Episode 29: I Said I’ll Pay It Back! (4)
“A date?” “A date.” Avalkin nodded as if stating the obvious, responding to Belaxina’s surprised tone.
“Two people engaged to be married going out to eat good food and buy nice clothes—isn’t that what people call a date?”
“Well, technically, yes…” Belaxina couldn’t quite argue with that logic.
“In theory, you’re right.”
“But you think reality is different.”
“We don’t have feelings for each other. It doesn’t really suit the word ‘date.’”
Avalkin nodded again. Their relationship, if described charitably, was a political alliance. To put it bluntly, it was a transactional marriage.
Romance had no place here. Their bond had been forged not with affection, but necessity.
“Still, I do have feelings.”
He faced her directly, their eyes meeting. His eyes, blue like a calm lake, seemed sincere enough to reach her soul. But Belaxina snorted, unimpressed.
“Of course you have feelings. Just not love.”
“Closer to gratitude, perhaps. And an apology.”
“That sounds like wordplay.”
Belaxina pouted.
“Fine, I get the gratitude. But what are you apologizing for?”
“For not being able to give you good food or pretty clothes until now.”
“Ah…” Belaxina looked away, a bit sheepish.
She hadn’t expected him to take her complaints seriously.
“Ahem. Well, it is a bit shameful for a master not to care about the living standards of their servant.”
Trying to cover her awkwardness, she muttered provocations. Avalkin frowned.
“Do you have to say it like that?”
“Words won’t change reality. If you wanted a quiet, obedient slave who plays along, you should have bought someone else.”
“Only you will do.”
“Excuse me?!”
The abrupt comment startled her so much she bit her tongue.
Her wide red eyes looked like cherries. Avalkin chuckled.
‘She’s got bite and innocence. Not an easy mix.’
“No one else can solve Yeshken’s food problem.”
“Oh. That’s all? I was startled.”
Avalkin graciously let her retreat. Belaxina breathed a small sigh of relief.
“Fine. If you’re asking me out as a thank-you and apology, I guess you’re footing the bill. I’ll go get ready.”
He nodded.
“Wear something warm. The wind is cold.”
****
Mantova, Duke Desiderio’s Estate
Aurelio set down the phone and tapped his desk thoughtfully.
‘Is this a gain or a loss… Not even a question.’
He hadn’t said it out loud during negotiations, but the customs duties recently imposed on Mantova were so outrageous they could drive even peaceful farmers to revolt.
‘Even if we gain nothing else, lifting those tariffs alone makes sending grain to Yeshken worth it. And that woman sweetened the deal too.’
Honestly, he should be popping champagne over this.
Yet something gnawed at him.
“Belaxina Outbyan.”
Just hearing her name raised an alarm.
Not just because she might cheat him—but because she was the ex-fiancée of the emperor, disliked by both him and the future empress.
Too many feelings were involved.
“Should I step in personally?”
He had no loyalty to Belaxina. But if the emperor saw her name on any agreement, he might throw the whole deal out of spite.
‘I need to warn that guy too.’
He picked up the receiver again and dialed a number.
“Carnation Guild Association, how may I help you?”
“Connect me to Chairman Minos. I have new intel on Clavis.”
“Your name, please?”
“Desiderio.”
“One moment.”
A pause.
Then a gravelly voice oozed through the line.
“A pleasure as always, Lord Aurelio.”
“Been a while, Minos.”
The Carnation Guild Association—the largest and only real commercial guild in the empire.
Its top leaders formed the Cerberus Council. Minos was the chairman.
“You said you had intel.”
“Yes. But first, an order: contain the information. Especially from the imperial family.”
“…”
Minos hesitated.
Aurelio frowned.
“Minos.”
“Apologies. That just surprised me. But I understood. We’ll ensure no leaks to the palace. Now, about the legacy of Hades…”
“I’ll uphold our agreement.”
“That’s all I needed to hear. Now, can you share the intel on Clavis?”
“Do I look like your informant?”
Aurelio bristled.
Despite the guild’s wealth and influence, he still viewed them as upjumped merchants.
“Of course not. I apologize.”
“Then apologize properly. I am annoyed.”
“I beg your forgiveness.”
“Hmph.”
Feeling better, Aurelio launched into his usual noble arrogance.
“You merchants are too cocky. Giving yourselves grand names like Hades and Cerberus—ridiculous.”
“Quite right. We’re uneducated commoners. We’ll correct that in time.”
Satisfied, Aurelio gave the real reason for his call, then hung up.
Click.
“That brat from the west…”
Minos was left scowling.
Crk.
The many heavy rings on his fingers scraped as his fists clenched. His aides exchanged wary glances.
One stepped forward.
“He’s just a young noble. He doesn’t understand your vision.”
“I know.”
Minos raised his pipe, then flung it to the floor. It shattered.
“Hades is lord of the underworld! Of course merchants use him to symbolize wealth! What’s so wrong with that?!”
“Please, sir, calm down…”
“Once I have the legacy, I’ll sell that brat’s title for scraps!”
“Naturally. Nobility means nothing in the new world.”
The old man’s breathing calmed.
“Yes. The new world… When I gain the legacy, the world will bow to gold. Even nobles, even royals—even the emperor himself!”
His aide flinched.
That last line bordered on treason.
He quickly changed the subject.
“And Clavis?”
“Ah, right.”
Minos sank back into his chair.
“She’s in Yeshken.”
Hades, the god of wealth—a name whispered in reference to Duke Outbyan, the empire’s richest man.
And Clavis—Latin for “key”—the only one who could unlock his legacy.
“Belaxina Outbyan. That wretched girl…”
