LIGHTNOVELONLINE 22. Deals and plans
Eliz entered the break room that they had prepared for her. Next to the door was a mobile bar with various types of alcohol. The room was small, but it could seat ten people comfortably. The sofas were in the colors of the casino and covered with velvet. Two sofas surrounded the coffee table, and there were snacks of fresh fruit, cheese, and pastries. What Eliz found interesting with the screens on the walls showing the gaming tables in real-time. It was like television.
Except it was thick glass with a blue crystal, the size of a pear, projected an image onto it. Eliz wondered why there was no TV if they had this technology?
But she pushed those thoughts aside. She was not an engineer and had no idea how to make things. The only things she had ever tried to make herself were homemade soaps and batiked T-shirts. And animals made from toilet paper rolls wouldn't be appreciated around here. She herded her guardian out the door for some privacy. So he stayed outside the door and kept watch.
"Kuron, what's your poison?" Eliz asked as she picked out her drink. "And please. You can call me Eliz in private." She added.
Kuron felt strange being served by a lady, but the dwarves were not that bound by the rules of society. Or rather, they did not care much.
"Mountain spring." He asked. Eliz nodded and searched for a moment before finding the right bottle. She poured herself a green absinthe called Serpent's Tongue.
She sat down on the couch across from Kuron and slid the drink over to him, but she did not touch the drink herself, and neither did Kuron.
"Let us get right to the point. Will your clan work for me?" She asked.
Kuron liked this direct approach. "Anything is possible if there is money. But it also depends on what you ask of my clan."
"Fortress. I plan to turn the Blue Rose estate into a fortified city."
Kuron interlaced his fingers and stared at her. "A fortified city? We guessed it would be a fortress, but we did not think you were planning something so big. We'll have to get more clans for that."
Eliz smiled. "And would that be a problem? I am sure you know enough clans you have good relationships with to bring them in. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. I don't mean anything huge, but enough to fit several buildings around."
Kuron nodded. "Yes, of course. But do you have the financial means to do so? Even your father's money can not cover something like that."
Eliz mused. Of course, she did not have that much money now, but she knew a way or two to get more. "I have enough to start with. But I am in a position to cover the whole thing financially." Eliz considered that she could try to find some sponsors.
Kuron was undecided. She seemed very confident, but he could not just sign himself or his clan without any guarantees. Of course. Being the Duke's daughter gave him some security, and if he had to deal with the Duke himself, he would not hesitate. This, however, was something else. Naturally, he wondered why a delicate, refined lady wanted a fortress. But it was not the place for him to ask, at least not yet.
"Clan need guarantees." He said.
Eliz nodded in understanding. "Yes, of course. I did not expect anything else. I will pay you three months' salary in advance and provide funds for the materials. Of course, you will buy materials and everything you need yourself. I do not know what you need so I will leave that up to you. Of course, I will want to see the purchase invoices."
Kuron was put under even more pressure by her confidence.
"It would be best if you came to the Roseblood estate so we can sign the contract. I will also provide you with Blue Rose's estate plans so you can start planning. They are a little older, but the estate should not have been changed since then."
When Kuron heard that, he gave up. It really sounded plausible and lucrative. Besides, she was going to sign the contract for the Roseblood estate. That was more than enough for him to prove that this was not a whim.
Kuron reached for his glass, and Eliz leaned over and took hers in her hand.
"So I'd say we have a deal, Eliz." He smiled broadly.
Eliz smiled back and leaned over to toast him. "I got that impression, too. For cooperation, Kuron?"
"Hell, yeah. For cooperation!" They both took a deep sip.
Tears stood in Eliz's eyes as the alcohol burned in her throat. "It fucking burns!" She coughed. This body of Elizabeth's had no experience with alcohol? She was already nineteen!
Kuron stuttered as he heard this noblewoman swear like a dwarf. "Haha! Your tongue is as sharp as a freaking razor!"
