"Your Highness, if you provoke Putin with economic cooperation as a weapon, it could be a disaster."

"We are not allies if we only care about our own interests. If it weren't for our royal family, Russia would not have escaped the economic crisis. Don't worry too much."

Aliyev was at a loss as Youngho was pus.h.i.+ng his idea.

What would he say if Youngho wanted to put the interests of Azerbaijan before its relation to Russia?

There was nothing to hesitate about, as a peace treaty was something that could be broken any time.

Aside from everything else, he did not want to have bad blood with Russia.

Even now, his neck was stiffened to think about the fact that he stayed up for several nights due to Putin's letter of threats.

***

"If you let Armenia sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, you will even be able to win the n.o.bel Peace Prize."

Youngho was on the phone with Putin.

-Hahaha… Is that how it works?

Even for the iron-fisted dictator, it was a flattering idea to earn a n.o.bel Peace Prize.

If he won the n.o.bel Peace Prize, the image of himself at home and abroad would improve, and foreign investors would pour into the country.

"So far, no one has solved the dispute between the two countries. The world would be surprised if you did that."

Calling in the Armenian president was not a difficult job for Putin.

He did not even inform the Armenian president about Azerbaijan's move.

He only held a meeting between the leaders to promote friends.h.i.+p between Russia and Armenia.

-I only did what you asked me to do, Duke.

"What do you mean? It was only possible because it was you."

Youngho flattered Putin.

Because no one was offended by praise. They said a compliment could make whales dance.

Putin had stepped up because it was beneficial for Russia when the Caucasus was quiet, but Putin was not going to side with either side, so there was little political pressure on him.

Both were satellite states of the Soviet Union and were still using Russian as their official language.

He was helping the relatively weak Armenia, as they would point guns at each other at every chance.

He also did not want Armenia to go wrong as it bordered Turkey.

-Has President Aliyev accepted the peace agreement?

"It will be sealed sooner or later. I'm sure he's going to come back to me with good news. I don't know what your letter was about, but he was very upset."

Not only was he embarra.s.sed, but he came to Youngho with a frightened face.

-I didn't ask for any favors except that I wanted the stability of the Caucasus.

"He was in a lot of trouble… I thought you made threats."

-Azerbaijan is clearly a self-reliant country. But how dare I interfere in its internal affairs?

Aliyev was also close to Putin because he studied abroad in Moscow during the time of the Soviet Union.

In his early days in power, he openly boasted his close ties with Putin, and if such a person was scared, it was understandable how harsh the letter must have been.

"Mr. President, when President Aliyev is ready, please persuade Armenia to sign a peace treaty."

-I already mentioned it when the president of Armenia visited Moscow this time. I said I don't want any more bloodshed in the Caucasus, so Armenia must be getting ready, too.

Now that Youngho and Putin had thrown the ball to both countries, all they had to do was wait.

Once fully deliberated internally, the two sides would hold four-way talks mediated by Russia and Kazakhstan for final agreements.

The question depended on whether ethnic groups scattered on both sides would agree.

How many people would want to leave their hometown easily?

The crux of the matter was there.

"On the territorial issue, it should be decided after fully listening to the two countries' positions. If you sign it forcefully, another ethnic conflict will happen sooner than we think."

-I know what you're worried about, Duke. Not all will be satisfied, but we will try to get the best results.

If Putin showed such a forward-looking att.i.tude, the outcome could be seen optimistic.

Russia was trying to become a responsible member of the international community.

If the Armenian and Azerbaijan issues were resolved well, the international community would see Putin from a different angle.

When did Putin ever watch the international community?

His dominance had brought a 20-year retreat in Russia's economy.

The Kazakh royal family played a key role in his change.

Without the Kazakh royal family, ma.s.sive foreign investment would have been unthinkable.

Of course, it was only possible because Putin made concessions.

Putin's efforts to get out of the swamp of economic stagnation were great.

***

"Oh, my! Really? Then I don't have to worry about war anymore. If I knew, I wouldn't have hurried back from Baku."

Fatima was delighted to hear the current situation from Youngho.

It had been several days since she returned to Kazakhstan, but she was again talking about Baku.

"Kazakhstan is also your kingdom. If you stay too long in Baku, the people of Kazakhstan will be disappointed."

"Kazakhstan is operating without any problems. We should focus on Baku more since it's in trouble."

Fatima's look was telling him that she would be going to run to Baku again in a few days.

Baku in May was full of green.

In addition, the trees in the street would bloom beautifully.

It was the same with Zeynep Farm.

The full bloom of small flowers on numerous grape trees was spectacular.

It was an incomparable place to the stark of West Kazakhstan.

He thought Fatima and the children had grown attached to Kazakhstan, but it seemed they still could not forget Baku.

Knowing her heart so well, he felt sorry.

"You said you'd stay in Kazakhstan for spring and fall?"

Just a few days ago, she promised that she would stay in Kazakhstan in spring and fall.

"There are exceptions. This is the time to encourage the people of Baku."

"What can I do if the Queen says she will take care of the people in need? I should let you go."

"Hohoho... You certainly gave me permission. Don't say otherwise else later."

"If you visit this time, don't stir Baku too much. It's a very sensitive time."

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. This time, I'm only going to move informally. I think it would be necessary for the citizens to have a common understanding if the country is going to sign a peace treaty with Armenia."

Youngho wondered what this meant. He thought Fatima was just going to enjoy Baku's spring, but she had another purpose.

"Common understanding?"

"A peace treaty doesn't just happen. Do you think the people will just follow the political community's decision?"

The conflict with Armenia was a territorial issue, but also a matter of national pride.

Persuading the Alliev government alone would not solve everything.

A national consensus should be formed and anyone should be able to accept the contents of the peace treaty.

If not, one day, the peace treaty would be useless in no time.

"I was missing something really important."

"Hear me out."

Fatima stressed that a national consensus must be formed to prevent another dispute.

She meant to persuade Azerbaijanis, as Azerbaijan was relatively stronger than Armenia. Peace could be settled only if Azerbaijan made concessions.

She wanted to remind the people that without such concessions, the war was inevitable and the future of Azerbaijan was grim.

She was absolutely right.

If the four-way talks were to be successful, there should be public consensus and willingness to make some concessions.

"You should stay in Baku for a while to persuade the people of Baku. You're the only one who can do it."

"Hooray… Did you just find that out? I'm going to Baku for a while, so if you want to see the kids or me, you can come over on the weekend."

Fatima looked excited.

"You are going to stay in Baku all summer, aren't you?"

"We'll see."

He would have to live a lonely, widower-like life again.

Whether Youngho's face was distorted or not, Fatima disappeared, saying she was going to pack.