The capital city of the Re-estize kingdom was much like any capital city of any kingdom, big and busy. The city of Re-estize was among the few locations in the kingdom where many people flocked towards its gates as it was bustling with opportunities of fortune or fame, merchants came for fortune and Adventurers came for fame and villagers who sought to better their lives. The city was basically where one could find individuals from every corner of the kingdom, however as a result, the city was knee-deep in all kinds of trades and jobs, some legal and some illegal.
Within the busy streets of the main street, the street that made way towards the castle, right to the side there was a large mansion, the mansion itself was shabby and unimpressive design wise, however it belonged to a member of eight fingers or rather it was simply one of the many locations eight finger members used in order to make it impossible for anyone to find out their permanent place of residence as such different members will use the building at random times.
Zero, the leader of six arms was seated on the couch, slouching, letting loose the entire weight of his muscled body onto the couch, before him was a table with a thick slab of steak on a plate and some refined wine beside it, opposite of him was his current employer. Coco Doll who was seated in a position that made him feel a bit uncomfortable, a man trying to be as seductive as a woman, when he lacked the looks or the body of one was something a bit disturbing but he didn't care enough to voice his opinion about it.
"Aren't you going to gulp down your thick slab of meat? Or do you want me to do it?"
Coco doll questioned as he fined his pink painted nails. However, his joke wasn't appropriated by Zero, who frowned a bit but chose not to say anything
"A better question would be, why are you using this place? I thought you loathed being this close to the Golden princess"
"It's just for cover purposes. One of my places outside the capital took a hit, although that doesn't necessarily mean someone's after me. I'd rather be safe than sorry"
"Well it's outside the capital. You didn't instruct us to protect anything outside the capital"
"No need to worry, Zero dear, I wasn't planning on laying blame on you"
He spoke while also changing his seating position. He crossed his legs and placed his elbow on the thighs, and placed his chin on his palm.
"The location that got hit was just a place where we kept a special case product, although it did have some information about certain things…"
"Special case product? I thought you dealt more with human trafficking"
"Oh I do, darling. The special case product refers to some of my things that have been fed the drug so much that they can't function without it. By making them unable to function without the drug it's easier to keep them quiet and easier to move them around plus once you inject them with the drug again they become very lively and some clients really like that. Hilma and I work great together"
Coco doll explained that both him and Hilma, Hilma who was the leader of the drug trade department, had struck a deal with each other a while back as a way of testing the effectiveness of Black dust.
After having found out its a effectiveness Hilma proposed that they keep at it, which caused the special case product to be created and now each time Cocodoll sells a SCP slave he also sells black dust which profits him greatly since he receives a 15% cut from the profit made by selling black dust to clients that bought scp slaves.
"Oh I see, that Hilma is quite the smart one isn't she, she doesn't just dabble in her own department she dips her feet in everywhere, such a greedy woman, is exactly my type"
Coco doll could only eyeroll at his statement but ultimately chose to ignore it. In his humble opinion, Hilma wasn't even that beautiful, just a pale face with a ton of makeup.
"Anyway, the people who disturbed my business are those pesky adventurers, Blue Rose. I'm certain they're going to try and attack one of the bases near the capital next. Make sure to tell your people to be ready."
"No need to do that. We just need to give them a false opening and lure them where we want them. After that, it's just a matter of a well-timed ambush, Succulent is the perfect guy for setting up ambushes, so just sit back and get your money's worth."
Zero explained before sitting up, grabbing the fork and knife on the table then began cutting into the steak and eating, its juices trickled down his lips as he ate, seeing such a thing Coco doll refrained from making a rather obscene joke but instead decided to let it go.
"Well if you say so, remember don't kill them just capture"
He said with a shrug of his shoulder, although he was aware that It will depend, if they can't be captured then Zero's six arms will be forced to kill them, hopefully that won't be the case. Coco doll was about to let Zero eat in peace, but a thought occurred to him.
"By the way, Zero darling. What of the swordless swordsman and E-Rantel?"
