Their long legs served their purpose. The small talk soon came to an end as they immediately arrived at a gazebo surrounded by water. They crossed the bridge first before settling down on the soft chairs.
The three resumed their discussion as soon as they relaxed at the new location. The shade was just enough to block the sun and also welcome the cool breeze.
"I have a proposal for you, Lieutenant," Eugene said as he crossed his legs and placed his fair, slender fingers on his knees.
Aiden Scott's expression lit up. "Let's hear it out, Marquis Fergus."
"If you keep up on showing your interest about the incident on the border from two years ago, we might startle the snake as we go on. I think it's better if you lay low for now."
"Then how am I going to investigate it?" Aiden asked in concern. He just couldn't stay still and leave behind the case he personally discovered! His moral principles clattered in complaint at the thought of it.
Eugene offered a reassuring smile. "Lieutenant, I didn't say that 'we' would lay low. It's just you who's going to keep out of their radar. As for me and his Grace Lucian Montague, we can make a visit at the border in the pretense of doing commerce there." Eugene's serious but cunning gaze shifted from Aiden Scott to Lucian. "Of course, that is if his Grace is willing to participate. I will respect your decision if you want to keep yourself out of this. His Grace has a family to look out for, after all."
Lucian wanted to salute Eugene for giving him the leeway to refuse. After all, Lucian promised to stay out of trouble as much as possible in order to take care of his new body and new family. Despite his growing curiosity and drive to investigate the matter at hand, he was also skeptical whether or not it would yield positive results. There's also the possibility of putting himself in danger, as the enemy was powerful enough to remain untouched for more than two years of hiding the files from the borders.
"I'm sorry to say this, but I don't have plans to participate in this investigation at the moment. My resources are scarce, and my family," Lucian sighed as he murmured under his breath. "They need me for the time being. I hope these gentlemen will understand." He bowed his head in show of dismay and to plead for their consideration.
Aiden Scott nonchalantly waved a hand at him. "Silly young man. It's fine. Only assholes wouldn't understand your reasons. I am already thankful that the Marquis has shown interest in this."
"Marquis Fergus, worry not. I am willing to provide support to you as much as I can. Although it would be quite small in quantity, since I spent most of my allowance spoiling my brothers," Lucian shyly offered his small pocket money to help at the very least. After all, despite belonging to a duke's family, their family is not really close enough to the royal family for them to be blessed with extra wealth.
At the mention of Lucian's three little brothers, Eugene's gaze softened. "Well, then..." He reached out a hand to shake it with the two men. "It's a deal."
The three of them shook each other's hands as they exchanged meaningful glances.
...
"Big brother, big brother!" A milky voice echoed in the supposedly quiet corridor of the Montague's mansion. The petite and beautiful omega with the same golden eyes as Lucian sparkled as the kid saw his eldest brother walking towards him with a small pink box, tied in a dainty white ribbon.
Lucian's serious expression melted into that of a warm one. These past two months, he tried to get acquainted with his brothers and found out that they were too lovely and not hard to dote on.
He opened his arms as the 10-year-old boy hopped to cling to his waist. "Is this for me, big brother? Is it chocolate? Or an accessory?" the excited youngest sibling asked one question after another.
Lucian chuckled. "Yes, yes. It's for our beautiful Charlotte." He rubbed the soft, black hair of his brother before giving the box to him. "It's not chocolate, though; lest you hope for it. Go, open it."
Lucian's financially wise persona will always crumble in the face of his loved ones. He just can't help but bring money out of his pocket to spoil his beloveds, especially since he was an only child back on modern Earth. Now that he has three brothers to spoil, how could he be so stingy?
The bronze-skinned young omega, who was quite fairer than all of his older brothers, carefully untied the ribbon. He was very slow in doing so, scared that the gift would suddenly rip apart if not opened with the utmost care.
After untying the white ribbon, Charlotte Montague gently lifted the lid of the box and was surprised to see a beautiful white suit inside. There were two small boxes beside the suit as well. He hesitated a bit about whether or not to pick it up, and so he looked up at Lucian to ask for permission. Seeing Lucian's ever-so-gentle gaze and soft smile, Charlotte got the answer.
He opened the slightly bigger box first. Inside was a silver brooch. It was designed with a bird's figure; its wings spread wide with blue tiny gems on the center. Behind the bird is a crescent moon and a sword. The silver lace of it was connected to a smaller, sun-shaped silver brooch. It also has blue gem at the center of the sun. It was so beautiful that Charlotte couldn't help but take a deep breath in awe.
"Is this mine, big brother?" asked Charlotte in a whisper. He couldn't believe it. Such a beautiful thing, is it his?
