Chapter 830

Chapter 830: Prestige

“No, try again,” it ambled into a better light, “-my impression of brother’s awesome.”

“Loftha, why are you here?”

“I knew you’d leave,” she said, “-I wanted to give my thanks personally. I saw what happened inside, the life you live is one I’d never want. Who am I to have a say in what you do.”

“Guess there none,” he shrugged her sudden drop in intonation, a hint of resentment and sarcasm built her gestures, “-I should get going.”

“Wait, wait.”

“What is it?”

“Thank you for saving me,” she bowed, “-sorry, I’m jealous of those in your life. I wasted my chance, and look where it sent me. No matter what happens, I’ll always be a friend. The performance was awesome.”

.....

“Lowering your head isn’t befitting a princess. Address me as equal,” she broke her stance, lifted her oval-chin to eye-level, a kind regard returned, “-there’s much to be done. I made sure to kick the paladin’s bottom, consider it my way of sticking it to those who harmed. Time flows and the journey never stops, take care of the emperor, you’ll be assigned a new task.”

Yonder, across the bountiful yet vindictive sea, over the nuked area, vessels swarmed the edge in an effort to salvage the wreck. There was much to learn in what was destroyed. The trek takes a dive towards Rosespire, precisely, the castle’s inner sanctum. Within the hallowed walls carved in the representations of the ancient gods, a hooded silhouette washed in a thin-white veil, stood on a pedestal with hands chained to a pillar. The scent of death – iron, diffused from edge to edge, the outer walls followed the circular shape held by the pedestal – the gagged entity’s blond hair roamed freely on her shoulders, green-colored pupils glared forth to a familiar visage.

“My love,” said the figure, “-I’ve come for you,” he said, “-look around us,” he held a sharpened dagger to the thin layer, a touch cleanly sliced said protection, “-they took us apart. I’ve tried to hold, I can’t... the castle’s not a safe place as is imagined. The maids,” he leered to a line of naked women, “-servants to the dark-God of Hatred, Esyter, it’s the fucking same. When people want something, they pray to Syhton and her mighty power, yet, when they want to curse another, they use the name Esyter, I can’t... I can’t do it anymore, my precious god won’t be sullied,” he slit the bottom half of her outfit, to which her exposed self was to kneel over a sharped, precariously shaped rod, “-my offering will be to grant him the blood of a virgin maiden,” he side-glanced the right, “-the guards will partake in the ritual. I wish you a great night,” he laughed, “-to the winners goes to spoils.” Her viciously amusing regard, the reluctant for acceptance, Nicola took feeble steps to the queen’s rather unbefitting posture – a press on her neck dropped the gag to her chest, she watched invitingly, the body shook in anticipation, “-I know you want me,” he said, “-and to make right on our promise,” he dropped on all-fours and crawled to her thighs, “-I’ll make sure the nights memorable. You, Eia, will become my slave, before the queen, thou art mine, we’re lovers. To my god, Esyter,” she moaned, her legs tightened – the inner sanctum shook before the familiar faces of the castle.

The jet landed on the 24th of January, a beautiful day taking Rosespire’s desolate all-year-round stature. A dark-glossy briefcase, the suit the emperor gifted and a badge of Alphian leadership, the fuselage unlocked, the door swayed into a vague distant cry. ‘-I slept the voyage away,’ he yawned, took a step towards the outside, ‘-holy,’ cheers rattled as much as did the blazing wind. His name and goodwill cheers waited beyond the fence.

*Notification,* “-master,” said éclair, “-from the heroic display of strength at the heart of Melmark, the performance, and lastly, the firming of the United Nation of Alrosia, the people’s incertitude has been surpassed by thy actions,” he linked articles after articles, the central news even held a large segment on the performance; guest host being Julius.

Freelance writers commented on the turn of events on a popular site dubbed Corpio’s Gazette, “-in decades after the inception of the dominant world powers. The troubled kingdom of Hidros, viewed through the lens of scrutiny by the other nations – a place of battle and discordance, a place where narcotics, murder, and corruption run wild; nicknamed the Scarlet Providence, has changed tremendously. First was the crowning of the late-queen Gallienne, her efforts made enemies of the church, pushing their conquest into a long feud. The culture of survival of the fittest created a very unique atmosphere. Simultaneously, the golden-land of Alphia, a place of economic boom and trade haven, renowned for their hospitability and neutral stance on the worldwide political climate, birthed their wealth and industrial dependency. Children to mothers and grandmothers, add pets for the sake of adding, and one will find, most items are manufactured in Alphia. The two seemingly different leadership bonded, and on the 22nd of January, an announcement shook the world, the birth of a rivaling superpower to the Wracia Empire, the United Nations of Alrosia. Currently, the latter consists of Hidros, Arda, Alphia, and Easel Run Gard. The leader, King Igna Haggard, did the unthinkable – the unity was further forged by a memorable performance of the duo having a great time. Most of us current in the political climate know of the Wracia Empire’s influence; a long road, never-ending in ways, stretches before them. Who is to say what’ll happen, the world is in their hands, and I bet my life on supporting the UN-A,” flashed across the interface, he scurried down the stairs, waved at the bystanders, and leaped into a bulky limousine.

“Greetings, hero-king,” said a familiar voice with a wine-glass held in-between long-fingers, “-quite the accomplishment.”

