Chương 36: Chapter 35 - Just Hold It Together

Listening to the host speak, Kiara determined that one of these days, she needed to find someone who could teach her more about how magic really worked. Or maybe she could run some experiments.

"Your server for the evening will be waiting just outside the curtains," the host said, gesturing to the curtains at the entrance. She pointed to a small rope.

"This will ring a bell outside the booth to summon your server anytime you need something. Your conversations for the evening will be completely confidential, as even the server can't hear you while waiting outside. If you require any additional assistance, please let us know." She left through the curtains, and Kiara noticed that even when the curtains were open, the sound from down below didn't filter through. They must be for visible privacy then, while a sound barrier ward of some kind blocked out the noise.

The extra cost for the room no doubt helped pay for recharging the runes that powered the sound barrier.

"How are you feeling about this?" Kiara asked Dustin as they settled into their chairs.

"Hm? About what?" he asked.

"About this meeting. The investment."

"Ah," he said, leaning back in his chair.

"I'm looking forward to the food, I hear it's exquisite! I've been meaning to come here for some time now. As for the investment, I'm curious what Lord Grivalt will have to say about it. From what I can tell, it's a complete money pit. I'm not sure yet why he wants us involved." She studied his face for a moment. He seemed relaxed, not anxious in the slightest. That was good, since he would likely be handling most of the discussion.

She had been worried that he might be having reservations about the cutthroat business methods they were using, seeing as how he had left his family's business for their underhanded dealings.

"Do you feel bad that we're trying to put him out of business? Is it too similar to what your family was doing?" Dustin laughed.

"The fact that you ask questions like that is one of the reasons I'm not worried in the slightest, to be honest. I know that you would never take it too far. And no, this is nothing like what my family was doing." His voice got more somber.

"They started hiring assassins, poisoning rivals, that sort of thing." Kiara felt a small pit form in her stomach. Dustin played with the storage ring on his finger as he spoke, twisting it in circles.

"Driving a competitor out of business, on the other hand, is all part of the game, I don't have any qualms about that." Something akin to rage or disgust flashed briefly across his face.

"Especially someone like Lord Grivalt." Kiara wasn't sure what that look had been for.

"Oh? Why's that?" * Dustin wasn't sure how to respond. There was a long list of reasons why he felt that way, but he wasn't sure how much to tell Shian. The way Lord Grivalt and his guards had all leered at Shian. The way the servants trembled in the background at his estate during dinner. The miserable condition the servants had arrived in, whose debts they had paid off. He wasn't sure how she would react if he listed off any of those things. Most of all, he didn't want to derail the evening.

Lord Grivalt would show up soon, and Shian needed to be on her best behavior to avoid stirring up any unnecessary trouble. Dustin could smile and laugh through the social equivalent of an amputation if he needed to, carrying on a normal conversation with an enemy was something that he had learned in his upbringing, and he had a natural knack for it as well. Shian, on the other hand, clearly did not. She had shown that much at Lord Grivalt's estate the last time they had all dined together.

He rubbed his chin for a moment before replying.

"Let's just say that I didn't like what I saw at his estate. Removing that man from any position of authority could only benefit the world. I'm not a fan of violence, or anything approaching it, and if things ever head that direction I will respectfully let you handle anything that comes up. However, when it comes to the financial side of things, I will happily do what I can to help drive him out of business."

While he enjoyed making House Yountal profitable, he didn't want to be the means of bringing about someone else's ruin, but in Lord Grivalt's case, he would tell himself whatever he needed to in order to feel better about it. The fact that Shian's family, along with others, would be released into a much better situation as a result helped assuage any guilt he may have otherwise felt. Shian nodded at his reply, a gentle look of concern on her face.

"Good. I was worried you might be stressing out about the whole thing, and I don't think I could pull this off without you." She smiled at him, a soft look of concern for his well-being. He smiled inwardly at the sight. Like he had said, this was another thing that differentiated Shian Yountal from his family. The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

While his father hadn't hesitated to jump to assassinating rivals once the war broke out and business got tough, he couldn't imagine Shian doing anything of the sort. She was too sweet and kind, concerned for others. The head cook, Helga, had filled him in on how Shian had received the new servants from Lord Grivalt's estate. How she had brought them to the kitchens, and personally helped prepare a meal for them.

Of course, anyone that cooked for others automatically earned a soft spot in Helga's heart, but Dustin could see her point. As a wealthy lady, Shian literally had servants for that sort of thing, and no one would have noticed or thought badly of Shian if she'd had the cooks make a meal that night. Helga had even already been there, and Shian had still jumped in to help. It was rather odd, honestly. A lot of things she did were odd.

