The throne room was no longer a place of stagnant tradition; it had been converted into a high-intensity command center.
Scribes were replaced by "Account Managers," and the heavy velvet drapes had been pulled back to reveal the sun, which seemed to shine a bit brighter since I had "restructured" its god. I sat at the head of the long table, not in the Emperor's seat, but in a chair that sat slightly to his right—the seat of the Chancellor.
"The old gold is being melted down as we speak," I said, sliding a ledger toward Alaric. "But we aren't just minting new coins. We're minting Trust."
Alaric looked at the new slip of parchment in his hand. It was made of reinforced mana-fiber, watermarked with the Imperial Seal and a hidden magical signature from Sol himself.
"Imperial Credits," Alaric read aloud. "You're telling the people that this piece of paper is worth a sack of grain?"
"I'm telling them that the Ravenstone Empire is worth a sack of grain," I corrected him. "In the old system, the gold was the value. If a merchant hid his gold, the economy died. In my system, the Empire's productivity is the value. As long as we keep winning wars and building roads, the paper stays strong."
[System Prompt: Skill 'Venture Capitalist's Eye' is assessing Market Sentiment...] [Public Confidence: 45% (Skeptical but Intrigued)] [Market Stability: 60% (Recovering from Hostile Takeover)] [Incoming Threat: The Continental Regulatory Commission is approaching the border.]
"We have company," I muttered, sensing the red notification at the edge of my vision.
The Arrival of the "Big Bank"
The Continental Regulatory Commission (CRC) was the closest thing this world had to the IMF or the Federal Reserve. They were a group of ancient, dusty mages and bankers from the Neutral Territories who decided which kingdoms were "creditworthy" and which were "liabilities."
When the doors to the Grand Hall swung open, the air turned cold—not with Alaric's lightning, but with the sterile, soulless chill of a bureaucrat's heart.
High Commissioner Vane walked in, flanked by two "Truth-Seekers"—mages whose only job was to detect a lie in a financial statement. Vane was a man who looked like he was made of grey parchment, with spectacles that magnified his eyes into terrifying, unblinking globes.
"Emperor Alaric," Vane said, his voice like dry leaves. "Empress Evelyn. We have received reports of a... 'radical' shift in your monetary policy. The CRC does not take kindly to unbacked fiat currencies. You are destabilizing the continental exchange rate."
Alaric leaned back, his hand resting on his sword. "Commissioner Vane. I don't remember inviting the CRC to my palace."
"You didn't have to," Vane replied, opening a massive, enchanted book. "The moment you declared the Merchant Guild insolvent, you triggered a 'Regional Economic Crisis' clause. We are here to audit your new 'Credits.' If we find them lacking, we will declare the Ravenstone Empire a 'High-Risk Zone' and forbid all international trade."
I stood up, adjusting my diamond choker. "Commissioner, you're about three chapters too late for an audit. I've already done the legwork."
Vane adjusted his spectacles, looking at me as if I were a particularly annoying bug. "The 'Wasteful Empress' is now a banker? How quaint. Tell me, My Lady, what backs these... papers? Gold? Silver? Land?"
"Performance," I said, walking toward him. "These credits are backed by the Frost-Iron of the North—which we now own—and the Divine Protection of the Sun God. But more importantly, they are backed by the Future Value of the Ravenstone-Northern Alliance."
"Future value is a myth," Vane sneered.
"It's only a myth if you don't have the data to support it," I countered. I snapped my fingers.
[Skill Activated: 'Aggressive Takeover - IPO Mode'!] [Effect: Displaying 'National Projections' to the Target.]
A massive, golden holographic chart erupted in the center of the hall. It showed the rising productivity of the mines, the reduced cost of grain, and the projected surplus from the new trade routes.
"This is an Initial Public Offering, Vane," I said, my voice echoing. "We aren't asking for your permission to exist. We're offering you the chance to Buy In. If the CRC recognizes the Imperial Credit today, we'll grant you a 5% stake in the Northern Iron Mines. If you wait... the price goes up."
The Negotiation
Vane stared at the chart. His "Truth-Seekers" leaned in, their eyes glowing blue as they searched the magic for a lie.
"The numbers... they are accurate," one of the mages whispered, sounding shocked. "The efficiency of the Northern mines has increased by 400% since the 'Redistribution' of the General's funds."
Vane's composure began to crumble. He wasn't a warrior; he was a man of profit. And he was looking at the biggest growth opportunity in a century.
"You're asking the CRC to gamble on the stability of a marriage and a new government," Vane said, though his hand was already reaching for his quill.
"I'm asking you to bet on a sure thing," I replied.
I looked at Alaric. He was watching me with an expression that made my breath hitch. It wasn't just "Interest" anymore; it was a deep, soul-level alignment. He stepped down from his throne and walked over to me, placing a hand on the small of my back.
"The Empress speaks for the Crown," Alaric said, his voice a low, commanding rumble. "And the Crown does not offer 5% twice. Sign, or leave my city and watch us grow without you."
Vane looked at the chart, then at the "Power Couple" standing before him. He knew when he was beat. He scrawled his name on the recognition form with a trembling hand.
"The CRC officially recognizes the Imperial Credit," Vane muttered. "May the Gods have mercy on our ledgers."
The "Dividend" of the Heart
As the bureaucrats scurried out of the hall, the System chimed with a sound like a thousand gold coins falling into a vault.
[QUEST COMPLETE: The IPO of an Empire!] [Reward: National Credit Rating upgraded to 'A-'.] [New Skill: 'Global Market Manipulation' Unlocked.] [Alaric's Interest: 80% -> 92%] [Status: The Cold Emperor is 'Deeply in Love'.]
The hall was empty now, save for the two of us. The sun was setting, casting long, golden shadows across the marble floor.
"You did it again," Alaric said, turning me to face him. He didn't let go of my waist. "You convinced the most cynical men in the world to give us their blessing."
"I just showed them the math, Alaric," I said, my heart pounding. "People will always choose a profitable lie over a losing truth. But luckily for them, I wasn't lying."
Alaric leaned in, his forehead resting against mine. The scent of cedar and ozone was intoxicating. "And what about our 'Joint Venture'? Is the interest still compounding?"
"It is," I whispered.
"Then I'd like to make a lump-sum payment," Alaric said.
He didn't wait for my "Audit" this time. He kissed me—a deep, searing kiss that tasted of victory and the promise of a future I hadn't dared to calculate. In my old life, I was a woman who lived for the "Close." But here, in Alaric's arms, I realized that the best deals aren't the ones you sign on paper.
But as always, the universe had to remind me that I was still in a web novel.
[FINAL BOSS ALERT!] [The 'Heroine' of the original novel, Princess Seraphina, has been spotted at the border.] [Plot Twist: She is claiming she has the 'Original' marriage contract to Alaric.] [Warning: A 'Hostile Marriage Takeover' is imminent.]
I pulled back from the kiss, a cold, sharp smile returning to my face.
"Alaric," I said, straightening my crown. "Get your sword. We have a 'Heroine' to bankrupt."
Alaric chuckled, his eyes glowing with that familiar, dangerous light. "I'll handle the army. You handle the fine print?"
"Deal," I said.