Broker -CH13-

Eventually, someone came to check the interview rooms.

Alex was feeling feisty and paranoid. He didn’t trust the people claiming to be the royal guard, even if it was them, and refused to remove the barricade.

He’d told them directly, that it would only be pulled down if his own personal guard showed up.

They’d been resistant so far to his demands. Alex simply refused to budge.

He imagined the panic and problem was the getting worse outside. That a crowd outside the hall that was probably forming. And knowing Rudolph, he was probably raising holy hell for everyone involved.

That wasn’t even including if Walter showed up.

No, Alex could afford to wait. They were safe. They were secure.

“My lord?” Rudolph called from the door, breaking through his thoughts.

“Ah, Rudolph? Thank goodness. Do you have everyone with you?” Alex called to the door.

“I don’t sir, they forbade it. They’re saying that you won’t come out until you spoke with me,” Rudolph said, his voice taking on a strange quality.

“I’m not going anywhere with them. If they can’t even guard a hall with a well known ball for a Count, I’ll not trust them with my life.

“They can all go back to the king. I’ll wait here until they’re gone, and you’ve secured the hall.”

The silence on the other side of the door was deafening.

“Sir, that is… you would rather your house guard take you to the king?”

“No. I’d rather my house guard take me home! Oh, I also have Anna Ulles, and Holly Lin with me. I imagine their fathers might be out there trying to find them.

“It might behoove you to let them know that we have them secured.”

Again, there was a pause.

He’s talking to a guard captain I bet. Probably just now realizing that I’m not kidding around.

“I’ll be right back sir with our guard. The royal guard will be leaving now and turning it over to our people. Do I have your permission to invite Master Ulles inside?”

“Of course, of course,” said Alex.

Then yes, he is out there and causing a problem. Good. Though it’s concerning that there is nothing from Holly.

Looking back towards Holly he met her eyes.

“Are you alone in the city right now?” he asked directly.

“Only servants… father will be back tomorrow. He… needed a contract updated for my possible marriage to you,” Holly said.

Ah. Though I do wonder at that phrasing. Did she attempt to court any others?

“I apologize if this ruins your chances at any other balls tonight. I do realize I wasn’t the only one on the books,” Alex said, curious to see if she’d admit to seeing other interviews.

“I wasn’t attending any other balls. Father was updating the contract because marriage to a Count would require a different wording in the terms.

“Father wouldn’t want the possibility of his titles passing to our children, if we had them.”

Oh. I guess… yeah, that makes sense.

In Anna’s case it doesn’t matter, she doesn’t have titles.

Nodding his head, Alex settled in to wait.

Carla laid her head back down and closed her eyes, while Anna and Holly resumed whatever conversation they were having.

***

Master Ulles hadn’t accompanied them to his mansion the previous night.

To be honest, Alex hadn’t thought about it at the time. He’d gone to his room and passed out, leaving Anna and Holly to Walter to take care of.

It wasn’t until the next morning when Walter handed him a letter from the merchant, that he realized he’d been possibly incredibly rude.

He hadn’t even checked to see if the man had followed them. Not to mention he wasn’t quite sure what to say to the man. His daughter was… unique… to say the least.

Dodged that one, I guess.

Setting the letter down, Alex leaned his head back and looked up at the ceiling above him.

“Sounds like Daddy,” Anna said, getting his attention. Snapping his head down, he found her sitting in a chair across from him at the dinning table.

“He’s willing to make sure I’m alright, but he has other business he has to take care of,” Anna continued, reading the letter between them.

“Just like that?” Alex asked. He wasn’t actually complaining. There’d been a few times in his previous life where he’d done exactly the same thing.

“Mm, yes! Daddy’s just like that. It’s a good thing. Did you sleep well? Walter said it wouldn’t be right for either of us to sleep near your room until we’re lawfully wed,” Anna said. “Personally I don’t care because it’s only unsigned paper in the way at this point.”

Only then did he realize she was in the same dress from the previous day.

Or that Holly had joined them as well, but was busy with something at a side table.

“Ah, yes. That’d be inappropriate,” Alex agreed. “Walter is a stickler for rules, but ones I agree with and very much appreciate in this case.

“Your father… won’t be upset that you didn’t go home. Or you, Holly?”

Alex was hoping to draw the other woman into the conversation. Anna had a tendency to draw him into her own pace and run him over.

“Daddy won’t mind. I already told him we’d have our marriage contracted today,” Anna said happily.

Holly paused and then turned her head to the side, her eyes catching his own.

“Father would not be happy, but he also wouldn’t be upset since you were the only man I was interviewing with at this time. He would have viewed it as a chance to get to know one another more so,” she said.

“Had you been interviewing others?” Anna asked, her head turning towards Holly as well.

“Originally… though they were all merchants. None were willing to meet with us outside of a formal acceptance of intention. I think most are aware of our financial status.”

Holly came over to the table with a silver tea set in her hands.

