Chapter 219

What's there to be afraid of? He's not afraid at all. With his wife 'Avril' protecting him, he can even pull out the contract and order Elvian to kneel down if all else fails.

"Ryan, we meet again." Elvian finally walked up to him, a fake smile on her face. "This time, Magana didn't come with you?"

Although she was laughing, Ryan clearly felt that she wanted to devour him.

"The Grand Duke is too busy to come." Ryan patted Jonathan on the shoulder. "That's why I brought my most trusted old leader. Don't underestimate him. He could take on ten of you without a problem. If you dare to have the slightest ill intentions, he said he would wipe out your royal city and slaughter 108,000 people in your kingdom."

Jonathan: "???"

Elvian glanced at Old Joe, a cold glint in her eyes. She had no information about Jonathan, but she dared not underestimate the people Ryan had brought.

"Queen Elvian, what's the meaning behind your outfit?"

"I'm about to abdicate, so I'm just getting used to it in advance. What, are you not used to it?" Elvian said calmly. "After our marriage, I'll probably wear this outfit every day."

Red represents strong emotions, and Old Joe could tell that the person behind it was up to no good. This was obviously Elvian doing it on purpose, to put that kind of mental pressure on Ryan.

Aren't you Magana's favorite at her bedside?

I want to see if she can stay with you forever!

Ryan exclaimed in surprise, "This is all you're wearing? No way, no way! Your Queen, if you don't have the money, I'll buy you a few more outfits."

Jonathan: "Pfft."

Elvian glanced at Old Joe.

Jonathan looked up at the sky with a serious expression. The night was beautiful.

"Let's go, I've prepared a place for the negotiations."

What kind of magnanimity does Elvian possess? How could she get angry over just one sentence from Ryan? Ha~ She won't get angry.

Watching Elvian turn and leave, Jonathan clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Ryan, you're doomed. You're going to be forced into a marriage with her."

"It's okay, she can be a little cold-hearted. I'm not going to be her father and take care of her."

"No, she's not cold at all." Jonathan patted Ryan on the shoulder, giving him a lecture like Old Joe: "Women like that, once they get passionate, are hotter than fire. Your small frame probably can't handle it."

Ryan: "..."

Old Joe is experienced, but Ryan is just a bunch of scumbags. What's Ryan afraid of? He's Pure White Dragon!

Anyway, the purpose of coming to Elvian this time is very clear: to sign a contract (with Cao Pi), to advance (with Cao Pi), and to prioritize important matters.

As Ryan emerged from the train station, he was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the people of Wildea. He waved and greeted them with smiles, and sure enough, the enthusiasm only intensified.

"Old Joe, look, the Wilder people are so hospitable."

Are you sure this is passion?

Old Joe was terrified, while Elvian, who was walking ahead, almost clenched her fists to pieces when she saw Ryan's appearance.

Once they arrived at the castle, the initial enthusiasm subsided. Elvian dismissed most of her entourage and then arranged for Augustus's negotiation team to rest. The negotiations were scheduled for tomorrow, but she needed to inform Ryan beforehand.

Ryan thought so too.

He took Jonathan into the castle alone.

When they arrived at the conference room, Jonathan was waiting outside the door. When Ryan went in, he found Avril was there too. He knew why; Avril was about to become the acting Queen, and Elvian was now going to teach her how to become an excellent Queen.

Hmm... wait a minute? The defeated teach the victors? Something feels off.

"Your Majesty." Avril nodded to Elvian, then looked coldly at Ryan, "You despicable fellow."

Ryan shrugged. "Miss Avril, what are you saying? How have I been despicable?"

"Avril." Elvian stopped Avril, who was about to say something, and gently shook her head, saying in a low voice, "Business is more important."

She didn't call Ryan over just to spite him.

Although 'Vainay' agreed to peace talks, how should the two countries actually get along? As a vassal state, Verdea has a very flexible upper and lower limit in its policy toward Augustus, and this limit depends on the outcome of the negotiations.

For example, even though they were both vassal states, they might be divided into second-class and fourth-class citizens.

