Chapter 194: A Game
The diplomatic hall was warm with incense and subtle tension. Delegates from the Black Panther tribe had arrived earlier that morning, cloaked in their signature black and gold attire. Among them was Sahira, a tall woman with obsidian skin and sharp eyes that didn’t miss a single flicker of weakness. Her voice, when she spoke, was sharp as a blade.
She was here to make things right. The things that Leon let fester and worsen. He ruined the trade relations with the Black Panther clan and his mother had been taking care of the mess. He was now forced to make things right.
Leon reclined in his seat, posture loose, expression bored. He hadn’t taken the meeting seriously, believing the matter of tariffs could be handled quickly. But Sahira had other ideas.
"I propose a friendly game," she said, gesturing to the marble chessboard one of her attendants set up. "If I win, you will reduce tariffs on our medicinal herb exports by twenty per cent. If you win, we’ll offer an additional supply at no cost this winter."
Leon scoffed. "A game of chess to settle trade negotiations? How quaint." Everyone knew how good he was at the game. He considered himself one of the best even. No one could outdo him in chess.
Sahira’s smile was unreadable. "Quaint... Or bold. Your choice, King. Either way, you will not suffer a huge loss."
Sahira knew that she could not cause actual damage to their kingdom, for diplomacy was not about one winning over the other, but both winning by reaching an agreement, so the stakes had not been to high.
Riven, seated at Leon’s right, blinked once. This was going to be good. The Dowager Queen had pulled him aside and asked him. She started to warn him, but Riven interrupted and said that she didn’t need to worry, he would do as she told. So for now, Leon was temporarily King. He made a mess with the black panther clan, he would have to make things right.
"Fine." Leon stood, arrogance in every step. "I accept."