"My lady, who did you just say you'll ask for assistance?" Levi ignored the broken cups and spilled tea; instead he proceeded straight in front of Chalice's desk.
His voice carried a strange tone in it and Chalice couldn't help but draw her brows together at this. Levi was certainly acting peculiar. She pondered over his question, a conjecture forming in her mind.
'Does Levi have some kind of history with the Merchant Guild? With the Merchant King? Hmm. Come to think of it, I don't actually know Levi's true origins. All I know is he was a top fighter in the Amaranthian Militia. I never bothered asking father about it. Nor have I asked the man himself.'
"I said I'll be asking for the aid of the Merchant Guild, specifically the Merchant King." Chalice said slowly while looking intently at Levi's expression.
The latter's face turned blank at her confirmation. Chalice glanced at Luke questioningly, to which the man just shrugged implying that he wasn't aware of anything. She pouted at this and turned her attention back at the knight's refined features.
"Levi, what's wrong?" Chalice asked hesitantly. "Do you know the Merchant King?"
It still took for a little more while before Levi recovered himself and answered her question.
"No. I do not know him." He answered stiffly. "Pardon me for my clumsiness, my Lady. I'll have someone clear this mess up and prepare another set of tea and snacks for you. If you'll excuse me."
Levi robotically walked out of the study, his being entirely absent-minded. Chalice grew more curious because of this. Obviously, she wouldn't believe Levi's lame denial of knowing the Merchant King. If she believed one bit of it despite his obvious actions, then her eidetic memory and a lifetime's worth of experience on Earth would be for naught.
"My lady, will you be letting this go?" Luke's lovely voice caught her attention. She tilted her head to him and smiled with mischief.
"Dearest Luke, we really do need the Merchant King's aid. I prefer to work with brilliant people, thank you very much. I only want the best and nothing but for my fief. As for Levi's case, haven't I told you? Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. I, for sure, will not pass this chance to know him a little bit more."
Luke sighed, exasperated at her antics and unending amusement of irritating the poor knight. Still, he felt that Levi's case this time does have more to it than it seems.
"Try not to go overboard, my Lady." He cautioned her. But Luke knew that more or less, this reminder fell on deaf ears.
---
Levi felt his head spinning as he closed the door to the study unaware of the probing gazes of the two people inside. He was too overwhelmed to even care. It has been a long time since he had heard about that person. Levi thought that he would no longer be bothered anymore. It turns out, that wasn't the case.
'Ah, how pathetic of me.'
He shook his head glumly and proceeded to call for a maid to clean up the mess he had caused. Since he had promised to brew another set of tea for the lady, Levi did so. But instead of bringing it to them himself, he had William bring it to them. He, on the other hand, treaded the path towards the secluded area of the Amaranth Estate. Levi knew he had to clear out his head and fix his act or else a certain princess might come up with ideas that'll lead him to trouble again.
---
Chalice wasn't surprised that it was William who took their tea this time. She had already expected Levi not to show up. Perplexity was all too evident in the expression he had on before he left.
"How soon will you be able to schedule a meeting with the Merchant Guild?" She asked Luke pensively.
"Although, the Merchant Guild has offices in most cities including ours if it's the Merchant King you want to coordinate directly with, we'd need to send a missive to their headquarters. Nonetheless, it isn't assured that he will meet you since he leads most of their caravans himself. Unless, by a stroke of luck, the caravan he is in-charge of this time passes through our fief. This particular person is quite elusive, my lady."
She knew about that. Chalice sighed. She had readings about this exceptional merchant. Ever since he had taken up the position of the Merchant Guild President, the guild has flourished more than ever. They were to expand their reaches not just in Idalia but even the neighbouring countries of Ogen, Aurora, and Maris. They basically have connections all over the continent. Chalice even heard of the rumour that they were about to undertake trading with the continents beyond the Aegean Sea. And all of these were due to the cunning mind of their President.
"Juliann Ross. Such an interesting fellow." Chalice murmured to herself. Luke heard this and nodded in assent.
"He is quite remarkable. For someone of his age to propel the Merchant Guild in such heights, he is obviously a commerce genius. Dealing with him would be far from a walk in the park." He commented.
Chalice stood from her chair and sauntered to the windows. She drew open the curtains and peeked at the picturesque gardens. Her eyes reflecting wonder. Luke's train of thought was deviated from their initial staid topic to the splendour that was his beloved at the moment. His lady was absolutely breathtaking even if she was just standing there.
He couldn't help but stroke the cold metal bracelet in his wrist, his lips drawing up a curve.
"I'm more concerned of his connection to Levi compared to cooperative prospects with him. Yes, it will be advantageous to rope him in on our side but if he has any unpleasant history with Levi or if he had harmed Levi in any way in the past; I need to reconsider him. It's not as if we do not have any other choice."
Chalice's solemn tone stirred Luke from his trance. He stared at the woman indolently leaning by the window frame in admiration.
"You are willing to let the chance of collaborating with the Merchant King if Levi is uncomfortable with him? On an objective standpoint, this is highly impractical my Lady." Luke questioned sternly.
A carefree chuckle echoed within the room followed Chalice's dainty hands dismissively waving at him. Luke gaped at her in question.
"Yes, yes, I know that a collaboration with the Merchant King is the best option for us, for my plans regarding the jade mine, and for future commercial prospects. I also explicitly mentioned that I want only the most excellent. Still, that doesn't mean I would disregard the sentiments of the people I deem important. If this particular choice compromises Levi's well-being, I will not consider it. Even if you insist that it is impractical."
"I can think of other ways, Luke. Ways that will be a fraction more inconvenient than the previous but will still achieve our goal. Levi is one of my people alongside you and Lucy and my parents. Your comfort and safety is at the foremost priority. If I can't do that much, what's the use of all this influence and power?" Chalice stated coolly with that uncaring breezy smile still hanging around her lips.