Kiara looked at the scroll in her hand and read it once again to make sure she had not misunderstood anything. The Emperor's seal was clearly stamped at the bottom, and the promise written inside was just as clear.
One million gold coins.
His Majesty had agreed to her price without trying to bargain, question her conditions, or even ask for more time to think about it. She had expected some negotiations, perhaps an attempt to reduce the amount, but the reply had arrived much faster than she had expected.
For a moment, she simply stared at the scroll, her fingers resting against its edge. A faint smile appeared on her face.
"My father really indeed love Kaelan the most, just as everyone says," she remarked with a hint of amusement. "Even if I hadn't asked for the Fire Seed to be given to Kaelan, I believe Father would have chosen him anyway. After all, there was another person who hadn't awakened a bloodline either, and that person was none other than the Crown Prince himself.
