A Negotiation

"Steven, you are out of your mind!" Riwansa exclaimed furiously. 

"You should have known that already." Steven gripped her chin whispering softly.

"Love can't be forced." 

"Who wants love? I just want you." Steven stated as a matter of fact.

Before Riwansa could argue back with another rebuttal he walked away, leaving her pondering over his sudden outburst.

'You never changed, did you ever consider my feelings? You have the face to ask me whether I think of you as a toy or not but isn't that just how you treated me?' She tried her best to move on and finally when she did, he appeared again. 

'No this time I won't let myself be weak and humiliated in front of you. I must register my marriage with Yicheng in secret, as soon as possible.' She thought with determination.

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"He already knows that she is the one?" the person sitting behind the black glass door slammed his fist on the table in anger causing the subordinate to tremble in fear.

"My lord, please give me just one more chance." he immediately knelt for his dear life.

"How many more will it be Hemingsan?" The authoritative figure spoke in a chilled voice.

"Just one more, I promise." Hemingsan hurriedly responded.

"How about you give me your generation token and I give you one more chance in return? Sounds like a good deal?" He enjoyed playing with people's emotional vulnerability and slowly breaking them from inside, bit by bit.

"Sir, the blue stone is found." A man covered in black from head to toe reported respectfully.

"Tsk..tsk...you both are biologically related, sharing the same gene, but look at you Hamingsan." He remarked casually.

"You deserve something, Aldric. Name your wish." He rose from his seat revealing his charming face, emitting a dark aura.

"I dare not ask for anything, Sir." Aldric bowed politely.

"Are you sure man? It's not easy to come across such rare opportunities, you don't have to be shy. Shyness is not worth it." He patted him on his shoulders encouragingly.

"I am sure, your honour. I wish you luck in getting our princess back. This was nothing but our duty." Aldric said.

Yongzheng took out a zade key from the cabinet and handed it over to Aldric.

"You will be responsible for this till I am back." 

"You can rest assured."

"Of course I will." Yongzheng left, giving Hamingsan a warning look.

"Can you not mess up every single time?" Aldric glared at him.

"I didn't know he would spy on me." He said after checking whether he had left for real.

"Are you a fool? Of course he would, he doesn't trust anyone.Even, I have to stay cautious all the time." 

"I won't be so reckless next time. But brother, the princess doesn't remember anything at all, how are we supposed to make her believe us?" Hamingsan said worriedly.

"Don't you have the pendant? It might help her, and if not we can just hold a conversation with the second prince. He is righteous enough to help us out." Aldric responded.

Just that….It will be another problem if that guy also grows any inappropriate feelings towards her.

"I will handle the deal over there, you stay here to ensure Zheng doesn't grow too suspicious. I will appoint some shadow guards to divert his attention." Aldric added not quite convinced by his younger brother. 

She was the most innocent party in all of these. Yet, she had to suffer so much in this devil's hands. They must make sure she can lead a trouble free life this time.

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"How did it go?" Ziran asked without raising his head from the scroll.

"Not bad I suppose." Steven commented, entering the study room randomly picking up a map from the table.

"Which means, you messed it up." Ziran shook his head putting the scroll away.

"Whatever, I feel better now. Oh right, someone wants to book an appointment with you. Should I arrange a date?"

"Is it the marshall?" 

"No..A guy named Aldric. A weird name just like his dressing sense ..He said it's really urgent and that it will benefit you too…" 

"Which zone is he from?"

"I honestly have no idea, it could very well be another dimension as predicted by Reza. I think you should go and check, after all it might help you to find out more about sister-in-law."

Ziran's movements paused as he heard the last part of the sentence.

Indeed, she also appeared mysteriously. If he gets some clues about where she is from, then he can ensure to keep her here and block her ways to return.

"Tell him to wait in the main hall. I will be there in a moment." 

Not disappointing Steven's prediction, Ziran agreed.

_________

"Greetings, Second Prince, I am Aldric from a higher dimension interconnected to your castle's pathway. I need help with some urgent matters and therefore have to trouble you as you are the most appropriate person for this." Aldric came straight to the point with the bare minimum formalities.

"First, have a seat please. I am not quite sure of your identity, so how may I address you?"Ziran smiled slightly, maintaining a calm elegant composure.

"You can just call me by my name. As for my identity, well it's something I am afraid I can't reveal but I can offer you the three maps and stones that you have been looking for since the past five years." Aldric replied.

He relaxed a bit. He prepared things beforehand. Hopefully the negotiation will go well.