Chapter 136: Don't Hesitate to Exploit Him

The closer land was to large cities, the more they were worth. The land of the villages surrounding Horizon were some of the most expensive farmlands in Soleil due to being both fertile and close to a thriving market that depended on them. Many of the landowners, including farming families, were doing very well.

Of course, every so often, a family would fall upon some tough times and be forced to make difficult decisions. The sale of ancestral land was one of them.

From what JP had found out, small family farms had been targeted and coerced into selling their land at far below market value with the help of local leaders who had been paid off using the embezzled funds. The land was then turned around and sold to the highest bidder.

Of course, with Tori’s understanding of the Prime Minister, this wasn’t something he sanctioned. If anything, it was because he trusted his idiot son too much and his idiot son was negligent. However, the money trail led back to him, and the people caught in the scandal claimed him as their backer.

Any politician with some ability was not without their enemies and those who saw him as displeasing pressed for a full investigation of the Guthry family. As of right now, the investigation was happening. While Tori was quite certain the Prime Minister and his wife were as clean as politicians could get, she didn’t know about extended relatives.

If they had any shady dealings, it would be exposed, connected to the Prime Minister, and it would be difficult to regain the trust of his peers and remain in his position. If it were her, she’d just resign.

“I used to feel sympathy for the Guthrys because their son is ignorant, but now I think they’re cursed,” Sonia said with another sip of her drink.

Tori shook her head. “There is no reason for him to let this slip through his fingers. We had a budget to submit and had to include all our spending records.”

“I sent Albert to ask around with his connections at the imperial palace,” JP said. “Hopefully, we can get more details.”

“Is Guthry at least being held accountable?” Ilyana asked. “It was his responsibility to monitor the money being spent on his project.”

JP shrugged his shoulders and shook his. “That may be happening behind closed doors. I haven’t heard anything about his parents punishing him.”

Henrik snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “This isn’t going to bode well for the Prime Minister. His re-election is up.”

“By the way, do you know who’ll the representative of the Cosora Delta after the new year be?” Sonia asked.

Tori cracked a smile. “Mr. Johan Sima. He was nominated by both village elders and community leaders, and voted for the most by villagers. By the first month of next year, he’ll have finished his two months leave of absence for my godchild. I’ve arranged for him to rent one of the rooms at Piers’ building for him to stay when the Chamber is in session.”

“What about the noble chamber?” Henrik asked. Tori drew her lips inward and pretended to focus on the contract. His voice lowered. “Tori. You’re not.”

“I just want to see what it’s like being on the floor of the chamber. It’ll be Cosora’s first one, I want to be there for it,” Tori said. “In fact, I should be there for it.”

“Tori, you’re doing too much already,” Sonia said with a frown.

“I’m just going to sit and experience it the first few times.” Tori assured them. “Besides, we’re still trying to find a suitable representative.”

Henrik let out a low breath and rubbed his forehead. “You are going to get stomach issues again.”

“Henrik, I’ve been very careful about putting the right people at the right place at the right time to execute what I want,” Tori said. “And I have you and Ilyana to look over Lions Gate’s details. Axton is directing his own experienced people for the inn renovations. Miss Bustamante and Mr. Ingram have settled into the delta and are working closely with our village leaders. When I do my quarterly review of them, I’ll do so with Mama or Kasey. They’re clear and following the AOP and other roadmaps we’ve mapped out. I’m not doing every little thing by myself. That’s impossible.”

“What about your crystal projects?” Ilyana raised a suspicious brow. How could they forget Tori’s crystal fanaticism?

“Instructor Ignatius has brought in two underclassmen of his from Université. They’re fine tuning the details of some of our more advanced projects,” Tori said. The man and woman were just like Instructor Ignatius - crystal fanatics to the core. When she had met them and helped interview them for the positions, they had seemed almost desperate to join.

The reason was they found out that Master Ramos lived on the island. Tori knew he was well-respected, but she didn’t know he was idolized by so many. The weight of her bracelet felt somewhat heavier. Master Ramos was also relieved that only two people could live on the island and that Miss Hansen and Mr. Holloway had to live in the ‘employee’ section of the encampment, which surrounded the operations tent.

Master Ramos had found their energy and idolization a bit overwhelming.

