The Rules of Blood-Volume Two ; Chapter 83 (299) - A Friend in High Places
Once they left the hall and made their way back to their wing, Blanc slumped first on the couch in the common room.
“Fucking bastards,” he sighed, “Reimbursements my ass.”
“Since when do you speak like a commoner does, little brother?” Sera asked with a frown, sitting down next to his left, “You sound like a drunkard.”
“Miyanna taught us in hopes of not drawing attention to ourselves by speaking like Noble Bloods,” Blanc replied, “But forgive me, sister, this is all bullshit. This bitch plans to hold us here for weeks, caught in the same discussions. And the longer we stay here, the worse it is for us.”
“That is true,” Velakia yawned, sitting down on Blanc’s right.
“By the way, thank you, my dear,” Blanc turned towards Velakia, pulling her in for a kiss.
After their lips departed, Velakia looked surprised. “What is this about?”
“The promise of an army, the promise to the Order, everything really,” Blanc smiled, “Although I know it was to keep the discussion on our side.”
“Well, the army was a bluff… we only have a navy.” Velakia laughed, “But the land for the Order is doable once I get back to Iskahul, although it will take some time to handle everything.”
“Did you really lie?” Sera asked, shocked.
“Of course I did,” Velakia nodded, “I cannot speak for nor move my father’s navy as I please.”
“But why say it then?” Sera sighed, scratching at her eyebrow, “Will it not cause issues?”
“That’s how important it is for us to leave soon,” Blanc rejoined the conversation, “The Iron Line is currently stationed, with King Yalan and his cursed creatures back in his kingdom. And we do not know for how long, where he plans to go next. Not to mention that Velakia has to leave for her lands, and we have to go back to our Blood. And this is only our reasons on the surface.”
“What do you mean?” Sera asked, confused.
“I don’t think we mentioned last night,” began Velakia, “But Blood Seraph is currently fighting the surrounding Domains, trying to expand their power and territory as fast as possible. And that means that they are either consolidating their power before retaliation from other Noble Bloods comes, now that they are considered traitors of the Empire, or because they were told to do so. In both cases, it means that each day we spend sitting here, waiting for the negotiations to end, the danger we are in increases.”
“And no bluff or truth will save us then,” Blanc concluded with a nod.
“You two make quite the pair,” Sera smiled warmly, listening to the two, despite the contents of the discussion.
“You should see us when we argue,” Blanc chuckled, happy with the change in subject.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, the incident.
And as Velakia prepared to deliver a slap over Blanc’s chest, a knock came at the door of the common room.
As the door opened, all three turned to see who entered the room.
“Daughter,” Blanc said, jumping to his feet, “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Forgive my intrusion,” the Daughter bowed lightly, “I have come to discuss certain matters.”
“Please, take a seat,” Blanc moved around the couch, receiving her with a smile, “Interested in some tea while we talk?”
“No sugar, please,” the Daughter nodded emotionlessly as she took a seat on the chair Blanc offered her.
She sat across from the couch, a small wooden table separating the three women.
Blanc soon returned with four cups of tea, setting them down before taking his place on the couch again, waiting for the Daughter to speak.
For a minute, Blanc, Velakia, and Sera simply watched as the Daughter blew gently over her tea to cool it, until at last, she began speaking.
“The Order is very pleased with your performance, Blanc of Noble Blood Denegis, although they wish you would return to the Domain of Blood Maroux as soon as possible,” the Daughter said, before sipping tea quietly.
“Has something happened?” Blanc asked, slightly panicked.
“Nothing at all,” the Daughter shook her head gently, “Just a precaution.”
“Well,” Blanc exhaled, relieved at the lack of bad news, “As you saw today, Lady Seraph is not willing to just let go, regardless of what we offer. Even if I had with me all that gold she requests, she would just find another way to refuse.”
“I am well aware of the Matriarch’s intentions,” the Daughter began, “That is why I am here.”
“What do you mean?” Blanc wondered, frowning.
“To tell you not to act rashly tomorrow, regardless of what they do or say,” the Daughter began, “The Order puts more value on you than on the entirety of Blood Seraph.”
“Okay, but why? I haven’t done anything deserving of such kind treatment,” Blanc questioned, suspicious of the Daughter’s intentions, “What does the Order want for this?”
“You are looking too harshly on yourself, Lord Blanc,” the Daughtere countered, “You will live for centuries, and things that live that long must make sure they have friends in all walks of life. Especially a friend in high places.”
“And the Order is one such friend?” Blanc narrowed his eyes.
“Yes,” the Daughter nodded casually, “A friend, a mentor, a sponsor, a mother, whatever you wish.”
“And what is requested of me for such a friend to become available?” Blanc questioned, “We agreed in the past that I would help the Order with whatever they need, but this addition must cost something more than that, no?”
“Not this time,” the Daughter shook her head, “The land the princess of Iskahul offered us would cover this new addition to our friendship.”
“That land will be yours once I set foot in my Kingdom, but not until then.” Velakia nodded, pleased with herself and the offer she made, “Many things have to change in my Kingdom for the Daughters and the Sanguinarch Order to be accepted there.”
“I am well aware of the discussion you had with Lucien of Noble Blood Maroux, Your Highness,” the Daughter nodded, “And we will ensure you will get on the boat that has been prepared for you, safely.”
“So, let us reword this slightly,” Blanc sighed, “Tomorrow, at the next round of negotiations, the Order will handle Blood Seraph to accept the terms we’ve made, and all we have to do is remain silent and in our seats? That easy?”
“That easy, Lord Blanc,” the Daughter nodded.
“With no new debts to the Order?” Blanc asked.
“No new debts.”
“And a last question, if I may,” inhaled Blanc, “Isn’t Lady Seraph aware you are here?”
“She is,” the Daughter nodded, her eyes turning a slightly darker shade of crimson, “But she cannot stop us.”
Volume Two ; Chapter 83 (299) - A Friend in High Places
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