Lucian's fingers rubbed the kid's flushed ears. "Yes. It's all yours." His fingers then moved to point at the other box. "Open this, too."
Charlotte obliged. Upon opening the last and smallest box, he was in a trance. After differentiating as an omega two months ago, Charlotte has always been conscious of what an omega should be. 'Omegas should be pretty,' is what he always thought. However, their bloodline and genes would always produce fierce-looking children. Especially since they all had bronze skin, which was quite the contrast of a standard, beautiful omega who were fairer than ever.
But now, seeing a beautiful silver hairpin with shining blue flowers on it, he couldn't help but gulp. Will he look good with it?
It seemed as though his big brother understood the omega's hesitation. Lucian extended a hand to get the hairpin and attached it to Charlotte's soft, black hair. The young omega's eyes were misty, the ends of his eyes slightly red from his overwhelming feelings. "Big brother, do I look good?"
"Charlotte, you're the most beautiful omega in the whole world. So pretty. Just like Mom. Probably prettier than Mom." Lucian's assurance and gentle pats finally made Charlotte burst into tears.
He dropped the box and ran towards his brother to cry. "Thank you..."
Charlotte was quite a sensitive and emotional child, especially since he was born without a mother to look out for him. And so, Theodore Montague spoiled the youngest with extra love and care. None of the older brothers showed envy, but rather, all of them tacitly agreed to treat the youngest to the best that they could. It was this kind of environment that developed Charlotte into a sun and an angel.
A figure appeared at the end of the corridor. Seeing the familiar, tall stature of a man, Lucian flexed a smile as he continued coaxing the crying Charlotte. The said figure belonged to the second son of Theodore Montague. "Sebastian, come here," Lucian called out softly.
Sebastian Montague, the 20-year-old young scholar, avoided his brother's gaze. He glared at the floor while walking towards them. If other people watched them from afar, they would all think that Sebastian hated this older brother of his.
However, Lucian knew better. Because he also thought that Sebastian hated him within the first month of his transmigration here. He wondered if there was an internal struggle for the title between them. But he was proved wrong.
The younger man might act hostilely in front of him, but after observing the subtle and silent actions that Sebastian took to help him, he was convinced that his brother was just a cinnamon roll inside. 'Tsundere as always,' Lucian tutted as he grabbed Sebastian's nape to drag him into a big hug, squeezing Charlotte further in his chest.
Charlotte giggled.
Another person jumped on Lucian's back, almost choking his neck. "Urk, Elijah, I can't breathe."
Sebastian glared at Elijah, who was playfully sticking his tongue out at him. He flicked the younger man's forehead, earning a groan from Elijah, who finally let go of Lucian's neck. Sebastian pursed his lips to stop himself from smirking.
Elijah, the 15-year-old teenager that he is, saw the hairpin on his younger brother. "Wow, Charlotte, it looks good on you! Blue suits you so well!" he praised while giving a thumbs up, still grasping Lucian's shoulder with the other hand so as to not fall off Lucian's back.
"Thank you, big brother Eli!" Charlotte's expression brightened at the compliment, his bronze skin slightly redder than usual. He was so happy that his skin was flushing red all over. He really liked it whenever people complimented his looks.
Sebastian brushed the stray hair from Charlotte's face and tucked it behind his ears. "Indeed. You look wonderful. When you grow up, I think it would be troublesome to handle all of your suitors," Sebastian joked, but it sounded so serious if paired with his blank expression.
Charlotte giggled even more. "No way!"
"Enough, you two. Charlotte's head would grow bigger if you kept it up. I bought something for the two of you as well." Lucian walked with them, his left arm carrying Charlotte, his right arm draped over Sebastian's shoulder, and Elijah piggyback riding him.
This is the life of having three younger siblings.
...
"Charlotte is studying in an elementary school right now. He's currently interested in art and botany. Meanwhile, Elijah seems to be interested in joining the military, but he's still in high school. He would probably enroll for that once he turned eighteen. Sebastian, on the other hand, is steadily ranking higher and higher in his scholarly studies. He's aiming to be a civil servant in the future, probably under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights." Lucian sipped his tea as he talked about his siblings in front of his father. Between them was a chessboard placed on the table.
Theodore stared at his son. "And you? What about you?"
"I'm planning to do business, father," Lucian answered with a sly grin. "I want to play with my strengths."
Duke Theodore Montague's eyes slightly widened, his hand picking up the tea cup to sip before he sighed. "It's actually the first time that you answered about having a goal other than to be my successor. Before, you would always say that your only goal is to assist me in everything. It bothered me. I wanted you to live a life you desired first before passing on my responsibilities to you. I'm relieved that you finally decided for yourself now."
