Lilith looked at him then Atheline smiled at her. That expression made her smile back almost unconsciously. She just couldn’t rid herself of his charm, not like she wanted to.

She tilted her head slightly then asked.

"What are you thinking?"

He straightened slightly.

"A royal token."

She became quiet. Now he was getting more interesting.

He continued.

"We don’t need to get their permission, that would be too much work and a waste of resources. Just a royal token will do."

Lilith remained silent, thinking about what he said. Among rulers, royal tokens carried special significance. They were not currency but symbols and recognition of the highest authority.

It was a declaration that the holder possessed the ruler’s personal trust. Most kingdoms rarely issued them.

Many rulers spent their entire reign without granting one since the value wasn’t monetary but political.

A royal token opened anything; doors, bypassed restrictions, reduced interference, and allowed movement where others might be stopped.

This meant letting a foreigner walk freely without the need for surveillance. A mistake could be catastrophic to the King’s reputation.

Atheline continued.

"If we receive a royal token from the Demonic Royal Family..."

She finished the thought.

"...local authorities cannot interfere."

He nodded.

"Exactly... It should hold them back long enough. "

Silence returned. Lilith stared toward the water. The idea had significant merit. A royal token would not grant complete freedom, nothing could but it would solve most practical issues. Especially if they eventually needed to search for the ancient ruins.

Atheline smiled then continued.

"We need access," he calmly said," And they desperately want moon crystals."

Lilith understood. Her eyes lip up further as her gaze met his. Atheline could see her excitement.

The prince had been negotiating incorrectly, at least partially. He kept directly asking for moon crystals repeatedly while giving terms that mainly benefited the demonic continent the most. But perhaps the true negotiation wasn’t about moon crystals at all, it was about future cooperation.

Lilith looked toward the garden entrance. Lights still illuminated the corridors, but darker than usual.

Eventually, she spoke.

"When you’re not complaining, you can use your brain well."

"Thanks for the compliment."

Atheline immediately looked pleased which confirmed her earlier suspicions. He had been waiting for that reaction.

She sighed.

"I dislike that expression."

He grinned.

"It means you like the idea."

"It means the idea isn’t terrible."

"That’s practically praise."

She ignored him. Unfortunately, he was correct. The idea possessed considerable value.

Atheline pushed slightly further.

"We don’t have to agree immediately."

"No. But the second is to storm the demonic continent."

"I think we’ll stick with the first and see how it goes. Maybe explore other possibilities first before going for the extreme."

She nodded. The latter was true, nothing required commitment yet. A discussion costs nothing, even then refusal remained possible.

Yet, if they could secure access to the Demonic Continent... the potential benefits were enormous. It wasn’t merely for the ruins, trade routes, political influence, future diplomatic opportunities, and information. It could also lead to a reduction of desperate demon raids at the border. General Thulem would have less to complain about after.

Lilith hated admitting it but the prince might have arrived at exactly the right time. Eventually, she pushed away from the railing.

"Let’s hear his proposal."

Atheline smiled. He had secured a small victory, but victory nonetheless.

.

.

.

The following morning, the prince was summoned. This time, it wasn’t in the council chambers but the Throne Room itself. That alone attracted attention.

Rumors spread through the palace almost immediately. Something had changed and everyone knew it.

The throne room was quieter than usual with only essential personnel present.

Imperial guards lined the walls. Several council members had attended but their confusion was obvious.

Atheline sat beside Lilith.

Prince Lucifer entered shortly afterward. He appeared calm, confident, and also curious.

The moment he noticed the location of the meeting, however, his expression sharpened. This wasn’t routine, he knew something had changed.

The prince bowed.

"Your Majesties."

Lilith nodded while Atheline smiled slightly.

Prince Lucifer frowned slightly but schooled his expression fast. His suspicion was obvious.

She spoke first.

"We wish to discuss alternatives."

The prince froze. Most people wouldn’t have noticed since it was barely visible but Atheline did.

Prince Lucifer had expected another rejection, not a negotiation.

He slowly straightened.

"I’m listening."

Lilith leaned slightly forward.

"As you’ve already said, you’re in desperate need of moon crystals"

"Yes."

The answer came instantly, the prince didn’t even care to pretend otherwise.

Lilith continued.

"We require access."

Now Prince Lucifer became confused.

’Access? To what?’

She watched him carefully.

"We wish to travel within the Demonic Continent... peacefully. "

Silence filled the throne room. The prince blinked twice then stared at them with surprise in his gaze.

Atheline almost laughed. He had not expected that reaction.

Eventually, Prince Lucifer spoke.

"...That’s it?"

She narrowed her eyes. The prince quickly corrected himself.

"Not that it’s insignificant, it’s a noble cause I’m sure."

Atheline failed to hide his amusement. The prince ignored him while his thoughts raced rapidly.

’Travel? Access? That was the request? I thought they were going to ask for territory or a military alliance or trade monopoly but Travel. This is just ridiculous.’

Prince Lucifer considered the implications then became suspicious. Nobody requested something that simple unless it wasn’t simple.

He tilted his head slightly in contemplation.

"Why?"

Lilith answered smoothly.

"Exploration."

Which was technically true. Prince Lucifer remained unconvinced.

Atheline remained silent. The prince stared at both rulers as he waited for them to elaborate but neither elaborated.

Eventually, he sighed. He knew he couldn’t get anything, diplomats were impossible people. The prince considered the proposal carefully then asked,

"What kind of access?"

Atheline finally spoke.

"We don’t want restrictions."

Prince Lucifer immediately laughed. Several councillors frowned. The prince noticed and continued laughing anyway.

"No."

The answer was immediate. Both Lilith and Atheline had expected it and everyone else in the room. The Demonic Continent wasn’t famous for its openness.