Eliz wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and grinned, unlike a lady. It was refreshing that she could act so naturally.
"You are damn right I am. Just wait until we get to the Blue Rose estate. I'm going to have a swearing match with you there!" She smiled."
Kuron laughed even louder. "Challenge accepted, Eliz!"
Eliz started laughing, too. She looked forward to leaving this den of good manners, crappy events, and red flags.
Eliz and Kuron talked for a while longer and worked out more details. The result was that he would go to the Roseblood estate in two days to make everything official. Eliz would have liked to stay longer with Kuron because that way, she did not have to watch her behavior, but she could not keep the others waiting forever. So she said goodbye to Kuron and regained her composure to greet Madame Vesnee.
Madame Vesnee gracefully floated in, and Eliz could hardly believe her eyes. How could such a corpulent lady move like that?
"It seems that your negotiations with the Frosthound Leader have gone smoothly for you. He seemed satisfied when he left." She said as she sat down on the sofa across from Eliz.
Eliz nodded briefly. "It was a fruitful conversation." She said.
"Now I'd like to discuss your offer to promote beauty products. How do you envision doing that?" Wondered Eliz. She was not particularly interested in the business, but she certainly would not mind making some money just for the sake of her looks.
Madame Vesnee began with an explanation. "You'll have to use the new 'Black Crane' brand. You'll also have to participate in promotional events and eventually create posters recommending the new brand. Maybe even some newspaper interviews."
Eliz had a fleeting idea of how to do this kind of advertising for a new product. She was more interested in something else.
"What's in it for me?" She asked.
"Of course, you'll receive a substantial sum, plus we'll provide you with all the products I make free of charge, and..." Madame Vesnee began to list the benefits.
"I want two percent of the sales." Eliz interrupted her.
Madame Vesnee fell silent and looked at Eliz. Seeing how serious her face was, she, too, began to take things seriously. It seemed that Lady Elizabeth was not wholly ignorant.
"That's a bit much, Lady Elizabeth. One percent."
Eliz shook her head. "Three percent."
"That... Lady Elizabeth, that's not how you negotiate." Madame Vesnee frowned, not happy about the situation.
Eliz shrugged her shoulders. "You were the one who came to me with the offer. I am just telling you my terms. But good. To show I am being reasonable. Two percent and everything you mentioned before."
Madame Vesnee swallowed a curse. She had not guessed that Lady Elizabeth would be so difficult to handle. Was she really only nineteen years old?
Madame Vesnee was not inexperienced either.
"Normally, that would be fine, but there is a flaw. Your reputation is not exactly good, Lady Elizabeth. That could be an obstacle."
Eliz sighed. "And are you selling my reputation or my looks? What does it matter if my reputation is not great? I am beautiful. People may not like me for my personality, but they admire my looks even if it's in secret. And I suppose I am the best candidate to promote your new brand. Black Crane. That means it emphasizes the appeal of dark-haired women, and who better than me, who is as beautiful and dark as Black Crane?" Eliz mimicked the intrigued looks she had seen in some fashion magazines.
Besides, Eliz was pretty confident about Elizabeth's looks. How could that face have a problem selling anything?
But Eliz quickly resumed her regular facial expression. "Advertising with me will be successful. Therefore, I think my reward should also be appropriate. I'll be straightforward; I will not set my price too low."
Madame Vesnee, by nature, had a good eye for beauty. And she could find nothing wrong with what Eliz said.
"You are a difficult opponent, Lady Elizabeth." She said.
Eliz smiled. "Thank you. I am enjoying the discussion with you."
Madame Vesnee smiled as well. "But I can not say I am happy with how things have turned out."
Eliz shook her head. "That will change when you see the sales revenue."
Madame Vesnee wondered if she could still lower the terms, but Lady Elizabeth's expression was rock solid.
'Where on earth did that girl learn to do that?'
She shook her head. "I'll have to reconsider."
