During the afternoon, Lucian and Magnus evaluated the situation of the diamond mine. Obviously they could not pass through the hole, but just being close to it and feeling the cold wind made the Prince's belly freeze and his body tremble in fear of falling. It was like standing in front of a well whose bottom was not visible, if he fell could take a long time to reach its end and would still be embraced by death.
Turning away from the hole, Lucian looked at the dirt stairs that he had around the hole. There were many diamonds around, and they needed to walk with extreme care. It was not necessary to walk through the whole space, Lucian could see that there was much to be done there only with the small sparkles of the stones embedded in the rocks.
Only that the most worrying was the working material of the miners. Worn ropes, picks and rusty shovels thrown into carts, worn and torn gloves...
"Oh my…" The prince sighed, massaging his forehead, "This here is even worse than I thought."
Turning to the leader of the miners, who explained to Magnus how his group of workers used to mine the diamonds. Lucian understood nothing, which made him slightly worried. If he did not understand much about the extraction of diamonds from that mine, would Lucian be able to trade right without being passed over?
After the couple evaluated the situation of the mine, which summed up in them hearing the opinion of the miners' leader, Orto Zophyr, about the current state of the diamonds, the three returned to the village leader's house to discuss and negotiate.
It was a somewhat pitiful sight. The village seemed to reflect the total disregard that the Eighth Prince himself had in his life. They existed, but only by clinging to the thin thread of hope. The village looked like a small town of the old-west of the modern world, but passing through scarcity and poverty.
All this because the true Eighth Prince was a complete irresponsible.
How could it? The Eighth Prince barely managed to survive on his own. The situation of the people in that village only improved after the real villain got his hands on Lucian's mines. Still, Lucian had no idea what the conditions of those people were in that part of history.
Something told Lucian that he should change the fate of those people too. His negotiation and how he would deal with the mine from that day on would bring about a drastic change.
"So, Lucian?" Magnus looked at him seriously, waking the prince from his daydreams "What do you intend to do?"
Right. Lucian needed the diamonds to increase his savings and sponsor Ethera and the Nightshade guild. Only then would they be ready to conquer the Underworld. In no way could he fail in negotiations.
"I want you and your men to resume mining, Lord Zophyr."
"I'm not taking my people to mine just because you're asking me, kid."
Magnus was about to call the miner's attention for lack of etiquette, but Lucian promptly interrupted him.
"I know, I see that your work material is already worn out, which does not guarantee the safety of you. Especially if we want to venture into the underground cave. So I will give you new tools."
The man remained silent facing Lucian seriously. With only one crossing of arms, the prince realized that offering new tools was too little. Swallowing dry trying to disguise his nervousness in negotiating, the prince crossed his arms too. He tried to keep the expression as soft as possible, even his tone of voice sounded softer and harmless not to seem a threat to the miner. Only that at the same time Lucian wanted to express his seriousness on the subject.
As someone who says "I want to be your ally and not your enemy".
"With the profit from the sale of diamonds, part of the profit can be destined for you."
"Refused."
"Considering that the diamonds here are pure, even a small percentage of the profits would be enough for you to reform the city and improve the quality of life of the villagers" Said Magnus "Why would you refuse this?"
"Do you think all families are miners?"
"We can see if there is something else for you..."
"Haa... listen, prince, our village is small. What do you think will happen when you start selling your diamonds?"
Lucian pondered silently.
"It would certainly bring a lot of attention to this region."
"Exactly. People may come to plunder our village, and noble fools try to destroy the mine. As tempting as the idea of receiving a percentage to improve our village is, we will still depend on you to survive."
The lord who led the village served coffee to all with his trembling hands. Lucian noticed the old man who seemed to stare at the window from time to time. Looking at the window, the prince could also see other older people in that village, looking at the leader's house as if it were a big event.
Who would protect them? That was a very big dilemma. Lucian still had no power to secure anything in return.
"I see you have a young people with energy."
Magnus' comment caught Lucian's eye. He also looked at the window, but in a different direction than the prince. Leaning forward, he could see some boys playing with swords near the Grimwood knights who stood guard in front of the village leader's house.
"The new generation has no interest in mining, as they consider it a non-profit profession. Most of my men are older or then children and grandchildren who want to work to support their families by need rather than by taste."
"In that case, what do you think of these boys following a new profession?"
