Chapter 8
Inside a large room was a big golden circular table with matching gold chairs, it holds atleast fidteen people, this room is commonly use as the meeting room. One of the people sitting on the table was Travis and surrounding him is his councils.
"Its a good offer your highness, if he give us one magic stone mine it would increase our magic stone production we wouldn't even need to buy from other kingdoms anymore." Tilion one of Travis advisor said. "I know but the problem is what he wants in return." Travis answered back.
"A blank paper with my signature and Stamp. He could practically write anything in that paper and we would have no choice but to treat it as a decree. What if he ask for the kingdom?! What if he ask for half our land?!" Travis could no longer hold his anger he was frustrated and annoyed.
"But he did gave us an upper hand, we just have to use it right. He said we could make a contract to practically act as a restraint to the blank paper. We just have to be smart, write down in the second contract that he cant ask for the kingdom, he cant ask for half of our territory or take anything that belongs to us that way he could only ask for the minimal things." Richus said stated.
"He's right. We just have to be smart and play our cards right." Calio the head priest of the temple stated, everyone agreed.
They all turned their head to Travis.
Travis sigh in defeat. [I guess if we just play our cards right, he couldn't possibly ask for something big.]
"Alright, then its decided then. Richus go and gather the smartest scolar in our kingdom let them make the restraint contract, I need it by tomorrow morning."
"Right away your majesty." Richus answered.
-
"Aiden, its been half a day since we left home." Arlo complained both him and Aiden where on a journey to find a physician for their Mother, they left yesterday afternoon they slept in the woods last night and now it a brand new day and they still couldn't find anyone who knows how to treat their Mother.
"I know, but we can't go home empty handed." Aiden said in a disappointed tone. They've been wondering to find a physician.
"Do you think Mother is ok?" Arlo asked Aiden, "I'm sure Asher is holding the fort. He won't let anything happens to Mother."
"Aiden look!"
Arlo shouted while pointing his fingers to the carriage passing by, the carriage was large with six horses pulling it, they knew right away that it belongs to someone of importance since only rich people with status could buy a carriage like that.
"Let's ask them for help!" Aiden said and ran towards the Carriage. Arlo on the other hand was a little apprehensive to ask for help because the crest at the side of the carriage is not of the stellae kingdom.
"Aiden wait!" Arlo yelled but it was too late, Aiden was already near the carriage so he ran after him.
"Stop!! Please help us!" Aiden shouted at the carriage, when the coachman saw Aiden and Arlo on the street his eyes widen and immediately stopped.
"Your grace! We found them." The coachman said to the people inside the carriage. Arlo and Aiden's brows furrowed in confusion.
A man with silver hair got our from the carriage.
"Found you." He said.
-
On the morning of the second meeting between the Stellae empire and Moon empire everyone from the stellae kingdom was tense. They were already at the dinning hall even before the sun was up, "Do you think we have written everything on the second contract?" One of the scolar asked his superior.
"Of course with everything we have written on the contract it would be impossible for the Moon kingdom to ask for something unreasonable I don't think it would even be possible for them to touch the stellae kingdom."
When the two large door opened everyone flinched in fear, the Moon kingdom walk like they own the place which made Travis irritated.
"Greeting your highness of the Moon Empire, I hope you slept well." Travis said, Ace just smiled at him. "I slept very well thank you."
Just like yesterday, everyone from the Moon kingdom is on the right side of the long table and on the left is everyone from the stellae kingdom.
"After much deliberation, we decided to accept your proposal, Here is the the restraint contract your grace." Travis said handing a thick stack of papers to Ace, Ace took the papers from him.
"Please give me a minute to read this." Ace said, Travis nodded.
Everyone was silent, the atmosphere inside the dining hall was tense, Travis was sweating bullets while seeing Ace read the contract.
They deliberately made the contract in their favor, they threw everything they could think of there. First and for most he cannot ask for the kingdom, he cannot ask for a land of territory that belongs to the stellae kingdom, they cannot ask for an unreasonable amount of money and many more, they have put so much restraint on that contract to the point that Ace and the moon empire could not touch them, basically they want free magic stone mine.
"Emperor Travis." Travis flinched at Ace's suddenly calling out for his name. Travis scratches the back of his neck. "Is it too much? I should have known--please tell me what you want me to omit from the contract."
"Its fine. The contract is fine. I'll sign it right away."
"What?" Shock was not enough to describe Travis's face. He could not believe that the Emperor of the Moon kingdom would agree to such a contract.
"I said I'll sign the contract." Ace said one again. "Yile, get me my stamp." Yile immediately gave Ace his stamp. "Here you go your highness."
Ace didn't waste anymore time, he stamp the contract and signed it with his fingerprint.
Everyone on the stellae kingdom was in complete shock at what happened, not only did Ace did not complain about the contract but he also signed it in a heartbeat.
"Now that that's done. I would like to have my golden blank paper with your signature and stamp on it now please." Ace said leaning on his chair with his legs crossed.
"Yes of course! Bring me the blank paper right now!" Travis stated in a panic, Even Richus was in a state of panic bringing him the blank paper.
Richus gave Travis the blank document as agreed upon, he signed it at the bottom along with stamp and fingerprint.
"Here you go your grace." Travis said handing over the blank piece of paper to Ace.
[What could you possibly put in there that we haven't put on the second contract?] Travis thought.
-
"Please help us! O-our Mother is sick." Aiden stated, he kneeled in front of the man and pleaded with him. Arlo did the same. "Please help us." He said almost in tears.
But the both of them were surprised when the man picked them up in his arms. "W-what--" Aiden asked, terrified at the man. Arlo on the other hand immediately took his daggers out and was about to stab the man "Put it away Arlo, I'm here to help you."
Arlo flinched in surprised, "How did you know who I am?" he asked.
The man smiled at them "You will know soon, but for now tell me what happened, where is your Mother? Where is your other brother?"
[He knows who we are, is he a friend of my Mom?] Aiden thought.
"Are you mom's friend?" Aiden asked the man, a playful smile plastered to the man's face.
"You could say that."
-
[End of Chapter]