BVIB 39

Chapter 39

“If you were a man, I would have done whatever it took to make you mine,” the Khan said with a wry grin as the negotiations—over five hours long—finally drew to a close.

Roselyn frowned at the comment. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is one,” the Khan replied easily. “I’ve only ever chosen three men to be my husbands, after all.”

Roselyn paused, caught a little off guard.
Ah, that’s right. Polygamy and polyandry are both allowed here, she remembered belatedly, shrugging her shoulders in mild amusement.

“Well, I’ll just accept the compliment, then.” Roselyn replied, smiling politely.

“Tell the Emperor of the Dianitas Empire that I’d like to visit in person soon,” the Khan said suddenly.

“…In person?” Roselyn echoed, surprised by the boldness of the statement.

It was a radical suggestion. The Khan visiting herself meant she was willing to reveal her identity openly as leader—a powerful gesture.

Noticing Roselyn’s startled expression, the Khan gave a low chuckle and waved her hand dismissively. “Officially, of course, it’ll be my husband who goes.”

“Husband…?” Roselyn repeated, thrown off by the casual tone.

“The chief of the tribes—Hatan. My favorite husband,” the Khan replied, her lips quirking in a playful smile.

She found Roselyn—so consistently calm and composed—both fascinating and likable. Throughout the entire negotiation, Roselyn never tried to flatter her, nor did she ever look down on the Kaluta as barbarians.

Not once, from start to finish.

Roselyn had never looked down on them, never treated them with scorn.

She could be aggravatingly sly in negotiations, the Khan mused, but only at the table. Never beyond it.

The Khan spoke up, her tone suddenly more personal. “If I visit your Empire, I expect you to be the one to receive us.”

Roselyn blinked. “Me?”

The Khan nodded. “Frankly, apart from you, I don’t really trust any of the others I’ve spoken with.”

“…Are you saying you trust me?” Roselyn asked, her expression a mixture of wry amusement and disbelief.

“More than those other outsiders who hide behind honeyed words,” the Khan replied bluntly.

Roselyn couldn’t help a small, reluctant smile. “And you believe I trust you?”

“You do, don’t you?” the Khan countered.

Roselyn nodded. “I’ve heard the Kaluta never abandon their allies and always keep their promises. As long as Kaluta stands as a true friend, I’ll do everything I can to protect your people and your interests.”

At her resolute words, the Khan’s eyes narrowed, appraising her.

Resting her chin on her interlaced fingers, the Khan flashed a charming, sly smile.

“And if the Emperor tries to stab us in the back?” she asked, voice light—but her gaze sharp.

Roselyn paused, recognizing the dangerous edge to the question. She met the Khan’s eyes, searching for any hint of meaning behind the smile.

“If his reasons are unjust,” Roselyn replied slowly, choosing her words with care, “then I’d warn you in advance.”

The Khan’s sly smile deepened, clearly pleased with the answer. Roselyn continued, her voice steady and sincere:

“And I’ll support you in every way that I can.”

“What do you mean by ‘unjust’?” the Khan pressed.

Roselyn met her gaze evenly. “If the Kaluta do nothing wrong, and yet the Empire moves against you purely out of self-interest—that’s what I’d call unjust.”

The Khan burst out laughing, the sound echoing warmly through the room.

She genuinely liked Roselyn. Now that they’d spoken at length, she found herself drawn to the woman. At first, she’d wanted nothing more than to kill her—negotiations be damned. Roselyn simply had a knack for getting under her skin!

She was sure Roselyn had noticed the way the Khan’s gaze had lingered, almost predatory, on her slender neck. Yet Roselyn never showed fear.

There was calculation in her, yes, but only the kind that anyone in her position would have. She was intelligent, but never disrespectful—never crossing the line.

At the negotiation table, Roselyn could sound dismissive or even provocative, but the Khan understood: that was just part of the game.

Now I understand why Sansar took such a liking to her, the Khan thought, a trace of amusement glinting in her eyes.

Sansar has always preferred strong women—those who never bend, who stand tall no matter the circumstance. Women who could summon strength they never knew they had to protect their children. Women both beautiful and dignified, with a steel core hidden beneath their grace.

If Sansar had chosen her, it meant Roselyn was strong. Weak in body, perhaps, but with a spirit that was unbreakable.

“Very well, Lady Negotiator,” the Khan said, a spark of warmth in her voice. “How about becoming my friend?”

“…Friend?” Roselyn echoed, caught off guard.

In truth, aside from Sansar, there was hardly anyone Roselyn would call a friend. Even then, her time with Sansar had been brief—a single month at most.

Though, admittedly, many of the things Sansar had taught her during that month had proven invaluable here.

But was he really a god? Roselyn mused, recalling her unlikely companion.

A scatterbrained bard who never seemed to have his act together, who didn’t seem capable of much of anything—except singing. His songs had been beautiful, that much she remembered. And every now and then, there had been something inscrutable in his eyes.

“Why?” the Khan teased. “Are you so opposed to being my friend?”

