The "Behemoth Council" Casino was working as before. The nobles were afraid to return to the betting tables after the death of Count Moutuni, but the luxury and pleasure that Ferdinand Brighton provided to his customers made any other casino a garbage unable to satisfy the nobles' vices. Therefore, it did not take long for them to return to the betting tables and luxurious parties.
The re-opening of the casino was held in style, with an auction by the Baroness of Jewels herself. For the first time she would make an auction out of the underworld, which attracted even more people. With the promise of auctioning jewelry made by a new jeweler, whose popularity has spread in recent months, the nobles were curious to see the pieces.
Everything was going according to the plans of Grand Duke Grimwood, showing the most powerful how much they could profit if they were by his side. The Baroness of Jewels has exclusivity on the sale of Lucian's jewels, and Ferdinand increases the profit in his casino. The two came out winning in that negotiation.
"The Baroness asked me to deliver this document, as a way of thanking for the sponsorship."
The man extended the envelope to Magnus, who held it promptly with a satisfied smile. Opening the envelope, he read the first sheet of the document, being even more impressed with what he had in his hands.
"How generous. It seems that your boss really had the best night of her life in this reopening."
"We wait for new pieces in the future, Your Grace" The man bowed respectfully.
"Of course, as long as she continues to help the miners and my husband, she will continue to have the unique pieces that Miss Pendleton creates together with the jeweler." Magnus closed the envelope, raising his head to the man with tanned skin who continued with his head curved "Soon she will take the new pieces."
"I will convey your words to the Baroness."
The Baroness's messenger bowed respectfully before leaving the office. Brighton, owner of the casino, sat behind his desk with arms crossed watching the door close. Only when alone with the Grand Duke did he finally let go of the breath that held him in the last few seconds.
"You are more dangerous than I imagined, Your Grace. Though I cannot complain, since I am profiting from it."
"Glad you're aware of that."
Magnus left the envelope on the coffee table and crossed his legs. His attention fell on the man who removed his mask, revealing his face disfigured by the burn.
"Well, anyway, all traces of an auction have been erased. Should I thank you for that too?"
Opening a smile, Magnus made the answer clear. Well, maybe he himself should thank Jesse for that later.
"How about you give me information? That's why we are in this society, isn't it?"
"Of course, of course" The man sighed defeated, although he had already foreseen that matter "You mean Rayland, right? I have done some business with him, especially if I want goods from abroad to be sold in the casino."
"Hm... so he would be a merchant?"
"Not precisely. He's a pirate."
Magnus raised his eyebrow, a little incredulous of what he had just heard. Pirates were known as sea robbers, bandits present in fairy tales. Hardly anyone would believe that they really exist.
Or maybe they were a bunch of people who live in a nefarious way and call themselves pirates.
"This seems to me a dangerous joke" The malicious smile appeared on Magnus' lips. Despite the absurdity of that conversation, he seemed inclined to believe "So he is a marauder who loves to travel the seas... this matches someone from the underworld. Have you heard from him?"
Ferdinand shook his head thoughtfully.
"I hear he's been having some problems lately. As a pirate, he likes to try to negotiate with the ports to secure a route for his transactions."
Magnus' eyes narrowed in interest. If a supposed pirate was having trouble, and usually he likes to relate to ports... so that means...
"Don't tell me he's trying to dock his little boat in the Port of Baydenn..."
Noticing the malice and mocking tone in Magnus' voice, Ferdinand shivered like an evil omen. The crimson orbs overflowed a malice without equal. It was like a danger sign that should be kept on alert as he approaches cautiously.
"Well... it's likely. I heard you got into a fight with some smugglers over there."
"Yes, Geledel's people were using a very dangerous route to get there faster and without being noticed by the inspectors. Does this friend of yours use the port route often?"
"Just recently. He brags about having maked a big deal, but the last time I saw him, he seemed frustrated."
It was natural, since now the Port of Baydenn was under surveillance from the Imperial Palace because of contraband investigations. The most natural thing would be for them to find another way to dock in Roveaven, but it would be more work since the other ports are far away.
