Herald of Steel

Lady Inayah’s ability to forcefully intervene in Seelima’s decision was truly one of a kind, possessed by only her in the entire kingdom. Facing anyone else, if the Queen Mother wanted something, she was going to get it- no matter how much time and blood and sweat it took.

And for better or worse, that was exactly what Alexander was dealing with- the Queen Mother wanted to tie him firmly to her boat, trying very hard to overwhelm him with ’two’ extremely precious gifts.

But given the risk involved, Alexander knew he had to tread this path very carefully.

Thus, taking a strategic pause to rethink his strategy, he slowly wrapped his arms around the slender waist of the bare princess, and mused in a gentle, agreeing tone,

"Your Highness, I can see we can agree on a lot of things. Hahaha... I foresee our alliance only becoming stronger in the coming future. As you have asked, I will give you 20 million ropals in gold and precious stones. You can use it at your own disposal as you see fit. The other 20 million... I will use my personal funds to help you make various changes to Adhan. Do we agree?"

"Indeed!" Seelima was swift to nod, curling her lips with an alluring slant. This was a great offer- much more than she had ever hoped for when Alexander had first come in through those doors. Seelima took it up immediately to not give the man any chance to backtrack.

However, the very next moment, that small, greedy, ambitious part of her heart stirred- its claws were unsatisfied, and it itched to extract even more from the man.

After a brief interlude of inner hesitation, the Queen Mother also chose to give in to it- despite the potential risk of irritating the usually temperate man, she thought it was worth it.

"Oh my lord, do not forget the stipend you promised me a few days back. I have Ina as a witness." She then cheekly added with the voice of a sweet lurk, flashing an enormous grin and intentionally swaying her perfect breasts.

"....." The efficacy of the display was highly doubtful as Alexander felt more dumbfounded than anything else. In fact, this was perhaps one of the few times in his life he actually felt totally speechless, his mind almost going blank.

The stipend Queen Mother was talking about was the 3 million ropals yearly fund Alexander previously promised. The goal was to let the regal lady have greater autonomy within the palace, letting her command the maids and guards so that she could look after Alexander’s interests without having to fear stepping on Ptolomy’s toes.

But given how things had developed now, clearly there was no need for that.

The Queen Mother- as the prime minister would have far greater power than simply being the ’Queen Mother’, she could give direct orders and all nobles and officials would have to carry them out without question.

Thus for her to still be begging him for money...

"Your... Highness... I am already giving you 40 million ropals. So.. this again..." Alexander was a patient man. But even for him, it was not easy to keep that neutral, professional voice, he had to really grit his teeth to keep his tongue in check.

Hearing the angry reply, Seelima surprisingly did not feel disappointed.

Rather a part of her heart actually rejoiced- ’Hehe... at least I was not rejected outright! That means I have a chance!’ So clenching her fist with great determination, the Queen Mother craftily gleaned with amorous eyes,

"Oh...how can you say that, my lord? That is that, this is this. ’We’ have always known you for a man of absolute truthfulness! Surely you would never...."

This was probably the first time Alexander heard the regal lady flatter him so openly and so thickly at that. He wanted to roll his eyes almost as much as he wanted to scoff disdainfully.

The Queen Mother behaved like this because of her life experience - shaped by all the various adversities, Seelima slowly developed a ’let’s try it and see what happens’ personality- if she thought there was something she could benefit from, she was not afraid or shy to go ask for it.

Worst case scenarios, she would be scolded or rebuked for it- as a street urchin born in the slums, she was used to much worse on a daily basis.

Thus the Queen Mother actually had a very thick skin when it came to such things and saw no harm in just poking Alexander to see what happened.

".... You...r... High... ness...*Sigh*..."

By this point, Alexander began to perhaps feel more amused than angry. It had been a really long day, and his head almost hurt with all the long talks they had had till now- he ultimately felt too tired to fight this ’small’ sum.

Thus as he looked up to stare at those perfect globules still hanging out and felt the naked daughter still obediently sitting on his lap...

"Fine, fine, I will pay you that too. I am already paying you 40 million. What is another three?" He breezily waved the promise, casually swinging his hands like this was nothing.

’Bah! Whatever! At least with this, I will have more control over her. Investment! This is an investment!’ And inside, he tried to sourly console himself with this.

But then, just as Alexander thought like that, suddenly an idea popped into his mind- an idea to take advantage of his losses.

His eyes swiftly turned up and met the regal lady with great focus and sharpness,

"But before that... there is one thing I need from you, Your Highness... Tell me, how did you know to prepare Princess Hellma beforehand? I do not believe we had any such prior arrangements."

The triumphant smirk on the Queen Mother’s face disappeared like a moon behind the clouds at this incisive question. It alluded to certain thought processes in her mind that Seelima preferred to keep secret.

"...." Hence, she only gave the man a silent glance, lips closely pursed.

"You can speak freely, my lady. I promise it will not affect anything I promised." Sensing the apprehension, Alexander flashed the Queen Mother a charming smile, trying to butter her up.

And the lady returned the kind gesture, although in a more sardonic manner, "Haha, it is not like this will be the last time ’we’ will negotiate, will it, Lord Alexander?"

"...." Alexander’s eyes grew low and lidded- for that much money he thought he was entitled to at least this much information.

"Fine, fine, don’t pout, it does not look cute when men do it!" Fortunately for both parties, the Queen Mother too recognised this change.

Realizing that Alexander too needed to be assuaged, she then eagerly leaned forward to once again show off her chest, and sexily grinned, "First of all, you can put that overthinking mind of yours to rest- there was no spy and Ina’s daughters certainly told me nothing. I simply saw what happened at court and... thought this could be my way of making up to you."

Alexander’s eyes turned a level softer at the confession, although at the same time his heart thumped a small beat at Seelima so accurately reading his state of mind.

While the Queen Mother pretended not to notice the shock and expanded her grin, "Initially, I only hoped to keep you my our side... keep you from punching him in the face. Hehehe...but who knew you would be so eager to hand over the post to me, my lord. ’We’ thank you!"

"...." As the regal queen gave a playful bow, it would be a lie to say Alexander did not feel even a tad bit regret- in hindsight perhaps he should have tried to fish for more benefits!

With just that one mistake, he seemed to have lost millions

"Hehehe... don’t worry, don’t worry, brat, I will make it up to you." Seeing this, the Queen Mother, wisely chose not to gloat over her ’defeated’ foe, but mysteriously raised one of her long, shapely index fingers and chuckled,

"As gratitude for your generosity, let me also give you an extra bit of information... something that will prove I really am sincere in my offering. And that is- I chose you above all the nobles Alexander...even Farzah. I could have easily gone to him and asked him to name me as his replacement, but I did not. I came to you!"

Alexander’s forehead visibly creased at the mention; indeed this was one of the other considerations hanging off the hook in his head.

"Why?" He hence deeply asked.

"Hehehe... you would think like that, would you not?" The Queen Mother arrogantly lifted her chin, eyes full of mirthful teasing, "After all, we had been allies for so long... many times more than you. He has spent no small amount of money after ’us’ and ’we’ would certainly not be here without him. And yet..."

Suddenly the Queen Mother’s eyes dimmed, losing their light and appearing a bit disappointed, "After Lady Laila’s death, Farzah used to have this... this burning glow in his eye, like he wanted to set flame to the whole world. That was what really drew me to him in the first place. I thought he and I were the same. But... now? Have you ever seen him with those eyes?"

"....." Alexander could not answer- he had no reference.

He personally thought the bear like man was plenty ambitious enough already. But if what Seelima said was true....