Roselyn shook her head, looking a little uncertain. “It’s just that, aside from Sansar, I can’t really remember ever having a friend. And, well… if Sansar really was a god just having a bit of fun, then I suppose I’ve never had a regular friend at all.”

She spoke with a hint of skepticism, her expression betraying someone who’d never truly believed in the existence of gods in the first place.

“So… what do friends even do?” she asked, genuinely puzzled. “When Sansar was around, we just ate meals together, went shopping, and sometimes shared stories.”

The Khan laughed, her tone light. “Isn’t that enough? Just act natural—maybe be a bit more familiar, that’s all.”

Roselyn nodded, accepting the offer without much hesitation. After all, there was no reason to refuse. Being friends meant earning the Khan’s goodwill—and having the title of “the Khan’s friend” would likely win her favor with others, too.

“You can call me Rose or Roze—whichever’s easier,” Roselyn offered.

“I like ‘Lyn’ better,” the Khan replied with a playful grin.

“That’s fine too,” Roselyn agreed with a nod.

Now that they were friends, and with the Khan’s encouragement to speak more casually, Roselyn agreed without fuss.

“You can call me Hali, if you like,” the Khan offered.

“I’ll do that in private, then,” Roselyn replied, her words bringing a satisfied smile to the Khan’s lips.

Quick-witted people really were the best kind.

“All right, then, here’s my first question as a friend,” the Khan said, grinning mischievously.

Her first question as a friend? Roselyn eyed her warily, not quite able to hide her reluctance.

The Khan’s cheerful, innocent smile didn’t budge.

“It’s a follow-up to what we were talking about earlier… How did you know that Yuseok was hidden in Kaluta?”

Roselyn flinched, her shoulders tensing as she narrowed her eyes at the Khan.

Really? That’s the first question she asks as a friend? Roselyn shot her a mildly reproachful look.

The Khan only burst into delighted laughter, clearly amused by Roselyn’s reaction.

“Don’t worry—I won’t breathe a word of what you tell me to anyone else. Isn’t it normal for friends to share a secret or two? I’ve always wanted to try that,” she added, almost childlike in her excitement.

Roselyn opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again, as if struggling to find the right words.

The Khan waited patiently, her expression full of eager curiosity—there was no way she’d let this go without an answer.

At last, Roselyn spoke, choosing her words with care. “…It was a miracle.”

“A miracle?” the Khan echoed, intrigued.

Roselyn nodded once, her expression turning serious.

“Sansar told me… if a miracle ever happened to me, I should use it to help the Kaluta,” she admitted, her voice dropping to a near whisper after a long moment of deliberation.

Her gaze drifted to the documents lying on the table—the red seal on the agreement, the draft outlining the terms of trade between Kaluta and House Bellion. It wasn’t the final version, of course; they would need to meet again and adjust the terms together. The Khan had even pressed her bloodied thumb to the paper, giving her seal in crimson.

Roselyn leaned in, her tone grave. “A few months from now—two, maybe three—a plague will break out.”

The Khan froze, the weight of Roselyn’s words sinking in.

“Stockpile as much Lish’s Outpost as you can. It might be wise to start cultivating it yourselves. The demand is going to skyrocket.”

“How could you possibly know that…?” the Khan murmured, unable to hide her astonishment.

Roselyn averted her gaze, remaining silent. The Khan studied her for a moment, weighing her options, then spoke again.

“So the Lish’s Outpost wasn’t the Emperor’s idea, was it?” the Khan said quietly.

“…What?” Roselyn muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, but after a moment she gave a subtle, confirming nod.

At this, the Khan threw her head back and laughed heartily.

This is someone I absolutely cannot afford to make into an enemy, she thought, immensely satisfied with her own instincts for offering Roselyn her friendship.

The Khan rose from her seat and extended a hand, her voice ringing with conviction. “From this day forward, you are my dear friend, and House Bellion is a companion to whom we entrust our life and death.”

Roselyn stood as well, clasping the Khan’s outstretched hand firmly.

“And with the Empire, it’s an alliance,” she added.

“I’m not sure I’d ever truly trust the Emperor of Dianitas with my back,” the Khan replied, “but at least we know he won’t try to invade.”

Roselyn’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. The Khan’s words made it clear—she valued her friendship with Roselyn and House Bellion even above the alliance with the Empire itself.

“I look forward to working together, Hali,” Roselyn said sincerely.

“I’m simply delighted to have gained such an excellent friend, Lyn,” the Khan responded warmly.

They shook hands, the gesture firm and full of mutual respect.

“By the way, Lyn,” the Khan began, her tone suddenly casual.

“Yes?” Roselyn replied.

“Would you consider marrying my son?”

Roselyn gave the Khan a look of utter exasperation.

So far, she’d been offered a place in the family, had to listen to the Khan brag about her siblings, been asked personal questions, and even offered the position of a concubine—now, she was being proposed to as a daughter-in-law.

“I think… it’d be much better if the Empire’s second prince became Narayan’s husband,” Roselyn countered smoothly.

Thus, she elegantly followed their example and offered up Yuldian instead.