For a pirate, he would not need an exclusive port to dock. Hidden places, deserted beaches... any place would be enough. The more hidden, the better. Only that Baydenn was still the best place for everyone because it is close to the capital. If they want to bring goods into the underworld, then the Porto de Baydenn would be the most strategic point to dock.
"Can you get in touch with him?"
Surprised, Ferdinand looked at Magnus in silence. He pondered whether he should accept or not, but upon perceiving the seriousness and coldness in the countenance of the Grand Duke, Ferdinand only agreed with his head.
"I can, in a way."
"Then ask him to come here. I would love to meet a pirate in person. Besides, what do you think about going out for some hunting?"
Raising his eyebrow, Ferdinand did not understand the question, which increased Magnus's smile.
"Hunt who?"
"Rebels. I bet that in the underworld there are warehouses being used. I want to do a sweep and find these places."
"Know that the people of the underworld will not like it. Especially a noble wanting to search...." Sighed Ferdinand, running his fingers through the hair.
"The Underworld functions as a place where the strongest command" Magnus tamboured his fingers on his leg, widening amalicious smile while contemplating his own plan "If you and I investigate that place and show everyone that there is someone to command, wouldn't it be beneficial?"
"That would get the Emperor's attention."
"You should know how to use me better, Brighton" Magnus looked at him from the corner and let out a low laugh "By chance have you forgotten who I'm married to?"
Blinking stunned, probably for the second time that night, Ferdinand remembered the detail that has been ignored for the last few months: the man with whom that demon was married. The Eighth Prince of the Roveaven Empire... the Holy protected by the temple.
It was the turn of Ferdinand to open a weak smile on his face.
"Frankly... you are the worst. Do you intend to use your own husband as a way of asking for the Emperor's blindness for what we do in the underworld?"
"I do not intend, I already do."
"Don't you fear that your dear husband will feel betrayed and used if he discovers this dirty side of you?"
Magnus laughed. A funny and mocking laugh that left the casino owner confused. Wiping a drop of tear in the corner of his eye, the omega looked at Ferdinand with the greatest pride he could wear.
"I really enjoy the innocence of people when it comes to my husband" He laughed a little more and then blushed looking at Ferdinand "Don't be fooled, that guy is a lovely manipulative rat."
Ferdinand looked at him in silence and incredulous for hearing such words said by the Grand Duke. A person would certainly be offended, but the fascination expressed in Magnus's countenance and the blush on his cheeks... Perhaps it was a very strange compliment.
"Do you hate your husband for saying such words?"
"On the contrary. I admire his genius, don't you realize how much I admire him?"
"... No." Ferdinand replied dryly, making the Grand Duke laugh even more amusing with his reaction "But considering how... Precious it is, maybe end up attracting unnecessary attention to the point that someone wants to steal it from you."
The air became tense between them abruptly. Ferdinand widened his eyes as he saw a gloomy shadow on the countenance of Grand Duke Grimwood. A presence so strong and frightening that it made him afraid inside.
"Who would be the bastard with a death wish who would dare to touch my alpha?" Magnus growled.
Of course. If he showed such cruelty to murder a nobleman who dared touch lord Eugene, what would Magnus Grimwood be able to do when the subject was your husband? That man was a true cold and despicable monster, just as the rumors said about him.
Ferdinand now saw with his own eyes how much he had partnered with a scary guy. Exactly the kind of person that the underworld likes to rule.
"Calm down, calm down. Let's put that aside, what do you want me to do? Just find these warehouses?"
"Yes. I'll lend you guild staff to assist you" Magnus calmed down "If you want to take advantage of the loophole to find out if any of your debtors are involved with rebels, you can hunt them down and punish them at your leisure."
"Beware... you are giving me a power that is too seductive."
Rising from the couch, Magnus took the envelope and headed to the door. The words he left behind made it clear that he had farfetched plans about to come into action.
"Let me know when you're done having fun on this hunt."