The Arrival of Beauty and Tribute
The assembly of the court was over, yet the waves of its happenings extended far, far beyond the palace grounds, spreading like wildfire through the streets of the Drake Kingdom.
"His Majesty is actually giving up the Red Rock Iron Mine. for a beauty?"
"This is utter madness! Preferring a woman to the stability of the kingdom!
Without the mine, our military power will weaken! And with it, the Ironforge Kingdom will become more powerful at a breakneck speed. Why can't His Majesty see such easy logic?"
"He must be blinded by passion… unable to withstand temptation at such a young age!"
"Even the faithful Prime Minister has been sacked. He doesn't even know his own relatives! A stupid king—the Drake Kingdom is lost!
Concern etched every citizen's face; some whispered about fleeing, fearful of a future under a ruler seemingly ruled by impulse rather than reason. The neighboring kingdoms caught wind of this audacious decision, mocking Lucian Drake as a ruler consumed by vanity and desire, declaring the Drake Kingdom would surely fall under such foolish leadership.
---
Meanwhile, inside the lavish Imperial Palace of the Ironforge Kingdom, a different scene unfolded.
The Ironforge Emperor smiled with pleasure, his chin resting over the gleaming mahogany desk. "Did the Drake Kingdom actually sign on to yield the mine?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, it did," said the envoy Silas, proffering the diplomatic letter in the utmost respect, both hands outstretched.
The Emperor unfolded the letter, reading the contents with a contented smile. But a shadow of uncertainty flickered in his eyes. "It appears to be true… but my faithful subject, tell me exactly what happened during the negotiations."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Silas stood and detailed the events carefully: the ultimatums, the bribes of gold, grain, and gems, and in the end… the Drake Kingdom Emperor's offer to exchange the mine for Wang Xiangjun.
The Emperor listened with great attention, each wrinkle of his old face pinching with curiosity and suppressed mirth. When Silas was done, the Emperor's mouth twisted into a scornful snarl.
Your Majesty, initially the Drake Kingdom Emperor denied it. But when I showed him Wang Xiangjun, the loveliest woman of our kingdom, he agreed at once! Even with all his ministers against it, he went ahead. And he even dismissed Prime Minister Thomas White for having the temerity to challenge him!
"He appears… quite the lecher," declared the Emperor of the Kingdom of Ironforge. "Trading his own kingdom for a woman? He will never be great."
"Your Majesty tells the absolute truth," Silas bowed deeply, his eyes showing solemn respect.
The Ironforge Emperor stood up straight, commanding posture, hands behind his back. "Since he wants her, then we shall give her in full. The day we own the mine will be the dawn of our kingdom's triumph! To rule out any hindrance, no sooner will the transaction be sealed than our two-hundred-thousand-man army will move into the Red Rock Iron Mine. By that time, even if they want it back, it would be too late."
"Your Majesty is indeed wise!" Silas repeated, again bowing in admiration.
---
Meanwhile, in the Drake Kingdom, there was no delay. Gold, silver, jewels, grain, and tributes were all painstakingly collected and prepared for dispatch to the capital. Lucian Drake's piercing violet eyes scanned every item, verifying every detail with the meticulousness of a master tactician. His mind, working like an Empire Forging Map Game System, rendered the kingdom's resources as clear as crystal.
But most captivated by him was the hooded one in front of him. Her face was hidden, but every feature hinted at beauty beyond the ordinary: porcelain skin, rosy hair spilling like cherry blossom waterfalls, a fluid and seductive silhouette. The subtle scent she gave off was an otherworldly, intoxicating mix of chastity and enticement that permeated the hall and lingered within the air.
Lucian's eyes sparkled with curiosity, a small smile playing on his lips. "Are you. the celebrated number one beauty of the Ironforge Kingdom, Eve?
The veiled woman did not immediately react. The soft rustle of her clothing and the gentle movement of her presence said it all. Lucian Drake was intrigued; he had expected a gold and jewel treasure, but the very essence of loveliness standing before him held out a far more compelling challenge.
The city outside the palace gates hummed with excitement, and even the Drake Kingdom itself appeared to catch its breath, waiting for the next installment in a game of strategy, lust, and ambition that would be played out by the audacious and unbending emperor, Lucian Drake.