It took about a week for them to finally meet. That dawn, a storm ravaged the Roveaven Empire, with strong winds furiously swaying the leaves of the trees, a cold and grotesque rain that concealed any secret conversation from the ears of others.
A perfect climate for that group of people.
When he heard that Rayland was a "pirate", Magnus could already imagine an adult playing like a child wearing a stereotypical costume. He had already prepared himself mentally for a ridiculous and insignificant vision. However, when Captain Rayland took off his coat and turned out to be a strong man in expensive robes in ordinary and comfortable patterns... It became difficult to hide your interest.
Captain Rayland was a man of tanned skin and long hair, being clearly a foreigner. The light brown eyes shone with charm and cunning, and the lazy smile on his face made it clear that he was comfortable even in front of the Grand Duke. Clearly a person who exudes the kind of message that would not care about the status of the person in front of him, he would treat it the way he wanted.
They stared silently, the environment lit by candlelight and the rays of the stormy night intensified the heavy weather.
"Allow me to introduce you" Ferdinand broke the silence "This is Captain Rayland, the pirate with whom I occasionally made deals. Rayland, this is the..."
"I know him very well" Smiled the pirate with arrogance, leaning on the couch without taking his eyes from Magnus' expressionless face "It seems that the suits up there have your name in their mouth."
"I hope you only heard the horrible things about me."
"Of course."
It was strange how they could say those pinned words without any subtlety. Both made it clear that the presence of the other did not bother them. Either because one of them is a pirate who holds some power of the underworld, or because the other is the greatest noble of high society and has been conquering the underworld.
By the way, that room seemed to gather the most powerful people.
"I must admit that I was surprised by your invitation. I thought I would have to take the initiative to find you."
"Is there anything you wish for me, captain?"
"That will depend on how our conversation will proceed."
Magnus opened a thin smile and amused to realize that he would be dealing with a more astute person.
The other two names from the underworld are influential people, but it was fairly easy to make deals with them since Magnus and Lucian ended up stuck in situations that gave such a break. Whether for the death of Count Moutuni or to rescue the precious daughter from the house of Jupiter during a tea party.
But with that pirate it would be different.
It would be two men negotiating directly. Magnus needed to stay alert and not pass any information.
"I would love to know the reason for the unexpected invitation coming from you, Grand Duke. What do you want from me?"
"Your strength, of course." Said Magnus directly, making the captain remain silent while waiting for him to continue "As you may know, there is smuggling being carried out from Geledel into the Empire. We know that someone from within the nobility is behind this."
"Hm... as expected, the nobility is a crap. I'm not surprised to hear that, nor imagine how I can be of any help."
"I am willing to let you make use of the Port of Baydenn, if you lend me your naval force to hunt the garbage of Geledel."
Rayland's gaze shone, but he did not show whether or not he had liked the proposal. It became clear that Magnus had gained his attention only. Magnus maintained the cynical smile while Rayland watched him with a defiant look and said, in tone of nonchalance:
"And do you think I will put my men's lives at risk to settle the internal disputes of the nobility?" A sarcastic laugh escaped his lips. "The arrogance of the nobles is impressive."
"Think it's too cheap? I heard you were having trouble finding a place to dock your stolen goods."
A servant served drinks to them, who remained silent in a veiled threat. Magnus made it clear that he knew what Rayland needed, that he could have information about him. But the captain was making it clear that, despite his needs, he did not intend to accept offers and close deals out of sheer desperation.
The people gathered in that office that stormy night remained silent, suffocated in the atmosphere that only two men were able to create. None of them would dare to interrupt them.
"Do you think I will accept for so little?" he whispered with a crooked smile, leaning towards Magnus. "Let's see how far you go, Grand Duke. I have a price, but it is expensive."
Magnus kept the cynical smile, his eyes did not deviate from the captain.
"Try to surprise me, Captain."
Rayland saw that his bluff did not elicit the reaction he expected. But his interest was renewed; perhaps that was not an ordinary negotiation. A haughty smile appeared on his face, and he continued, bluntly:
"Well, Grand Duke, what I want in return... is the Second Princess of this Empire." He uttered the words slowly, savoring each one. "I want to marry her."