Eliz nodded. "Yes, of course. It's entirely up to you. But do not wait too long. I am leaving in a week and a half and will not be available much longer."
Madame Vesnee nodded and stood up. "In that case, it will be best to begin my deliberations immediately. It's been a pleasure, Lady Elizabeth."
Eliz rose to shake her hand and watched her leave. Only to see the old wolf come in.
Now she was getting to the dangerous part. The only thing that comforted her was that she had already had two revivals. But she still would have preferred if nothing had happened. Death wasn't something she welcomed.
Eliz immediately turned to Fraril, "If you want a drink, go ahead."
Fraril paused and took advantage of her offer to pour himself something. Eliz watched him. Seriously, how could he see when his eyes were still closed? Is this some sense training since he's a hidden martial artist?
Fraril then walked over to Eliz with his glass. "Please sit down." She gestured to the opposite sofa. She certainly did not feel like having the Syndicate leader next to her. It was better to have him in her sight at all times.
"What did you want to discuss with me, Mr. Wildborn?" Eliz asked, genuinely curious about what he might want from her.
"Lady Elizabeth. I am curious how you discovered that Lady Selene Derevell is a Dark Mage." Asked Fraril, taking a sip of something white as milk.
Eliz chuckled. "Ah. I should have guessed someone like you would figure that out. Ah, how unpleasant."
Fraril twitched his ears and raised an eyebrow. "Someone like me?"
Eliz nodded. "Yes. Someone like you."
"And who do you think I am?"
"Do you really want me to say that out loud?"
Fraril moved his ears for a moment, but his face was straight. "Please. You can speak directly. There is no problem in this room."
Eliz wondered how he could know that, but perhaps she remained suspicious of the big brother from home. "Very well. Someone like you who's a Syndicate leader." She replied.
Fraril's expression did not change, but his eyes opened a little. Eliz could see his eyes and confirmed it. He was blind. But the mystery of how he could see remained.
"Lady Elizabeth is indeed well informed. And brave as well. Do you feel that you are safe because of your position?"
Eli's heart beat faster, for that was a clear threat.
"Not in the least. I assume that you are more than capable of ensuring my disappearance. Let us be clear about this. If that ever happens, please find a nice place for my body." Eliz was not as calm as she seemed.
Fraril smiled a little, exposing slightly elongated canines. "Ho. You speak very casually of your death, Lady Elizabeth. Yet your heart beats as loud as bells."
Eliz shifted a little on the sofa. How did he know that? Was it because of his heightened senses?
"I'd be a fool not to be afraid. But that will not stop me from dealing with you."
Fraril leaned back comfortably, swinging his leg and sipping his drink.
"Deal with me? Interesting. A high-ranking noblewoman wants to make a deal with a mobster. That sounds like the beginning of a good joke."
Eliz was not at all sure of the situation. Fraril did not seem to take her seriously. Had she put herself in danger for nothing? Could she rewind the sequence? But even if Eliz felt threatened, it was not severe enough to do that yet. She kept it as an option.
Eliz folded her hands to wipe her sweaty palms discreetly. "As for Selene, I can not tell you much. Unlike you, I was suspicious of her, so searching with a specific goal yielded different results. I assume you did your research the moment she joined House Derevell?"
Fraril nodded his head. "Indeed. She showed no irregularities. Just another ordinary, boring girl."
Eliz could see that Fraril was slowly revealing his true nature as someone of the wolf race. He did not seem to think much of the nobility.
"And what did you find out about me?" She wondered, as she was sure they kept a file on anyone with a certain status.
"Pitiful and pathetic." He answered immediately.
The corners of Eliz's mouth twitched. She could not help but agree with him. Elizabeth really was like that.
"Indeed, you do not spare my feelings, hah." She grinned.
"I am afraid I am not here to make you happy. But maybe you'll like that we have to revise our judgment of you."
"What a relief."
Eliz decided that was enough. It was better if they moved on.
"Now, to the point. I want to use your services." Said Eliz as she picked up her glass to take a small sip and build courage.
