
Lucian slammed his palm down on the table beside his throne, the sound reverberating like thunder. His voice followed, bold and unshakable.
"Whatever tricks your Ironforge Kingdom still hides," he declared, "bring them forth! If I so much as frown, then I am no true man!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" the officials cried, kneeling as one.
Silas's face paled slightly, his confidence crumbling beneath the oppressive air of the court. He swallowed hard, his next words trembling at the edge of decorum.
"Originally…" he said bitterly, "we had also planned to present the most beautiful woman of our Ironforge Kingdom to you. But now, it seems unnecessary. I will take my leave."
"Wait."
Lucian's voice cut through the air, smooth but commanding.
Silas froze mid-step and turned, confusion clouding his face. "Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom… is there something else?"
Lucian's lips curved faintly, his tone suddenly warm—too warm. "This 'first beauty' of your Ironforge Kingdom you mentioned… could it be Eve, the woman said to possess beauty enough to shame the moon and humble the flowers?"
"Indeed," Silas replied, brows furrowing. "What about her?"
Lucian sank back onto the throne, the faintest smile playing on his lips. "I never expected such sincerity from your Emperor. To part with such a treasure… impressive." His fingers tapped the armrest slowly. "I find myself quite fond of this gift. It's only an iron mine, after all—let's make the exchange."
The hall exploded.
"Fck!" shouted the officials.
"Fck…" echoed Silas involuntarily.
Every face in the hall froze in disbelief.
After all that righteous fury, all that talk of valor and integrity—His Majesty folded in an instant? For a woman?
The ministers looked at each other, mouths open.
So much for the steadfast ruler… he's as human as the rest of us!
Silas was equally stunned, blinking like a man trying to wake from a strange dream. "Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom… are you serious? You're truly willing to trade the Red Rock Iron Mine for our nation's number-one beauty, Eve?"
Lucian frowned slightly, his tone cool and solemn. "An Emperor's word is his bond. Do you think I would jest?"
Silas's face broke into relief, his earlier fear melting into wild delight. "N-no, of course not! Then we have an agreement!"
"Wait!" Lucian's sharp command halted him. "You can't leave out the rest. I want the silver. I want the grain. The gold. The jewels. Everything you offered before. I want it all—not a thing less!"
"Yes, yes, of course, Your Majesty of the Drake Kingdom!" Silas said quickly, nearly tripping over his own words.
The officials finally came to their senses, their faces pale with disbelief.
"Your Majesty! This must not be done!" they cried out in unison.
But Lucian only leaned back slightly, the faintest trace of mischief glinting in his purple eyes.
Let's see how the Ironforge Emperor reacts to this little game, he thought.
The hall buzzed with confusion, the scent of incense thick as thunderclouds—no one sure whether their Emperor had just made a fool's decision… or a masterstroke.