“Alta,” he nodded, “-thank you for organizing transport. What’s the status on Glenda?”

“Apparition of monsters has forced the adventurers to rethink their battle strategy. Lady Haru became the new central-guild master, after many years of staying beside the trading sect, the guild-leaders accepted her competence, us refusing to aid in her affairs boosted the vote.”

“And the project of building a school?”

“The budget was graciously loaned by the Bank of Arda,” she leaned closer, “-by which I mean, you granted us the money.”

“The bank of Arda’s an entity used to shield us from paying dues to unnecessary expenses. Besides, the more days pass, the more money is made.”

“The trade-centers,” she chuckled, “-we’ve monopolized the Maicite market completely, every big corporation has begged to get in on the cake, lady Elvira’s never been so ruthless, you should see her during negotiations, she doesn’t care.”

“Tis the beauty of the Haggard style negotiations, we don’t take no for an answer, unless we’re the one refusing,” he watched the passing scenery, “-enough chitchat, tell me, what’s the real problem?”

“You know me well,” she sipped, “-a nasty rumor’s been circling around the castle. They point to the inner-sanctum – they say the queen’s been seen sneaking into the area under the cover of night, some have said Nicola was seen heading after. The Goldberg’s have made their move discreetly, many of the noble backers have been swayed into siding against the ascension. The goodwill visit from Alphia scheduled next month might be the target. You never know,” her lips pressed, “-traitors, all of them.”

“Being rash is a foolish way,” he said, “-and I’m prone to ignore the saying completely. If Nicola’s involved, I’m sure the father is. You don’t think he’d love a girl a decade his age for the sake of love, no, it’s for leverage. The Goldberg was crushed once, we choose mercy.”

“Master?”

“-If they cross the line, we’ll end the entire heritage in a second.”

The slightly threatening whisper had her gulp the remaining drink. The driver took the long drive to Lai, he boldly cut inside, passed Rosian Media Square on which displayed his performance in Alphia, passed many grid-arrayed buildings till a small cozy building overlooking a lush field of yellow, pink, and red. Alta took the liberty of escorting her master, the amusingly adorable frame twinkled into a soft and comfy interior, the soothing aroma of nature filled the area, she took large strides, the owner, a middle-aged man of slightly grey hair, gave a recognizable smile.

“Here,” she hailed – they ducked into a corner room lined with dolls and stuffy critters. There laid even the representation of goblins and deadly monsters, a hint of suspicion went across the palms till a well-placed, “-hello.”

“Amsey?” he pulled a seat, oval and perfectly balanced in the fairy-tale-like motif, “-a pleasant surprise.”

“Igna, it’s been a while,” he said, “-don’t mind our place of meeting,” curtains soon undid to brush against themselves, the inside became its own refuge, “-my niece loves this place, and I agree, the milk and cookie bring me to a place of peace.”

“I’m not one to judge.”

“Listen, Igna,” he pulled forth, “-Lumian O’dla’s fully a part of an alliance between Phantom and Elon’s Dynasty. I’ve worked decades to rebuild the company from the verge of bankruptcy, we’ve finally begun to make a profit. The problem is the Gaso Group, they’ve taken over the music academies, offered greater and better deals as opposed to Ansoft and Apexi, there’s nothing we can do. Handling Apexi’s taken most of my energy, I wanted to strike, sadly, I’ve failed. There’s no cleaning a white shirt after it’s been dragged through the mud. The more you wash the more the stains grow.”

“What’s the suggestion,” he narrowed, “-I owe you quite a few favors, let’s set the limit to two. The entertainment industry must be shared at our current state, the more we fight, the more the risk of backlash from the other agencies. It’ll take an ugly rumor to take the reputation into a pit of sludge.”

“I know,” he said, “-I know that. Hence my proposal to forge onto another industry, food,” he smiled, “-I have my contacts and ways to rekindle old relations. I ask for Lumian O’dla to acquire Leko’s Cooking Academy.”

Igna veered his attention, “-wait,” interjected Amsey, “-I know about the death of Leko, your master. I did my research, took a page out of your book. Listen to me, tis a win-win situation, don’t you wish to see old knots be tied. Revenge on the murder and make a large profit. Entertainment is a great industry, the better the idea, the more the spectators will watch, none’s touched on a cooking show yet.”

‘Full attack and counter, he’s learned and grown into a better leader. I’ll play hard to get and see what he wants,’ the expression remained stoic, “-Igna, playing hard to get won’t do much,” he slammed a file on the table, “-everything’s written there. I want rights to Leko’s academy and a loan from the bank of Arda,” the intent blatantly smirked, “-all you need is to sign off on the plan.”

“Good,” he gave once over and turned to Alta, “-have my lawyers looked the contract in and out?”

Her firm stance broke into a mild nod, “-if they don’t see a problem, I say the negotiation’s complete. How much are you looking?”

“Somewhere in the range of the eight figures?”

“That much?” he exhaled, “-make it five-million, not fifty. Phantom will acquire the land and property of the academy – we know a good agent. The money will be split in half, the first half will be handed when thee visit the Hidros branch – the next will be given after a production company signs the agreement,” he stood, tied the suit-jacket, “-if they don’t accept the terms, come to me again, we’ll buy a whole production company if the first episode goes well, those terms agreeable?”

“Yes they are,” the hands locked, ‘-if they don’t agree, we’ll buy them out, awesome.’