RISE OF EROS

Gaston led Donald and Teresa to Candice's office, who had already been notified of their arrival and was waiting for them. Unlike when Andrew was visiting her, the office door was open and the guards did not dare stop them.

"Welcome Marquis Valoide and Marquise Valoide," greeted Candice as she saw them enter. Although Candice and Teresa were long-time friends and Donald was her most important business partner, Candice chose to greet them respectfully.

Since she knew they had come to visit her on official business, she couldn't be too casual with them. Even Donald and Teresa, who felt strange to be greeted so formally by her, said nothing because they had to keep up appearances.

Nobles lived on appearances. That was easily observable with the policy of the establishments in the red light district. They are the main customers of the pleasure houses and casinos there, but they never said it openly, and although it was known to all, they kept up appearances.

It was a bit hypocritical on their part, but that was the way things were. After cordial greetings, Candice invited them to sit down and offered them tea. Normally nobles would not touch such beverages, but Donald and Teresa were not pretentious, so they did not refuse.

It was also to be known that this tea was of very high quality and Candice only used it when distinguished guests visited her. Even when Andrew visited her, she did not serve him this quality beverage.

"Well, Marquis, how can I help you?" said Candice not wanting to extend the meeting. Even though they were friends and distinguished guests, she did not change her stance on dealing with business quickly and directly.

Donald was not a person who liked to waste time either, so he began to talk about the subject they were to discuss, "Miss Candice, I am here on behalf of Your Majesty the King to report on the rewards for service rendered to the empire."

Donald paused and added, "The king has granted you, 100,000 small gold coins, as well as the deeds to a small villa within the noble region of the city. Also, you are informed that the nobles were warned not to meddle in the fight with Lord Johan, but only for one year, so, if you cannot deal with him in that time, the empire will not intervene."

With all that said, Donald paused and drank some tea, while watching Candice's reaction. To his surprise, Candice was unfazed by the rewards, as for her, unlike the last reward they were not very substantial.

Candice had a lot of money and although 100,000 small gold coins is not a small amount, it was not a large amount either, not for people like Candice.

The villa in the noble region of the city was not a great reward for her either because while it was not easy to acquire such an asset, it was not of much use to her. It would be a different case if she had been granted a noble title even if it was honorary, but the property itself was no big deal.

Noting the strangeness, Donald asked, "Aren't the rewards to your liking?" Candice replied respectfully, "Honestly, they're great rewards, but not to the point of surprising me."

Teresa laughed quietly as she listened to her friend, as she was already expecting Candice to say something like what she said. She knew that these rewards would not move a person like Candice and she had told her husband so, but he did not believe her.

In fact, Teresa had no reason to be present, but she knew that her husband brought a difficult request for Candice, so she came as a mediator because she could also sense what Candice's response would be to the request her husband brought.

"Miss Candice, I also bring a request," Donald said adopting a straight and formal posture. Seeing Donald become serious, Candice did the same and indicated for him to proceed with a wave of her hand.

"We have noticed that your association with young Andrew is still continuing," Donald said, to which Candice replied, "I see you have your eye on me, Marquis." Although she didn't accept it, nor did she refute it, her comment was more than enough to imply her position.

"Understand Miss Candice, we can't neglect a person like that young man, so anyone who gets involved with him will be under our gaze," said Donald without any embarrassment.

"I don't blame you, Marquis, I understand your position, what do you need?", Candice said in a calm voice, as she sipped tea, "We would like you to help us by reporting young Andrew's movements," Donald said seriously.

The moment he finished speaking, Candice's face darkened and the atmosphere became tense. The silence stretched for a few minutes and Donald was trying to read Candice's attitude, which was not difficult to interpret.

"I know it's a bit of a difficult request, but...," Donald was trying to explain, when he was interrupted by Candice, "I'm sorry, Marquis, I refused." Candice's blunt response surprised Donald, but Teresa just sighed waiting for that to happen.

Donald planned to explain again the importance of the request, but Candice was quicker and said, "Marquis Valoide, if I discover that Andrew is up to anything improper or illegal, rest assured I will notify you, but I will not spy for you."

"I don't see the difference," Donald said wrinkling his eyebrows, but Candice let out a small laugh of irony and said, "Marquis, let's not play dumb here. I am a businesswoman and while it is true that information for my profession is vital, that doesn't mean I won't honor my trade allies."

Candice paused, took another sip of tea, and continued, "Andrew has only brought me sincerity and goodwill, so until he shows me a different face I will not be your spy to control him."

Donald had a bitter expression on his face, as he did not like Candice's attitude and wanted to pressure her to accept, but this time it was Teresa who stepped forward saying, "My love, don't make stupid comments and threats. I had already told you that she would not accept."

Teresa seeing that she had caught her husband's attention, continued speaking, "You are looking at the situation as a marquis of the empire, but you are not looking at Candice's situation as a businesswoman. She has a reputation to uphold, who do you think would make deals with her if they found out she is a spy for the empire?".

With Teresa's comment, Donald calmed down and thought better of the situation. His wife was right. Although contradictory, negotiations between merchants were based on mistrust and trust at the same time.

Neither believed in the other, but they did not show it openly, giving a false sense of trust, however, if Candice agreed to his request, it would be the same as putting up a sign saying that she is not to be trusted.

The king had not really asked him to make this request to Candice, it was all an idea of his own initiative, but now that he evaluated it with a cool head, he noticed how abusive the idea was, so he retracted it.

Letting out a long sigh, Donald did not pursue the matter any further and after finishing his tea he got up to leave, but at that moment Candice, spoke again, "Well, now that the official business is over, Teresa, do you want to see the new designs I have?".

Teresa was getting up to follow her husband, when she heard Candice's words and sat back down with curious eyes, "Bring them over, I want to see them." Donald was about to admonish his wife, but then he remembered how exciting the dresses she had bought earlier were and held back.

He had enjoyed his wife's sensuality, so he was also a little excited to see what new clothes Candice would show off, but to his misfortune, Teresa said, "My love, it's no fun if you see it ahead of time, so you can go, then I'll give you the surprise."

Reluctantly Donald said goodbye and left the office accompanied by Gaston. The two ladies were left alone in the office and when the marquis had left, the guards at the entrance closed the door giving the ladies privacy.

Candice wasted no time and quickly went to get the dresses Andrew had brought her last time. Although these outfits were geared towards the young ladies, there were some lingerie items that appealed to Teresa.

The two ladies tried on all the outfits and although Teresa wasn't too thrilled with them, the lingerie was another situation. She had enjoyed her best time in the bedroom with her husband, thanks to the previous outfits, so, without hesitation, she bought one of each design Candice showed her.

"I'll wear these for myself, but these casual outfits are pretty cool for youngsters, maybe I'll tell my daughter to buy some," Teresa said, as she put the lingerie away in her dimensional bag.

"You can tell little Eris to come straight to me. It's not proper for her to buy these at the store," Candice said with a smile to which Teresa replied, "Don't play pranks with Eris or you'll hear from me."

Candice knew her friend was joking, but she also knew better than she must not go overboard. "Don't worry," Candice replied and after a few minutes of informal small talk, Teresa said goodbye and left.

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