Marcel
As I rode out of the manor, all my attention was focused on Thana and whether or not she was worth forgiving. She still hadn't given me the explanations I asked for, but a part of me knew I wasn't ready to let her slip away from me anymore.
Aaron's horse trudged behind mine, and even though he was quiet, I could tell he had a lot to talk about.
"Just speak, Aaron.." I grunted and slightly tugged at the reins of my horse to slow him down.
Aaron shrugged his shoulders and looked away from my gaze.
"I don't know what to say, sire… everything is just happening simultaneously and I'm still trying to process it bit by bit." He replied, and I sighed.
"To be honest Aaron, I haven't been thinking things through before acting and I'm afraid I've made a bunch of screwed up decisions –"
"Like marrying Odessa?"
I turned to look at him, but his eyes were focused on the road. I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through my hair.
"How long do you intend to hide her from Thana?" Aaron asked, and I threw my hands in the air.
"For as long as I can, Aaron," I replied and shook my head. "I simply can't let something as unimportant as that marriage make me lose Thana again.."
Silence sat between us and it grew louder, causing the cloud of confusion in my head to just multiply.
"I haven't gotten the opportunity to ask you this question, and it's still bothering me, sire.."
"Well, go on and ask Aaron."
"Uhhm.. what prompted this marriage in the first place? Is she with child?" He asked, and my eyes widened.
"What?" I squinted my eyes and glared at Aaron sternly for even thinking so low of me.
No, Aaron!" I spat, and for some reason, the thought of getting Odessa pregnant gave me shivers.
"Well then, why exactly did you make that decision under just one night at the slave market… what event pushed you into making one of the biggest decisions a man could possibly make? Especially a man of your status, sire.." he pressed further.
I folded my lips and unfolded them again as that night came flashing through my mind over again. In all honesty, I just don't know what came over me but then I couldn't resist helping her out of that slum.
"Let's just say I was doing her a favor and at the same time, I was redeeming myself as well.." I replied, and Aaron glared at me.
"Redeeming yourself," He repeated.. "From what sire?"
"From failing to do the same for someone else, only to hear that she lost her life about a week later…" I blurted but Aaron was not catching up to what I was talking about.
"Don't worry about it, Aaron. What's done is done, all I need to focus on now is how to get Odessa away from the picture before Thana figures out what's going on" I said and tugged at the reins of my horse once again. Only this time, he sped up, leaving dust behind.
Aaron and I arrived at the Duke's mansion, and I didn't waste any more time. We were already behind time by almost an hour.
"Welcome, Marcel Edgar…" the Duke greeted and held his hand out for a handshake. "We've been expecting you for some time now, do have a seat."
I sank into the armchair given to me and the Duke sat at the other side of the table.
"This is my legal agent, Mister Gerald. He'll be here as legal witness during the course of our business.." the Duke said, and I shook hands with the gentleman.
"That's great," I said softly and leaned my back properly on the chair.
"Straight to the order of the day.." he started and handed me a file. These are the documents for the assets. A manor at the outskirts of town, a landed property in the same location, and two inns in the town square."
I nodded as I read through the documents and I was completely intrigued.
"I'm certain you received my letter, stating the prices accordingly.." the Duke added, and I gestured for Aaron to bring the letter.
"Yes, I did receive your letter. But there's a bit of an issue." I replied, reopening the letter again and handing it over to the Duke.
"From what I understand, you plan on selling the two inns for almost thrice the price you put them up for early this year. Why is that?" I asked, and his brows furrowed.
"What are you talking about, Edgar?" He started and pushed a file towards me. "This is the brochure from my price lost early this year.."
I flipped through the pages, and a smile formed on the corner of my lips. I've been in this game long enough to be duped by this old crook.
"Alright then," I shot back, sliding the brochure back to him. "Aaron, please hand the actual brochure over to the Duke," I ordered, and Aaron placed the Duke's original brochure right in front of him.
He exchanged glances with his so-called legal agent, and the glint in their hungry eyes disappeared.
"Uhhmm… well… the prices changed Marcel.." he stuttered, and I pinched the space between my brows.
"I'm no longer interested in buying the inns. You can keep them until some unsuspecting billionaire walks into your greedy trap. I'll buy the manor and the landed property because I have plans for them," I replied, and Aaron handed him the suitcase with all the money inside.
"Let's discuss this one more time, Edgar… you're speaking from a place of anger, and you should understand that I am only a businessman and this is how the business goes.." The Duke urged, but I had already made up my mind days before even coming here.
I handed him the documents for the inns and held on to the rest.
"Nice doing business with you, lord Henry.." I replied dryly.