Mansion Lowblom 7 - Successful negotiations

Lacos followed Sarine into the Lords office. When he had returned from the ball yesterday she had already been sleeping in her quarters. His curiosity about the remainders of her evening was sated by her good mood at the breakfast table. “We will see him later today.” She had promised and refilled her teacup.

We, in this instance, meant that him and Reiline were accompanying her. Apparently Stef had actually met somebody that wasn’t immediately put off by him. Something that Lacos greatly approved. ‘Stef might be over-the-top serious but he is not a bad person.’ He thought as Sarine opened the door ‘It is about time he finds somebody.’

Sarine entered and Lord Lowblom, quickly raising his head, turned red. “My Queen!” He said. “Don’t mind my aides.” She put him at ease. “Sarine, as previously established, Logar.” Was he confused? To Lacos she sure looked that way. His eyes also quickly darted over to the ornate chair from last time, giving the Drakonoid at least a slight clue about what could have transpired.

“Sarine, then.” He said and cleared his throat. “Please, do take a seat.” He was trying to act as collected as possible but his eyes seemed to glue onto Sarine’s soft lips. ‘Now I am staring as well.’ Lacos laughed at himself and turned to Reiline instead. The maid looked at him with a quizzical expression? “What are you doing?” He lips formed. “Looking at my girlfriend.” He responded in kind.

Sarine had sat down in the meantime. “I hope you haven’t forgotten the agreement that we came to yesterday.” She said. “I could never!” Logar denied and then, perhaps getting a bit daring, he added. “I would love to hold similar conversations in the future.” It was Sarine’s turn to blush. “Maybe it can be arranged…another time though.” She admitted and then calmed herself down.

“Let us go over the details though. I will protect you from my Uncle’s repercussions you have my word in return though I will need a few things.” The Lord nodded slowly and asked. “State your wishes.” “I want you to re-install the magical devices you have stored.”

Logar acted like he would keel over, his face turned bleak and he had to hold unto the edge of the table. ‘Well, it looks like he was thinking something less drastic. Poor guy, poor, naïve guy.’ Lacos mused into his mind. “Sarine…that is…the danger involved…it is…” he stopped not sure what to say. “It is the logical conclusion of your crisis, Logar.” Sarine said. “As founding was cut from the capital you had to eventually use these technologies again. Tolfin **** you to do this.” She gave Logar a sly smile. “At least that will be the official reason.”

“But…the regent will know that that is a lie, he already gave me money to switch allegiances.” “Is there a paper anyway that confirms that?” Sarine asked. “N-no, he wanted me to try to pull other people over and having me officially be turned would have been counter intuitive to that goal.”

“B-but..won’t he just tell everyone I am an oath breaker?” “He can only tell his closest allies.” Lacos stepped in with a smile. Time for him to be useful in this whole situation. “Think, Lord Lowblom. What would Tolfin have to do to in order to spread the truth?” Logar was slightly confused but answered anyway. “He would have to tell the public.” “So he would need to admit to bribing you as well as losing you afterwards, correct?” “Well, yes?” “What would that mean for the regent and his reputation?” The young noble understood. “It would even further damage his relation with the south and seeing how one of the nobles he wanted to turn stayed with Sarine instead would be a blow to his prestige, especially as I have already gotten the money. It would doom me but hurt him as well.” Lacos nodded. “See, it’s not that bad.”

Sarine raised her hand to gain the Lords attention again. “We will only be using the most basic of machines anyway.” She explained. “Like the ones that sprinkle the fields. I aim to eventually legalize them and other basic live simplifications over time as a base to oppose my uncle.”

“Why though?” Logar asked. “Haven’t you given up the crown for him?” “No, my pledge was to reign when the people want me to, not before then.” Sarine answered, “What I aim to do now is to get into that position.” “And remove your Uncle at the same time…well then I guess I have made my choice.”

He looks over to the ornate chair again. “Feels a bit arbitrary to use that as my reason but…well, I dislike Tolfin anyway. I will help you in your endeavour, Sarine.” The two nobles, Lord and Queen, shared a smile as Lacos whispered to Reiline. “If Sarine wins all of this, this will be the starting moment mentioned in history books, just you and me are here to witness it.”

Reiline looked up to him. “Honestly I don’t care that much about history…but this seems like a glorious occasion to get drunk.” Sarine giggled, she must have heard. “I think that is a good idea, Reiline. Would you like to join us, Logar?” The noble made a displeased grimace. “Yes, but I will have to write a very calming letter tonight and **** makes that particular endeavour harder than it already is. Another time.” “Another time.” Sarine promised and rose from her seat.