Around the table, Tori’s friends looked unconvinced. Tori sighed and put the contract down. “How can I just hand off the position without knowing what it entails? I should at least attend a few chamber meetings to get firsthand experience.”

It was a fair and responsible act, and her friends seemed to reluctantly nod their heads. Tori handed Henrik the contract and leaned back against her chair.

“JP, do you know when exactly Guthry’s questionable craftsmen will start building Hart’s classroom?”

JP shook his head. “No, but I can find out.”

“See what you can find out about the craftsmen who’ll be doing the work. I highly doubt Guthry would allow the craftsmen who were reported for poor work to do the work.”

JP nodded and Tori shifted through her planner, which had already been marked with various meetings, appointments, and notes.

On the weekend, she was meeting her Auntie Maria in the Central District. As she didn’t have her aunt’s comcry registered to hers, they set a time and location to meet. Her aunt should’ve already arrived in Horizon for part of her sabbatical.

On the day of the meeting, Tori had called for her driver to get SIG One ready and asked Axton and Piers if they could go with her. While she wasn’t sure how well Piers knew the Central District, she was quite sure Axton knew his way around.

Rather than ride along with the carriage on Blue River and Ice Queen, they were in the carriage when it arrived at the front gates of Lycée. Along with one other passenger.

Tori crinkled her eyes as she stood outside the open door of the carriage and looked at the fluffy gray cat sitting up on the carriage bench beside Axton. Alexander had on his purple vest and his leash was on Axton’s hand.

“Why did you bring my cat?” Tori asked. She climbed into the carriage and picked up Alexander before taking her seat next to Piers. She hugged him against her chest and kissed the top of his head. “Alexander, I missed you, but you can’t always go out. What if you get lost?”

“He doesn’t get lost. He always comes back,” Piers said.

Tori tensed in her seat. She turned her head to look at him with wide eyes. “What do you mean he always comes back? Piers, this isn’t Viclya! He could get hit by a carriage if he wanders around outside!”

“He wears his vest, and he stays within the courtyard and building,” Axton told her with a grin. He leaned back against the seat bench as the footman closed the door. “And one of the knights makes sure to watch him.”

Tori’s jaw dropped. “Why is an imperial knight watching my cat?”

“So, he doesn’t run away.”

“Axton, you can’t waste the imperial knights’ time on watching my cat,” Tori said. The carriage moved forward, and Alexander settled on her lap, his head nudging her hand for more attention. She turned towards Piers. “Is this how you treat pets of the imperial family?”

“No,” Piers replied, looking straight ahead and unbothered. “Pets of the imperial family are confined within the palace grounds, so all staff are familiar with them. The palace is surrounded by knights at all times, so they do not require an individual knight to follow them.”

Tori pursed her lips. She looked at her cat and sighed as she scratched his chin. “I know he enjoys his time outside, but the city is different from a small village. Alexander, you need to be careful. Stay away from other cats and the street or you’ll get hurt.”

She received a small meow in return and Tori hunched over to hug him.

“Do you know where your aunt told you to meet her?” Axton asked, watching her play with her cat.

“She said Plaza of the Twin Crescent Fountains.”

Axton’s brows rose and Piers turned from the window to look at her. “Is the property she is going to sell you there?” Piers asked as Axton knocked on the wall behind him to give Mr. Novak, the driver, directions.

Tori shrugged. “She said it was nearby. I assumed since it was a plaza, she wanted to meet at a landmark close to the property.”

“It’s not far from the main street going through the Central District,” Axton said as he turned back around. “A Central District property is already very impressive. If it’s near a plaza or landmark, like the fountains, that’s even better.”

“There shouldn’t be any property available for purchase in the Central District. Most are owned by the government, the imperial family, or individuals from old families descended from the imperial family.” Axton looked at Piers. “Aren’t there a few old palace homes that belong to your immediate family?”

Piers nodded. “They are rented out. The imperial palace and its grounds are sufficient for the family. If Gideon or I move out of the imperial palace, we will likely be designated one of the imperial residences in the Central or First Districts, if we choose to settle in Horizon.”