As Queen, Elvian naturally had to strive to secure the best possible benefits for the kingdom.

Actually, she could talk to someone else about this; that would be easier for her.

But.

Elvian wanted to talk to Ryan.

Once the three of them were seated, Elvian said, "Ryan, I'd like to talk to you about the general direction of this negotiation first."

Ryan responded, "Go ahead."

Elvian gestured to Avril, who then handed over a pre-prepared contract.

"This is the contract I drafted with Augustus. You can take a look at it first."

Ryan flipped through the contract a few times, understood its contents, and then tore it up right in front of Elvian.

"Ryan!" Elvian slammed her hand on the table. "What do you mean by this?!"

Ryan smiled faintly, "Isn't it obvious? I don't agree to what you're saying, Queen."

Elvian frowned. Not agree? She'd already expected that, but even if they didn't agree, shouldn't they at least talk first? What kind of logic was this, tearing it up like that?

"Your Queen, I think you may have misunderstood something. Although this is ostensibly a peace negotiation, it is actually your Wildeia that has requested peace, making you a vassal state. What were those things you just presented? An alliance treaty? Are you trying to make me laugh so hard that you can inherit my property under the guise of a marriage alliance?"

Elvian scoffed, "Do you think I'm not sincere about peace talks?"

"Don't even think about it, it's completely unacceptable. Do you really think this is sincere?" Ryan jumped up and strode outside. "Old Joe's gone berserk!!!"

"Wait a moment!"

Avril quickly stood up as well, "Ryan, wait a minute!"

"What, is there something else?"

"Those were the contracts I drafted. It was my problem, not His Your Majesty's. Blame me if you must," Avril pleaded. "Please continue negotiating with His Your Majesty."

"Oh? Is that so?" Ryan looked at Elvian.

"Your Majesty ..." Avril asked, casting a pleading look in her eyes.

"Yes..."

Elvian was furious, but she knew this was not the time to act impulsively.

Avril is willing to take the blame herself to keep Ryan; this negotiation absolutely cannot be messed up!

"I'm sorry, Ryan, it was my oversight." Elvian's tone softened.

"I see." Ryan turned to look at Elvian and smiled, "Look at her, your acting Queen is much more sensible than you."

Elvian remained silent, ignoring Ryan's taunts, but her heart ached even more for Avril's forced compromise... Ryan never plays by the rules, so she had to be more careful from now on... Avril, I'm sorry.

She looked at Avril, who gently shook her head, signaling her not to get agitated.

"What's going on?" Old Joe's head peeked in through the crack in the door.

"It's okay, we'll speed it up later."

Ryan waved and then sat down again.

"Since the acting Queen is so sincere, I've also brought a contract with me. Please take a look."

He took the contract out of his storage bag and threw it over.

Elvian felt an urge to kill as soon as she saw the first line.

"Such a heavy tax, are you trying to destroy Wildea?!"

Ryan curled his lip. "Is this tax heavy? You can squeeze it out. To tell you the truth, it's considered light among the countries that were destroyed by Augustus."

"Ryan!" Elvian took a deep breath, then suddenly smiled. "You should know that I would never sign such a contract. Although the Empress sent you to take charge, you also have your own mission. If the negotiations fail, you will be held responsible."

"Yes, I know."

"So, do you think the Empress will take this opportunity to punish you? You are Magana's person, she would love for you to make a mistake so she can find an excuse."

"Hmm~ That's more like it. Elvian, did you speak with our Empress before seeing me?"

"Of course," Elvian didn't deny it. "Otherwise, how do you think this marriage came about?"

"Hmph! You have the nerve to say that? Do you know how much trouble this so-called marriage has brought me? Elvian, how can you be so vicious? Using yourself for a marriage alliance, how could you even think of that!"

Seeing Ryan's somewhat exasperated look, Elvian laughed.

"I have said it before, our matter is not over yet."

"Do you think I'm afraid of the outcome of a failed negotiation?"

