"What do you mean?" Velakia frowned, "We have just sent her off, what if she doesn't come back or keep her word?"
"She will," Blanc replied, getting the waterskin from his backpack, "She knows what she loses if she does not."
"I swear all these politics tire me to no end," Velakia muttered, "The Senvia Empire is too complicated."
"Is Iskahul different?" Blanc asked, removing the cork and putting the waterskin to his lips.
"Very," Velakia sighed, "I can't wait to leave this place and go back home."
"I believe you," Blanc nodded, "I feel like scratching my skin off barely a week into this journey. I cannot imagine how you feel after several months."
Velakia took a seat in the grass next to Blanc, "You say you believe me, but you delay us at every occasion."
"Wrong," Blanc shook his head, "We are ahead of schedule, and you looked pretty pleased with the rewards you asked for."
"I hate the way you talk, did you know that?" Velakia clicked her tongue, "Torsp aur tise."
The foreign words made Tahreni and Lendros chuckle to themselves as they too took a seat in the grass.
"What do those words mean?" Blanc asked, guessing the insulting side of things.
"That you are truly dumb," Velakia replied, "Dumb, not understanding why delays annoy me, regardless of whether we are on schedule or not. We want to go home."
"And I want my sister back," Blanc clenched his jaw, "Do not confuse preparations for baseless delays… Your Highness. I am preparing for what happens next, while trying to accommodate you as thanks for what you are doing for me. But your ego is too inflated to see reason."
"Careful, Blanc," Velakia muttered, her voice calm, "You forget who is stronger here, and who was tasked to protect who."
"Are you threatening me, Velakia?" Blanc narrowed his eyes, "For what? For wanting to make this journey at least half-pleasing for all of us?"
"For acting like a-"
"Blanc," Olivia yelled from the mansion door, interrupting Velakia from arguing further, "My father wishes to speak."
Blanc nodded, grinning before sending a glance towards Velakia. An act which made her click her tongue once more as they all got to their feet, just as the iron bars were slowly opened by two guards, making way for them.
Once Blanc and his companions entered the mansion, Olivia and her parents awaited near the entrance, sitting on a staircase.
"Good morning," Blanc nodded lightly to the three.
"I bow to Your Lordship, Blanc of Noble Blood Denegis, for what you did for my daughter," the man bowed deeply.
"Alfred, right?" Blanc smiled, "No need for bowing, my good sir, we did what we did without knowing who it was."
"I am aware," Alfred nodded, straightening his back, "And I promise to the Vita above that we will not say a word of your presence here."
"I am grateful, although I assume Olivia told us of why we are here, correct?" Blanc asked, keeping his distance.
"She briefed me lightly, but I wish to discuss everything she told me about, to make sure we are on the same page," Alfred replied, approaching Blanc.
"What about my… companions' request?" Blanc asked, turning to look at Velakia, Lendros, and Tahreni.
"Not an issue, as long as you are able to wait for a day to have my people gather everything they requested," Alfred explained.
"That is fine," Velakia nodded as she replied, "Do we have quarters to rest in the meantime?"
"Yes, they are now being prepared, and my wife would take you there when they are done. Until then, allow her and my daughter to offer you some tea," Alfred explained.
"It would be an honor to help those who helped my daughter," the woman smiled warmly at the three foreigners.
"So, now waiting is acceptable?" Blanc asked, baffled.
Velakia sent him a glance, her cheeks slightly crimson, before turning on her heel, "Shut up."
"Make sure to tell them what you know about those men!" Blanc added out loud as Velakia, Lendros, and Tahreni were almost out of the room. Words that were met with a single middle finger from Velakia.
"Is there something wrong?" Alfred wondered, seeing the interaction.
"None in the least," Blanc chuckled, facing the man in front of him, "Please, lead the way."
Blanc found himself sitting on a beautiful chair, deer leather holding his back as he sat in it, waiting for Alfred to finish preparing the tea.
The room was small, with only a table between the two chairs present, where Alfred most likely was having his business talks.