Children of the Emperor received a stipend to live on once the official heir was announced. This was to encourage the other children to move out and set up their own households. Or in Piers’ Aunt Celine’s case, fund her travels around Soleil. Their own children, however, would no longer receive a stipend.

As of right now, as there was not yet a crown prince, Piers and Gideon had an allowance, though large expenses, such as Gideon’s tuition, were paid directly by the imperial household. Piers had spent part of his allowance on the house and courtyard in the Academic District, Cafe Fortuna, and Axton’s inns. Tori didn’t know how much he actually had and didn’t bother to ask.

But she knew he had accumulated quite a lot.

The carriage ride took a little under half an hour. They went up the main street cutting through the Central District and then took a left into another street that opened up into a long plaza with two layered fountains mirroring each other.

Axton knocked on the wall behind him and a narrow panel slid open.

“Mr. Novak, you can drop us off here and park by the building. We’ll wait outside for Tori’s aunt.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

They circled around the two fountains once before Mr. Novak stopped the carriage beside a building that seemed to stretch across the entire plaza. The footman, who was one of Piers’ people, came down to open the door and Tori hopped out first with Alexander in her arms. She set him down and took the leash before wandering towards the fountains.

“Are you sure this is the address?” Tori asked as she looked around. They were quite close to the imperial palace. Tori could see the iron gates and the palace peeking in between buildings beyond them.

“I’m sure,” Axton said. He motioned to the fountains. “Where else would these fountains be?”

Tori ignored the sarcasm in his voice and looked at the two fountains in the plaza.

Auntie Maria had told Tori to wait at the Twin Crescent Fountains, which were, as the name suggested, two crescent shaped fountains mirroring each other in the plaza. It was two blocks away from the main thoroughfare and surrounded by three and four-story buildings reminiscent of Paris’ Haussmann architecture mixed in with neo-classic styles.

The Central District was built on a bit of a hill, and as the center of Soleil for thousands of years, had been re-built over and over. There were few buildings that withstood the test of time, but they were mainly government buildings that had been well-maintained and in constant use through the years. They’d also been renovated to keep up with technological advancement.

Tori didn’t know what the buildings surrounding the plaza housed. Usually, there would be stores on the ground floor and then apartments on the upper floors, but most of the buildings in the Central District were government, commercial, or some sort of museum or restaurant that catered to distinguished guests.

On the weekend, the plaza was a bit dead, though it wasn’t far from the district’s main plaza.

Tori took a seat on the edge of one of the fountains and ran a hand through her hair, adjusting her headband.

“We are early,” Piers said. “I am sure she will come soon.”

Tori nodded, but pursed her lips.

The problem was that she didn’t know what her aunt looked like. She knew her Auntie Maria existed, where she was living, and that she was a nun, but because she was a nun, she rarely visited despite Auntie Maria’s close relationship with her mother. Tori’s mother told her that the last time she saw her Auntie Maria was when Tori was still a toddler.

Even if she was in her original world, she couldn’t remember relatives she’d only met once when she was a small child.

Auntie Maria was supposed to resemble her mother: green eyes, brown hair, average height. It would’ve been more useful if Auntie Maria wasn’t a nun who wore robes based on a Catholic nun’s habit, because that’s what nuns seemed to wear in these games. She’d have a cap and veil, at the least.

“What does she look like?” Axton asked, looking around.

“A nun,” Tori said, deadpan. Both he and Piers gave her a look. Tori rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. Keep an eye out for a nun. Auntie Maria is part of the Seventh West Star Order of Belcoy.” The order patronized multiple gods and goddesses focusing on peace, health, and charity.

Axton looked at a loss. Knowing what order her aunt was in didn’t make a difference.

“Cobalt blue robes with white stripes on the hems and cuffs, metal ringed wooden prayer beads with stars,” Piers told him. “Her cap is white and her veil silver.”

Axton looked at him critically. “How do you know that?”

“Why don’t you?”

Tori wondered if she should’ve just dragged Albert, but he had to go check on his own Lycée project. As she waited for someone to walk down the street from the main thoroughfare, she wondered if her aunt knew how she looked liked. Tori didn’t inherit her mother’s hair or eyes. She looked ‘very Guevera’.

She hoped her aunt would recognize her. She kept her eyes on the street as Alexander jumped on to the side of the fountain and looked into it.

