Chapter 32

“Sit down first,” Russell said, rubbing his jawline through his splayed fingers and nodding. Detecting the interest on his face, Aneta felt somewhat relieved as she followed his directive.

“You do realize, both in the past and now, you’re the only Marquis who has ever directly proposed a deal to me?” he remarked.

“Your Majesty possesses the power to achieve what I desire, and I have what Your Majesty wants. It’s inevitable,” she replied.

Attempting any other method would be a waste of time. She had a sure way to achieve her goal and the means to make it happen, so there was no reason to hesitate.

Aneta believed that as long as she didn’t betray Russell, she had no reason to fear him. Politically, no one could afford to exclude her.

“Can I take it that you’ve prepared something equivalent in return for your request?”

“Of course.”

It was clear that this would be a mutually beneficial deal, so Aneta confirmed without hesitation. Russell, picking up on her underlying confidence, smiled slightly.

“Let’s hear it, then. State your demands first.”

“What I seek is an exclusive right for the Adenauer family to distribute diamonds from the Henriette Mine,” Aneta began.

Russell gave her a look that seemed to ask if that was all, to which she quickly responded,

“Additionally, given the significant contribution the Henriette Mine makes to foreign currency earnings, I request that anyone caught illegally distributing or smuggling diamonds be punished more severely under the national law.”

“That’s quite a demanding request,” Russell remarked.

The reason the Adenauer Marquisate could make a fortune from the diamonds of the Henriette Mine was due to their exceptional quality, even among the very limited global supply.

The term “limited” naturally triggered people’s desire to possess them. Many sought these luxury items, valuable enough to warrant special markings.

Those with the wealth to buy such jewels through illegal channels would certainly go to great lengths to obtain them.

“And the compensation?” Russell asked, eyeing Aneta, who had effectively placed the difficult task of controlling illegal distribution in his hands. He would naturally refuse if there wasn’t a convincing reward.

“I will lower the price of the iron supplied to the imperial family and the Duke of Baltimor,” she offered.

“Obviously, to a level that would satisfy me?”

Russell was not one to be swayed by personal feelings. Aneta had already decided on the new price.

“How about half of the previous price?” she suggested.

It was a deal with no losses—only potential gains. Sensing her thoughts, Russell echoed her sentiment.

“A profitable deal.”

Russell decided to hold back on the issue he had initially intended to discuss with Aneta. He had already gained more than expected. This unexpected benefit left him quite satisfied.

“Duke of Baltimor, what do you think?” Russell turned to Carlos for his opinion.

Although it was clear that Russell was already inclined to agree, he deliberately shifted his attention to Carlos.

Aneta’s gaze also turned to him. It was a calm gaze that did not seek help. Carlos, who had been quietly observing the exchange, nodded in agreement.

“I think the same, Your Majesty. It’s an advantageous arrangement. The reduced cost of iron would significantly benefit both the empire and the duchy.”

Russell nodded at Carlos’ affirmation.

“Then it’s settled,” Russell concluded, looking pleased.

“Aneta, you have your exclusive rights, and we’ll ensure the strict enforcement of the law against illegal diamond trafficking.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Aneta replied, feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment.

Realizing that this signified acceptance, Aneta bowed deeply.

Russell immediately drafted the contract and handed it over.

Knowing well Aneta’s preference for leaving clear evidence, he did so without asking.

This was only the second time the Emperor himself had drawn up a contract in a face-to-face meeting. On both occasions, the counterpart had been her.

“Have you reviewed it?”

“Yes.”

Seeing the seal she had brought, confident that the deal would go through from the beginning, Russell chuckled.

If someone who only talked without any competence had done this, it would have been not very pleasant. But Aneta was different.

As soon as her business was concluded, Aneta took her copy of the contract and left.

It was an unexpected and unplanned visit, but Carlos’s gaze never left the door through which she exited.

“Carlos.”

“Yes, brother.”

In the space now occupied only by the two of them, their titles became more familiar. It was their long-standing rule that Russell was referred to as “Your Majesty” when addressed by his title, and “brother” when addressed by his name.

“You look eager to follow her. Aren’t you going?”

Russell’s words, implying he should be worried, only made Carlos more anxious.

“I can’t do that now. It’s my duty to attend to you.”

He wanted to follow her immediately. What held him back was his remaining sense of reason.
“I’m curious why the Marquis of Adenauer suddenly made such a request.”

As Carlos restrained his impulse and replied, Russell laughed. He didn’t mind providing an excuse for his younger brother, who never pretended in front of him.

“Could you look into it for me?”

Not only Russell but also Carlos had a rough idea of what might have transpired after hearing Aneta’s request. However, Carlos wanted to understand the situation concerning Aneta more clearly.

“But….”

“Please, just do it.”

Russell usually didn’t concern himself with such trivial matters. If he had been genuinely curious, he would have inquired about it directly. Knowing this, Carlos couldn’t help but accept gratefully.