A thunder thundered through the night, making the candles flicker. Magnus, however, did not react with surprise. He turned the cup in his hands and, after a slow sip, answered:
"Is that all?"
Rayland blinked, surprised.
"You heard very well, Captain. Consider the request accepted."
Magnus' response made the captain lean forward, staring at the Grand Duke with a disbelief barely disguised. The Grand Duke was promising the Second Princess as if it were a game.
"I figured you'd back off" Rayland muttered, a note of unbelief in his voice. "Don't you care about the Emperor's reaction? Do you not fear the consequences of taking her out of the Palace?"
Magnus turned the cup and gave him a cold look.
"A map with your name was found inside the boat seized in the Port of Baydenn. More precisely a boat that belongs to Geledel" Magnus said staring at the amber-colored drink, shining in the candlelight "I don't know if they stole or bought the map from you, but it's clear that you're involved in this case."
"Are you trying to accuse me of something?"
The Grand Duke raised his crimson eyes slowly to the man, the coldness and malice caused a shiver in his neck. Magnus made it clear in his look, and in his words, that he had in his possession various information about Rayland, and that he would not let go so soon.
"I learned that Princess Dahlia would be engaged, but that the Emperor was against the compromise and therefore forbade her to leave the Imperial Palace. What makes me think..." Magnus tilted his head, and showed his mischievous smile "... that you would be somehow involved in this. Do you happen to know who the person behind all this is, captain?"
The pirate swallowed dry and opened a malicious smile.
"You're right... I have negotiated with a nobleman. In exchange for having Princess Dahlia, I would turn a blind eye to those boats following my routes."
"But for you to be negotiating here with me, and asking the same price, I assume that this last business of yours is not going to your liking."
"As you said yourself, sir, the Emperor did not allow the engagement because he did not know about the groom. I do not have a noble title, so that person intended to cover me. Since I did not have what I wanted, there is no reason to do my part."
"Ha, this is getting fun" Magnus laughed at his glass "Considering the situation in the Imperial Palace, absolutely everyone who has royal blood is at risk because of this contractor."
It was clear that the captain hesitated when Magnus revealed the imminent danger. Sign that he had some affection for Dahlia. It was not his concern if Rayland was a romantic guy or not, Magnus would just make good use of that information to get what he wanted. Peeping through the corner of his eye, Magnus noticed the person listening to the conversation while hooded, hiding his identity.
Sighing low, soon returned to face the pirate.
"Unlike that person, I can give you the Second Princess without any problem. Even if for this I kidnap her. But I want a guarantee that you will keep your part of the deal."
"Aren't you afraid that the Emperor will cut off your head?" Asked the pirate.
"The Emperor is desperate to get the princess out of the Palace to keep her safe. The problem is that there is no such place at the moment" Magnus left the empty glass on the coffee table and then crossed his legs, facing the pirate seriously "Unless she is in the middle of the sea."
The captain became mute. Magnus was right at that point, only the high seas would be safe, for be far from the capital and the person behind all the smuggling and the rebels. Rayland knew well who was the mind behind it, so he must be aware of their ability as well. Magnus' offer was tempting, though risky.
Basically was putting his own neck at risk for that transaction.
"How do you intend to do that? Plan to kidnap her?"
"If it is necessary. However, I know a way that will make her leave of her own volition" Magnus smiled and looked from the corner to the hooded person "What do you think, dear?"
All gathered there turned to the person who spent the entire meeting staring at the window while listening to the conversation. Lowering the hood, the long blond hair slid over his back and the diamond eyes shone with insight.
"If it is something that my beloved husband desires, I will fulfill his will, even if I have to cry blood for it."
Everyone in the room turned to Lucian, but the pirate took a little longer, surprised by the unexpected revelation of loyalty. Rayland tried to disguise the surprise, but he was visibly impressed.
A satisfied smile escaped from Magnus' lips as he saw the Captain cornered by revelation.
"So, Captain, can we close the deal?"
Rayland looked at Magnus and then at Lucian. The storm roared in the background, but the tense silence was almost tangible inside the room. He finally bowed his head in approval, the cynical smile back to his lips.
"Deal, Grand Duke."
With the answer of Rayland, Magnus sat down on the couch, satisfied. That was only the first step of many, but he already knew that, one way or another, he would have his victory.