Despite the expected answer, it does not get attacked.

As the three of us settled into the carriage, I took some time to examine my traveling companions. They both had a somewhat nervous aura to them, seemingly uneasy with my presence in the carriage with them.

The carriage itself began moving not long after we got inside, no one seeming to wish to be late to our aid effort. This was also displayed in the speed at which we moved, it having to be one that would be considered inefficient for long-term travel.

I sat staring out the window for a short while, before I decided to make conversation. "You know this area a bit better than I, do you know how long should this travel take by chance?" As I looked over to them, I found Millana biting her lip in thought and Isabell watching her somewhat wearily.

Before I could ask what was on her mind, she voiced it herself. "Is it true that my sister made a deal with you?" I opened my mouth to respond, but she quickly cut me off with another question. "If you are going to deal with my siblings, how can I trust you are going to help me in the end? Even if you are backstabbing them, I am given no confidence you will not do the same to me." She stared me down with a look of determination.

I examined the two of them to test their demeanor after this was said. Millana held herself well, but I could feel she did not have the confidence she portrayed in her speech. Isabell had a surprising look of fear as she flicked her eyes to me occasionally while watching her mistress primarily.

I gave out a light chuckle once I was done. "Allow me to put you at ease. I myself made no arrangements to speak with your sister, however she did approach me and request to make a deal with my master." Millana glared at me slightly, seemingly not caring for the difference. "Before you ask, the difference, is that I have never heard of a man, nor a woman, getting a favorable deal from an entity that is above them."

Millana looked at me with a confused expression, "What are you attempting to say by that? Are you implying that your god swindles people?" Her confidence was slightly shaken, but she was still holding firm on her offensive.

Shaking my head in a disappointed expression, I responded. "Not in the least. I simply mean that when you are making an arrangement with something, or someone, who is your better, you can commonly expect the terms to not be in your favor." I could tell she intended to challenge this, so I had an argument ready. "Let me ask you, if you made a contract with the king, who do you expect would fare better from its terms?"

She opened her mouth to retort, but paused as she actually considered what I said. I smirked to myself as I let my silver tongue work its magic. Even when it wasn't actively enchanted, I was able to talk myself out of situations that would have ended in **** for any other man.

In the end she let out a somewhat annoyed exhale, "I suppose that is fair to say. Regardless, I still need your word that when all is said and done, I will be the one you sponsor for the seat of Wodegta."

At this I began to open my mouth before pausing as if I had just realized or remembered something. I then let out a sigh and shook my head, before stopping once more and tilting my head in thought.

Millana was quite clearly not pleased with my non-answer, as well as my cryptic actions. "Are you unwilling to give a promise? Did I take you for a better man than you were?" She seemed to have regained some of her composure, thinking she was gaining power in the discussion.

It made it all the better to pull the rug out from under her. "Well, I was thinking about how I am uncertain if I can make that promise, though I can make something close." I teetered my head while looking upwards in thought.

Her mask faltered somewhat, her curiosity seeping slightly through her facade. "Why is it that you feel unable to give your word? And what other deal do you propose instead?" She was still trying to hold up control.

And I was all too happy to render the negotiations entirely in my favor. "Well, the problem is that I just finished a deal with your father that would instate me lord as of Wodegta." I let a moment sit for what I said to truly sink in. I then followed it up with an allusion to my counter offer, "However, that was not the only term of our deal that favored me..."

The brave and strong mask Millana had on shattered nearly completely. She looked at me in horror, then to my slight confusion to Isabell. Isabell closed her eyes with a pained expression before nodding slowly, seemingly knowing my words were true.

She stuttered in disbelief, "Wh-what? N-n-no. That isn't-that's not..." She paused and stared into nothingness for a few moments as she tried to recollect any thoughts she could. "What bargain was made in exchange for this? What has my father demanded."

I took a deep breath before responding, "Not a simple task, I can assure you of that. He requested me to retrieve your eldest brother for him." A look of slight hope dawned on her face before I crushed it, "And before you ask, it does not have to be willingly, as long as it is alive."

A sideways glance to Isabell once again confirmed my statements true. Millana grasped for any bargaining chip she had left. "That will surely take time, and you need the resources to properly run such a location."

I smiled to her as one would smile to a child, "You may be surprised to know that I am quite skilled in most forms of management. However, I am not saying you have been cut out of the equation..."

These words gave her the slightest glimpse of hope, and I knew I had already won our negotiations. I had wormed the conversation around in such a way that I could be the hero for solving a problem I had made. Regardless, she muttered the words I was waiting for. "What do you mean?"

I allowed my smile to become more real, a slightly malicious one that felt more natural. "It is rather simple. Another term of my arrangement is that I shall be given the hand in marriage of either you or Norma. You need only grant your word that you shall be faithful to me and me alone, and there shall be no doubt to your place."

I reveled in the fact that I had turned this entire discussion to the opposite spot it had started. I laughed maniacally on the inside as I awaited her response.