Chapter 423: Fight for what you want (4)
Julius gritted his teeth. If not for what the king proposed, he would have no issue continuing with fighting for the truce to not be accepted and for them to imprison Annalise while she was here. "I am for the truce," he said, his chest feeling heavy as the words left his mouth.
Julius didn’t think Annalise had gotten her way yet since they still needed to discuss the terms of the truce. He was going to get what he set out for one way or the other.
"That settles it. We will move forward with the truce. Mark, you will write down what is said and then send it off to be made officially and stored in the court. We will hear what Annalise wants and she will listen to what we want. Only what is agreed upon by both sides will be placed in the official truce," Tobias said, happily moving on. "Anyone can go first."
"There is said to be great minerals said to be found on that land. A portion of it should be sent to the palace," Otto started off first.
"And what would you pay us for sending you those minerals? Don’t look so surprised to hear that I want money in exchange. My family knows how much the things on our land are worth. I am not a fool to not know because I do not decorate my body with crystals, gold, or whatever is found. Give us a price and I decide how much minerals you deserve," said Annalise.
She was open to trading with the people here for a good price, but it would not be far less than what they could get should they trade other places. That money was needed for many things and with a new town being planned, she needed to have money to help Rafael as he couldn’t do it all alone.
Then there were supplies she needed to buy to pass around among everyone at home and if they were going to make a lot of guns to match what this kingdom had, she was going to need a lot of money since the material might not be cheap.
Annalise didn’t like the silence that followed after her asking for a price. "Surely you did not think I would foolishly give you them for free. Would you be open to giving us your minerals for free? Your precious jewels? Not the fake ones," she added as she was well aware of the trend for those who wanted to pretend.
"It would be a gift to us. An offering for the truce," Julius said, joining Otto because he wanted a few that would be sent over. Better yet, he wanted to go himself to see just how much there was so he could get more of it.
There was always an opening for him to sneak his way in and then get out with what he needed before anyone could notice. He could also get his hands on the ones sent to the palace.
Annalise looked down at the palm of her hand. "Your intentions continue to be wanting to strip our land of its resources for yourself. That is part of why we ended up in a war in the first place. Nothing has changed and I truly believe the kingdom will fall with people like this in it. I will make a small gift to the king and queen, but nothing more."
"A small gift as you said which will signify that the two lands are no longer feuding. Get the resources you desire elsewhere. I will not allow anyone to come onto our land and try to strip it of its resources. We decide who gets jewels and whatever else you are after. Those found trying to steal will be dealt with," Annalise said, hell-bent on not making any of the courtmen or their peers richer.