"I think so." Elvian looked directly at Ryan, trying to see fear in his eyes. She didn't believe Ryan could really ignore the threat from 'Weinei'.

After a moment, Ryan laughed, "Okay, let's continue. Don't be so hypocritical, just say what you want."

"Let's take a look at this contract." Elvian then had 'Avril' produce a second identical one. "Ryan, you sign this contract for me, and in exchange, I will tell you about your Empress's plans."

Although he promised 'Vainay' not to reveal the contents of that day's chat, the promise was just a verbal one, and who would care?

Elvian had already planned it out. She would use the antagonistic relationship between 'Vainay' and Ryan to gain benefits for Wildea and, incidentally, win this contest with Ryan!

"The Empress's schemes? Not interested." Ryan scoffed. "I thought it was something special, Elvian. Is that all?"

"Don't rush. What if I told you that the Empress wants to use me to restrain you and deal with Magana?" Elvian said calmly. "Ryan, how about we cooperate? You sign a contract, and I'll tell you what the Empress wants to do in the future. It's even possible to help Magana deal with the Empress at a crucial moment. Of course, it depends on what price you can pay."

"Wow! Your Queen, you're so despicable!" Ryan stood up in 'surprise,' but quickly composed himself, saying coldly, "Well, Elvian, you dare to openly provoke the relationship between this Earl and the Empress, attempting to incite a civil war in the Empire! I will certainly report this to the Empress... Old Joe has lost his temper!!!"

Bang!

Jonathan pushed the door open.

"He lost his temper?"

"Wait, wait a minute!" Avril ran to the door, gave Jonathan an apologetic look, then closed the door again and ran back. "Ryan, don't be angry, His Your Majesty was just saying it casually!"

"Just a casual remark? Hmph! To think you can stir up internal strife within the empire so casually? If this happened in Augustus, you'd be sent to the Tribunal for a trial! Enough said, let's unleash our fury! From today onward, there will be no more Wildea in the Northern Continent!"

"Ryan!" Avril gritted her teeth and knelt down in front of Ryan with a thud. "Please, give the Queen another chance!"

Elvian was completely stunned.

Things happened so fast I didn't even have time to react. Why is it so different from what I expected? What's with Ryan's expression of absolute loyalty to the Empire? Wait... Avril, Avril!

"Avril, get up!" Elvian cried urgently. "You are the pride of Wildea, don't kneel before this devil!"

"Your Majesty," 'Avril' shook her head, "What is the point of this so-called pride if Wildea is gone? Since Your Majesty has decided to seek peace, why can't you have a proper talk? If the Augustus Empire's army attacks again, what will Wildea use to stop them? The Northern Federation's army is still rampaging along the border; they haven't withdrawn!"

Although Augustus has made peace, the Northern Federation has not, so Wildea's current situation is not good.

They need to reach a reconciliation with Augustus immediately before they can focus on resisting the Northern Federation's attack.

"Your Majesty, every second we delay here is another second of disaster for the people of the kingdom embroiled in war. Please put aside your personal grudges with Ryan and calm down!"

"..."

"Sigh~ Look at you, Elvian. If you had half of Avril's awareness, this peace talk would have ended long ago." Ryan strode back. "For Avril's sake, I'll give you one more chance. This is the last time, or I'll really lose my temper."

Elvian bit her lip tightly.

She's the one who really wants to explode!

But when she saw Avril kneeling on the ground, a pang of pain shot through her heart.

"Avril, get up." Elvian walked over and helped 'Avril' up, saying apologetically, "... I'm sorry you suffered."

Avril shook her head. "It's not bitter, Your Majesty. I'm willing to do anything for Wilderia."

Elvian was even more heartbroken.

No, she couldn't act so impulsively anymore; she couldn't let Avril pay for her mistakes!

'Avril' is the future of the kingdom. If she has to suffer humiliation, then let this failed Queen bear it all!

㈠0②2з0

Call!

Elvian turned to look at Ryan.

"Lord Ryan... I apologize, that was my mistake. Please allow us to renegotiate."

"That's more like it."