60 Bargain

"Your Majesty, there is a letter sent from the Valian Kingdom," Trent said, running to his side. 

"This soon?" Fraser remarked. His brows lowered. The trip from the palace to the Valian Kingdom would take at least two weeks. Taking notes about the envoy with the sick Duke, it must take a month or less to arrive.

Seeing the Valian king's seal, Fraser grimaced and then opened the letter. 

'I, King Kalian Edie Kitslane, the king of the Valian Kingdom, replied to your majesty, the great king of the Frowshire kingdom, that we deny your request concerning the trading contracts. Taking into consideration the unfortunate incident Duke Eferhon suffered during the period he spent in your hospitality.

But noting the dire situation your kingdom has befallen, our grace suggested offering more benefits if Your Majesty wants to carry out the trading contract.'

Fraser clenched his fist, then darted his gaze below and continued reading.

Here is a list of benefits:

- Add ten thousand gold coins per year.

- Extend the contract period to five years instead of one year.

- Increase the allocation of goods and decrease the price of goods entry by half per exportation trip.

- Assignment of ownership of the Kalp territory to the Valian Kingdom.

Fraser's eyes darkened reading the conditions. A cold aura emitted from him. He crumbled the sheet of paper with his hand, tightening his grasp till his knuckles whitened. 

'How dare he?' he thought.

"Your Majesty?" Trent called. His voice trembled. 

Fraser narrated what he read. His chest fumed with anger. When he finished, he jabbed his desk. "That ***** king. How dare he bargain with me?" he yelled through gritted teeth.

Trent paled. Beads of sweat fell from his forehead. "This is unbelievable! Insane," he said, shocked. "Your Majesty, King Kalian wants the Kalp so—did it mean the maid is the spy?"

Fraser looked up at his aid, remembering the time when he left the piece of paper on his desk to see if the maid was the traitor. No one knew of that except him and Trent. What he wrote was a false thing. Because of the rumour surrounding that place, many thought about having a treasure there. It wasn't completely untrue, as it had mines that were under exploitation.

Besides, the territory was attracting attention lately, and many nobles wanted to establish projects there. He was still studying their projects.

"Tell the commanders at the frontline to be ready," He ordered. Trent nodded and went out.

Kalian had already angered him because of those useless conditions. No one sane had done this and tried to belittle their kingdom. Did they have so much confidence in getting a positive answer from them?

The Valian kingdom was targeting their trading instead of fighting. If his envoy suffered a little in another kingdom, he would declare war. There were no other thoughts. 

Fraser frowned. 'Something wasn't right.'

The door to his chamber was opened, and the maid got in. Fraser stared at her clumsy movement. She dusted the open library with difficulty. She was coughing sometimes and frowning often. She hated her job for sure, so why did she become a traitor?

After that filthy king revealed his condition, she was the only suspect, but he couldn't shrug off the doubt rising in his chest. He somehow felt not right. Maybe there was someone else. 

But who is it?

Fraser opened his drawer, grabbed the dagger inside, and got from his seat. "Who told you about my sleeping illness?" he said, jolting her.

The maid turned to him, looking at the dagger dancing between his fingers, and then she gazed at him. "The proud king of the Frowshire kingdom is threatening a weak maid, using a dagger," she said, smiling seemingly unfazed by the turn of events.

Her behaviour did not surprise him though. She was far bolder than she showed. He smirked then fastened the dagger and put it on her neck, taking her by surprise. She kept retreating till her body bumped into the wall.

"Your Majesty is humbler than killing a useless maid," she said.

"I have a short patience so tell me who told you. I will lose nothing but you will lose your life so choose," he threatened.

He was curious about how she would behave. He wouldn't kill her even if she didn't answer. What he wanted wasn't the one who spread his illness; he wanted to find the traitor.

Meanwhile, Freya froze in her place. The king had really lost his mind. The dagger below her shone causing her heart to thump. She looked at the man who wanted to kill her cursing the time when she decided to help him. She went to great lengths to convince Lucas to hand her the king's cure. 

"I will tell you, but you will grant me something," she said.

"I don't think you are in a situation to bargain with me," he said, curving his lips. Removing the dagger, he added, "Tell me what you want."

"I want you to stop the war on the Hydra kingdom," she informed.

Fraser narrowed his eyes. "Why?" he asked. "Since you want to bargain, I will play with you with your game. Tell me about the reason — a good reason — so I will promise you to stop the war," he added.

"I was offered a job in Lady Greyson's mansion in the Hydra kingdom. When the year ends, I will leave. I can hand your Majesty the appointment letter written by Lady Greyson," she said.

Fraser listened carefully. He knew that Lady Greyson was a new and mysterious figure who rose with the countless charities she had done the last few years.

He looked at the maid and then nodded. "There was no war somewhere soon. And if it will, it will never be against the Hydra kingdom," he said, letting the woman frown.

She hummed and turned to continue her work. Fraser smiled at her displeasure. She resembled sulking children when taking their toys from them.

"It was Hank. He was the one who told me about your sleeping problems."

Fraser stopped walking. Hank? How could he know? 

Fraser looked up from the window, his thoughts drifting away…