The diamond guarantor read the reports that Miss Pendleton had brought. The man in the house of his sixties sat down at the table laid by Lucian, and pulled out his own tools to assess the diamond encrusted on the silver necklace. His silence caused a chill in the lady's stomach, which squeezed her fingers in the skirt of her dress.
For long minutes, the guarantor remained immersed in his own concentration without saying a single word. And finally, he reread the reports with a low sigh before smiling friendly to the woman.
"You did a good job. The diamond cut is flawless and perfectly fitting in this necklace. You asked a jeweler to make a unique design?"
"That's right. The customer to whom I sold this piece is a noble man who was looking for a wedding gift to his wife. He said they had gone through turbulent times for the loss of a child, but that they were blessed with a pregnancy. So they want to give a gift that shines in the same intensity as their hope for the future."
The lord laughed graciously and agreed with his head.
"In fact, you took the client's request seriously. The necklace is well crafted and the silver contains a delicate shine, leaving the diamond pendant to be the center of attention."
"What about the sale?" asked Lucian, sipping his tea.
"Appropriate price. Miss Pendleton made a great deal valuing the diamond, the work of the jeweler and the client's budget. She took into account the market price of jewelry and made a good deal, Your Highness."
Lucian opened a thin smile of satisfaction, hearing the lady muffle the cry of joy for having done well in her assessment. Well, that was all a mere formality, since the prince knew that Quinn Pendleton would succeed in the sale.
With this, now Lucian could officially hire her and start selling the diamonds to finance the Nightshade guild.
After the guarantor's departure, Lucian watched Quinn sign the contract with ambition in his eyes. The prince wanted to laugh with satisfaction for having stolen the feature from the original protagonist of the story. Only, unfortunately, he was not yet in a good mood to have fun. Worry still frightened him.
"I look forward to working with you, Miss Pendleton."
The woman smiled satisfied and agreed with her head.
"So do I, Your Highness. I'm very grateful for this opportunity to demonstrate my skills."
"Just hope we have good business in the future", Lucian smiled sweetly, leaving the cup of tea empty on the table "Now, referring to your work..."
The two spent all afternoon arguing about diamonds' selling. Lucian received a positive and hesitant response from the miners, who seemed willing to work after being convinced by the village chief. However, they could not start immediately because of the worn-out tools. Lucian had pledged all his money to Ethera to buy the mansion. Nor did he want to depend on Magnus to finance it.
Quinn would work with the last mining that the miners did before they shut down — well before all of the supposed inspection happened. At least it would give Lucian time to organize with the guild and already start helping Magnus in the underworld.
Gradually, everything flowed with his plan.
Days later, in the evening, Lucian reported the matter while changing Magnus's bandages. The omega listened while watching Lucian be careful to clean his wounds and apply the ointments recommended by the court doctor. However, it was as if the mind of the prince was not really present.
"So you got the list with the names?"
"Ethera has not yet handed me over, but I have received a message from Argus that she has managed to buy the mansion, and that one of her men has also bought the title of Baron of Westwhide."
"Hm... The owner of this region was responsible for the cultivation of wheat. If I'm not mistaken, he got into debt and lost everything when he was cheated by a group of rebels."
"That's right. Apparently, his mansion here in the capital has been sold. Ethera found a way to buy the title together. I can only assume that she has used not at all graceful artifices to achieve this."
"Not that we care."
Lucian tied the clean band around Magnus' bare shoulder, being careful not to hurt him further. He made it a point to be responsible for helping him, as a way of remembering that he could not act hastily again. Despite squeezing his chest to see his husband mumbling in pain at night, or not being able to move as before when Magnus was away from the eyes of others.
Sighing low, Lucian backed back a few inches when he finished. Magnus moved his shoulder slightly and then stared at him.
"Anyway, the casino owner seems willing to negotiate with me. I was invited to meet him and discuss the matter."
