The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 74

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 74
“Better than I expected.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor nodded readily in appreciation.
In Rozelin’s world, the Dianitas Empire and Kaluta had waged a great war.
There, the King of Kaluta fell, and the Emperor himself received wounds that should have been fatal.
The details remained unclear, but it suggested that the Emperor’s power was enough to overcome Kaluta’s King.
‘Considering the individual strength of Kaluta’s warriors, you can gauge just how monstrous the Emperor truly is.’
Even acting as casually as this, that easy confidence was proof he feared nothing at all.
After the war ended, Kaluta and the Dianitas Empire established a Peace Treaty.
Call it an Alliance and peace, but in substance, it amounted to little more than Kaluta becoming a vassal state of Dianitas.
The treaty written then had been publicly announced throughout the realm.
This time, Rozelin had simply taken what she had seen and heard about that treaty, refined it carefully with the true meaning of “Alliance” in mind, and organized it anew.
Kaluta’s borders would not open immediately.
Kaluta’s Border Opening would be decided by mutual agreement between the two sides once trust had been built through ongoing exchange.
The Dianitas Empire would spare no financial or material aid to enable Kaluta to function as a proper nation.
In matters of trade or commerce with Kaluta, the Dianitas Empire held Priority Negotiation Rights.
Should either nation face danger, it could request aid from its ally, and the ally was obligated to accept.
The establishment of Trade Routes would be undertaken and developed by the Dianitas Empire in consultation with Kaluta.
Neither nation would, for any reason, inflict financial or material damage that risked provoking a state war against the other. (However, in the case of criminals threatening peace, punishment would be decided through consultation.)
Both nations would establish regular channels of communication and send their respective representatives to reside in each other’s capital.
Both nations would respect each other’s military facilities and refrain from imposing sanctions regarding them.
Regarding trade goods, decisions would be made through mutual consultation, and the scope would be expanded gradually.
For the next five years, Kaluta would not conduct trade with any nation outside the Dianitas Empire. (However, the Dianitas Empire would apply no tariffs in this regard.)
This sort of content was written quite extensively and in detail.
At first glance it seemed favorable to Kaluta, yet it did not neglect the Dianitas Empire’s interests either.
The Emperor was struck by this.
That the young lady he thought had learned nothing properly had drafted the Treaty at a carefully balanced point—slightly irksome to both sides, yet forgivable.
“Rozelin.”
“Yes?”
“This Priority Negotiation Rights for the Empire—does that mean we can refuse if we don’t like the Empire’s terms?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Kaluta nodded at the Emperor’s words.
“It’s precisely what it says—Priority Negotiation Rights means only that we have the right to negotiate first.”
“Isn’t the stipulation about not trading with anyone outside the Dianitas Empire for the next five years rather harsh?”
At the Emperor’s question, spoken with a hint of amusement, Rozelin shook her head.
“In practice, this treaty is also for Kaluta’s benefit. Of course, it could be revised… if you wished?”
Rozelin glanced at the Emperor as she spoke.
The Emperor, eyes narrowing, rubbed his chin while nodding.
“A treaty for our benefit?”
“Yes. If word of this treaty being concluded spreads, many nations will certainly attempt to contact Kaluta.”
“…That they would.”
The Emperor furrowed his brow as if the mere thought displeased him, and nodded.
“This clause serves as a means to prevent that. Certainly, those looking to exploit… ah, forgive me.”
Rozelin smiled faintly and corrected the crude word she had let slip.
“When Kaluta suddenly opens its borders, many will use that as a pretext to thrust treaties favorable to themselves upon you. Of course, you and Hatan don’t seem the sort to fall for it easily, but there are far more cunning people in this world than one might imagine.”
Rozelin spoke matter-of-factly.
“With this treaty in place, for the next five years, those approaching will hesitate out of fear of the Empire, and in that time Kaluta can learn much through trade with the Empire.”
“So that’s why you call it a treaty for Kaluta’s benefit?”
“Yes. Of course, we also have the advantage of monopolizing Kaluta’s trade goods, which cannot be obtained anywhere else.”
At Rozelin’s ingenuous remark, the Emperor burst into genuine laughter.
She laughed for some time, then nodded.
“Well, I see no articles we would seriously object to. Though it does seem there are details we could fine-tune and adjust further…”
Having read through the entire document, the Emperor nodded readily.
“I trust you, Rozelin. I believe whatever you undertake will proceed in a manner that does not harm us.”