He asked, although Coco doll was far more interested in the swordless swordsman, mostly because if Zero manages to kill him, the princess will be stripped of her power and go back to being a powerless little damsel.
"The matter with the city of E-Rantel is being handled by Zweden, with some assistance from Hilma, so ask them. The matter with the Princess's dog, however, is something I want to personally handle, and that's after we've dealt with your troubles first."
...….
[Later during the day]
Back within Renner's chambers, she and Lakyus have now moved past the conversation about eight fingers and are now talking about something else.
"Honestly I haven't spoken with my father in a while, and I doubt he's want to talk to me considering that I kind of threw away my nobility and ran away"
Lakyus answered, feeling a bit of awkwardness as she did, she had always admired her uncle who was an adventurer, so much so that when the opportunity presented itself, she took it, ran away from home and became an adventurer and essentially threw away her nobility and ever since she did that she hasn't spoken to anyone from her family, aside from her Uncle Azuth.
Although thinking about it now, the noble court is unaware that she isn't in touch with her family anymore plus she never received any letters stating that she could no longer use the family name so it's possible her father is not that enraged by her actions.
"Well regardless, the Noble court is unaware of that, and because of my association with you, they think your family is working with me, so it would be best to make that belief true."
"I suppose, but you're the princess, wouldn't be better if you just went to my father first. That way, you can make it seem like you and my family are on good enough terms that you can visit anytime."
"you make a great point, or rather you're really trying to avoid meeting your father"
Renner stated and the slight downward look of her eyes took told her what she just said was at least somewhat true, which she found interesting, Lakyus at least according to Renner's judgement was what most would call a good person and with good morals as such her father would be very proud to have instilled such morals in his daughter but the again she hardly ever hear much about the Aindra family since they mostly stay out of politics.
"no, it's not—
Lakyus was interrupted by a knock to the door, which caused her to be unable to finish her sentence
"Enter'
Renner answered, and to both her and Lakyus's surprise, the king entered the room. With a quickness, Lakyus stood up, bowed, and gave a greeting to the king.
"Greetings your Majesty"
"at ease, Miss Aindra, no need to be so stiff, as my daughter's only friend not need to stand on ceremony on my behalf"
"I thank you, My king, but as a loyal subject of the kingdom, I could never show such disrespect"
Lakyus responded while keeping a nice and straight posture and the king could only sigh and accept it, although in most cases his would would not be sincere but instead a way to show his own humility and see if the other is loyal enough to disregard his words but in this case he was being sincere, Renner hardly ever leaves the castle so to have someone to talk to was something he was grateful for.
"Very well if you insist, but if you would be so kind and accept a request from me?"
" Of course, your highness, I live to serve"
"Then please could you, call sir Arthur, I have something I wish to talk to him about a matter that was brought up concerning him"
"Of course, your majesty"
With those words, Lakyus exited the room and left the king, Gazeff and Renner. Once she was out, the king took a seat before his daughter.
"Good afternoon daughter"
He spoke, despite wanting to project an image of a father to his daughter, he could not help but show the image of a king, he was used to being a king rather than he was used to being a father.
"Good afternoon father, what brings you to my chambers today? Is something the matter?"
"I wish to talk to you about a matter concerning your marriage."
He stated and Renner could only raise a brow, she had been dreading this day, perhaps she took too long to choose a fiance, she is eighteen this year, which is a bit too old to not have a fiance yet, a fiance is usually picked for her at 12 then announced at 14 then depending on how they get along the Marriage would be finalist at 16 by 18-20 their first child is expected, Renner was 18 so by convention she should be expecting her first child by now.
"I see, then I am listening, Father."
....
[Next chapter will continue on where this left off but I'll be focusing more on Lakyus and Arthur interactions as well as Renner's interaction with Arthur, this conversation with Renner and the king's conversation with Renner will be a bit off screen but, Renner's reaction to it will be apparent.]
Thoughts on the chapter? Help this author improve.
Also I'm starting exams tomorrow so expect a semi hiatus type thing.