For the first time in ages, I brushed my hair with an actual brush. Not just ran it down with my fingers a few times – a brush. Brushy-brush. A real deal. There was a good reason for that, I was about to enter devils-den – the mansion of Aleister Rosewood also known as Merchant King. The current leader of RoseWood company – greatest guild on the entire continent. This man meant more than all the kings, mages, senators and aristocrats. A man whose invitations I was politely declining over and over again, reducing my interactions with his guild to the bare minimum - only with his underlings (like old fart Bayley who so kindly started supplying my apothecary pretty much free of cost).

There was a good reason for me to avoid this man – business is like a game- if you want to win you have to avoid stronger players. Unfortunately, I ran out of luck. Avoiding this man became impossible, you could always decline an invitation to another city, but, as I recently was informed, Aliester came to the city because of “spontaneous, not planned business trip, to check local guild” – just a few days after I got in here. Coincidence? There is no such thing as a coincidence. Even more, as usually guild checkups meant that the specific location started generating lower income than it was supposed to (or it started generating a loss, but that’s rarely happened to companies ruled by Rosewood).

This is why I was trying to look as good as possible - look like the world’s 8th miracle. Also because Giselle really wanted to stand out.

“Zari, are you ready?” Gisselle knocked at the door before popping her head into the gap between the door and doorway “… For the mercy of the goddess! Zariel! Look at yourself! Look what you did to yourself!” “What now?! You have any idea how much I have spent on that Jester uniform to look like one of those damn aristocrats?!...” The robes cost ten times more than I wanted to pay. They were made of rich black material that someone managed to reflect some light back, it was smoothly lying on my body. “… I have spend past three hours to look, as Lanele suggested, , and not bare-assed beggar that came from the bushes!”

At first glance, it was modest, humble even suit. Only when you would pay some more attention you would notice some decent, yet rich ornaments. Two silver cufflinks at each cuff and three hair clips keeping side of my head at state of spontaneous messy order. At top of that single ornament looking like a bird brooch with its wings spread out was keeping my caped tied around my neck.

The clothing was very, but very uncomfortable once again ensuring me in my statement that rich people are living to be looked on, and not to feel comfortable. It was itchy, it was restricting my moves and made me feel like an idiot.

“And you nailed it! That’s my problem! Do you have any idea how many vixens will try to cling to you!?” her tone of annoyment turned into the purr of deeply pleased admiration “.. just look. At. You!” “I thought you prefer sweaty and stinky brutes.” I teased back “For the main course, yes, but now you look like a midnight snack!” “Giselle! That was actually very witty!” Oh, the pride she beamed with was simply adorable “… now, don’t keep me waiting, show yourself.”

As if waiting for the invitation, she finally entered the room, not only with his head.

“S-so, how do I look.”

Long, elegant red dress was falling till her ankles, it was cut vertically on the sides, like a combat dress, so each time she made a step you could clearly see her legs, and damn, she had nothing to be ashamed of! I just noticed, that hair that she usually had tied into a single braid (for purpose of traveling and combat) she had now freely falling down on her shoulders and lower back, her hair naturally curved slightly creating a cascade of waves.

“Zari?”

The dress was long, too long for my taste, earings made of some crystals exposed her natural beauty of her slim face. On her neck she put a necklace with fiend fire emerald – gift that I gave her while we were departing from the Kingdom of Dwarfs. Jewel was wonderfully matching with her eyes, making it almost hypnotizing to look in her direction.

“Zari. You are about to earn a punch from me…” “Sweetie, don’t talk to me for a minute or two, I am struggling not to jump on you.” I eventually answered. “I… guess it means I look decently?”

D-decently?! I always find her pretty, but now…

“Gis. Right now I am re-thinking my plans for tonight. Instead of boring our asses on some shallow and dull meeting we could…” “Zari. The cart driver is waiting!” She pouted “I will gladly tell him that he may just go away…” “Zari, we are going. End of discussion.”

I groaned annoyed.

“Don’t be like that! We are going to have some fun!” “No, I am going to suffer agony with you by my side as only source of comfort.” “So… you really don’t want to go?” tone of sadness could be heard in her voice “… After you I can go even into depths of seventh hell.”