“…I appreciate that, but trusting people so easily tends to get you backstabbed.”
Rozelin added matter-of-factly.
“Oh, now that I think of it. Let’s proceed with the Royal Marriage as well.”
And she drove home the nail regarding Uddian’s Betrothal without hesitation.
The point was to sell off this troublemaker to Kaluta beforehand, lest she cause all manner of problems if left in the Empire.
“Hmm? Now that I think of it, my daughter has taken a liking to your Second Prince. What does the Emperor of the Empire think of it?”
“As far as we’re concerned, it’s for the sake of a stronger alliance. If Kaluta has no objection, neither do we.”
“A Royal Marriage right away would be too much of a burden. What do you say we start with a betrothal first?”
“Agreed. In private, feel free to call me Sebirus. In Kaluta, that’s a mark of affection.”
“Indeed. I look forward to it, Sebirus. Let’s coordinate the finer details in a way that benefits us both.”
The two men shook hands.
Over the next few hours of negotiation, the betrothal was finalized.
And so Rozelin had successfully managed to sell off Uddian.
* * *
“Everything worked out well, thanks to you.”
“Yes.”
After Khan and Hatan departed, Rozelin remained in the Reception Room, her expression betraying unmistakable discomfort as she replied.
‘I don’t see why they wanted me to stay.’
She was eager to retire and rest.
“You spoke quite freely with them a moment ago, yet you turn taciturn in my presence. Or am I mistaken?”
“I only exercise my social faculties when the occasion warrants it.”
“And this isn’t such an occasion?”
“I’ve completed what needed to be done, so I judged there was no reason to employ them further.”
Rozelin answered indifferently and drained the last of her tea.
“I wonder where a noblewoman finds such audacity.”
“It’s a judgment based on objective fact. Since I believe I’m of use, I don’t think Your Majesty would dispose of me.”
“Dispose of? Who am I disposing of?”
The Emperor laughed.
“It seems you’ve heard nothing of my reputation.”
“A tiger doesn’t cease to be a tiger merely because it hunts with hidden claws. Its nature doesn’t change.”
The Emperor paused at Rozelin’s words. He regarded her with an enigmatic smile playing at his lips.
“How intriguing. I find myself wondering what sort of Abyss you harbor.”
The middle-aged Emperor, lounging with legs crossed in an arrogant pose, stroked his chin thoughtfully as he spoke.
“Tell me—why do you suppose that tiger keeps its claws hidden?”
“To hunt more prey.”
“And why?”
Rozelin slowly lifted her gaze.
Her voice carried amusement, but her eyes did not.
The benevolent, affable Emperor—the one who had seemed almost like a leisurely gentleman—was in truth nothing of the sort.
A chill crept down her spine. She stood before an apex predator, untouchable and absolute.
Rozelin tensed internally, though her expression revealed nothing.
She reached for her tea cup, then set it down, and finally spoke.
“Because it’s more dramatic and intense that way. And because… it’s more amusing.”
At Rozelin’s slowly measured words, the Emperor burst into laughter.
He uncrossed his legs and doubled over with mirth, and a chill ran down her spine at the sight.
“Ah, forgive me.”
He wiped his mouth with his hand and spoke.
“You’re only the second person to speak to me that way.”
The Emperor’s expression grew distant, nostalgic. Seeing Rozelin’s bewildered look, he continued.
“A woman saw through me once, at the very beginning. She said the very same thing to me.”
And for that transgression, she was stripped of her freedom.
The Emperor had broken those boundless wings of hers, clasping them within his own grasp.
He smoothed his lips with his palm several times, composing a natural smile.
“But why did you think such a thing? Amusement—hardly the thought of a noblewoman raised in privilege.”
The seventeen-year-old Rozelin could not have known, but the twenty-seven-year-old Rozelin understood much.
“Some beasts hunt even when they’re not hungry. They can’t forget the thrill of the hunt.”
“Hmm.”
“And some beasts fast to the very edge of starvation before hunting. They’ve learned that this way, the meal tastes richer.”
Rozelin continued in a low, measured tone.
‘But what if… a beast were clever enough to want to do both at once?’
Rozelin met the Emperor’s blue gaze.
Those eyes, which seemed cleaner and more transparent than anything in the world, belonged to the cruelest man she had ever known.
“And that way, for nearly a decade, no one would dare even think of climbing toward you.”
It was then that the Emperor’s expression twisted into something strange.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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