The negotiation was held in the grand hall of Orson Palace.
Pale sunlight streamed through the towering glass windows, casting its glow upon the cold marble floor. Two rows of nobles stood solemnly on either side of the hall, their cloaks bearing family crests swaying gently with the breeze.
At the far end of the hall sat Emperor Orson upon his throne. His gaze slowly swept across the crowd before finally settling on the man standing at the center of the hall.
Duke Astrell.
The head of one of the wealthiest families in the Empire.
The territory of House Astrell was so vast that it was often compared to a "small kingdom." Endless wheat fields, glistening salt mines, and deep iron quarries… all of these had brought Astrell immense wealth.
Some even said…
that the fortune of Astrell rivaled that of the royal family itself.
And that was precisely what made the Emperor uneasy.
Emperor Orson lightly tapped his fingers against the armrest of his throne.
"House Astrell has enjoyed far too many privileges."
His voice echoed throughout the grand hall.
"For the balance of the Empire, I have decided to increase taxes on the Astrell territory."
Murmurs immediately spread among the nobles.
Duke Astrell remained still for a few seconds before slowly raising his head.
"I object."
His voice was deep and calm.
"The Astrell territory supplies food, salt, and iron to most of the Empire. Our forces also guard the northern border, protecting the capital from invasion."
He paused briefly.
"In such circumstances, increasing taxes is unreasonable."
The Emperor's expression instantly turned cold.
"Duke Astrell," he said slowly,
"are you questioning my decision?"
The Duke slightly lowered his head, yet his tone did not change.
"I am merely stating the truth."
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy.
Some nobles quietly exchanged glances, while Pope Isaac remained silent, observing from his position.
After a few moments of silence, Duke Astrell continued:
"If Your Majesty believes Astrell has enjoyed too many benefits… then perhaps our army no longer needs to continue defending the North."
The moment those words fell, the entire hall was shaken.
Withdraw from the North?
That would mean leaving the Empire's border exposed.
Emperor Orson narrowed his eyes.
A cold smile slowly formed on his lips.
"Are you threatening me?"
Duke Astrell did not answer.
But his silence said everything.
The Emperor let out a quiet chuckle, his voice laced with disdain.
"Duke Astrell, it seems you have greatly underestimated the royal army."
He leaned back against his throne.
"If Astrell believes itself to be so important…"
The Emperor's gaze turned sharp.
"Then withdraw your forces."
The entire hall fell into silence.
A suffocating, oppressive silence.
A few days earlier.
The council chamber of the Astrell estate was vast and solemn.
Soft golden candlelight illuminated the cold gray stone walls. On the wall behind hung the crest of House Astrell—a symbol so imposing that anyone who entered could feel the family's power.
The large doors opened.
Leo stepped in first, her deep crimson royal cloak swaying with each step. Several royal knights followed behind her.
At the head of the long table, Capricorn had already been seated for quite some time.
He did not stand.
He merely lifted his gaze slightly toward the approaching princess.
Leo stopped in front of the table.
"Young lord," she said coldly,
"it seems House Astrell has forgotten even the most basic etiquette when receiving a royal representative."
Capricorn raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Is that so?"
he replied calmly.
"I was under the impression that basic etiquette meant not withdrawing troops from the border and then blaming others for it."
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Leo clenched her hand.
"Are you joking? It was House Astrell that abandoned the northern border."
Capricorn let out a faint chuckle.
"Abandoned?"
He rested his elbow on the table.
"If I remember correctly, it was your father who ordered us to withdraw."
A few nobles behind him let out quiet laughs.
Leo's expression turned cold immediately.
"You are exploiting a remark made in anger to justify an act of betrayal."
Capricorn looked straight at her.
His eyes were as cold as ice.
"Betrayal?"
he repeated.
"House Astrell has defended the northern border for over twenty years. And what has the royal family of Orson done?"
Leo slammed her hand onto the table.
"Do not forget that you live within the territory of the Orson Empire!"
Capricorn stood up as well.
His chair scraped sharply against the floor behind him.
"And do not forget,"
he said slowly,
"that the Orson Empire lives off Astrell's wheat and iron."
The two stared at each other.
Neither was willing to yield.
A royal knight subtly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Immediately, an Astrell knight did the same.
The air in the room felt as though it could ignite with a single spark.
Leo took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.
"Very well,"
she said.
"What do you want in order to send your troops back to the border?"
Capricorn did not answer immediately.
He slowly walked a few steps around the table before stopping in front of her.
"Very simple."
"First,"
"abolish the entire plan to raise taxes on the Astrell territory."
Leo gritted her teeth.
"Impossible."
Capricorn continued as if he had not heard her.
"Second, the royal family must not interfere in the governance of Astrell."
"Third…"
He leaned slightly toward her.
"the royal family must publicly apologize to House Astrell before all the nobles of the Empire."
The room instantly fell silent.
Leo stared at him as if she could not believe what she had just heard.
"Are you dreaming?"
Capricorn shrugged.
"No. I am merely stating my conditions."
Leo let out a cold laugh.
"Do you truly think the royal family would bow its head to a noble house?"
Capricorn looked at her for a few seconds.
Then replied calmly:
"Then this negotiation ends here."
He turned to leave.
Leo immediately stepped forward.
"Capricorn Astrell!"
Capricorn stopped.
Leo stared at his back.
"If a civil war breaks out… House Astrell will pay the price."
Capricorn turned his head.
His gaze was so cold that the entire room seemed to drop in temperature.
"Civil war?"
he said softly.
"Princess… the civil war began the moment your father decided to provoke Astrell."