Lucian moved a chess piece on the board before giving his father a smile. "Just like the wind, our minds change too." He paused to watch his father react to his moves. "I've been interested in commerce lately. Business can be a good source of extra income as well."
"I agree." Duke Theodore nodded. "Now that you mentioned it, what business are you planning to do?"
"A bank." Lucian's firm and short answer startled the focused Duke. Lucian used this momentum to move his bishop, earning the Duke a checkmate. "I won," declared Lucian with a proud smile, his chest slightly protruding.
However, the surprised Duke did not pay attention to the chest board anymore. He leaned on the table, his hands landing on the chessboard, which resulted in all of the chess pieces falling off the table. "What did you just say?"
"A bank, father. I'm going to build a bank." Lucian calmly emptied his tea cup. "I've noticed how the territories under you and some other provinces lacked banking services. I would like to venture on that."
"But the danger in this line of work..." Duke Theodore halted, scared that he would jinx his son's business.
Lucian gently placed the empty cup on the table, his hand gently resting on the armrest of his chair. He leaned back comfortably as he gazed at the messy chess board. "Don't worry about it, father. I have my ways to keep everything in control. I just need resources." Lucian's golden eyes shifted up to his father's pale yellow ones. "I might need to borrow some money from you, father."
Duke Theodore Montague leaned his forehead on his knuckles, as if in thought of something so deep. "I'm going to trust you with this one, son. I'll give it to you as soon as I finish visiting our treasury."
Lucian's eyes brightened. He bowed politely with a smile on his handsome face. "Thank you for your support, father. I will not fail you."
...
A week passed since his father granted him a thousand pounds as capital for his business. It was a huge amount of money to spend. The currency here is different from the one on Earth. One pound could buy you three sets of clothes, a proper meal, and a night's stay at a good inn.
For his father to pull out so much money meant that he fully trusted him to succeed in his business.
Lucian did not dawdle. He researched deeply about the banks and other businesses related to this for a week. He then started buying materials to construct a building as his first branch. Lucian funded about two hundred pounds for this.
After that, he hired three guards, one bank teller, an accountant, and a manager to facilitate the daily operations in the bank. The numbers were still small as it was still a starting business. He spent 50 pounds per person as an early payment for the month.
The remaining 650 pounds were used to offer loans and other funds.
Five months passed by easily. The bank business has been smooth sailing so far. Lucian made it a habit to visit it every day and check on the operations and profits gained.
Everyone acknowledged the existence of a new bank in the dukedom, which was managed by the duke's son, Lucian Montague. Gossips flew fast as every citizen talked about the young businessman. Nobles were particular about this topic. They started visiting the Montague mansion in hopes of currying favor and forming a partnership with Lucian.
Lucian was not foolish enough to reject all of them. He would accept their advances based on his mental scale. The scale of whether someone was trustworthy and whether their business would indeed flourish in the future. And so, aside from his own bank business named "Mont Bank", he also started earning through investments.
The initial capital of 1,000 pounds bloated into tens of thousands. A few months more, and he would reach a hundred thousand.
Despite his overflowing wealth, he did not forget to send some of his money to assist the Marquis, who was out and staying at the border. He never forgot his promise. He was a man of his words.
Everyone was awed by this new tycoon's wielding hand. As if anything he touched would turn into gold. He was famous in the duchy.
This was what greeted the blonde man, Marquis Eugene Fergus, when he paid a visit to the Grand Duchy of Le Riche. He went out of the carriage, carrying a black suitcase and a newspaper on the other hand. He looked at the white, large building in front of him. At the very top was a sign saying "Mont Bank".
His lips stretched into a soft smile. "In less than 6 months, the person who said that he could only donate small amounts actually became a local tyrant."
Eugene's blue eyes landed on the man who opened the door. The bronze-skinned Lucian was stunned to see the Marquis. Eugene looked different than he did half a year ago. His hair was longer; it was past his shoulders. He also looked more mature. The only negative thing about the changes was that he grew slightly thinner.
Lucian frowned. 'Was he not eating well on the border? Did someone actually dare to cut the money I sent for him?'
Seeing the man's eyes glaring at his slender body, Eugene couldn't help but feel warm in his heart. 'Such concern for a mere acquaintance should be forbidden, your Grace.'
"Marquis Fergus, welcome back." Lucian was the first to talk and the first to walk forward. Lucian stopped right in front of him, his hand circling the older's delicate wrist. "Is there something wrong?" asked Lucian in concern.
Eugene stared at the alpha before nodding. "Let's talk about it somewhere else."