“Is that your cat?” She heard a voice behind her, and she turned around. Tori didn’t know where the woman had come from, but she was walking towards them and had her eyes on Alexander. She smiled brightly. “He’s adorable! What is his name?”

“Oh, thank you!” Tori smiled in return as she faced the woman. “His name is Alexander Hamilton de Guevera the First.”

The woman froze just as she was about to reach them and snapped her head up to look at Tori. Her eyes seemed to go up and down, taking in every detail with intensity. Tori drew her head back, not expecting such keen interest in her person.

The corners of the woman’s lips tugged up into a small smile and a glimmer of hope appeared on her face. “Tori?”

“Auntie Maria?” Tori jerked her head back and looked at the woman standing in front of her who began to clap her hands and jump. Green eyes, brown hair in a braid, and average height with a face that vaguely resembled her mother. Tori looked her up and down.

“It is you! I thought so when I saw you; you have that Guevera hair!” Auntie Maria rushed forward and threw her arms around Tori, immediately bringing her close and kissing her cheeks and forehead. “I haven’t seen you for so long!” Another kiss on the cheek as she squeezed Tori. “I can’t believe you’re an adult now!” Tori was kissed again on the opposite cheek. Auntie Maria held her out at arm’s length, her face full of affection. “I heard about your work at the delta. I am so proud of you!”

“Thank you....” Tori blinked, a bit overwhelmed by the sudden wave of affection. She couldn’t help but ask: “Auntie, why aren’t you in a habit?”

Instead of the expected robes, Maria de Sophos was wearing a simple dull blue dress with a white apron and headband. The prayer beads that would’ve dangled around her neck were tucked beneath the collar of the dress.

She tossed her head back and let out a laugh. “I don’t always wear a habit when I’m outside the abbey!” Her eyes turned into smiling crescents. “I thought you’d be more comfortable if I dressed ‘normal’.”

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“I’m comfortable with however you wish to dress, Auntie. In fact, I was expecting a nun to show up.”

“I’m still a nun, with or without the habit,” Auntie Maria said, cheeky. She looked at the two men standing with Tori and tilted her head to the side. “This one must be His Highness Prince Piers and so, this other one must be Duke Alvere.” As soon as she settled on who they were, she smiled brightly and bent her knee while bowing her head slightly. “Greetings and blessings to my niece’s friends.”

“Good morning, Sister Sophos.” Axton gave her a respectful bow of his head and Piers gave her a small nod.

“Oh, you don’t need to call me so formally!” Auntie Maria laughed as she lifted her hand and slapped Axton’s arm. “Sister Maria is fine.”

“Yes, Sister Maria.” Axton nodded and gave her a weak smile as he rubbed his arm.

“Well, Tori, are you ready to see the property?” she asked as she seemed to almost bounce to look at Tori. Compared to Tori’s mother, her aunt was much more energetic and excitable. It was somewhat surprising that she was a nun.

Tori nodded. “Yes, Auntie. Thank you for this. I really appreciate it.”

“Well, don’t thank me yet. It’s an old property that’s been sitting there for years. It will need plenty of work, I’m sure,” Auntie Maria told her seriously. She hooked her arm with her niece and pulled her forward. “However, if you like it, I’ve had it assessed for the value of the land, not for the structure itself, as it’s so old.”

Even if it was a dilapidated shack, she could appreciate it. “I understand, Auntie. Thank you.” Tori handed Alexander off to Piers so she could focus, though as they walked, Alexander kept up and seemed to turn his head from side to side, as if he were also waiting to be shown something.

Auntie Maria continued to smile, appearing extremely excited and proud as she brought them across the plaza to the facade of a building that stretched across one full side of the plaza’s length. The heavy iron doors were closed.

“Here we are!”

“Is it inside?” Piers asked, looking up at the building.

“Of course, it’s inside! The facade isn’t hollow.” Auntie Maria laughed. She looked at Tori with shining green eyes. “What do you think, darling? Do you like it?”

Tori’s brows furrowed. They hadn’t seen much yet. “Should we take a look at the space first?” she asked her aunt tentatively. She was sure a building this large in the Central District wasn’t an ordinary building.