Setting down a tea setting for Alex, then Anna, and finally herself, Holly sat down next to the other woman.

“I think I’ve met with every man in the entire capital,” Anna said, her mouth turning down in a frown. “None of them were very nice, and I didn’t feel like any of them would be right for me. Then I met Alex!”

One could certainly never forget meeting you, Anna. That’s to put it mildly for my own part.

“This is lovely, thank you,” Anna said, turning her head to Holly after taking a sip.

“Thank you,” Holly said, smiling shyly at Anna.

I wonder what they’d been talking about last night. Or hell, even after we got back. They’ve been together since the event started.

“Wheres your personal bed servant?” Anna said, looking around.

“What?” Alex asked. “Oh, you mean Carla. I think it’s her day off today. I don’t keep track of her when she goes out.”

“So you did give her a firm day off? That’s good. Does she still sleep with you for it?” Anna asked, her tone innocent and plain.

“Ah… yes… but she gets two days off,” Alex said, not quite sure what to make of where this conversation was going.

“Good. Do you plan on turning the other slaves into body guards as well?” Anna said, adding another sugar cube to her tea and giving the liquid a swirl with her spoon.

“I… no. They don’t-” Alex paused, looking to Holly, who was watching him with no expression. Finally he looked back to Anna.

Did they talk about it already? She’s not surprised or concerned.

“They don’t have the right skill sets. For it. As a body guard, that is.”

“That makes sense. Daddy is always saying you can’t use a hammer as your tool every time. Sometimes you need a knife,” she said, nodding her head with a smile. “I take it they’ll be serving in your bed then? I wonder if we should work out a rotation early on so there’s no confusion later.

“Oh, I already informed Master Walter that your bedroom would be your own, and Holly and I would share one for now. It’d be best that way so you don’t have to worry about taking your slaves to our bed and worrying we’d be there.”

Anna gave him a bright smile and took another dainty sip of her tea.

Serving in my bed? Wait, you what to Walter?

“That is-” Alex said, wondering how to broach the subject. Then he stopped.

She said, share a bedroom. That’d mean they’re expecting to both marry me?

I mean, that wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Anna would be ideal for finances and… well… as she herself said… an equal partner to a degree.

Holly would be a tool, no matter which way I look at it.

There was a sharp knock at the door to the dinning room.

“Enter,” Alex called, looking that way.

Rudolph immediately stepped in, carrying what looked like a handful of dispatches.

“My lord, these all arrived with the same courier. I’ll wait outside for your replies,” Rudolph said.

A second man hurried in and set down an inkwell, letter opener, pot of pounce sand, quill, a small writing tray, and some paper in front of Alex.

Must be the king.

Anna looked at the papers, then turned to Holly with a smile. “I’ll go first.”

Holly ducked her head to Anna, then took her tea setting with her and left the room without a word.

“Should I be concerned?” Alex asked after having watched Holly leave. Picking up the letter opener he picked up th envelope on top and slit it open.

Pulling the paper out he read it over quickly.

“This is a marriage contract,” Alex said, reading over the terms and quallifications.

“Yes. It’s mine. Just go ahead and sign at the bottom. I already signed it and had it documented at the royal clerks office,” Anna said, leaning forward over the desk.

She was practically spilling out of her dress as she indicated the sign and the seal.

“Holly’s won’t be here until later with her Father. You’ll need to write up her contract between yourself and her, before that,” she gave him a wide smile when he looked up to her eyes.

Instead of her cleavage where he’d looked to without realizing.

“I also got a lot of information out of her we can use against her. She’s such a silly thing. Told me lots.

“We’ll have her doing what you want in no time flat,” Anna said, still smiling at him. “Though I won’t let you hurt her or give her to anyone else. She’ll be your second, and a tool, but I do like her and will keep her for myself.”

Alex wasn’t sure how to process all of that.

Apparently what’d happened is Anna had pumped the living hell out of Holly for information.

For Alex to use against her.

With that easy smile of Anna’s and idiotic demeanor, Holly hadn’t probably even worried about it.

It means Anna already figured out what I had planned for Holly. Even to the point that I was looking for information to hold against her and bend her into the tool I want her to be.

She also already figured out the game I’m playing. To the point that she could easily be useful to me with almost no explanations.

For an idiot, she’s a genius.

Looking down to the contract, Alex confirmed what it was.

The terms were simple, and easy to read. The entire thing was being set up as a straight forward marriage between a member of the peerage, and a commoner.

The only big caveat was her dowry was indeed ten-thousand gold coins, and Anna’s alone.

Anna retained very few rights in this agreement other than that, and was putting herself practically in his sole possession.

Even less than Holly would ask for. But… that means it’s just a straight forward marriage, isn’t it?

He realized Anna was offering him exactly what she’d said at the start. A wife, confidant, and partner.

That she’d accept everything he dished out at her, and work to better it for themselves.

Picking up the ink-bottle he unscrewed the top, took the quill in hand, dipped it in, and signed his name on the line.

