The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 68
Aside from a minor character flaw of timidity, wasn’t he lacking nothing?
‘Is it the lack of physical affection?’
Arma cast his gaze downwards.
Indeed, out of consideration for her, he hadn’t even held her hand or created a romantic atmosphere since their engagement.
And when he did hold her hand this time, she showed no reaction at all.
“…This won’t do.”
Arma contemplated making another effort for someone he thought didn’t need his efforts.
Negotiations with Kaluta were to begin in earnest from the next day.
‘Roxelyn might be nervous too, so I should do my best to help her.’
He ran his palm over his face and exhaled deeply.
***
“Sorry to have kept you waiting. I am the Khan of Kaluta.”
The large man who arrived right on time apologized briefly and introduced himself.
Roxelyn nodded to indicate it was fine.
Even for an official occasion, his attire was buttoned up, though his chest was still quite exposed.
‘Younger than I thought.’
He looked even younger than the Emperor of the Empire.
It made her curious enough to want to ask his age at marriage.
“It’s alright.”
He looked quizzically at Roxelyn, seated centrally with the two princes at her sides, then plopped down opposite her at the round table.
“Well, seeing a negotiator flanked by two princes as escorts is a first for me.”
He said, accepting a large mug of ale with a laugh in his voice.
“Care for a drink?”
Roxelyn paused briefly at the offer.
She generally didn’t take alcohol well.
However, in Kaluta, refusing a cup of alcohol was considered impolite.
“I’m not good with alcohol and can’t drink much, but I’ll gratefully accept the first cup.”
“I’m take one, too.”
“I as well.”
“Hahaha! I was worried when I heard young people were coming, but it turns out you all have manners.”
The man, who appeared to be the Khan, laughed heartily and nodded.
Roxelyn took the cup of alcohol, drinking a few sips to show proper manners.
As the alcohol added to her already throbbing head from the morning, heat rose to her cheeks and the nape of her neck.
She pretended not to notice the ringing in her ears along with the increasingly rapid beat of her pulse.
“Yes, I heard that the lady saved my son. We have a principle of repaying a kindness tenfold, so I’d like to offer something in return. Is there anything you desire?”
At the Khan’s words, Roxelyn slightly furrowed her brows, smiling at the corners of her mouth, and lifted her head.
“No. As I mentioned to the Young Chief before, that was a gift from me. I believe it’s understood that gifts do not come with expectations of return.”
The Khan’s green eyes narrowed at Roxelyn’s straightforward response, not avoiding his gaze.
“You desire nothing?”
“There was nothing initially, but now there is one thing.”
Roxelyn smiled.
The Khan nodded with an intrigued expression.
“Speak freely.”
“We are sitting at a fair negotiation table. A fair negotiation table means there is no imbalance to either side.”
At Roxelyn’s words, the Khan slightly raised an eyebrow.
“I am Roxelyn Bellion of the Bellion Ducal House, not a mere ‘lady’.”
“……”
“Furthermore……”
Roxelyn slowly began.
“‘Khan’ is a title similar to ‘King’ in the Empire, as I understand. But I have not heard your name.”
What flowed from Roxelyn’s mouth was ‘Lutan’.
Lutan was the language used by the people called ‘barbarians’ before they were united under the Kaluta tribe.
Not many would know it. Even within Kaluta, there were those who could not speak Lutan.
After a moment, the Khan, who had been silently observing Roxelyn, burst into a big laugh.
After laughing heartily enough to embarrass someone, the Khan suddenly turned serious and spoke to Roxelyn.
“Where did you learn that language?”