Fraril sat up straighter. "What services? Kidnapping and murder. Smuggling, perhaps? Or slavery?" He smiled.
"All of it."
Fraril stopped smiling, and his ears twitched. He had not expected that answer. He had expected the young woman, as interesting as she had been so far, to be startled. This was not something a fragile woman could normally handle.
"Ho." He exhaled with interest.
"I am most interested in your information network, of course, but I could use your other skills if needed." Specified Eliz, who had no interest in engaging in such practices. But she would still take advantage of it if she really needed it.
Fraril leaned back again. "And here I thought I'd encountered a real lady with no scruples."
Eliz frowned. "You do not know me well enough yet to judge what I am capable of, esteemed Syndicate leader." After her own death, especially one so painful and cruel, she knew she would not get out of this unscathed. She touched her neck because sometimes she could feel the cold blade against her throat at night.
"How far does your information network reach?" She asked.
"We reach into the neighboring kingdoms. But our options are limited because we do not have a real power base there." Fraril seemed to have no problem sharing things with her. Was he interested, or did he already consider her dead?
"That's great. I want you to find out everything you can about the River Kingdom for me. Strength, political status, fighting ability, number of soldiers, just about anything you can get."
Fraril frowned. "The kingdom of the river? That's a pretty small kingdom. Why are you so interested in it?"
Eliz stared at him, wondering what to say. She decided not to answer that for now. The Kingdom of the River might not be large, but it was all the more predatory in the extent of its territory. If she remembered correctly, they had used a silly excuse to invade the Silk Kingdom. Of course, there was more to it than that. How could a small kingdom afford to go up against a much larger kingdom like the Silk Kingdom? The answer was that they had somehow managed to develop mana cannons. They were on the edge of the forbidden technology of mass destruction, which was used and developed in the Age of Wars and was forbidden. So they decided to use them.
To say it was quite a massacre would be an understatement. Until, of course, Selene and her reverse harem came on the scene.
That option was already off the table. So who will save the day? Eliz certainly would not. The whole event would be triggered in two years. And the war itself would last several months. Eliz was determined to be as prepared as possible by then. Whether she would get involved was yet to be decided. Not that she had nothing to gain from it. But it depended on the situation in two years and whether it would be worth it to her.
"Naturally, I will pay you for it. But maybe you could consider it as a quid pro quo. You already know I can get the information you do not," suggest Eliz.
Fraril was interested. He was more interested in information than money. Everyone knew that information was the greatest power.
"If it's valuable information, we can make a deal."
Eliz nodded. "In that case, I know you need proof. So I'll give you a sample. How excited are you about the Festival of Lights?"
Fraril raised an eyebrow at the sudden change of topic. "I really can not wait."
Eliz smiled. "Yes, of course. Because it's a great opportunity for certain actions, is it not?"
Fraril did not answer and waited for her to continue. "So you also heard about the warning that the terrorist group Salvation will strike?"
Fraril nodded. "Yes, of course. Nasty group."
Eliz agreed but did not comment. "In that case, I can tell you that they intend to use short-range mana bombs. I will give you their approximate location so you can check if my information is reliable enough."
Fraril pricked up his ears in her direction. "Indeed. That's an interesting piece of information. How do you know about it?"
"My secret. Do you think it would be wise for me to tell you?"
"Hmm. And what do you think we should do about it?"
Eliz shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I do not care. That's entirely up to you. Whatever suits you."
"You do not want us to eliminate them? Saving lives and such? Become a hero?" Fraril wondered, and Eliz gave him a look like he was mad.
"Why would I get involved in something so dangerous? Besides, I can not and do not know how to dispose of such bombs."
"You could report it."
"I could." Replied Eliz only.
She really could have, but how could she explain that she knew? Fraril was different. As long as he said he would not reveal it, she did not care. In the hands of the law, it would be different. They could still suspect her of having something to do with the terrorist group. Or even accuse her outright. Justice is blind, after all.