“We are looking at the space,” Auntie Maria told her. She motioned her arm to one end of the plaza and then the other. “The property is from that end to the other. It spans the plaza.”

Tori almost wanted to choke. “What?”

“This is the Lunar Pavilion,” Piers said from behind her. She looked over his shoulder and saw him point to the stone plaque above the black iron doors. It was carved with Old Sulfae roughly translated to ‘Summerhouse of the Moon’, or Lunar Pavilion.

Tori felt her chest tighten. Something was off. When her aunt told her about the property, she imagined a small lot. What was with this sprawling old building? How did her aunt, a nun from Sur, get this massive property in the most expensive place in the empire?

“You know of it!” Auntie Maria looked even more excited. “I should’ve known that the first prince would know what it is.”

“Piers,” Tori said in a low, tentative voice. “What is this?”

“A recreational home for young imperial princesses dating from the Classical Period,” Piers told her. “It later became the private palace of crown princesses. The last imperial family member who resided here was my great-grandmother, when she was crown princess.”

Tori felt her stomach twist. She had a feeling she knew where this was going. “Auntie...you said you got this from your godmother?”

“I did!”

“Who was your godmother?”

“Empress Henrietta Maria Ines du Soleil IV!”

Motherfu- this is a former imperial residence! Tori nearly wanted to scream aloud, but held it in. She tried not to show her dismay.

“Sister Maria, your godmother was Empress Henrietta?” Axton asked, stunned. “She gave you an imperial residence?”

Unperturbed in the least, Auntie Maria nodded. “Yes! My mother was a junior musician who studied under the same master as Godmother. My mother was guided by her often when she was young. The story is that Godmother had three sons and no daughters, so my mother named me as her goddaughter to bring her joy.”

“And...and so she gave you the palace for crown princesses?” Tori asked, unable to accept it. What kind of ruler did such a thing?

Auntie Maria nodded once more. She lifted her finger and tapped her lips. “I’m surprised no one stopped her, too.”

Tori ran a hand down her face. “And you’ve kept it all these years?”

Auntie Maria smiled. “Your grandfather said I should. I thought about selling it to others or returning it to the imperial family, but I felt a bit uncomfortable doing so since this was my godmother’s gift to me just before she died.”

“Why did you leave it to sit there, unattended?” Axton asked, looking at the stretch of building with disbelief.

“I don’t have the money to maintain it properly. The Sophos family is a scholarly family; our wealth is limited. I always prayed that the gods would guide the right people to come to me whom I can hand the property to without feelings of worry or concern.” She squeezed Tori’s arm and smiled at her fondly. “And you came!”

I swear to God, this family is the biggest ‘golden finger’ in the entire game. Victoria, what the hell. Now that Tori knew what property her aunt was talking about, she couldn’t help but be hesitant. Even if she only paid for the value of the land, it didn’t scratch the surface of the property’s monetary value, not to mention its historical value. If she agreed to buy it, she’d be cheating her aunt. “Auntie....”

“Before you say anything, let’s have a look inside!” Auntie Maria said as she produced a thick metal key. “I promise you; you will fall in love with it!”

She scrambled up the steps to the massive iron doors and Tori watched as she used an almost comically large key to unlock one of the doors. The sound of the unlocking doors alone seemed to echo around them before Auntie Maria leaned against the door and pushed it open.

Alexander trotted right in, and Tori followed. “How long has it been since you’ve been here?”

“Oh, quite some time,” Auntie Maria said. “I last visited before I joined the abbey, so it may be a bit dusty.” She laughed and looked over her shoulder as she lifted her arms and waved, triggering the long dormant light crystals into illuminating the massive foyer. “Still, I think you will be quite satisfied!”

Part of Tori hated that her aunt was right.

All the decorations and furniture that were once inside of the Lunar Pavilion had been removed when it was given to Auntie Maria, but there were still exquisite details all over the interior. Door handles, door frames, ceilings, hallways, light fixtures, the interior courtyard and garden, and the gorgeous mosaic tiled floor all screamed classic imperial wealth.

It was far too easy to imagine crown princesses of old strolling down the porticos and having coffee in the now overgrown garden. Despite its neglected state, it was gorgeous.

And it was all Tori’s for the low, low price of more than she could currently afford.

