The new Baron Westwhide's mansion was average, but close to the commercial center. From the third floor window it was possible to see the central square and its usual customers who entered and left the stores of the high nobility. Even, the mansion itself was very busy, with new furniture coming, created by cleaning and...
Customers coming to hire the guild.
"Are people reluctant to hire your services?"
"On the contrary, Your Highness, they are coming from wind and stern. As long as our Baron takes the lead with business, they gain confidence."
Lucian looked at the door leading to the corridor, where he saw the charismatic men with a big grin smile guiding a lady into a room. Before entering he winked at Ethera and closed the door behind him. Lucian had never seen the guy before, nor did it matter to the prince.
"A noble figure is enough to attract attention and pass the image of reliable", Lucian commented thoughtful.
"A noble and beautiful figure is enough to attract attention. For now, we have many women seeking revenge in their failed marriages. It's not the same kind of business we had, but we'll hold that for now."
"Did anyone recognize you?"
"Of course not, I always kept hidden, so I can count on the fingers who knows about me. Besides, we are all disguised."
Lucian had noticed that detail. All the "servants" who worked in the mansion were Ethera's new recruits. Before they were thrown into the field, she wanted to keep them under her eyes to gain confidence and train them properly. Or to use them to infiltrate the biggest network of gossip: the servants.
Turning to the woman, Lucian realized that Ethera did not escape much from the rule. She wore a suit and kept her hair tied, looking like a butler.
"Do you want to be part of this opera?"
"Of course. This allows me to accompany our Baron everywhere and still maintain the administration of this place. I have made many friends, by the way" she blinked.
Well, surely that mischief was making good use of your charm. Lucian let out a muffled laugh and kept looking at the window thinking about the next steps.
"How are the casino people?"
Ethera looked at him and leaned against the wall crossing her arms. It was close enough to whisper, and far enough away not to raise suspicion and keep your field of vision clear.
"The casino staff were very grateful that we were there. I didn't think you intended to use my men to work there."
"As I said before, it's good for you to expand your contacts. Acting with my husband and exchanging information is part of our agreement."
"Anyway, I do not intend to forget the help you are giving us", Ethera replied after a sigh "Your ambition is vast, which makes me curious to know what you will achieve in the end."
Opening a sneaky smile, Lucian looked at her amused.
"Well, all this to tell me that you want to have my sponsorship for a long time?"
"It seems that I'm not as mysterious as I thought, haha. This position we are now is the best for our business. Following your husband's orders to get his hands on customer information is even better. If you want to be called a master, just say so."
"Can I end up accepting, hm?"
Of course Ethera would be happy. Nobles were not always honored. They're picky, however small they were, were enough for Ethera and his troupe to earn money. In the same way that Lucian himself sought for her to obtain his marriage.
Who knew that now, months later, he would end up having his own guild in the palm of his hands?
"By the way, Your Highness, what kind of information do you intend to get from the casino? Your husband just asked us to report anything related to Geledel and the rebels."
"Watch the steps of the casino owner", Lucian thought a bit and then looked at Ethera with some seriousness "I don't suspect he's trying to backtrack on the deal with my husband, but I also don't fully trust him."
"And would he be crazy? If he breaks the deal, his neck will be torn off."
"Haha, my husband is quite convincing with his threats, he gets to be very cute."
Ethera frowned and grimaced, pulling more laughter from the alpha.
Ferdinand Brighton accepted Magnus' deal and it seems that there were more clauses in their contract, unfortunately Magnus didn't tell Lucian about it. As long as Magnus could get information on the nobles involved in smuggling weapons and gathering rebels and mercenaries... Lucian was already relieved.
"Oh, here."
Ethera handed a folded piece of paper to Lucian. Frowning to the drawing he had there, he turned the paper upside down without understanding what he saw. Was it some kind of abstract art? The alpha stared at her and moved his shoulders in a silent questioning.
"The second name. When I accompanied our Baron to the auction, there was a woman wearing a mask surrounded by nobles. I thought strange and kept listening to the conversation, confirming that it is the Baroness of Jewels."
"She wears a mask?", Lucian was surprised. By chance was it fetish of those people?
"Yes, but she had this birthmark on her wrist. I don't know if it is a noble or someone pretending to be noble, but our Baron has an excellent memory and drew the mark after having seen only once.
"Now I understand the reason for having chosen him to be a false noble."
Lucian looked back at the paper in hand. A birthmark on the wrist, a spot that looked like a star of rounded tips, or was what his brain tried to understand from that art.
At least it would be something easy to recognize. Lucian just had to be lucky enough to see the wrists of women, and try not to look like a shameless pervert.
"Your carriage has arrived, Your Highness" A maid has warned.
"It seems that your cute husband came to pick you up before nightfall. Is he afraid that something will happen to you?"
Releasing a low laugh, the alpha put on the cape and covered his head with a hood before leaving the mansion. At least that part of the plan worked, giving him confidence to continue doing his best to save him and Magnus from death. The mistake Lucian made during the hunting festival was not in vain.
Not when he thinks the villain was being incisive now.
The villain still wanted him, the events of the story would continue to occur as in the original. At least Lucian could prepare for such events. He needed to make Magnus strong enough without raising suspicion of the nobles — after all, he did not want his husband to be accused of a coup d'état.
The carriage door was opened and the gloomy hand extended to Lucian. He opened a thin smile and held his hand, entering the rented carriage that soon followed his path. Taking off the hood, Lucian took a deep breath and stared at his husband who was with his arms crossed.
"So?"
"Apparently, Ethera has already helped us with the middle name."
By reaching out to deliver the paper, Lucian hoped that the conversation would be minimally normal. However, Magnus' clothed fingers firmly held his forearm and pulled it hard, causing Lucian to fall on the omega's arms.
"Why are you sitting away from me, huh? By any chance are you sick?"
"Frankly... and I thought we would have a serious conversation."
"I'm talking very seriously. Now sit up straight."
Lucian shivered at the command. Gosh, a dominant omega was all good. Sitting next to Magnus, he felt the omega pass his arm around his waist and pull him to sit on the uninjured leg.
He even wanted to protest, but who would he deceive? Lucian would not be an idiot to reject the lap of that villain.
"What the hell is that?"
"Ethera said she saw this birthmark on the woman's wrist from the list. In addition, she also warned that couldn't see her face, since she was wearing a mask."
"Don't tell me that she's also burned all over her face."
"I don't know. Maybe the casino people can get information on it."
Magnus' fingers went up the back of Lucian, until they reached his neck. A normal caress, without malice, but that opened the doors of the most profane thoughts in the mind of the prince.
Restrain yourself Lucian.
Your husband is still recovering.
Ah... would die of frustration.
"Maybe we get something. But what can we do about it?"
"Depending on what she does in the underworld, close deals. The goal is not to attract the grudge of any of the three."
"Which I have already failed miserably with the first."
"Well... at least he's cooperating."
"For now. I guess I'll have to keep doing some things on my own to get my own influence" Magnus raised the piece of paper and faced Lucian seriously "A night walk in the underworld sounds good, Your Highness?"