Siana

Nevertheless, he tried his luck,

"Love, how about we discuss the terms a bit?"

Sia gave him a fierce look and said with a smirk,

"Try me, and the sixth rule will be for you not to be cheesy."

The realization of where this was going struck Cain straight away. Not wanting to worsen the state he was already in, he eagerly nodded his head and bracing himself said lightly,

"Okay Queenie, as you wish. But I can"t promise that I will tell you all my secrets at the same time. Firstly, it"s physically impossible as there are too many of them, and secondly, I need time to get used to this.

Hope this works with you."

He observed her for her reaction but he realised the girl was too good at hiding it. So instead of making guesses he waited for her answer.

Sia, on the other hand, inwardly smiled at her victory but turning to Cain said seriously,

"Sure, I am an understanding person after all. So, now that we have established the terms and conditions, how about you tell me why you have been delaying our meeting for so long?"

"c.r.a.p!" Cain cursed inwardly at the realization that he fell for her trap... Again...

—

- Veturia, different locations -

"What does your news have to do with me?"

"Well, you see William, princess Carla especially wants you as her escort in our country."

"Prime Minister, with all due respect, I am done taking care of a lovestruck and clingy princess. My duty was to go to that birthday of hers and I did. So, sorry but I am out."

The man on the phone started impatiently,

"William, I understand that you might be frustrated but you know that you can"t reject this. Seems that I have to remind you, that your family has always served as officials of the country. And I can a.s.sure you that your grandfather wouldn"t be happy with your current behaviour," by the end, the PM"s voice was much sterner and it even sounded slightly triumphant.

"Oh, then I am sorry to disappoint you sir, but even my grandfather cannot force me this time. You see, I have extremely important business somewhere else and I am going to be out of the country for a while. So, sorry, but it seems that to satisfy your enthusiasm for the princess you will have to entertain her yourself. Now, goodbye mr Prime Minister."

Without waiting for a reply, Will disconnected his current call and directly called someone else. As soon as the call was picked he said in a commanding tone,

"Call the "Techsavers" headquarters in Ribekia and tell them that we agree to the collaboration. Prepare my plane for five days from now."

The man on the other side took a few moments to intake the information he just received. He then voiced his thoughts in an unmasked confusion,

"But, boss, didn"t you tell me that their level was substandard and there was no way we would agree to the collab?"

"I changed my mind. Now do your job."

Will once again disconnected his call. Walking towards the window, he simply stood there looking out at the panorama of the city.

"This way there will be more time for just the two of us. Just wait for me to come."

He smiled at the thought and after some time turned back to the desk to finish his work.

—

- Another part of the city -

"Hmm, you sure are the best at your job, baby," the man said to the woman kneeling at his legs.

As a response the woman just sucked harder and gave him a s.e.xylook without stopping her "job".

Their session, however, was soon interrupted by vigorous knocks on the door. The man"s frivolous expression changed momentarily to that of a dark, expressionless one. He yanked the woman away and signalled with his hand for her to get away. The woman, already used to this kind of a behaviour, quickly picked up her clothes and run towards the door in a half-naked state.

Meanwhile, the man adjusted his clothes and commanded with an apathetic tone,

"Come in."

In came a young man of about 26, with slightly toned skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. He looked at the woman who just ran out of the door and laughingly said to the man inside,

"I see your hypers.e.xuality is at its peak as always, huh, Luke?"

"No, it"s actually gotten worse. You better have a good reason for the interruption, Paul" Luke answered with an evil snort on his face."

"Sure, sure. I wouldn"t dare if it wasn"t good."

Paul stopped to create a dramatic tension but seeing that Luke was getting impatient he quickly continued. He would be dumb if he dared to provoke the Lion.

"I don"t have information as to why but our spies reported that the dragon had left the country early in the morning. Many of his trusted subordinates left with him."

"His means of transport?"

"Not clear."

"Elaborate."

"He used the airport. But many of his private planes and helicopters flew to different destinations in a matter of hours."

Luke smirked but then furrowed and started to muse in an almost inaudible voice,

"Hmm, what would have made the dragon to leave his dominion? Something seems out of place. Why is he being extra careful this time?"

He suddenly looked up at Paul and asked in a louder, enthusiastic voice,

"Hey Paul, why would you use so many planes just to divert attention?"

Paul looked quizzically at Luke and asked with apparent confusion,

"Well, didn"t you just say why? Isn"t it a diversion tactic?"

"Exactly! It is a diversion tactic. But diversion tactic to hide whom?"

"What do you mean? Isn"t he just being careful for himself?"

"Has he ever gone to such lengths just for himself?"

"Wait, I don"t get you. Are you trying to say that he is meeting someone?" asked Paul even more confused.

"That"s exactly what I meant. I guess it should be a very important partner for him to go to such lengths. With this said, how many people in the world come to your mind?"

"Well, three, no actually four I guess?"

"Good. You know what to do now. Check their every movement and report back to me. Two can play this game. I can also gather allies if need be."

"Got it," Paul saluted but still a bit conflicted, hesitated to leave.

"Hey Luke, tell me: is it possible that this is no supporter but rather someone important to him? I mean, if he wanted to hide his business why would he use such a noticeable tactic?"

"Huh? Important person? Do you think he would consider someone so important that he would act recklessly during the emperor selection? He and I are exactly the same in this aspect: even if it was our blood being murdered we wouldn"t bat an eyelid let alone make such an effort. Moreover, who could be so important to him to risk everything at the most crucial moment?

As for why he was flashy, he knows that there are some of our spies among his ranks, the same way we know that there are some of his in our own. We would have known about his departure anyway, so if he didn"t use such a diversion tactic that would even fool his own subordinates, we would quickly find out who he was meeting.

He is buying time until the end of selection by making us search every single one of the possible allies to conceal the true one," Luke"s eyes darkened even further by the last statement. He picked up the whisky gla.s.s and taking a sip continued,

"Now stop thinking about nonsense and get to work."