The walls were decorated with paintings, suspended vases, and uniquely looking weapons, the manner of which Blanc had not seen before. He was fascinated by them, to say the least, but did not really care to ask about them, as the matter at hand was more important to him.
However, as Alfred was preparing the tea, it seemed he was up to making small conversation.
"Let me tell you, my Lord, your achievements do you no justice," Alfred laughed to himself, "If the High Monarch were still alive, I am certain he would have rewarded you properly."
"Him still being alive would have been reward enough," Blanc replied in a whisper.
"That is true, indeed," Alfred agreed, "The Empire went downhill fast after his death."
"So I've heard," Blanc sighed, not turning to face the man, "Blood Elna is making things difficult."
"It's his nature, I'm afraid," Alfred shrugged, not realizing fast enough he just insulted a Noble Blood in the presence of another, "By the Vita, I apologize."
"I hate him too, Alfred," Blanc chuckled, waving the apology off, "You can speak freely, no need to act stiff."
"Then I will take you up on that," Alfred replied as he brought two filled teacups, "I fucking spite the bastard."
"He tried to have his son marry my eight-year-old sister, so believe me, I do too," Blanc explained, "Which is precisely why I am here."
"Tell me more," Alfred said, sitting on his chair as a groan escaped his lips.
"I like commoners like you, Alfred," Blanc smiled as he took the teacup in his hands, "People who take destiny into their own hands, and do not just bow to unfairness just because it comes in the form of a Noble Blood. But a commoner is still a commoner at the end of the day, and regardless of what they do, they do not have the influence to defend themselves or ruin a Noble Blood with ease. Which is why I would like to aid you in gaining a few friends who can. My Blood and my In-Laws, the Crownbound Noble Blood Maroux, who are more than capable of defending your family, business, and interests."
"In exchange for what?" Alfred asked, his eyes steady, waiting to see what was required of him.
"In exchange for your skills, and for the reach of your business, and all that entails," Blanc replied calmly, "As I have told your daughter, your family is not the only one that needs connections, friends, and allies in places they are not. So, a proper alliance where we aid each other by doing the things we both are good at."
"And will you be the one mediating such talks?" Alfred wondered, curious.
"I will not," Blanc said, shaking his head. "I have other matters to attend to. That's why I'd like your company to handle several letters for me. One should be a formal account of the events that transpired, including the reasons behind them. Two will be personal letters, one to my Blood and the other to my in-laws, where I'll explain what we discussed and agreed upon. And finally, I'd like a letter from you, requesting a meeting with them at a suitable date in the near future, to ensure everything is in order before Blood Elna dares another move, because I assure you, they will make one, and no amount of preparations would keep your family unscathed."
Although what Blanc said was true, guilt caught his insides, not yet used to taking advantage of people in such a manner. But he could not deny that the lessons of Lucien and Celine were coming in handy, now that an opportunity presented itself.
"The Rotunda Merchant Company, that which handles all that needs to be handled, do we have terms?" Blanc looked into Alfred's eyes.
Alfred closed his eyes, tapping the wooden table lightly with the fingers of his right hand in quick succession.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. That was the only thing that resounded for minutes as Aflred thought about things only he knew.
In his mind, the deal was too good to be true, so he was aware that things would be asked of him, things he now wondered if he could afford. Be it his daughter's hand in marriage, be it entering certain markets he had held back from for a while.
There were many things to be considered.
He was fine with offering his daughter in marriage as soon as she was respected, cared for, and loved as a wife, not some lowly concubine who had no rights to inherit.
As for those certain markets… well, he had connections there still, kept just in case, so that wasn't an issue either. What the issue really was for him was the look in the young man's eyes.
The kindness of a prey beast, yet the steady hunger of a predator who carried danger with every step.
This is what a Noble Blood really looks like, Alfred thought to himself, as he placed his hand forward.
"We have terms, Lord Blanc of Noble Blood Denegis," he said.
"Most wonderful," Blanc smiled, shaking Alfred's hand.