I raised from my seat, approached her and offered her my arm.

“My lady, will you do me this honor and favor to be my company this evening?”

With smile she rested her body on me.

“With pleasure, love, with pleasure.”

We headed out leaving the guild. On our way out we were spotted by few adventurers, that seeing us in “not-exactly-clothing-for-adventures” were “a little” shocked. I have to admit – it was very pleasant to feel lustful gazes of women on myself… and not so pleasant seeing similar gazes of males after Giselle. What can I say? I am a hypocrite. As an act of dominance I put my arm around Giselle waist and brought her bit closer to myself, then I looked deeply in eyes of the man that stared the most.

He backed out.

Good. Good. It’s good to know you are still respected.

We entered the cart as cartman hold the door for us. And I must say – if I was feeling like a Jester in all this sparkly accessory, then the cartman lifted my mood. Because he, he looked like a moron! Harlequin at very last. As if someone drunk too many colorful drinks and puked with a rainbow. Red and Black and Blue and shit… Jesus. How much is this guy getting paid to wear it!? For fuck sake! He even had a huge hat with long like ass feathers! My dude! How much your dignity cost!? Have some shame!

“I see that my Lord is in very good mood…” the cartman noticed. He wasn’t aware that he was the reason of my wonderful morale “How can I not be? I am about to spend a night in presence of lady of my life.”

I answered with a trained tone. Cartman nodded his head with aprovement, Giselle blushed, normally, for making such a statement in public, I would get a punch. But this time, Gis wanted to act like a lady! It meant that I have whooole night for spoiling her to my heart content.

The distance between the mansion and the guild was quite huge, so we spent quite some time in silence. Giselle was nervously biting on her lower lip and I was staring at her trying to burn this image in my mind.

Eventually, she noticed my not-really-discreet gaze and I would get yelled for … I have no idea what for, she said I was stressing her out.

Silly thing.

In about thirty minutes we arrived at the gates, just to notice a huge queue of carts similar to our lining in front of the main entrance. If I would have to use a single word to describe what was happening, it would be a “carnage”. Because of safety reasons and prestige of the party every guest would be checked if he was having an invitation and then once again checked if they were on the list.

I didn’t mind waiting like a civilized being without oversized ego, but my cartman had other plans – he called for a guard, said who he is traveling with and demanded opening side gate just for us. I was readying myself for another comedy scene, yet, much to my surprise, the guard did as he was said. Oh, the hate in eyes of other guests was actually quite sweet and delightful, I think I could understand why nobles were acting like spoiled assholes all the time. I don’t share that need with them – only understand it.

We stopped in front of stairs leading to the mansion, cartman once again opened the door for us and helped out leaving the vehicle. I tipped him. Man with gratitude bowed his head before driving cart off the entrance making spot for next carriages.

“Are you ready to dive into viper’s den?” I asked “Come on, it won’t be that bad, last time it was rather nice, don’t you think?” “Last time we were hosted by a noble whose wife I saved. This time we will be hosted by jackal that will try to force me into becoming his minion. Or to overtake my little enterprise. Or both. Or gods only know what else.” “So… I forced you into something nasty?” “No, love, I ran out of excuses either way. This man is used to always get what he wants. He wanted to meet me, so for over a year, he was trying to organize a meeting with me. A year, Giselle. Man, that attends dozens of meetings weekly, that travels whole world far and wide, that controls thousands of workers and suppliers. Every sane person would just wave his hand on such troublesome pest like myself. But not him. He wanted to meet me, so he is about to meet me. If I would run away this time too, he would try again. And again. Till one day he would just march into my room, saying that he was around and wanted to come over and say hello.” “… I am having a second thought about this party. Say, if we would tell them that suddenly I felt really sick…” “Gis. You are a half-dragon. You don’t feel sick. Never. And even if, I am an alchemist and druid that should treat it on the spot.” “Fair point. No turning back?” “Just you and me against the world.” I smiled.

She hugged my arm even stronger and nodded. We entered the mansion.

“Mister Zariel Whiteraven, with his charming companion Giselle Redwing!” as soon as we entered the main hall our eyes were hit by awfully bright light. From the side I could hear the announcer yelling our names.