Should she sacrifice her safety and integrity for a few ordinary people? Why would she do that? So what that she can get back to life? She is not someone with masochistic tendencies. The death was still real and painful.
There was no way she wanted to get involved. But Eliz was not that cold-hearted; she wanted to try at least to do something, even if not personally.
She had planned to use Tyler's troublemakers to take care of it, but now she had a much better option. Fraril would undoubtedly do something about the bombs. Eliz had no idea what, but she'd say that letting them go off would not suit him either. But that did not matter. Eliz had done her part now, and no one could say she had not tried.
Fraril thought about it and nodded. "That's good enough. We'll check it out, and if it turns out to be true, we can discuss it further. But if it turns out to be a lie, then I am sure you know what you are dealing with."
A cold shiver ran down Eliz's spine. "Of course."
Fraril finished his drink and stood up. He bowed to Eliz and left without another word. Eliz pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping her back as far as she could reach. The whole conversation was so exhausting that sweat was running down her back.
Now there was only one left. If only she could get back to the dwarf. She could use a break.
Miel came in completely relaxed. His eyes immediately found Eliz, and he smiled charmingly.
It was clear to Eliz that he was already planning how to get money from her.
"Sunshine. Sit down." Said, Eliz.
Miel hesitated, still unsure how to handle the address, but he went over and sat down not across from her but next to Eliz.
"Milady. What kind of relationship do we have that you give me such a sweet nickname?" He asked with a smile, casually draping his arm over the back of the sofa, his fingers close to her hair.
"A romantic relationship," Eliz replied, smiling.
Miel blinked and took a few seconds to answer. "A-ah. Really? How did that happen?"
"Just now."
Meil was silent for a moment before bursting out laughing. "I beg your pardon, Lady Elizabeth. I was surprised by your directness."
"I can assure you it's no joke, sunshine." Eliz's smile grew even wider.
Miel stopped laughing and stared at her. Slowly, he withdrew his hand and, if it had not been too rude, maybe would even sit further away from her. Miel, by nature, had no problem dealing with women. But this caught him off guard.
"I am confused, Lady Elizabeth. Can you enlighten me?"
Eliz laughed softly. "Indeed. Enough of these games. I want to hire you to play my lover. At least until I leave. I want to avoid certain people and their possibly strange ideas."
Miel began to relax again; things made more sense now. "I have not gotten into acting yet, but I can handle it. But there are still some questions." He raised his hand and rubbed his index finger with his thumb, indicating his interest in the reward.
"To show I am serious, I will pay off all your debts at this casino." She glared at him. "And to make sure you also do your best to play your part, I will solve your family's financial problems before we are done."
Miel stopped smiling, and his gaze hardened. "How do you know?" his politeness waned as well.
Eliz shrugged and winked at him. "I just know. But what does it matter? I will solve your problems, and that's the main thing, right?"
"Does anyone else know?" asked Miel, his heart beating wildly. It did not matter if they paid for everything if it came to light. Their reputation would drop to the bottom.
"It's just me. You can stay calm. No one else knows." Eliz assured him, seeing how worried he was.
Eliz knows where the root of their financial problems lies. But if she said that, she would deprive herself of an excellent opportunity to use him and win him over as a follower.
Miel relaxed a little after this statement. He still thought it was strange how she had found out, but otherwise, it all sounded perfect.
He should behave as he was used to, and all his problems would disappear. How great was that?
"What's the catch?" He asked.
"There is not one."
"And I am supposed to believe that?"
"Yes." Eliz looked directly at him.
"Just play your part well, and we'll all be happy."
Miel watched Elizabeth. She was beautiful, if a bit odd. He thought about it briefly, but he's done worse things to get what he needed.
He nodded. "I agree."
Eliz smiled happily. "Brilliant."
Miel turned away from that smile and scratched his cheek.
'Well, maybe it's not so bad to play her lover.'