âIt is truly an honor that Your Highness is concerned about the development of our territory, but Iâm not sure if we can accept such generosity from His Highness Panos Roen Valtoria, the Second Prince, without any particular reason.â
âWeâve been ignoring each other just fine until now, so why are you suddenly butting in? Iâm not interested, so back off.@@novelbin@@
âI merely wish to provide opportunities to those who may have been overlooked, hidden in the shadows. The Imperial support is always open, after all.â
âItâs only because of Seraphine that I couldnât make contact until now, and letâs be honestâif itâs not through me, no oneâs getting Imperial support anyway, so just accept it quietly.
âThank you for your kind words, but wouldnât it be more appropriate for Marquis Pablo to receive such a great opportunity? While we are just as loyal to the Empire as the Marquis, it is his family that has served His Highness Panos Roen Valtoria for so long.â
âJust go play with your loyal lapdog. Unlike him, Iâm loyal to the Empire, not you, so donât get any ideas.
âThereâs nothing to worry about. Business is always built on mutual cooperation. If the Blackwood estate becomes part of the trade route, more merchants will pass through, which ultimately benefits Marquis Pablo as well. Heâs a man who understands practical gains, so Iâm sure heâll approve.â
âYouâre seriously turning down free money? Pabloâs got a better head on his shoulders than you.
âWe donât doubt that, but Marquis Pabloâ¦â
The conversation wasnât ending. It had already been two hours.