I couldn’t help laughing.
Was this fool imagining that the doll was me?
You think choking a doll is the same as choking this king?
Dream on.
I will make you pay for this.
After laughing to myself, I stretched lazily.
Ah...
Today had truly been a long day. Between the doll, the theatrics, and pretending to be impressed by any of it, I’d earned a rest.
I returned to the luxurious guest room that had been prepared for me as the father of the bride-to-be.
"What a troublesome day," I muttered as I sat on the bed.
Outside, I could already hear the sounds of drums, laughter, and servants busily preparing for tomorrow’s wedding.
Curious, I walked over to the window.
Servants hurried back and forth across the courtyard carrying red decorations, wedding lanterns, trays of gifts, and expensive fabrics. The entire mansion was bustling with excitement as everyone prepared for the ceremony.
All of it paid for by someone else’s fear. I could respect that.
I got to my feet.
It was about time this king discussed the most important matter.
The silver.
Not the wedding. Not the vows. The silver — or rather, the gold. That was the only part of this arrangement that actually mattered to me.
Leaving my room, I headed straight toward the master’s residence.
A servant noticed my arrival and immediately announced,
"Master, the bride’s father has come to see you."
This was, without question, the most productive conversation I’d had all week.
After receiving permission, I was invited inside.
I calmly walked into the room, found a seat, crossed my legs, and casually picked up the golden cup resting on the table.
"If you don’t mind," I said while examining the cup, "I’ll be taking this."
It was a nice cup. Heavier than it looked. I decided I liked it.
The chubby old man laughed awkwardly.
"Y-Yes, of course."
"Anything for the father of my future daughter-in-law."
I nodded with satisfaction before placing the cup into my storage ring.
"Now then."
"You know why I’m here, don’t you?"
I maintained a calm expression while resting one arm on the chair.
"A lot has happened today."
"This marriage is progressing rather quickly."
"It’s almost as though your son has some terrible illness that scares every woman away."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"I simply want to make sure my daughter isn’t walking into a trap."
The old man’s smile stiffened.
He wasn’t wrong to be afraid. He just didn’t know why yet.
Visible sweat formed on his forehead as he hurriedly waved both hands.
"N-No! Nothing like that!"
"My son is perfectly fine."
"Let’s... let’s discuss the bride price instead."
"Name whatever amount you want."
A smile slowly spread across my face.
Now this was a smart man. A man who knew exactly when to stop arguing and start paying. I liked him already.
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. Not that I planned on being generous either way. Generosity wasn’t really this king’s specialty.
"Well... my daughter is very precious."
"And don’t forget..."
"She is also your son’s savior."
"Surely your son’s life has great value."
"So I’ll only ask for a fair amount."
"Nothing excessive."
"Just a reasonable price."
I said it with a straight face. I’d been practicing that face for the better part of an hour. As if I hadn’t already decided the number before I walked in.
I held up one finger.
"My daughter is exceptionally beautiful."
"Naturally, she has many admirers."
"So, to ensure she remains devoted to your son..."
"That will be ten thousand gold coins."
I raised a second finger.
"She’ll also bear your future grandchildren."
"She’ll pass down her beauty and elegance to your family."
"That deserves another thirty thousand gold coins."
I nodded to myself. Truly, I was a genius.
"That makes forty thousand." Numbers like that had a way of sounding official once you said them slowly enough.
Then I raised a third finger.
"And finally..."
"You are taking away the daughter whom her parents spent eighteen years raising."
"The apple of our eyes."
"The pride of our family."
"Surely such a precious treasure deserves another eighty thousand gold coins."
I almost felt bad watching him do the math in his head. Almost.
I smiled warmly.
"That brings the total to one hundred and twenty thousand gold coins."
I tilted my head slightly.
"That’s a perfectly fair price, isn’t it... Young Master Hank?"
The old man’s face immediately turned red.
His fingers twitched nervously as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. He fidgeted in his seat, clearly caught between his love for his son and the terrifying amount this king had just demanded.
Good. Let him suffer a little. I certainly wasn’t going to be the one negotiating myself down.
"Sir, isn’t that too much?" the old man said, his expression becoming troubled. "Even my family cannot give you 120,000 gold coins just for a bride. That is unfair. That is an outrageous price."
I smiled calmly.
"But young master, if you think the price is too outrageous, then I suppose your son can endure the pain of parting with my lovely daughter, Ella."
After saying that, I stood up and turned around, preparing to leave. Slowly. Slowly enough for him to change his mind before I reached the door.
"Wait!"
The man quickly stopped me.
"Fine. I’ll give you the 120,000 gold coins."
A king who settles for less than he demands isn’t much of a king. Excellent. Exactly on schedule.
"You are quite a smart fellow."
I smiled, holding back my laughter.
"Yes, you are indeed a smart fellow."
"I have one more thing to add."
The man looked at me cautiously. His face had gone pale again. Smart man, wrong instinct, this time it was nothing that would cost him his composure.
"What is it?"
"We will need some horses as well."
He hesitated for a moment before sighing.
"Fine. The horses will also be prepared."
After hearing his answer, I nodded with satisfaction.
"Excellent."
"Nice doing business with you."
Now, it was time to see my daughter, Ella, and hand her over for marriage.