"What?"
Magnus' proposal seemed to annoy the leader of the miners, but the old lord gave a gentle tap on his shoulder silencing him immediately.
"What do you propose, Your Grace?"
"I propose a training camp. Two stronger knights of the Grimwood personal guard will stay here to teach those interested to fight. In return, miners must prepare to resume diamond mining."
The old leader of the village, Sir Frances, pondered the proposal and cast a glance at Ortho silently asking for his opinion. However, he remained silent, hesitating to let go of his pride and accept the deal.
"I want to remind you that we will still have more future negotiations", Lucian commented after a long period of silence. "The Grimwoods are willing to help with the security issue, and as you saw today, there is no one but me and my husband dealing with the mine currently. The profit from diamond sales can help you improve the quality of life in your village until you are able to support yourself. Something temporary. What do you think?"
Again the two leaders exchanged glances.
"Please give us some time to think about this proposal, Your Highnesses."
(...)
When the two returned to the hotel in the Port of Baydenn, Lucian felt exhausted. His honeymoon seemed more like a business trip and that annoyed him slightly, although it was something necessary. It's not as if he can visit his mine whenever he can, especially when he returns to the capital and Lucian needs to take over his position as host of the Grimwood.
That is, more work was waiting for him.
Throwing himself into the huge bed, Lucian sighed heavily hugging the pillow.
Exhausted.
Stressed and anxious.
He admitted that he expected more interest from the miners. In the end, it was more headache that left him waiting for answers.
Raising his head, he noticed that Magnus was sitting on the couch by the fireplace, reading some mail that had been delivered to reception. Pouting, the alpha sat in bed hoping to gain the attention of the husband naturally, but he continued reading the letters as if he forgot his presence.
"Hey, you know this is our honeymoon, right?"
"And?", Mumbled Magnus with disinterest.
"We should be having fun, visiting the beautiful landscapes and spending time."
"You're doing this perfectly well on your own."
His pout increased. Lucian was too exhausted to leave the hotel now, especially after spending hours in that carriage. Still, he took off his shoes and forced himself out of bed to walk to the omega, stopping in front of him.
"I don't want to be the kind of husband who wants to throw away his things just to get your attention."
Magnus' crimson eyes rose to the alpha. He still made a sullen expression.
"No? Because it seems to me that you will do it at any time."
"Then give me attention."
"I've been on your side all day, in fact... for two days I'm constantly on your side."
"Can't stand to look at my face anymore?"
Magnus frowned lightly. Lucian bit his own cheek. He knew he was being irrational, it was not his intention to get into fights for silly reasons. He was tired and frustrated, that's all.
"Haa... You really are something", Magnus uncrossed his legs and pulled Lucian's thigh making him sit on his lap, "Are you needy or about to have your heat cycle, by chance? I do not understand the reason for such lack."
Crouching in Magnus' lap, Lucian hugged him feeling a little more pleased to be getting his attention, although he kept pouting.
"Is it a crime to want my husband all the time?"
"It should be."
"Don't be grumpy, you like it too."
"Are you delirious now?"
"If you did not like it, You wouldn't call me to your lap and wouldn't be caressing my back as you are doing now."
Magnus' hand stopped and he frowned. He was caught doing something unconsciously, which made Lucian laugh a bit. Lucian's long fingers slid through the nape of Magnus' head and entwined in his hair in a gentle caress. The alpha also wasted no time in not kissing the cheek of the husband and bring the attention of those crimson eyes on yours.
"That's right, keep looking at me" He whispered the alpha, moving his other hand down the omega arm to reach the papers he held and make him drop on the floor "I need my dose of your smell, touch and attention."
"You're playing with fire..."
Lucian burst out with a low, seductive laugh when he heard the roaring whisper of the omega. Still, Magnus left his hand standing in the air just to feel Lucian's icy fingers rub his wrist and palm until their fingers intertwine.
"You're not on fire yet, baby. But I can take care of that for you."
Deliberately, Lucian relaxed his body and released the pheromones. Weak, ridiculous and woody to seduce his omega. A quantity so small that would be the subject of jokes.
However, Magnus took a deep breath and immediately reacted to the smell. His face went to Lucian's neck, seeking to feel more and more of his pheromones.
Ah, he will surely rest in the arms of his beloved villain.