"Avoid trouble, you are not in a position to cut off anyone else's head."
"Don't mean, what did you think I'm?"
Lucian laughed and sat down on the bed next to his husband.
"What do you think this guy will ask for as compensation?"
"I think he wants to hunt down some troublesome client, or want some amount."
Anything was expected of a character like that. I mean, an unknown. Lucian could not help Magnus as he wished, after all the owner of the casino was a character who never appeared in the original story. Find out your intentions and know if it is reliable or not was out of your reach.
Magnus got out of bed and walked to the table where he served whiskey. Lucian observed his bare back, more precisely his neck where the strands of hair were messy, making that ideal point to bite him.
What if they both just ran away from that Empire? Wouldn't it be easier?
Well, Lucian doubt that Magnus' honor would allow it. He would never accept to run away to live in scarcity. Although it is a tempting idea for the tired mind of the prince.
The crimson eyes stared over his shoulder. In a dangerous corner. Lucian shivered completely and tilted his head.
"What is it?"
"Well, it seems that the Grand Duke has had a rough time."
Lucian jumped when he heard the female voice coming from the balcony. Ethera was sitting with that smug smile on her face.
"It seems that we have an intruder" Magnus drank a sip of whiskey and stared at the woman without much interest.
"I just came to talk with His Highness. We have business to discuss."
The prince sighed low as he got out of bed and pulled a heavy robe from his coat. He covered Magnus' bare torso and turned to the leader of the Nightshade guild, who entered the room without even being invited.
"What brought you here at this hour? I hope it's no problem."
"I have come to fulfill my part of the agreement. The mansion has been bought, our guild has been established and we are back in business. My people got the list you wanted."
Lucian's heart accelerated some beats with the confidence of Ethera. I mean, he was confident that his plans would work out, but with the delay of having those names in his possession, Lucian pondered that something had gone wrong.
Or that it would take him so long to end up dying at the hands of the villain without ever seeing the names.
Wearing his good prince mask, Lucian opened an innocent smile when Ethera handed over a small piece of paper.
"Thank you."
When he opened the piece of paper, he read the three names that it contained.
Captain Ryland
Baroness of the Jewels
Ferdinand Brighton
It was one of those names that made Lucian's eyes pop and almost choke on his own saliva.
"Wait a minute, isn't this Brighton the owner of the "Council of Behemoth" casino?"
Magnus approached from behind Lucian, reading over his shoulders the names on the list. He opened a malicious smile when he recognized the name.
"Ferdinand Brighton, that's right. Just see how cruel fate can be."
"Ethera, do you know anything about him?"
The woman leaned against the wall and crossed her arms as she thought.
"It is said that he is a former mercenary who has swindled nobles with his gambling. My people said that the guy was known to choose broke nobles or desperate for money to fall into his trap."
"People like Moutuni", Magnus completed, drinking another sip of whiskey.
"When my people reported his name, I assumed you already knew, considering the recent events."
"No, we did not know" Lucian replied while thinking "How does he act in the underworld?"
"They said that it was a very violent mercenary and with great influence to the point of having his own gang. It was common to see your people chasing customers who owed money to the casino. They say that lately he has been quiet, although no one dares to owe him anything since he is afraid of dawn with his mouth full of ant."
"It seems that he is going through turbulent times. When I hunted that worm, I realized that although the casino was full of customers, they had few employees."
"Well... with the First Prince's hunt for rebels, I imagine that many must have abandoned Ferdinand."
Lucian listened to the conversation while analyzing the information. Finally had in hand the three names of people who held power and influence in the underworld. People who could make deals with Magnus and ensure that he becomes the fourth name. So he could count on the three to corner the true villain of the story.
Clenching his fingers on the paper, Lucian raised his bright eyes to Magnus.
"When do you want to meet him?"
"In three days, why?"
"What do you think of indemnifying him with a friendly settlement that will bring you benefits and insider information?"