Very reminiscent of a normal, down-to-earth, poor girl from a small village in the middle of nowhere. Someone who had grown up in a normal, loving family, and had helped tend to crops, animals, and children throughout the years. All of which lined up with her story, but contrasted drastically with the absurd amount of wealth she had on her. Her story about being given a bunch of money to 'start fresh' as she had put it made sense in this regard. What didn't make sense, was how that had come about.

Who had given her the money? And why? And was returning to her home village her idea of 'starting fresh'? These were mysteries that he hoped would continue to unfold in the near future. Before he could respond to her concern, a small bell on the inside of the curtain rang, alerting them to the presence of someone on the outside. The restaurant prided themselves on their privacy accommodations, and would wait outside until someone let them in. Dustin stood to do so.

Before he could make it two steps from his chair, the curtain was pulled aside and Lord Grivalt pushed his way in, followed by his bodyguard, Trevon. The hostess was behind him, a look of alarm on her face. She had been trying to prevent them from entering uninvited, but Lord Grivalt had forced his way past her. The hostess flashed Dustin an apologetic smile and a quick bow from the other side of the curtain.

Dustin nodded politely in return, communicating that he understood the situation completely, and it wasn't her fault. As the hostess followed the other two in, Trevon kept his eyes glued to her, and wasn't even trying to hide it. She didn't seem to mind. Dustin was also pretty sure she was using some kind of illusion magic to help shape the sound waves of her voice, as it glided gently through the room.

A faint feeling of euphoria accompanied hearing her voice, subtle enough to avoid detection by most, but strong enough to make you want to hear more.

"Is this your full party for the evening?" she asked, looking at Dustin for confirmation. He had made the reservation for four, but sometimes plans changed. It was good business to double check. He nodded in response.

"Indeed. If you could send in the server, we'll get our food ordered." She nodded professionally and exited the room. The server entered a moment later. He was slightly taller than average, with a full head of hair styled immaculately, and perfectly straight, white teeth. His voice carried subtle hints of the same illusion magic the hostess had used, but not as strong or refined.

"You're ready to order?" he asked, his gaze gliding smoothly to each member of the party.

"I believe so," Dustin replied. He turned to Lord Grivalt and Trevon.

"Take your time, of course, gentlemen. The waiter is ours for the evening, so he can remain here until you've decided on the dish you'd like." The waiter nodded in confirmation, a wide smile on his face.

"For myself, I'll have your finest steak," Dustin said.

"Potatoes on the side, smothered in gravy. And we'll have two of your finest bottles of wine for the table. And we'll cover the bill tonight, as these are our guests." The server nodded, mentally tracking the order. He turned to Shian.

"Steak and potatoes sounds lovely," she said with a smile at the waiter. Her gaze lingered on the waiter as he turned to face the newcomers. Dustin didn't blame her, the guy was fun to look at. Lord Grivalt's eyes shone with greed at the mention of the bill being paid for. While Dustin had set up the meeting location, it had been Lord Grivalt's idea originally for them to meet. He was clearly thrilled that House Yountal had no qualms about covering the tab.

Lord Grivalt ordered three separate dishes, encouraging Trevon to do the same. Dustin smiled inwardly at the sight. That was good, it meant they felt comfortable here. Their defensive walls weren't up, which would make it easier to get as much information out of them as possible. He also noticed that Shian was watching his reactions to help educate her own. When she saw that he was pleased with Lord Grivalt's actions, she visibly relaxed.

The waiter left to take the food orders to the kitchens, and Dustin jumped right to business.

"So, what are the details of the investment opportunity that you wished to discuss?" he asked. Lord Grivalt glanced around, a slight hint of nervousness in his eyes.

"Don't you want to eat dinner first, Mister Savage and Lady Yountal? Surely some wine will help smooth out the conversation."

"Ha ha!" Dustin laughed easily.

"That's exactly why we should discuss it now, before the food arrives. Once I get some wine in me, I won't be able to think clearly." Lord Grivalt looked at Shian, who was technically the decision maker here, although Dustin knew she would follow his judgment on whatever he decided. To Lord Grivalt's surprise, but not too out of line with Dustin's own expectations, she said, "I trust Dustin to manage my estate in all matters of business. I am here as more of a formality tonight. Please deal with him directly."

Then she looked away, avoiding staring at Lord Grivalt for too long. Both the statement, as well as the actions associated with how she delivered the statement, were not, strictly speaking, great etiquette for a meeting such as this, but if it helped her keep her cool, then Dustin approved. Lord Grivalt fumbled for words for a moment before continuing.

"Ah… Well then… we uh… yes, let's discuss it now. Not that I expect it to matter, your house clearly has an aptitude for recognizing lucrative ventures!" He laughed loudly, pounding the table with his palm. Trevon and Dustin both joined in on the laughter. Shian didn't, but at least she smiled politely in response. Just hold it together for a single hour, girl, Dustin thought to himself. You can do this!