LIGHTNOVELWORLD #2
#2
In the midst of an intense battle of wits and spirits, it was the young king of Monta who stepped forward first. Monta, a country surrounded by the sea on three sides, had developed maritime trade, making it incredibly wealthy. It also maintained close trade relations with Shamier.
“Today is the day your country announced as the prince’s coming of age. Shamier and our Monta have always maintained a close relationship as brother nations. If this marriage is realized, both countries will be able to maintain an even stronger relationship forged by blood ties. I promise that a child with half Shamier blood will become the heir of Monta and ascend to the throne as the next king. As a sincere proposal gift, we will open Tarte Port, one of Monta’s most important harbors, to Shamier free of charge for the next hundred years.”
At the mention of Tarte Port, the fingers of the King of Shamier twitched.
Shamier earned most of its income from intermediary trade, taking advantage of its geographical location. However, without a coastline, they were spending enormous amounts just to rent ports. The offer of free access for 100 years was quite tempting. Of course, the already good relationship between the two countries was an added bonus.
As the King of Shamier showed signs of interest, the crown prince of Baron, who had been standing expressionless, snorted audibly.
“It’s laughably embarrassing to hear you promise that a child with half Shamier blood will ascend to the throne as if it’s a gift. Isn’t the very act of proposing to Prince Enrique for the purpose of having a strong heir? Moreover, offering just one port and adding a 100-year term, it seems that’s all the supposedly sky-high wealth of Monta amounts to.”
At the Baron crown prince’s mockery, the Monta king raised one eyebrow.
“I wonder what grand conditions Baron will present.”
At the Monta king’s question, the Baron crown prince nodded to the envoy standing behind him. The waiting envoy immediately stepped forward and spoke.
“We, Baron, have prepared two newly discovered silver mines, one iron mine, and the entire Bellimeta territory as a wedding gift.”
The King of Shamier’s fingers twitched again. A newly discovered silver mine could be mined for at least several decades. Of course, the iron mine and the quite large and fertile Bellimeta territory were conditions anyone would covet.
With the two countries having shown their basic hands, all eyes turned to the last group, the Ruben Empire’s envoys.
In fact, among the three countries, the Ruben Empire was naturally the most powerful. True to its title as an empire, Ruben possessed vast territories and the strongest military force on the continent.
Under normal circumstances, with the Ruben Empire in play, neither Baron nor Monta would stand a chance. However, unfortunately, there was one major weakness: currently, the Ruben Empire had no direct imperial family members of marriageable age. There might be a few if they searched among the extended family, but would they really hand over such a powerful card as a dominant omega to mere extended family members?
All eyes, led by the King of Shamier, turned to the boy standing at the front of the Ruben Empire’s envoy group.
Unlike the other two suitors who appeared as imposing young men, a black-haired boy who looked barely over 10 years old stood there, blinking his dark eyes. This boy was the only imperial prince of suitable age that the Ruben Empire could put forward.
“Ahem. Hmm.”
Confirming the appearance of the young prince who looked innocent beyond compare, the Baron crown prince struggled to hide his laughter with a forced cough. The Monta king shot a pitying glance at the boy.
“Setting aside what wedding gifts the Ruben Empire has prepared, will consummation even be possible after marriage?”
One of the Baron envoys said mockingly. Some of the Ruben envoys looked irritated, while others let out faint sighs.
“Our Ruben…”
As one of the Ruben Empire’s envoys stepped forward to read from a scroll,
BANG-!
The heavy, ornate door decorated with gold and jewels was kicked open with a loud noise. All eyes in the audience chamber turned to the culprit who had forcefully opened the door. The person walking in, receiving everyone’s attention, appeared to be at that fresh age transitioning from boy to young man. With each step, his pure silver hair swayed by his ears, and his eyes, filled with irritation, were a golden color reminiscent of a beast.
Upon recognizing the intruder, a look of bewilderment appeared on the King of Shamier’s face.
“Prince… Why are you here instead of at the party?”
At the King of Shamier’s words, the eyes of the envoys changed instantly. That silver-haired beauty, no, young man, was the dominant omega that Shamier had kept hidden for over a decade!
The envoys, as well as the Baron crown prince and the Monta king, immediately felt a surge of heat in their eyes. Faced with a dominant omega more precious than any jewel, they had to struggle to control their alpha nature, known for its strong combativeness and possessiveness.
Despite receiving the gazes of many people, Prince Enrique proceeded directly towards the King of Shamier without the slightest sign of agitation.
Thud. Thud.
With each resolute step, an indescribable charisma was felt. The envoys found themselves unconsciously making way for Prince Enrique.
Unlike those who were eyeing him like a rare treasure, the King of Shamier’s complexion grew paler and bluer as his son approached.
“P-prince… Just listen to me first, okay?”
The King of Shamier, who had been skillfully dealing with envoys from powerful countries, now fidgeted nervously, unsure of how to handle his own son.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Walking across the audience chamber floor decorated with beautiful patterns, Prince Enrique suddenly stopped right in front of the King of Shamier. He quietly looked at his father with gleaming golden eyes, then turned his gaze to scan the envoys from each country.
“How could I be in the mood to enjoy a mere party when an auction is being held in this sacred audience chamber with me as the prize, Father?”
Prince Enrique sneered, raising one corner of his mouth crookedly.
“Oh my, son. That’s not it… Anyway, you need to get married too, don’t you? And what auction? I’m just trying to find the best groom for you.”
The King of Shamier tried to soothe his son, his face showing he didn’t know what to do.
“A groom, you say?”
The prince, after scanning the envoys, turned his gaze back to the King of Shamier and asked.
“Y-yes. That’s right. Your groom. All the final candidates are gathered here, so you can choose anyone you like.”
The King of Shamier, who had been eagerly listening to the conditions presented by each country just moments ago, quickly changed his attitude. From his words alone, it seemed he would gladly marry the prince off to a stable boy if that’s what the prince wanted. It seems the rumors about the King of Shamier being willing to give his liver and gall to his son, who was as beautiful as if sculpted by the gods, were true.
“Can I really choose?”
The prince glanced at his father and asked. The corner of the King of Shamier’s eye twitched. But under his son’s stern gaze, he finally nodded with a forced smile.
“Yes, yes. Go ahead and choose.”
At the King of Shamier’s nod, the envoys from the great powers, who suddenly found themselves in the position of being ‘chosen’, stiffened their faces.
The prince, having received his father’s permission, smiled, pulling up his lips. Only then could people properly appreciate the prince’s appearance.
His pure silver hair shone brilliantly in the sunlight streaming through the large windows that occupied an entire wall of the audience chamber. Below that, a white face without a speck of imperfection captivated the eyes of the beholders. It was a beauty so extreme that it might have seemed fragile, but the golden eyes shining brightly added the dignity and weight of a prince. He was dressed in regal attire that beautifully wrapped his slender body, presumably having come directly from his coming-of-age party.
The golden eyes scanning the envoys carefully emitted an arrogant light. The notion of a mere fragrant and beautiful flower that some had imagined was long shattered.
His lips, tinged with a pleasing red as if dyed with flower petals, slowly parted.
“As you’ve just heard… since my father has given me the right to choose, let’s start the auction again.”
A voice that seemed pleasantly languid yet imbued with subtle charisma resonated in the audience chamber. People’s eyes widened slightly. Some even showed expressions of disbelief. But regardless of their reactions, the prince crossed his arms, assumed a slanted posture, and urged the people on.