The Trade Duchess of Keth arrived precisely at noon.
Which, in itself, was already an act of aggression.
Trumpets announced her carriage long before it reached the palace gates — polished brass, sharp and confident, the kind of fanfare meant to say we are important and we know it. The citizens gathered in the square murmured as the carriage rolled through, lacquered black with gold trim, pulled by horses groomed so meticulously they looked offended by the dust beneath their hooves.
Aerin watched from the balcony, hands clasped behind his back.
"She's early," he murmured.
Mira stood beside him, calm as ever. "She wants to establish dominance."
Elira leaned forward eagerly, peering over the railing.
"She smells like money," Elira said.
Aerin blinked. "You can smell money?"
"Yes," Elira replied. "It smells like arrogance and oil."
Mira nodded thoughtfully. "That's… surprisingly accurate."
The carriage doors opened.
Lady Solenne of Keth stepped out.
She was tall, sharp-featured, impeccably dressed in layers of flowing silk and structured leather — a merchant noble's version of armor. Her hair was braided with gold thread. Her smile was confident, practiced, and entirely convinced of its own effectiveness.
She surveyed the palace like a woman already calculating profit margins.
"Ah," Solenne said smoothly, her voice carrying even to the balcony. "Aqura. How quaint."
Elira gasped. "She insulted the stones."
Aerin exhaled. "Elira—"
"I will be polite," Elira promised immediately. "I am practicing diplomacy."
Mira placed a gentle hand on Elira's arm. "Remember: no threats."
Elira nodded firmly. "Only implications."
Mira paused. "…Preferably none."
The reception hall buzzed with tension.
Nobles lined the walls, whispering. Guards stood straighter than usual. Cassian took his position near the entrance, posture rigid but eyes alert.
Valessara arrived last.
Of course she did.
She swept into the hall like she owned it, expression cool, crown gleaming, gaze immediately finding Cassian. Her eyes lingered just a moment too long.
Aerin noticed this time.
He didn't react — but something hardened behind his eyes.
Lady Solenne approached the throne, bowing with exactly the minimum respect required.
"Your Majesty," she said, straightening quickly. "You look… younger than expected."
Elira bristled. "He looks resilient."
Solenne blinked. "And you are…?"
Elira smiled brightly. "His wife."
Solenne's eyes flicked to Mira.
"And…?"
Mira inclined her head politely. "Also his wife."
Solenne paused.
Then smiled wider.
"How wonderfully… efficient."
Elira frowned. "That was not a compliment."
Aerin cleared his throat. "Lady Solenne. Welcome to Aqura."
"Thank you," Solenne replied smoothly. "I trust you received our proposal."
"We did," Aerin said evenly. "And we declined."
Solenne laughed lightly, like someone humoring a child.
"Oh, Your Majesty," she said. "You misunderstand. That was not a request."
The hall went silent.
Elira leaned forward, smiling too brightly. "That was rude."
Mira inhaled slowly.
Aerin did not raise his voice.
"It was declined," he repeated. "Which means it was a request."
Solenne studied him, surprised. "You're firmer than the reports suggested."
Aerin met her gaze. "The reports are outdated."
Elira nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. He grew a spine. I helped."
Solenne chuckled. "Charming."
Valessara smirked faintly.
Solenne continued, unfazed. "Keth controls trade routes you rely on. Oil flows through contracts, not sentiment."
Elira raised a finger. "Oil flows through ground."
Mira gently lowered Elira's hand. "Elira."
Elira whispered, "I am being helpful."
Solenne tilted her head. "You must be the assassin wife."
Elira beamed. "Former."
Solenne arched a brow. "Former assassins rarely stay former."
Elira nodded thoughtfully. "True. But I am married now."
Solenne smiled thinly. "Congratulations."
Elira leaned closer. "Thank you. Please do not attempt economic coercion. It makes me nostalgic."
Solenne's smile faltered just a fraction.
Aerin noticed.
Good.
Negotiations did not go as Solenne expected.
Aerin listened.
He didn't interrupt.
He didn't fidget.
When he spoke, it was measured — calm, precise, and annoyingly reasonable.
"We will not marry for trade," he said. "But we will negotiate openly."
Solenne frowned. "Without leverage?"
Aerin smiled faintly. "You assume you have it."
Mira slid a document across the table. "Aqura has diversified its routes."
Solenne scanned it, expression tightening.
Elira leaned over her shoulder. "Also, I watch people."
Solenne looked up sharply.
Elira smiled sweetly. "Closely."
Valessara clicked her tongue. "This is absurd."
Aerin turned to her.
"Be quiet," he said.
The room froze.
Valessara stared.
Aerin didn't raise his voice.
Didn't apologize.
Didn't explain.
Valessara's lips parted — then pressed together.
Solenne watched with open interest.
"Well," she said slowly. "This is unexpected."
Aerin leaned back slightly.
"You came here assuming chaos," he said. "You were right. But chaos doesn't mean weakness."
Elira nodded proudly. "We are structured chaos."
Solenne laughed despite herself.
"I will reconsider my approach," she said. "For now."
She rose.
"I look forward to further talks," she added, bowing more deeply this time.
Elira waved cheerfully. "Goodbye. Please walk safely."
Solenne hesitated.
"…Thank you."
Later, in the gardens, Elira paced.
"I think I did well," she said.
"You did," Mira agreed. "Mostly."
Aerin smiled at Elira. "You didn't threaten her."
Elira brightened. "I implied danger through eye contact."
Aerin winced. "Still progress."
Elira clasped her hands behind her back. "I am proud."
Mira's expression softened. "You should be."
Cassian approached quietly.
"Aerin," he said. "Valessara is… unhappy."
Aerin nodded. "She will adapt."
Cassian hesitated. "She doesn't like losing control."
Elira tilted her head. "Neither do I."
Cassian paled slightly.
Elira smiled. "But I am learning to share power."
Aerin looked at Cassian. "You're safe here."
Cassian swallowed. "Thank you."
From a balcony above, Valessara watched them.
Her grip tightened on the railing.
The assassin was smiling.
The calm wife was watching.
And the king — the king was no longer drifting.
The balance had shifted.
And Valessara did not intend to let it stay that way.
That evening, Elira sat beside Aerin, humming softly.
"I like when you speak firmly," she said.
Aerin blinked. "You do?"
"Yes," Elira replied. "It makes me want to stab less."
Mira smiled into her tea.
Aerin laughed quietly.
"Then I'll keep practicing."
The Harem Alarm chimed once — not loudly, not urgently.
Content.
For now.