Rivan knew the moment he interested the residence of the Merchant and Consultant of the underworld, Johan Lauzin, that he was dealing with nonetheless, a merchant. All he had to do is lure his interest into making an exchange for information with him.
As the Duke wanted full details, it should be written information. He had no concern about the exchange as he let Johan decided whether it was a trade or a deal.
However, the merchant before has agreed to give him what he wants but called out the trade and deal.
'If a merchant refused a materialistic exchange or anything else like power or statue, then there's another possible option.'
Rivan asked, debating his conclusion.
"A contract?"
"Ey Rivan, you're a really smart fellow!"
Johan seemed quite pleased as he answered cheerfully. It was indeed a contract what he wanted.
Rivan ignored Johan's comment and went straight to the point. His face relaxed again as he asked.
"What are the conditions of the contract?"
"That..."
Johan seemed to think about something for a bit before he proceeded his words with a shrug and no much care.
"I'll decide on them later."
Johan pushed the conditions off for another time. Rivan had no objection and was willing to accept Johan's conditions. He was sure he could bend them to his favor as well.
Rivan decided it was time for his departure and stoop up.
"Then, until the time I have my needed information and receive the conditions."
The Duke pulled his black robe over his head and walked back to the shadow he emerged from.
Just as only his footsteps echoed away, he heard Johan Lauzin call from behind.
"I will be waiting for our next meeting, Rivan!"
Rivan paid no attention to his words and disappeared with Nile walking quietly behind him.
Just as the two figures had no trace of them in the chamber, Siva let out a deep exhausted sigh.
"I would REALLY want to never deal with one like him again."
Siva said as he carsed his template. Johan remained quiet to his surprise.
'No, I guess this is normal.'
Siva thought that if he would turn to look at Johan, he'd see a brightened up exited expression of a merchant who found a perfect golden trade- no, contract. That was definitely something that won't make Siva any pleased.
However, something he would have never expected happened.
"Sivalion."
Johan called him by his full real name.
Siva widened his golden eyes in surprise before they turned sharp with a strong reply.
"At your presence!"
Johan looked at the straightened Siva and he heaved a sigh before speaking.
"Listen, I will not be addressing you as my right hand, nor as a merchant in the underworld. I won't even address you as my childhood friend with the coming question. So answer freely as the title you have on you."
Siva's face was turning into a frown with every careful word that came from Johan's mouth. He knows exactly what he will be asking him with no personal bonds to tie his answer down.
Siva crossed his arms and relaxed in his stood before speaking.
"Ask. I, Sivalion Arinton, will answer with complete candidate as the first son of Earl Arinton."
Despite Siva's honest sentimental, Johan was still cautious asking slowly.
"Sivalion, the Earl- no, your father might die. Even so I'm not backing out on this contract."
Johan declared with full determination. His voice had no playfulness but full resolve.
'I know that already.'
Siva knows very clearly that Johan was willing to see this contract until the end. He have seen the look in his eyes as he agreed to give that Duke what he wanted.
He also knows from the moment that Duke mentioned the disappearance of his father, the Earl that the chance of the latter dying would be high.
If Siva had to be honest, he was a bit shocked to hear the mention of his father but not enough for it to show on his face. The Earl had enemies, that's a fact.
"Sivalion, will you still take part of this matter?"
Johan have finally asked. It seems like the merchant was concerned about his thoughts and planned to ask him all time long.
Siva wanted to scoff. As if he would step back and let this contract unfold before his eyes without getting involved.
Siva looked down at Johan. His gaze showed how upset he was.
"If death is my father's punishment, then so be it. Don't you dare spill his dirty blood without involving me! Got it?!"
Smirk.
Johan's face instantly turned into a wide smirk hearing that respond. His smirk, however, have soon turned into a quiet mischievous laugh.
His voice was crazed as much as his aqua blue eyes as it rang in the room.
"Yes, I knew this would be your respond. Isn't it a perfect chance to smack that old man without dirtying our hands much?"
Just as the merchant seemed to drift into his ideal imagination, Siva plopped on the chair against him with one thought in mind.
'...Crazy merchant.'
According to their meeting with Rivan Whishipper, Siva knew that Johan won't miss the chance to move and get rid of Earl Arinton. Clearly, Johan was extremely happy with such a turn of events. Siva could never be fond of his smirk thought. The least to be said is that it was creepy.
"Haaa."
Siva sighed deeply before asking Johan.
"So? What are the conditions for the contract? You just wanted to push discussing them later, right?"
Johan snapped from his crazed merchant thoughts. He turned to face Siva with a simple smile.
"No, I have seriously not thought about it."
"...Excuse me?"
Siva opened his mouth in shock.
'This bastard!"
Was all he thought of at that moment. Soon he opened his mouth to speak.
"You just said you wanted a contract without much thought, huh?"
"No no. You're wrong here."
Siva crossed his arms and waited for Johan to explain. And so Johan grinned like he was speaking of an extremely smart choice.
"He's a Duke. Even if it's not official, he just came back from god knows where with full right to the title. Aside from this little chat, his record is so far clean to any underworld related matter. The least to be said, he's a difficult target. But, If we tie him with a contract, then he won't be able to slip from our grasp."
Siva looked at the confidently speaking Johan with unhidden disbelief.
"You just want to drag him to the underworld, don't you?"
Johan simply smiled which was all the answer that Siva needed.
Siva just decided to let it be and stood up.
"I guess we have to finish our end of the contract."
Johan was laying again on the couch. He looked fondly at Siva who was so helpfully doing as he wanted without Johan telling him.
"Indeed. I rely on you, Siva."
"Got it."
*****
The scent of the gentle sea at a springy night passed by her as she exhaled the shivering air. Wind blew by her blue butterfly dress as she looked down from where she was standing.
Elora, the blue butterfly, had her elegant smile as she stood up with barely her tiptoes on top of the highest building on the territory. Her ocean blue eyes flashed a deep light as if there were waves flickering in them.
The winds were no longer gentle as they blew her long fair brown hair with its beautiful locks.
Elora looked around her one more time before she close her eyes. Just as the pair of ocean blue were no longer visible, the maid let herself fall down the building. The blue dress was fluttering as she fell quietly as if gravity had no power on her. Her fall was quiet with no sound of the wind warping her body.
And in one instant, the maid disappeared into thousands of fluttering blue butterflies. In the cover of the raven dark night, the small thousands of dazzling butterflies spread on every direction. With no sound to their movements, they were the stealthiest creatures.
End of chapter 25