"Sixty percent for me, forty for you. You gain distribution rights, political leverage, and the prestige of introducing pellets to the Imperial market, keeping my name hidden. I retain the patent and production control."
Juliet looked at him, studying him with interest as she smiled slowly, like a predator.
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Albert's point of view
They moved me to a different table just so I couldn't whisper advice to the young master… wait—this madman! He's actually negotiating with the princess!
Sweat rolled down Albert's forehead as he glanced at the guards and the princess's personal butler, who was watching him with a smug, victorious expression — my princess will eat your master alive.
One wrong word from this kid, and our heads will roll…
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"Valtherion Mograine. I agree to this. I will even assist you with personnel and workspace — we have many companies under our wing. But enlighten me… what is your true intention?" Juliet asked, her voice smooth but edged with curiosity. "Let me be honest with you. If pellets are truly as effective as you claim, the Empire will eventually seize the patent. You cannot hold it forever, especially if a major war erupts."
She took a slow sip from her drink, then waved a hand for her butler to prepare the partnership documents.
Valtherion smiled, unbothered.
"Your Highness, I am perfectly aware that I cannot hold it forever. The Empire will seize it — that much is inevitable. But the question is how and when, and what my position will be at that time. One thing is certain: by then, I will be rich."
Juliet's lips curved into a predatory smile.
What an interesting boy… it seems our Empire still has wolves.
-------------------
Taking out a blank sheet of paper, they began discussing the prices at which a tonne of pellets should be sold. It cost around one to one point two gold to produce a tonne — that was its strength; it was cheap, efficient, and easy to scale.
"Two gold per tonne," Juliet said. "A fair price. The nobles will pay it without complaint, and the industries will adapt quickly. I agree to this."
Her butler stepped forward with a tray of documents, ready for signatures.
Valtherion inclined his head respectfully. "Your Highness, I am pleased we see eye to eye."
He waited a heartbeat — just long enough to show confidence without arrogance — before continuing.
"However… there is one matter I wish to adjust."
Juliet's monocle tilted slightly as she looked up, amused. "Oh? Speak."
"For the Imperial Army, as well as the Regional Armies under the territory lords," Valtherion said, voice steady, "the price should be lowered. One and a half gold per tonne."
Juliet paused mid‑sip, the cup lingering near her lips. Her eyes sharpened — not in anger, but in interest. Slowly, she set her cup down, a smile forming.
"…You would willingly cut your profit for the military?"
"For the Empire's strength," Valtherion replied, "yes."
Juliet leaned back, studying him with that familiar predatory amusement.
"Count it done. Sign here. I will send you a list of companies for workforce, storage, and production halls. Choose what you need and send your butler. Do not make us wait long; we must begin spreading the product across the Empire soon."
Nothing could be done about it. If his father learned he sold pellets at the same price to the military as to nobles, he would cut off his ears and call him a greedy goblin for profiting from the military by introducing a necessity that would help keep men on the front warm. Men who fought with their lives on the line. Thus, the goal was simple: get filthy rich and live peacefully — with allies, not enemies.
After a round of pleasantries, he and Albert left with a stack of papers. The poor butler's legs were shaking for a bit before he collected himself.
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"Your Highness, he negotiates like a seasoned noble. At fourteen… that is unusual. Your Highness, a noble who negotiates so boldly with royalty… should we alert the Imperial Council?" the princess's butler, a woman in her forties, finally spoke when Valtherion left.
"Not yet. First, gather every document, every record, every whisper about Valtherion Mograine. And assign someone to follow his progress. I want to know everything he does, immediately." Juliet said.
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"Albert, please buy some gifts for Luther and his wife. Tomorrow is my first day at the academy, and Luther will pick me up afterwards. They are most likely expecting a child, so the gifts must be appropriate. I will be meeting my future godmother…"
Valtherion adjusted the curtains of the carriage, eyes still on the list of companies for labour and storage.
"…And keep what happened in the Royal Bank to yourself. No one needs to know of it yet."
