A Business Deal

A few hours later, Ryker watched as Prince Aki entered the drawing room of his new quarters. The prince carried a box with him as he headed towards the table.

When the prince got to the table, Ryker stood up and gave a small bow. “”Greetings, your highness.”

“No need for such formalities. Aki is fine.” The prince waved a hand in the air. “I came here as a friend to congratulate you on your engagement.”

“Alright Aki. Then please call me Ryker.” Ryker said in understanding before taking a seat.

He was glad the prince had extended friendship to him, even if it was for political reasons. The more allies he had, the better.

Once Prince Aki was seated, he held up the box to Ryker. “This is for you. Oh…And the crystal.”

He let Ryker take the box before putting a hand into the pocket of his trousers. The prince pulled out the crystal Ryker had given him yesterday.

“It’s fine, Aki. Keep it in case we need to talk privately again.” Ryker said. “I have a few more of those so you don’t need to worry about it.”

Prince Aki nodded and placed the crystal back in his pocket. While he did so, Ryker opened the box the prince had given him, seeing a pair of leather boots in them.

He looked at them a little confused. “Aki, what are the boots for?”

“Ah, it’s customary in Tignor for a friend to give a newly engaged man a pair of boots.” Prince Aki explained, chuckling a little. “It’s to congratulate your friend for taking a step into the future by choosing a life partner.”

“I see…” Ryker murmured, placing the lid back over the box. “Thank you for the gift.”

“Of course.” Prince Aki smiled. “Do tell me if they don’t fit. I did ask your vassel to help but with the sudden announcement…”

Ryker didn’t need Prince Aki to finish the sentence to understand what he meant. “Are you not upset by the sudden engagement?”

Prince Aki let out a laugh. “You don’t have to worry about me coming here to marry the princess. I have someone waiting back home. The reason I’m here is completely political. I was even lucky enough to run into you.”

“Are you engaged then?” Ryker asked.

“Sadly no.” Prince smiled sadly. “Marriage negotiations are still ongoing as the woman in question is not exactly a high ranking noble.”

“Is this why you came here? To build influence so her ranking won’t matter.” Ryker mused.

“I see you understand situations very quickly.” Prince Aki nodded. “So, that deal?”

“I already made a rough contract for you to read through.” Ryker said, sliding a small pile of documents over to Prince Aki. “I heard you own a few apatite mines…”

“And you want to buy the mineral at a discounted rate.” Prince Aki finished, taking the documents. “In exchange, you’ll allow mages from Tignor to enter the duchy and learn from more powerful mages.”

“Yes.” Ryker nodded.

He knew the offer was a rip off but that wasn’t what he really wanted. By starting with a rip off offer, he could negotiate to what he really wanted. Which was a constant supply for apatite for mage crystals development and a trade deal.

Prince Aki skimmed over the document for a moment. “Hmmm… I think a discounted rate for apatite is a bit much, especially with a 25% discount from market prices and having to send a constant supply of 500kg. I would be making a loss after a few months.”

“Then what about 10% with an offer on mage crystals.” Ryker paused for a second. “Say 100 crystals a month 5% the market rate.?”

Prince Aki was silent, thinking over the deal. “Make it 7% for 145 crystals and we have a deal.”

“Alright, I can work with that.” Ryker nodded in agreement.

It wasn’t exactly what he wanted but it was better than nothing. He had been lucky with this deal seeing as their apatite supply had been running low for the past few months.

It seems that before his father had passed away, the former duke had been looking into a new supplier. Thankfully, his research had shown the Tignor Crown Prince owned quite a few mines in the south which were rich with apatite.

It’s one of the reasons he was so eager to have the prince approach him with an alliance.

“Great.” Prince Aki. “I’ll have my secretary write up a more refined contract draft to send to you.”

Ryker nodded in understanding. “Certainly.”

Prince sighed happily. “Now with business out the way, can I ask what happened yesterday?”

Ryker knew instantly that the prince was referring to him suddenly leaving the banquet after the princess’s shocking announcement probably raised a few eyebrows.

But he didn’t regret doing it.

“I just had to make sure my ears were not deceiving me.” Ryker simply answered. “I was as shocked as everyone when her highness announced our wedding.”

“And in two weeks you’ll be married.”

“Yes. I wish it were later as my mother is currently sick but I don’t wish to change the date and make the princess look bad.” Ryker said.

He needed to spread rumors about his mother’s illness that way it wouldn’t seem weird when she rejected the official wedding invitation.

“That’s too bad.” Prince Aki said. “But perhaps you could have a second wedding in Pellan. One that your mother could attend.”

“I suppose that could work. We could leave after the wedding and visit my family.” Ryker said, glad he had gotten the perfect excuse for the princess and him to head to the duchy. “I should send a carrier pigeon to my sister so she can prepare for our visit.”

Ryker decided to send a carrier pigeon as he didn’t want to raise suspension about having an MCD with them. They were technically only meant for royalty and the military so it would be weird if he had one.

“Yes. But you’ll probably also have to talk to the emperor about you two departing after the wedding.” Prince Aki mused. “Maybe you should add that you’ll be visiting Tignor as well.”

“Is that an invitation?” Ryker laughed.

“Of course. I’ll even introduce you to the woman that captured my heart.” Prince Aki joked back.