“Then, I will go.”

Without any further hesitation, Carlos quickly left Russell’s office.

As the sound of footsteps faded swiftly beyond the closed door, Russell burst into laughter.

“He’s truly fallen hard.”

He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it. Not that he couldn’t understand—if Carlos hadn’t loved Aneta, he might have ended up loving her himself.

The difference between him and his brother was that he had uprooted any budding feelings as soon as he discovered them.

Setting aside personal feelings, Russell had once regretted that she was born a woman.

However, those thoughts changed as Aneta and Louise’s accomplishments grew.

He had long since abandoned the notion that only men were superior. Through the two brilliant women, he realized that gender should not be the criterion for judging talent.

As a leader, he prided himself on having learned that valuable lesson.

***

“And then….”

Aneta was giving instructions to Baron when she paused, noticing Carlos entering the room.

“Don’t mind me, just continue.”

With a casual remark, he took a seat on the sofa. Aneta watched him briefly before continuing her conversation.

“…support the full cost of treatment for the miner’s son until he fully recovers. Tell him there’s no need to return to the mines, as it’s a reward for his hard work.”

“Are you firing him?”

“For whatever reason, we cannot continue to employ someone with a record. I will keep this incident quiet, so tell him to quietly look for another job. Make sure this matter doesn’t leak out.”

After conveying her decision briefly, Aneta sent Baron back to the estate.

Once he bowed and left, Carlos finally spoke.

“What’s going on?”

“Do I have to answer?”

“I came under the Emperor’s orders.”

Carlos used the excuse Russell had provided.

Mentioning the Emperor, Aneta reluctantly began to explain.

“A miner working at the Henriette Mine was caught trying to steal a diamond. His circumstances were pitiable, so I showed some leniency.”

Carlos recalled her instructions to support the miner’s son’s medical expenses, understanding the difficult situation she referred to.

“If you intended to help from the start, why did you request such a deal from His Majesty?”

“Though we were lucky to catch him this time, there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. We need to close any loopholes to prevent anyone from harboring such thoughts.”

“Why are you going easy on him?”

“I guess I felt sorry for him.”

Carlos’s lips pressed together at her nonchalant response. He felt a pang of guilt for prying too much, but she spoke again before he could apologize.

“He risked his life for his son, something he was certain would cost him his life if it was discovered.”

“…….”

“He has a father willing to risk his life for him, so he deserves to live a long life.”

Aneta’s hands trembled slightly as she slowly organized the papers on her desk. Even though she could feel his gaze fixed on her, she did not lift her head.

Recently, she had become so comfortable with him that she spoke impulsively. She wondered if she should have kept it to herself, but it was too late to take back her words.

Aneta glanced at the clock, letting go of any regrets about what couldn’t be undone, and stood up. It was time to return to her mansion.

“Aneta.”

He also stood, his voice filled with unmistakable affection as he softly called her name.

Aneta turned to meet his unwavering gaze, golden eyes shining with the same emotion.

“I feel the same. I would do anything for you.”

He moistened his dry lips briefly before murmuring tenderly.

“I mean it.”

Her eyes wavered at last. It felt as though something frozen within her was cracking, allowing a warm breeze to seep in.

A piece of spring she had never felt before lodged itself in her heart. Reacting to this unfamiliar feeling, Aneta responded a beat later.

“…I know.”

With a brief reply, Aneta turned away again. She moved, not even remembering what expression she had worn.

She thought she heard a low chuckle behind the closing door.

The air was even cooler now that the sun had set. As Aneta climbed into the carriage, she shivered from the chill that brushed her skin.

Returning to her mansion, the first thing Aneta did was soak in a bath with lavender oil. Lately, she had been overworking herself, feeling chills and a persistent sense of fatigue for no apparent reason.

Feeling a sharp pain that seemed to pierce her entire body, Aneta raised a wet hand to her forehead, trying to determine if she had a fever.

“Dinner is ready”

After being attended to by her maids and having her body dried, Aneta went straight to bed. Since tomorrow was a day off, she planned to sleep as much as possible.

The last thing she saw before closing her eyes was Isabel’s worried face. Drawn into a deep sleep by the fatigue weighing heavily on her body, Aneta succumbed to her exhaustion.

When she opened her eyes again, her entire body was burning with fever. Isabel’s worried face was the first thing she saw, just as before. Aneta tried to sit up.

That was when she realized she didn’t have the strength to move even a finger. Groaning from the pain, she found that there wasn’t a single part of her body that didn’t ache, as if she’d been thoroughly beaten.

“The doctor came by. He said it was a severe cold and exhaustion. Considering how hard you’ve been working, it’s no wonder your body is worn out,” Isabel said, trying to mask her worry with a firm tone.

“For the next week, don’t do anything and just rest. I’ll inform the palace tomorrow.”