Chapter 33 - -33
Kael picked up the vial carefully, turning it over. "What do you want in exchange, Your Highness?"
"A meeting with your senior partners if the test succeeds. I’m proposing licensing agreements [6]. You pay a flat fee for each preservation anchor, plus a percentage of revenue from goods successfully delivered using my technology. I retain exclusive production rights. You gain reliable spoilage prevention."
"And if it fails?"
"Then you waste nothing except four days and return the anchor. No obligation."
Kael studied her face, clearly trying to reconcile the cold business proposal with the royal princess sitting across from him. "Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but... why? Why would someone of your status care about shipping margins and merchant profits?"
Elara met his eyes without expression. "Because I need independent revenue and you need better logistics. Our interests align. That’s sufficient."
The honesty seemed to surprise him more than any diplomatic answer would have.
He closed his hand around the vial. "I’ll test it. And if it works..." He paused. "Your Highness, the merchant guilds don’t usually partner with nobility. There’s history there. Broken contracts, confiscated goods, legal games we always lose."
"I’m not interested in confiscation or games. I’m interested in sustainable business relationships where both parties profit." She pulled out a prepared contract draft. "Standard commercial terms. No aristocratic privilege clauses. Disputes settled through merchant arbitration courts, not imperial jurisdiction."
Kael’s eyebrows rose as he scanned the document. "You’re serious."
"Completely."
He stood, still holding the vial, and bowed—deeper this time, with genuine respect rather than protocol. "I’ll test your device, Your Highness. And I’ll speak to my partners."