She had never felt so financially ill-equipped in Soleil until this moment, and she came from one of Soleil’s wealthiest families.

“Darling, I know we agreed on only the land value, but I’m afraid that’s the lowest they could assess it,” Auntie Maria said as she stroked Tori’s back sympathetically. When she showed Tori the paperwork and the estimated value of the land, Tori had stumbled to the side and grabbed a column as if the numbers had physically wounded her. Auntie Marie looked troubled. “Should I just gift it to you? The biggest problem is your Aunt Fabiana.”

Tori knew property in the Central District was expensive, but she was unprepared for just how expensive. She pressed her forehead against the cool stone column as she tried to calm herself.

“No...I can’t take this from you for nothing, Auntie.” She might as well rob her aunt.

“Do you want it?” Piers grasped her hand gently. “If you want it, I’ll buy it for you.”

The foyer where they stood seemed to freeze in time. Tori remained against the column and closed her eyes, but could already see her aunt’s surprised expression and Axton’s one of sheer annoyance.

Piers sounded like a web novel CEO who spoiled his lover with irrational, over the top purchases that frustrated their already stressed assistants. Tori knew that Piers meant it, too. If she asked, he would buy it for her.

She took a deep breath. She already received so much from him - and even if she didn’t, buying the Lunar Pavilion was too much.

“If you have that much money, you can start letting Axton and the knights eat for free at Cafe Fortuna.”

Piers looked away, but still held her hand. “You can just tell me no.”

Axton shot him a glare.

Auntie Maria giggled. “This one reminds me of your father. If my sister ever mentioned something she was interested in, and Gregorio heard, he’d try to buy it for her.”

Tori smiled a bit. She could see her father doing such a thing earnestly just to please her mother. “Papa didn’t offer to buy her a former imperial residence.”

Auntie Maria laughed and put her hand over her stomach to try to hold her laughter back. “No, no, he just married her and gave her a march.”

Tori briefly saw the look of recognition on Piers’ face and quickly spoke up with a sharp look. “It’s not a competition.” Piers’ earnest face deflated.

“I bet your father would let his friends eat for free at his restaurant....” Axton muttered.

Tori took a deep breath and turned to face her aunt. “Does it have to be paid all at once?”

Auntie Maria’s face looked at her intently. “Darling, it doesn’t have to be paid at all. The only reason I agreed was so Fabiana doesn’t complain because she wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of it. You know my second sister is quite envious. Your mother is beautiful, a genius, and a marquess. Your Uncle Dom is a brilliant mathematician and celebrated musician. I am Empress Henrietta’s goddaughter. If I give you this property as a gift, she wouldn’t accept it and will trouble you.” She let out a heavy sigh and crossed her arms as she shook her head. “That woman is really so annoying. She simply can’t let others live better than her....”

Tori drew her lips inward and bit them. She nodded quietly.

“I can pay for half.” She heard Axton speak up and looked towards him. He was standing in the center of the foyer with his hands on his hips as he looked up at the vaulted ceiling, seemingly admiring the architecture. He paused for a moment and looked back at them. “The upper floors are suitable for an inn, and I don’t have any inns within Horizon’s city borders. This location would be ideal for high level guests of the empire who aren’t guests of the imperial family.”

“If Axton can pay for half, I can also pay for half,” Piers said, taking a step forward and meeting Tori’s eyes.

She sighed and shook her head. “No one is paying for half.” Piers opened his mouth and she cut him off. “Or buying it for me.” He closed his mouth.

Axton furrowed his brows and looked down, thinking. “What if I sign a multiple yearlong lease for some of the upper floors? Would that make up the difference? My inns are reputable, and I will of course pay for any renovations and furnishings, as they would be my responsibility. You’d just have to check for any repairs that need to be done.”

Tori pursed her lips. It was an enticing offer.

“Renting a space in the Central District is expensive,” Piers said. “And historical buildings require more attention and must meet stricter guidelines.”

“To be honest, Tori, I don’t want to split the property,” Auntie Maria said as she looked up and around at the beautiful interior. “The building is historically significant and splitting it into smaller, individual lots would damage the structure and ruin the inner courtyard gardens.”