Picking up a bit of the pounce sand he spread it over his signature and then set the contract down.

Only to have Anna practically smash her face into his with a wet and heavy kiss.

Pulling back from him she patted his cheek.

“Thank you husband. I knew we were meant to be from the moment I saw you.

“Oh, I meant to ask. Are you Leah’s champion or are we just working for her?” she asked.

“Err… working for her.”

“Any contract details I need to know?” It was obvious she was in full merchant’s daughter mode now.

“I… have to make sure I meet a quota every month. Otherwise, that’s it.”

“That’s easy enough. What’s the quota?”

Alex paused at that. The crystal was in his room and he didn’t want to go fetch it.

“I have to make deals that favor us. The greater the deal, the better favoring, the quicker the quota is met. I have a crystal that will turn completely black when it’s met for the month.”

“And is the quota met right now?”

“Yes. We’re clear for the month.”

“Good, good. Then let’s hold off on finalizing Holly’s contract, but sign the marriage agreement. Or at the least, dating it so it goes into effect next month if you can’t wait. That way we can bank on that one, rather than wasting resources.

“Right?” Anna asked, her fingers interlaced into each other.

Would that work?

A dated contract would go into effect under a god’s oath on the date listed and be upheld from that point.

“That’s a good point… wife,” Alex said, actually feeling rather lucky to have signed Anna into his life. Smiling, he leaned toward her. She gave him a happy and bright smile, leaning forward as well. “Now, how about you tell me all about Holly, and what we can use against her.”

***

Alex knelt down and bowed his head in supplication.

“Rise, Count Brit. We were worried when we heard of the affairs that took place in our city,” the king said.

Standing up, Alex didn’t respond immediately.

He didn’t plan on revealing anything at all to the king. Not a damn thing if he could help it.

In his book, Alex was fairly certain that the king had orchestrated the whole thing. That the bandits were more than likely Royal Guard dressed up, or brigands pressed into service.

Having a Count taken for ransom would be a serious breach of the king’s security, but having the unharmed Count found and saved by the royal guard who lost him? No problem.

Instead, the king was now left with a security whole, an entire city talking about a Count that died, but didn’t, and his entire plan scrapped.

You have better things to do, don’t you? Like running a kingdom?

“We’re well pleased that not only have you come out the other side of this trying ordeal for the better of it, but with a wife to match.

“From what we’ve been told by our clerk, you’ve taken Master Ulle’s daughter Anna to wife, and a Baron’s daughter, Holly Lin, as well to wed?”

“That is correct, your majesty. I enjoyed speaking with both of them immeasurably. I found that since you ordered me to wed, I would not only perform my duty, but to the greatest extent possible.”

And in marrying a commoner, and a noble, your requirements are met on both sides, no matter which way you could have argued.

Are we done with this charade yet? Can I go home?

I do have projects to work on.

“Yes. We’re well pleased with this. We’d ask you to remain and possibly hold your wedding ceremony here, but we understand you’ve already requested to be released home?”

“Yes, your highness. I fear that without me, my County could at any time be at the whims of fate.

“And while I admit that seems melodramatic, it is my sincere worry that I could possibly fail his highness in my duty as his retainer by not being there,” Alex said, bowing his head to the king, and remaining bowed.

I’ve given you all possible respect available to me, while offering no offense, and giving you no reason to pursue this.

Just let me go back home, and you can worry about your dukes.

They’re your problems, not me.

Alex had noted the empty throne next to the king.

Once again, the queen refused to be part and parcel to anything.

Or the queen herself, maybe, is your problem.

The silence drew on for a while. He’d fairly well cornered the king with his respect and giving face to him, there wasn’t much his majesty could do without looking as if he had indeed been plotting on the side.

“We release you then, Count Brit, back to your county. We regret we won’t be able to see your marriage ceremony, but do wish you the best with it, and hope that you enjoy your new life.”

“I’m sure we will, your highness,” Alex said, not raising his head, but falling to a knee instead. After a few seconds of respectful prostration, Alex stood, and left the throne room.

Not wasting any further time here, his plan was to leave as quickly as possible.

So much so, that everyone was already packed and waiting at the mansion.

It would only take a few minutes to pass the word along to the house staff to shutter most of the manse up, and they’d be gone.

No sooner than he exited the palace then Carla had taken her place at his side.

Ever since the incident, he’d noticed that Rudolph and his people treated Carla like one of their own, if not more so.

She gave him a look with a quirked brow.

“Home again, home again, jiggity jig,” Alex said with a smirk.

Carla snorted at that. “You owe me a day off, today doesn’t count.”

“Sure it does.”

“No, Master. Mistress Anna already ruled in my favor,” Carla said with a sour grin. “Though she did tell me that if I came to her in the future without consulting you first, she’d make sure you used me improperly.”

Hah. Good.

That’s… good. She’ll end up costing me a bit because she’ll argue for fairness… but she won’t let anyone get a better deal on us, or be subversive.

With every interaction he was felling better about Anna.