"It's not like that. I just think it would be fun to pull down certain people from their pedestals. Let them experience a dose of their own medicine."
Abi raised his brows. He probably doesn't believe me. Not that it matters. I don't have any special motives. None at all.
I just want to be a villain, the kind that wins in the end.
"Your idea of fun appeals to me greatly, dear Skandar." Abi chuckled after seeing that I was truly serious.
I glanced at his annoying mug and shook my head.
"Your tone is creeping me out. Do talk normally. Thank you." I remarked emotionlessly.
Our conversation ended with that and then went for lunch when Spiro was done changing.
The food was sumptuous, suffice to say. It was evident based on how the two people with me patted their stuffed bellies without the least bit of grace.
We then set off immediately towards the trade district on the upper side of the city, to a boutique that catered to children's wear.
Though my old clothes fit Spiro just fine, I still can't possibly wrong the child in such a way.
It is always better to have quality clothes tailored to him. There's also the matter of shoes, accessories, and other things a child might need.
"Welcome, Your Excellency!" The owner of the boutique greeted enthusiastically. I could feel his doubt as to why I was at his place, however. It was glaringly obvious.
I nodded cordially at him and gestured to Spiro who was peeking out from Abi's wide back.
"I'm here to have clothes made for my son. I don't know much about this area so do as you see fit."
There was a brief silence in the air due to the casual remark I threw down at them. The shop owner could only stutteringly recover himself.
"Err, pardon me, Your Excellency? Your what?" He asked incredulously.
I guess this is a piece of unexpectedly big news. The one and only Grand Duke of the Empire has a son.
I could practically see this widespread rumor firing up the Capital as early as tomorrow. Hopefully, it will keep unwanted attention from unwanted women at bay.
"My son," I repeated graciously with a smile, ignoring the exchanges of looks amongst the employees.
The shop owner laughed awkwardly.
"Ah yes. Your s- son. Understood, Your Excellency. We will attend to the Young Master immediately." He affirmed then politely motioned to the child who stepped beside me, gazing innocently at the people.
I patted his head and urged, "Don't be shy now, Spiro. Go with them and have your measurements taken."
"Alright, Father." Spiro happily replied, giving me a beaming smile. The child then followed the boutique employees to the measuring area of the shop where a huge mirror stood upright.
It was an amusing sight. Especially with Abi following around the people asking this and that.
I turned to William who accompanied us on this trip, since I entrusted the other needs of Abi and Spiro for him to purchase. Yet in the end, he has no choice but to tend to that later and be a nanny for now.
"William, stay here with Spiro. I have an appointment at some other place. Let's rendezvous at the Grand Tower later on." I ordered and walked towards the shop's door.
I glanced at the Jinn who participated with delight at the people fussing about at Spiro and asked, "Are you coming with me Abi?"
He perked up at my question and sprinted to my side. I secretly heaved a sigh of relief. I feared the possibility that he would have floated instead.
There was nothing wrong with that, of course. But it is better to err on the side of caution.
"You bet I will," Abi answered with a grin. We boarded the carriage once again and set off for my other agenda of the day.
"So, who is this Apothecary you are talking about?" Abi inquired curiously.
"The owner of the Black Market," I replied to him without taking off my eyes from the passing scenery.
I felt quite rueful at the sight of the people passing by. There were hawkers down the streets trying to sell the goods in their hands. Some people exuded both mana and aura whilst others were mostly ordinary.
The Capital City bore true to its name.
Yet to me, this place was the same as ever. Uselessly gilded. Within its pleasant exterior lies rotten filth. So much for its claim of equality when it lacks the substantiation direly needed to prove it.
Not that I mind. It would be easier for me this way.
"The Black Market is in the capital itself. I'm surprised the imperial family allowed it." Abi mentioned it off-handedly.
I chuckled at his naïve statement. No matter the place, be it a kingdom or an empire, there will always be a dark side to it.
It was a necessary evil.
The Capital was the second most prosperous city in the Empire. The Black Market headquarters is expected be here. After all, their central clients, those who truly make this kind of forbidden merchant trade prosper, reside here.
Though they do have branches from all over the empire as well. Except for Sonomi. The Konstantin holds power over that desert area and has their own to boast of.
Truthfully, if it weren't for that, they would have long chosen Sonomi as their headquarter's location. Too bad, they can't.
If the Konstantin family was even remotely interested in it, the Black Market wouldn't be as successful nor would it even exist.
Hmm. I might get into that some time and buy the entire Black-Market system within the empire.
And then I can merge it with that of Sonomi. It might be helpful in the long run. It wouldn't even cost me an arm anyway.
"Why would they not? When they can profit from it?" I replied to Abi's statement with a question.
Abi merely shrugged indicating that it was merely an off-hand remark.
"Guess, that's nothing new. Humans are greedy bastards."
What an awfully precise observation. The centuries Abi spent weren't in vain in the end. I presume he has seen enough humans, to generalize with such conviction.
"Well, it's an instinct. If humans aren't greedy, they wouldn't survive for this long. It is the foundation of their tenacity, I suppose."
Abi tilted his face with a look of interest. His purple eyes glinting with amusement.
"Does that mean you're greedy too?" He asked in a gossipy tone.
Seriously? Was this question even necessary? He already concluded that my entire race was greedy yet he is still asking me if I was. Sigh.
I raised my brow at him and replied with an inaudible scoff, "Did you think I was not?"
"You don't strike me as someone like that. I feel like you're quite selfless." Abi said, slumping back to his seat and pouting.
"Oh? Why in the world will you think that?" I exclaimed in wonder.
I'm selfless? Have I been too agreeable lately? Should I spit fire and be temperamental one of these days? Maybe end some nobles I find contemptible, so I don't carry this misunderstanding.
I gasped internally. Maybe it's my face? Or maybe it's my impeccable manners? The former sounds more plausible but either way I refuse to carry this goody-two-shoes card. It's an insult for an aspiring villain lord about to debut.
"Because so far, you've been nothing but generous and helpful. Quite kind I must say. You, in every inch, embody noblesse oblige. What are you even greedy of?" He spoke in an exaggeratingly justified manner.
I shook my head at this. I see, I might have done too many good deeds around Abi these days. That was why he got the wrong impression. Add that to my angelic countenance. I understand now.
"I feel remorseful that I appear that saintly to you. I assure you, I am not. I don't do things that do not benefit me. Selfishness runs in the Konstantins' veins. There must always be a return to my investments, one way or another." I smiled sadly and started to explain the reasoning behind my actions.
Though I don't genuinely believe that Abi does not realize that I am keeping him beside me because it's disadvantageous to do otherwise. He seems amiable to being exploited as long as I indulge his behaviors.
If it weren't for that fact, I would never tolerate him this long nor set him free from his bonds in the first place.
As for the child. Well, I did feel pity for him. Nonetheless, it does not take away the fact that keeping him around gives me a huge benefit as well.
I have not seen another kid with such high potential as Spiro. If he was honed properly, he can accomplish a lot of things for me and more.
I was only kind because I see a profit and return on investment from them. Others are all but secondary.
"I am greedy for everything. If I want it, I will have it. If I can't, then I'll destroy it. Let's say, for instance, this empire." I added that last bit with a small conspiratorial smirk.
"Oh? If it's just that then wouldn't it be easy? You only have to ask me for this favor." Abi responded with extreme excitement.
I guess the prospect of conquering an empire is still appealing to a transcendent being. Still, I have no choice but dampen his joy.
"I refuse. I told you, it's not satisfying if I don't do it myself." I insisted in a blasé tone. My stance disallowing further argument.
With an ever-soft smile I then added,
"This empire will be mine soon."