As soon as our eyes got used to the light inside, we noticed how colossal this mansion truly was. The whole guild could fit just in the guest hall, and then there were also kitchens, party rooms, offices and guest rooms all across the building.

The awfully bright light was caused by magical crystals places instead of torches, and damn me if it wasn’t a spectacular show-off of wealth and position. Many of crystals were made into chandelier-like structures, adding to the beauty of the place.

Saying that the place was crowded, was like saying nothing at all. I didn’t know that there were this many nobles in the whole country!... Useless shits, get a normal job, would you?!

Once my name was mentioned, many greedy eyes turned in my direction, most of the people seeing me for the first time in their lives appeared to be… disappointed? Shocked at least? The hell were they expecting? That was actually a good information for me – if you are being underestimated the negotiations will be much easier.

“My, my! You? Here? I thought you don’t like such parties! Too sophisticated for you?” I heard such a fake-ly happy tone from my side, that I shivered from the bottom of my spine “Senator! So happy to see you!...” I answered with just as fake tone “… indeed, unlike you I hate wasting my time on parties, I prefer working instead, but, there are people whose invitation you cannot refuse! But fear not, once I would be as old as you and couldn’t hold the vial in my hand because of shaking palms, I would most likely spend all my time on such negotiations meetings!”

On the face of Head of Alchemist guild, a single vein popped out. I knew that her age was a taboo for everyone that worked with her.

“Oh! I am sorry!...” I gasped “… that was so rude of me! I was taught to honor elders, yet I disrespected the person with the greatest… experience… in this whole building! My deepest apologies!” I bowed my head.

Of course, I raised my voice so our little conversation could be heard by as many people as possible.

A second vein popped out.

My opponent still had quite a strong position among merchants and nobles, so no one laughed, not openly at least, yet I saw many faces turning to the side trying to hide a mocking smile.

Mission accomplished.

“Indeed. You would do better thinking before speaking, child, but that was expected from someone as young and naïve as you…” - her whole posture said “I will pay that in mind, hopefully, I still have lots of time to learn… because apparently nothing will move me off the market in the nearest future!” my smiled answered.

The aura around us was getting delightfully thick as we were looking deep into each other eyes refusing to move heads to the side. We didn’t even blink. This gaze-battle lasted for almost a minute, and I was sure it would last longer, if we weren’t interrupted.

“A-ha! Zariel! My friend! I heard that you would come but to be honest, I didn’t believe!... Greetings to you, Senator.” A fat merchant with a sharp gaze approached us “Bayley! You old hyena! Let me congratulate your promotion! I wanted to do that with a letter, but in the end, I deiced to do that in person!” “You heard about it?” the man beamed with pride “Of course, that yes! I don’t want to sound rude, but I am always watching my contractors closely!”

A-ha. My ass. That was but a lucky guess. Bayley used to own a small shipping center in the middle of nowhere. Such a person would never be invited here unless his position changed

“My little promotion was caused mostly by me signing a contract with a new strategic partner.” He smiled at me cheerfully “Is that so? I wonder who you outsmarted and took on your bait this time!” I decided to sweeten his life with a few more compliments. It was more than obvious that he meant me “Can’t say! You know, business secret!” he laughed cheerfully, appreciating my innocent compliment.

But if Bayley approached me, it meant only one thing. One charade was over and another one was starting, one called the business game. The game, in which he will improve his position on the market by introducing me to potential partners, suppliers and such.

“Before the party would actually start, would you fancy to come with me? We have a loge booked with few friends of mine, and they are dying to meet you!”

Quick to act, Bayley? That was expected, but your boldness exceeded my predictions. It’s good though, you are a honest type. You don’t hide your deals behind faked smiles and promises. Straight to the point. I can respect that.

“I am sorry, Bayley, but I am not alone here, I will go where my lady will follow, how do you like this idea, Giselle?”

I looked in her direction, and by closing and opening my eyes slowly I gave her a sign that I don’t mind.

“Of course I would love to finally get to know you better, Mr. Bayley! Zari is talking about you all the time, it will be a pleasure to meet someone who is respected by him so much!”

Giselle scored for me some additional social points.