“I need to think about this,” Tori said. “Aside from buying the property, I’d still need to have it inspected, have repairs done, then do any remodeling and furnishing. Then there is the issue of hiring people and upkeep and overhead costs....”

Lions Gate didn’t have much fluidity at the moment, either. However, Tori didn’t know when such an opportunity would arise again. She supposed she could wait until she had more money.

“Auntie, do I have to buy it now?” Tori asked, her voice quiet and strained.

“No, of course not!” Auntie Maria beamed. “I will hold it for you. When you’re ready, it’s yours.”

“Don’t hesitate. Go with Axton’s proposal,” Kasen said over the comcry. Tori sat on her bed with several papers regarding the Lunar Pavilion with her, including the estimated value of the property, and quotes from the masonry and carpentry guilds on repairing parts of the neglected building. “You wanted property in the Central District, and it’s being handed to you. As Auntie Maria said, the only reason you’re paying is because of Aunt Fabiana. If she knew how much you paid, she can’t complain. She and her family would never be able to afford it. Even if it isn’t opened at once, you can get started on some of the projects you’ve been thinking about.”

Tori took a deep breath. Her eyes were still fixed on the uncomfortably long series of numbers on the quote. She wanted a better idea of how much the property and basic renovations would cost her, even if it hurt. The guild masters had rushed over when she called, and they looked excited to have the opportunity to work on such a building. They assured her that they would handle it personally.

As she still had reservations on purchasing the property from their aunt, she decided to call her family for their opinion. Her parents offered to give her more money, but she felt uncomfortable taking such an amount for nothing. It wasn’t as if her parents would allow her to pay them back; she was their little princess. Anything she wanted; they would give her if they could.

Sebastian offered to loan her money when she rejected his initial offer to simply hand her the amount required. It was tempting, but Sebastian had a wedding coming up and Tori didn’t feel comfortable taking the money considering his situation. If Sebastian wasn’t getting married, she would’ve likely agreed.

After she rejected Kasen’s money, he opted to encourage her to take up Axton’s offer. Axton was doing this as an investment in his business. An inn within a former imperial palace fit perfectly in the Central District, and Axton’s request to rent a private flat of his own would be convenient for him.

“Axton just became Duke Alvere a few months ago, Kasey. Not only is he working on the infrastructure repairs, and having counts and viscounts review the state of his duchy, he also just invested a lot of money into upgrading his inns,” Tori said.

“Tori, you don’t know how wealthy Axton personally is,” Kasen replied in a firm, knowing voice. “He keeps it hidden well, but during his mother’s time, the Alvere Duchy was the wealthiest duchy in the empire. Despite his father having a bit of control for over a decade, the damage he did only scratches the surface of that wealth. Control of Alvere’s major industries was handed over to the Empress on the grounds of imperial oversight until the heir - Axton, came of age and title, and Mama had assisted. Axton’s inns are a personal endeavor he and Piers came up with to upset his father. Now that Axton is Duke Alvere, everything has been handed back to him. He’s flush with money, so don’t hesitate to exploit him.”

Tori’s lips tightened into a line. “All right, I’ll talk to him about this again and we’ll get all the necessary parties in line.”

“Good,” Kasen said, sounding approving. “By the way, since you mentioned Axton’s inns, I have more information on Nicole Neil, who is opening inns along the trade route. She doesn’t hire locals. She brings in existing employees.”

“That’s not too surprising. It’s easier to manage and set up with experienced employees, though it is somewhat annoying to locals,” Tori said as she leaned back against the wall. “We’re also doing that for Duel.”

“Yes, but we can track the registries of your villagers back to their original border village,” Kasen told her. “From what our people are gathering, the new employees are trying to re-register to Chetterswickshire are orphans or from rural Nord.”

“What’s surprising about that?”

“Nord is the most sparsely populated administrative region in Soleil and these ‘employees’ of Neil are coming from unnamed villages and areas that Nord have no records of. They are either new and have not yet been recorded; extremely sparse to the point that they don’t meet the requirement to be considered a village and are instead minor settlements, in which case they should’ve registered as individual homes to the march; or they don’t exist at all.”

Tori sat up straight. “What do you mean don’t exist? Neil’s employees are lying about their place of origin?” She shifted uncomfortably. “Then where did they come from?”

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