Kael picked up the vial carefully, turning it over. "What do you want in exchange, Your Highness?"
"A meeting with your senior partners if the test succeeds. I'm proposing licensing agreements [6]. You pay a flat fee for each preservation anchor, plus a percentage of revenue from goods successfully delivered using my technology. I retain exclusive production rights. You gain reliable spoilage prevention."
"And if it fails?"
"Then you waste nothing except four days and return the anchor. No obligation."
Kael studied her face, clearly trying to reconcile the cold business proposal with the royal princess sitting across from him. "Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but... why? Why would someone of your status care about shipping margins and merchant profits?"
Elara met his eyes without expression. "Because I need independent revenue and you need better logistics. Our interests align. That's sufficient."
