As Seth entered the room, Killian felt his heart skip a beat, a faint flush creeping over his face. He quickly looked away, masking his reaction before anyone could notice. The sight of Seth had struck him unexpectedly, stirring something he didn't entirely understand.
At the same time, Claire's eyes widened, taking in the sight of the man in the black fur coat. She murmured to herself, "So, that's the Raven Guild leader... He really is handsome." She shook off the thought, her mind wandering briefly to Sir Aiden.
Sir Aiden is probably more handsome, she thought, with his approachable warmth, while this guild leader… he seems colder, more distant.
Seated comfortably on the sofa, Anthony Gustman glanced over his shoulder as Seth entered. His reaction was mixed. This Lord Arlecia carried himself with a composed, confident air, a far cry from the arrogant man he remembered. Seth radiated a subtle yet undeniable aura of authority. Gustman noted the improvement in Seth's attire with surprise.
The lord is dressing like upper nobility, Gustman thought. But that blindfold... Some things never change. His taste sucks
Gustman hadn't come with high hopes. He'd agreed to the meeting as a courtesy to Raven Guild leader, who had chosen Nix Merchants to manage the profitable sale of the basilisk remains. But with little faith in Arlecia's prospects, Gustman had come prepared to leave empty-handed.
Seth walked past Gustman without acknowledging him, stopping before Killian, who kept his gaze averted. Dressed impeccably, Killian's sharp features stood out even more than usual—his intense eyes, long lashes, and bold brows catching Seth's attention. Seth felt a playful urge and moved closer, gently taking Killian's arm and turning him to face him.
A soft smile played on Seth's lips, deepening as he saw the flash of surprise in Killian's eyes.
"Lord Arlecia," Killian said, quickly recovering. "I'd advise you to act appropriately and avoid touching others without permission." Though his tone was firm, a touch of exasperation softened it, which only amused Seth more. Smiling, Seth tightened his hold, slipping their joined hands into Killian's coat pocket.
Across the room, Claire watched the interaction with disbelief, her gaze flicking between the two men. She hadn't expected such familiarity between Lord Arlecia and the Raven Guild leader.
Gustman, however, was far from entertained. His pride stung by Seth's apparent indifference, he resolved right then to be thoroughly uncooperative in the negotiations.
Killian cleared his throat, struggling to maintain his composure. Unaccustomed to such closeness, especially with Lord Arlecia, he reminded him, "Let me remind you, Lord Arlecia, we have an important meeting today. The head of Nix Merchants deserves our full attention if we're to secure a stable trade route for Arlecia's benefit."
His voice held an edge of cool determination. "Take this seriously. Don't make me regret my decision to trust you with this."
A spark of confidence lit in Seth's eyes, and he gave a slight nod, signaling Claire to take her seat across from Gustman. Claire took a steadying breath and sat with practiced poise, meeting Gustman's gaze.
"It's an honor to meet the leader of a renowned guild like Nix," she began, her voice smooth and controlled. "My name is Clark, and I'll be representing Lord Arlecia today."
By introducing herself as "Clark," she adopted her brother's name, a strategic move to bypass the biases she often faced. Experience had shown her how frequently societal norms limited women from the influence they deserved. But Lord Arlecia had seen beyond those norms and appointed her as estate manager, undeterred by her disguise. His confidence fueled her own.
I won't let you down, my lord, she thought, her resolve steady. This negotiation will succeed.
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The meeting began with Claire confidently outlining Arlecia's investment possibilities. "Inns and lodges," she proposed, "could attract travelers seeking peace away from bustling cities. Arlecia's natural beauty and quiet charm make it ideal for a relaxation hub."
Her tone was assured, each proposal reflecting a well-thought-out vision. She discussed projected costs, anticipated profits, and phased development plans, each investment outlined with careful precision.
But Gustman's reaction was dismissive, his expression souring as he shook his head. "Too risky for us," he muttered, showing little interest.
Undeterred, Claire continued, describing ventures in local crafts, specialty goods, and exclusive inns for merchants and nobles. With each proposal, however, Gustman remained indifferent, sometimes verging on disdain. "Interesting," he'd say, his voice laced with boredom. "But high-risk, low-return." After two hours of effort, Claire's energy began to wane, her enthusiasm dimming as each attempt failed to pique Gustman's interest.
Seth sat silently throughout, his expression calm but eyes keenly observant, absorbing every detail. Close by, Killian noticed the quiet concentration on Seth's face, as if he were biding his time, calculating his next move.
Without realizing it, Killian's grip tightened on the hand he held in his coat pocket—Seth's hand, warm and steady. Just then, Seth glanced over and murmured, "Something on your mind?"
Caught off guard, Killian cleared his throat, muttering, "Nothing." But Seth chuckled softly, his thumb tracing slow circles over Killian's hand, sending a ripple of warmth through him. His breath caught, and he quickly turned his attention back to the meeting, though the sensation lingered.
Finally, Gustman reclined with a dismissive sigh, waving off Claire's latest proposal. "I've heard enough," he said flatly. "These ideas lack the value we're seeking. I came here out of courtesy, not necessity."
Claire's face flushed, and she moved as if to protest, but Seth's voice cut in, cold and steady. "I expected you'd reject our investments," he said, his tone calm yet edged with disdain. "Yes, Arlecia lacks unique resources—I'm well aware."
Gustman chuckled, visibly amused. "Precisely. I agreed to this meeting as a favor to your guild leader." He cast a glance at Killian, his smirk widening. "Nothing more."
Seth's gaze sharpened, fixing on Gustman with quiet intensity. "I'll say this once, Anthony Gustman: walk away from this deal, and I assure you, you'll regret it."
The merchant laughed dismissively. "Regret? From you, Lord Arlecia? Show me something of worth, and maybe I'll reconsider. Right now, I see nothing but a spoiled noble chasing fantasies."
Seth's eyes darkened, his voice carrying an edge that silenced the room. "Very well. I'll give you a demonstration you won't soon forget." He paused, adding, "Visit my castle's training grounds with your men. Bring anyone you like, and I'll show you something that will leave you begging at my feet."
Killian's eyes widened, sensing Seth's rising frustration. Rarely did he see him express emotion so openly, yet his mood was unmistakably cold. Claire gathered her documents, looking weary but hopeful, and followed as Seth strode out of the guild building.
The room fell silent after they left, leaving Killian alone with Gustman, who watched their exit with a wry smile, shaking his head. "Did you see that?" he scoffed, lighting a cigarette. "The arrogant lord hasn't changed. There's no way he'll interest me in a backwater like Arlecia."
Killian's jaw clenched, frustration simmering beneath his calm expression. He'd hoped to secure this partnership for Arlecia and had even been prepared to offer his guild's resources. But with Seth's abrupt departure, it seemed the opportunity had slipped away.
"Consider my favor repaid," Gustman said with a smirk, taking a long drag. "Best of luck with your guild. You'll need it." He left without a backward glance, leaving Killian alone.
In the quiet, Killian's mind drifted back to the moment he'd held Seth's hand. He raised his fingers to his lips, catching the faint scent of roses left behind. Without thinking, he pressed a soft kiss to his fingers, lost in the memory of the gentle touch.
"What am I doing?" he murmured, laughing quietly to himself. "Lord Arlecia… you're driving me mad."
He closed his eyes and rested for a moment.