"Understood, young master." Albert nodded as he signalled the driver to leave.
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Upon returning home, Valtherion found out that his pool had been cleaned and refilled; thus, he took a few books and spent the rest of the day sunbathing and reading.
Tomorrow was going to be his first day at the Imperial Academy, and he would be stuck with a ton of kids and learning material that he would easily understand. After all, he had one advantage over the rest, and that was his education from his previous life.
Besides art, he had also dabbled in other sciences, such as psychology and business; however, he did not enrol in them at university as he believed he would excel in his drawing and painting passions. Sadly, his paintings were either lacking or undervalued.
It was now in the past, and although a hobby, he knew that he could achieve more as an Artist in this world; yet again, the circumstances did not allow him to dedicate himself fully to it.
Morning came soon as Valtherion woke up around eight, just before his butler was about to wake him up. The breakfast was served soon, and after that, Alfred brought him three uniforms.
The Imperial Academy's uniform consisted of a fitted white undershirt worn beneath a long, tailored coat of deep imperial blue. The coat was embroidered with gold accents along the sleeves, collar, and hem, giving it a regal yet disciplined appearance. Its asymmetrical tails flowed behind the wearer, symbolising both elegance and rank. A matching sash belt secured the coat at the waist, adorned with a decorative clasp and a small ceremonial ornament. Dark, fitted trousers and high boots - both trimmed with subtle gold patterns - completed the ensemble, creating a uniform that blended noble refinement with practical mobility.
The maids wanted to assist him as he was donning it, but he refused, as he did not find it comfortable when someone was touching his clothes and, overall, his body. Even after fourteen years, those sides of nobility were not something he had adapted to, or wanted to.
He was soon done, then exited with Albert, heading towards the carriage already prepared for him. Greeting the guards, he entered and noticed Alexstraza hurrying out as well, heading towards her own carriage. It seemed like she was still sleepy and would probably be late for something.
"Good morning, Val! I will see you later," she greeted him in a hurry, not even giving him time to greet her back.
"Why does she seem to be in a hurry, Albert? Isn't there a whole ceremony and then classes? Am I going to be late or missing something, perhaps?" Inquired Valtherion as he readjusted his coat.
"No, young master", Alfred said as he looked Valtherion all around, just to make sure he had dressed himself properly. "The young miss is probably going to meet up with her friends first; that is why she is rushing. Most likely, she is late for that event." Valtherion was quite the oddity for Albert, as it was his first time seeing someone so collected, down-to-earth heir of a noble. After yesterday's events with Princess Juliet, nothing was the same in the way he looked at him; there was only more curiosity.
The carriage ride was by no means short, but also not long enough, as Valtherion seemed to converse with Albert for a full thirty minutes on the way, before they finally arrived. Their topic was Princess Juliet, and Valtherion asked whether he should be on the lookout for something after yesterday. Thankfully, Albert had seen more of the noble world and assured him everything would be alright, but he did warn him of the Imperial Council.
Exiting the carriage and waving goodbye to Albert, he stood right at the entrance of the Imperial Academy. Its grand gates and grand structure caused him to feel incredibly small, yet also fascinated with the architecture.
So loud...too loud. I miss my headphones...
There were thousands of youths here, some his age, others were older. Today was the Induction ceremony, and everyone was going to attend that, regardless of their class or age. He could already see older students throwing carrots at the new entrants. Thankfully, nobody had thrown anything at him yet.
Walking past students, butlers and even some parents, he finally passed through the gates and arrived in the hallway that would lead him to the yard of the academy. Soon he was gazing at a beautiful garden, with bushes and a field of grass on which servants were preparing for the ceremony.
The podium was already there, as were the carpets; all that was missing was the loud announcer who would soon grab a magic device and speak through it. For him, it was a microphone; for the rest, it was a loudspeaker.
The carrot assault was getting heavy around him, so he decided to walk around and maybe find a quieter spot, and so he did. It seems that in both worlds, it was a tradition to welcome the juniors in this way.