I was inside the office room of my mansion, sitting behind the desk. Looking at the newton’s cradle before me, that I had custom made with Alice’s help, I couldn’t help but sigh.
"Newton really was maidenless for him to come up with something so idle." I pull a ball and let it go as the infinite cycle of going back and forth continued, "I get the scientific structure it was built for... but man, is this boring."
"Master, can I come in?"
"Yes" The boredom inside me vanished as I hear Anna’s voice.
The door opened and a figure that I missed for quite some time finally showed herself as she slid in and locked the door. She gave me a bright smile with closed eyes, "Henry"
"Why are you standing there for? Quickly, come in and sit." I stand and gesture her in.
She nods and quickly comes forward to sit before one of the desk’s chair.
"Anna... why are sitting there, come closer."
Anna wondered what that meant before smiling as she understood. She stood up, breached past the desk and sat directly on Henry’s lap, "Is this close enough, master?"
I lean in and kiss her deeply, "I told you to call me by my name when we’re alone."
Anna only smiled at that and hugged me tighter. I hugged her back as well, knowing she missed me more than she said.
Anna giggled as she opened the hug, "Did you just sniff me, Henry?"
"I’m sorry." I smile happily, "I haven’t smelt your flower like fragrance for some time and it felt really refreshing."
Anna giggled again and murmured, "Reminds me of that night in the Religias tent."
"Nothing" She shook her head, "What did you call me for, Henry?"
My left hand brazenly grabbed her butt and squeezed, "Because I wanted to be with you."
"And we can do that all we want later tonight." She rubbed my cheek with love, "But to get to that, I need to finish my work and there’s a lot left, so why don’t you get straight to it, huh?"
"Damn, even you won’t waste your time to spend time with me? That’s a hurtful change."
"I have always been a good worker, Henry. It’s only you who’s changed so much." I smile and redirect from the obvious red flag, "So what’s been happening inside the infamous zone?" Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel•fire.net
"Aside from the usual, we have started recruiting people for the Tax army, building more defensive fronts, making houses for the extra weight and a few other things just as you said, Henry."
"And how’s that recruiting going?"
"It’s going okay, not many people know about us, especially since we’re not a very popular sight. Those that do come, come from big cities that know about your involvement with gangs or your founding of the Crys Cave."
"And they want to implement themselves in a better place, mostly wanting to be my special guards, right?" I say.
"I think so, at least that’s what Jacob, Raven and a few captains said as they monitored their behavior."
"That’s normal of them, ambition gives people drive, without it, they won’t move forward." I nod with a calm look, "If there are any interesting people among them, show them favor and give them precedence."
"Make them understand that talent and hard work would pay them the reward they earn, obviously some more than other."
Anna nods, "Which is why Raven’s planned a heavy training regimen to find out interesting individuals... but he isn’t very enthusiastic about it."
"Well, if those ambitious guys really had talent, they probably would have gotten good jobs already." I murmur, "But let’s be patient, I’m sure, we’ll find some diamonds in the rough... we just have to broaden our diamond excavation zone."
"Create some good looking, money grabbing recruitment posts and plant it in various cities. Of course, make sure to place it in places that will gather attention, but not the unkindly ones." I say, "Like bars, prison, small villages and other places should be avoided."
"Try placing it around mining caves, fighting circles, banks and other places of curious sights."
I smile at her curious look, "Believe it or not, people that have their monetary backs turned to the wall, tend to bring out their most for survival. But not all... only some."
She nods and takes a moment before speaking, "About Madam Tax-"
"Tax" I roll my eyes, "Please, we both know how enthusiastic she is about being a Tax. All she’s here is to grab a slice of this pie." I point to myself.
"That is true but that doesn’t mean we can ignore her presence."
I look straight at her, "How has she really been here?"
Anna sighed, "Quite arrogant. You should have seen how she acted when she first came here, it was as if she owned the place when she told the guards to grab her bags."
"It took 6 swords pointed around her neck to silence her and give her identity. Without you around, we didn’t know how to act so we were cautious around her."
"I hope she didn’t mistreat any workers while I wasn’t around." I say.
It’s one thing for me to mistreat my people and another when a bitch suddenly comes in and starts doing it.
"No... even though she’s a lot haughty around us and speaks nonsense, she doesn’t show any cruelty. I’d figure she’s afraid. All alone here with only two maids and just a group of guards." Anna smiled sarcastically, "It’s like caging oneself in a den of wolves."
I nod, "Regardless, it is brave of her to come here with such meager company. From the looks of it, she knows of my connection with the underworld and is trying to check how far she can take the balance."
"So what do we do about her?"
"Don’t mind her arrogant actions, most nobles are like that, some much worse than her." I think carefully, "But never let her out of your sight, always give her the feeling that she can stay her, but will never be a part of this."
"And yet give some advantage to her. Like some maids or workers who are more... close with her."
Anna gave a special smile, "The maids I handpicked for her are good at what they do, they are already accustomed with people like Madam Quenney."
I smile as an idea came to me, "Learn about everything there is about her and her family. And make sure, everyone calls her, Madam Quenney. Someone else is already coming for that Tax name."
As I say that, I pause and look at Anna. She faced away and I couldn’t tell if she was angry or sad.
"Are you angry at me?"
"Angry?" She turned to me and gave a wide smile, "Why would I ever be?"
I sigh and hug her, she was much better at hiding her emotions then I could ever have.
Anna getting the sudden hug, felt out of proportion. But her body acted on its own and hugged her only love with great tightness, afraid of letting go.
"The marriage won’t change my feelings about you." Anna only hugged tighter as her face stuck to Henry’s chest, "No matter who comes, the one who stands atop my heart will always be you, Anna."
She didn’t hear the almost imperceptible break in his voice... probably she didn’t care to.
But both of them truly believed that they would love each other wholeheartedly, no matter what.