Chapter 26 - Price Of Her

"Follow Raven and she will take you to the other side of the island. You can spend your day there. His Majesty and I have to discuss something very confidential. Thus, you must have to vacate this place," Santiago announced much to her surprise and of course, delight. He paused for a brief moment and let Persephone open her eyes who had initially shut her eyes tightly as if he was about to announce her death sentence. "Would it be alright?"

The last sentence was spoken in such a soft voice that even King Leonardo was wondering if the villain had consumed feathers today for breakfast. 

Persephone was so stunned and startled by his sudden change in behavior that she didn't know how to react. Not wanting to mess up this opportunity, she looked at Santiago and ran towards Raven before her captor changed his mind. 

"I do not like what you just did," King Leonardo scrunched up his nose and grumbled like a child who refused to have his favorite candy. "She was what I was craving today. Curvy, petite, sassy and not to mention the attractive dark head who despises monarchy. You just made my flavor of the day run away from me. I do not like it at all, Santiago." 

"She is mine, Your Majesty," Santiago said, leaving all the ways for King Leonardo to claim his captive. She was his at least for the next half a month. He didn't forget to add 'Your majesty' to remind Leonardo what his title was and he should not go around disclosing their identities. 

Santiago continued as he saw a sulking expression creeping up to his face, "As for the favor, you refused to let me repay it last time." 

"Name your price, Santiago, " King Leonardo said. "Ask whatever you want in return for her." 

"She is the key to my future," Santiago said while raising his brow. "Do you think that I will let you have her? Come on, Your Majesty. I have something new for you and I am sure that you will like it more. As for my captive, she is off-limits for everyone." 

"Very well," King Leonardo said as he realized that Santiago was serious this time.

_____

"So, she is the captive?" King Leonardo said as he drowned the alcohol poured in the glass. He was asked by Villain to lend him some help as he was kidnapping a bride from her wedding. As good a friend he was, he made every possible arrangement for him to hide in his country.

A good friend always helps even if it means helping him in kidnapping a bride who also happened to be the daughter of the most dangerous man in New York. 

Santiago just hummed in reply. 

"What's the situation on Marino's side?" King Leonardo asked again. He hated Marinos to the core and his hatred was not hidden from anyone. He knew crime couldn't be uprooted from its roots but Marinos were worse than monsters. Once they had penetrated his country, they killed army men,  r*ped their widows and daughter, and sold their kids.

His country wasn't that strong back then and they couldn't protect everyone. But now that their economy was stable and no Marinos could hurt them, he was ready to end them, especially Alessandro Marino. Yet, he didn't mean he was in favour of hurting Persephone. If he allowed Santiago to hurt Persephone, what would be the difference between him and the monsters? 

But sometimes for greater benefits, we have to give smaller sacrifices. And Persephone Marino was that sacrifice. Collateral damage. 

"Killian is supervising the situation there," Santiago said. His sentence was enough to tell that everything was going according to his plans because the name Killian was synonymous with perfection. 

"That man is wasting his talent in New York," King Leonardo couldn't help but say. His eyes were stuck on Killian for a long time but only if that man would agree with this great King. He was willing to offer any price to have Killian work under him, but no that talented man had to follow Santiago. 

"Where his talents won't be wasted?" Santiago said, raising his brow. "In your research labs?"

"Of course," The handsome king admitted proudly. He was not ashamed even after knowing that Santiago could see through him. "Convince him to join the project which will be announced after the new government is formed." 

"Why should I convince him?" Santiago retorted." Give him something he needs and see if he doesn't agree with your proposal." 

"What does he need?" King Leonardo couldn't help but sigh. 

"That's up to you to search," Santiago plainly replied. 

"Prescott's still have not announced who will be fighting for PM's posts from their party, are you sure you don't want the ticket again?" King Leonardo said, suggesting something. He was here for a mission not to enjoy certain beauties. Alas, a beauty caught his eye but she belonged to this Villain who he considered a friend from the depth of his heart. "My people adore you. They will be happy to have you as their next PM." 

Santiago scoffed. "They adore me because they do not know who I actually am. If they know the sins I have committed, do you think they will adore me? Moreover, I have no interest in politics. I have told you many times and I am telling you again, I will never enter politics. I'm a villain and I prefer being one instead of a hero in people's eyes." 

King Leonardo sighed and expressed his grievances openly. "If a strong candidate doesn't stand against Joseph, he will win again for the third consecutive time. With every term, he serves as Pm, his ego and greed increase. He doesn't care about people now. All he wants is fame and power. If we didn't put a limitation on him now, the consequences would be dire. Who knows if he ends up swallowing the monar--"

"I get it. You are playing a sentimental game here," Santiago said. He sighed and then added, "I'm not the one for that post, King Leonardo." 

"I know you are not," The sly King quickly said. "But I know someone who is perfect for the post. He is older and wiser. He loves this country as much as we all do. He will be good to my people. His vision and leadership can bring a great change to the country." 

"Callum," Santiago said before the other man could say anything."What makes you think that any of the Darkhorses will agree with your opinion? Don't you already have Nash with you now?" 

The cunning King grinned, "You can take back Nash. His beer expenditure is already a burden on the national treasury. As for Callum, if you don't mind his involvement in the country's politics, he won't either. We have to agree that he was made for this arena." 

"Do whatever you want. Your country, your decisions." 

"Now Let's talk about the goddess we left behind --"

Before King Leonardo could say anything, Santiago held up his hand to stop it. 

"Even her topic is off-limits." 

"So possessive already," King Leonardo grumbled.