Under the afternoon sun, a carriage goes through the road carrying a brown-haired youth. He spoke, "So are we clear?" The two nods coming from the video makes Michael smiles, a bit glad at the companionship in the long road ahead.
"So just to recap, Mary will be assigned Avern. To train and lead a group of newly hired men." Mary nods in affirmation, "While Madelaine will be staying in the City of Rosalia as the manager." Madelaine nods in acknowledgement.
He then gestures to himself "Then I will be going to Alton to begin negotiations for the expansion of operations." He looks at the two ladies as he asked, "Is there any questions?" Mary's eye shifts before asking, "What exactly am I supposed to accomplish in Avern?"
Michael smiles, "I'll have you lead a group of soldiers, to have them battle-ready. Making them into mercenaries, which sells their services to the Iridian Principalities." Mary then looks down as she shifts inside her carriage, "For what purpose?"
Michael looks around before he clicks his shoes and runes emerge soundproofing his carriage. "So that once war starts, you would have the connection to other mercenaries and be a powerful one yourself."
The words make Mary shift uncomfortably, noticing this Michael spoke, "Is there a problem? You don't want to do it?" Mary shakes her furiously in denial. She lowers her head before muttering, "I just don't think I'm ready to do this."
Michael laughs as he wheezes out, "Of course, you aren't. This is the first time you'll be doing this." He stops laughing before he shrugs as he speaks "It'll be weirder if you were ready. I already made it easy, with the weapons I sent with you making your soldiers obedient" Mary gives him a small smile before speaking with worry, "What if I make a mistake?"
Michael looks at her, the intensity of his gaze pierces through her even with the call. "I trust that you'll fix it." The words stop her and she nods, seeing this, Michael smiles before he said, "And besides, I have more than enough money to lose," He winks at her, making her giggle "Just don't make it a habit."
Mary nods in determination, his words filling her with warmth, knowing that he would have her back. The heartwarming moment was interrupted by a cough, Madelaine smirks at the two before she speaks, "It's a bit disheartening when two people flirt in front of you and you can't even look away since the video is stuck in your vision."
"We weren't flirting!" Mary shouts as she waves her fist at her in embarrassment. Madelaine rolls her eyes before she spoke sarcastically "Of course not, that wasn't flirting at all." She giggles before she continued "It was just talking with loving feelings."
Michael chuckles as Mary pouts, Madelaine waves her hands as she spoke, "Ok, ok you weren't flirting." She then speaks to Michael, "I also wish to ask about my job," Michael raises an eyebrow as he gestures for her to go on.
Madelaine turns professional before she spoke, "If, by chance, some people were to look for you. Or some matter came up that requires a lot of money. and I couldn't contact you." She smirks hesitantly, "Am I allowed to touch your assets?"
Michael thinks on it before he nods in acknowledgement. "Sure, I'll allow it. The only condition I have is to leave our textile industry, specifically those which uses cotton." Madelaine nods in acknowledgement.
Michael then asked them both, "Is that all?" The two of them nods and Michael claps, "Ok then, that's done. I'll be visiting both of you after I'm done with my trip to Alton." Michael smiles, thinking that was the end of the call.
His smile stiffens as the two ladies remain, "Uh guys, you aren't going to end the call?" Mary plays with her hair as she spoke, "Well, I'm also on a trip. So, there really isn't much I need to do."
Madelaine giggles as she spins on Michael's swivel chair, "Everything has been working smoothly on my side as well." She smirks, "So, I have a lot of free time."
Michael sighs as he sits back comfortably, their videos following him "Then, what do you guys want to talk about?" Madelaine speaks hesitantly, "Well, there's always been something in the back of my mind." Michael listens intently.
Madelaine continues, "Why were you so cold?" The question makes Michael chuckle before he shakes his head and replying, "I didn't really want any hangups in the Dunsten mansion." He scratches his cheek, "I was already planning to leave four years ago."
He looks to the window, as he wills the video to the side watching the trees go by. "I was thinking between leaving and making a name for myself." He smiles at them both, "I was actually glad you both found me, it kinda forced me to pick."
He gestures around him, "Well, here we are now." Mary and Madelaine stays silent before speaking, "Sorry." Michael hurriedly waves it off, "Don't say sorry, geez." He ruffles his hair in awkwardness before reasoning, "There's a chance I would have chosen this path anyways."
Michael smiles, "Besides I can still have these moments of serenity." Their expression remains saddened, a bit guilty of their actions that forced him on this path. Madelaine's blackmail and Mary's insistence, making him unable to say no.
Michael thinks of ways to cheer them before a thought then occurs to him as he then reddens, he hides half of his face from their view as he stuttered, "I-I was also glad I got to have met you two. The two of you became one of the few things that made my day."
The two girls smile at his actions, which makes Michael flustered and immediately changed the subject. "So what happened to those pamphlets I made you read." The two replied with, "Finished!" Michael looks at them in shock, "Both of them."
"Nope." The two replied in unison a bit disappointed, making Michael smile from their eagerness, "It's fine just don't hesitate to ask." He said before remembering, "So what else have you been up to." They then started chatting, mixed with laughter and giggles.
Suddenly, the carriage stops and a shout comes from outside.
"GET OUT FROM THE CARRIAGE!"