CHAPTER 186: THE WEEK-LONG BREAK [5]

Selene stopped in front of a heavy oak door.

Her study.

She released Alaric’s arm and pushed the door open.

Creak!

Then her hand was back on his arm. Tugging him inside with that same unyielding grip.

Thud!

The door closed behind them.

Alaric’s eyes adjusted to the warmer lighting. Candles and a small essence lamp cast golden light across the room. Bookshelves lined the walls. A large desk dominated one side.

And sitting in one of the chairs near that desk—

Elina.

Her scarlet hair caught the lamplight. She was already settled in, posture straight, hands folded in her lap like she’d been waiting.

Her eyes blinked once when she saw him.

Then narrowed.

"You first said you’re not coming." Her voice carried accusation. "Why are you here?"

Alaric rolled his neck. First one side, then the other.

He moved toward the empty chair beside her.

"I didn’t plan to."

He dropped into the seat. Let himself sink back against the cushion with exaggerated comfort.

"But I didn’t want to burden my dear sister alone."

His tone dripped with mock sincerity as he settled in. Crossed one ankle over his knee.

"So I came for her."

"Hmph!"

Elina scoffed and turned her head away from him.

"Enough, you two."

Selene’s voice cut through the tension.

She moved around the desk with measured steps. Her gown swished softly against the floor as she settled into her seat.

She pulled open a drawer. Retrieved a leather-bound ledger and several documents. Laid them across the desk’s surface with practiced precision.

"The mining operations are proceeding well."

Her tone shifted. Became more business-like. Focused.

She tapped a column of figures.

"If the ore deposits continue at the current rate..." Her eyes scanned the numbers again. "Then in just the next few months, all of our debts and outstanding liabilities will be paid off completely."

A pause. She looked up at both of them.

"Everything we earn after that will be pure profit."

Elina’s eyes brightened immediately. She leaned forward in her chair. The earlier irritation vanished from her expression.

"Really? That soon?"

Her voice carried genuine excitement. Hope.

She looked at her mother with rapt attention.

Alaric leaned back in his seat. Let his head rest against the chair.

Sigh!

A satisfied sound escaped him.

"Well, that’s the advantage of having a rare vein."

His eyes were half-lidded. Almost lazy.

"Indeed. The quality has exceeded initial projections." She turned another page. "The guild representatives have already increased their standing orders."

"What about the transportation costs?" Elina asked. She was fully engaged now. Sitting on the edge of her seat.

"Negotiated down by twelve percent." Selene’s finger moved to another section. "And with the southern route opening up again, we’ve cut three days from the delivery schedule."

"Which means?"

"Faster turnover. More shipments per month."

Alaric nodded slowly. His eyes tracked the ceiling patterns. "Not bad."

"It’s excellent," Elina corrected. Shot him a look.

He just shrugged.

Selene closed the ledger. Her expression shifted. The satisfaction dimmed slightly.

Her jaw tightened. Just barely. Just enough to notice.

"However..."

Both Alaric and Elina’s attention sharpened.

"There is a problem."

Selene’s fingers drummed once against the desk. A rare show of tension.

"Count Valtair."

Alaric’s eyes opened fully now. His lazy demeanor evaporated.

"What about him?" His voice came out flat.

"The initial distribution agreement was clear." Selene spoke. "We hold thirty-five percent. Duke Rithvale retains twenty-five percent."

She gestured at the documents spread before her.

"The remaining forty percent is divided equally among the other noble stakeholders. Five families, eight percent each."

Elina nodded. Following along.

Selene’s expression didn’t change. But something flickered in her green eyes.

"Count Valtair is now arguing that since the vein runs beneath the border of his territory..." Selene’s jaw tightened.

"Even though it’s clearly within our jurisdiction, he’s entitled to additional compensation. Or a larger share."

She paused for a moment before speaking again.

"He’s demanding his percentage be increased to fifteen. Claims anything less is theft of his ’natural resources.’"

"That’s bullshit," Elina said immediately. "The surveys proved the primary deposits are entirely within our land. His territory barely touches the edge."

"I’m aware." Selene’s tone stayed controlled. "Unfortunately, he’s found sympathetic ears among other families in the agreement."

"They see an opportunity to renegotiate their own terms if Valtair succeeds." Selene’s fingers drummed against the desk again. "If we concede to his demands, the entire agreement collapses. Everyone will want more."

The candlelight flickered. Cast shifting shadows across her face.

"And if that happens, we lose our majority position. The profit projections become meaningless."

Elina’s hands clenched into fists on the armrests.

"What can we do?"

Selene leaned back slightly and looked at him.

"I would have sent word to Duke Rithvale, but..." Her voice was carried carefully controlled frustration.

"He’s currently under investigation by the Crown."

The words landed heavy. Final.

"That’s exactly why the other houses are allying with Count Valtair now. They sense weakness."

Alaric shifted in his seat. Crossed his arms behind his head. Let himself sink deeper into the cushion with deliberate casualness.

"Don’t they know going against us is the same as going against House Rithvale?"

His grey eyes tracked the ceiling again.

Selene shook her head slowly.

"Now it doesn’t matter."

The statement hung in the air.

"The Duke is under suspicion. The other nobles are certain he’ll lose power, either through conviction or political maneuvering." Her green eyes hardened. "So allying with Count Valtair seems the better approach than backing us."

She paused.

Her gaze moved between them. Settled on each face in turn.

"And don’t forget..."

Tap!

Her finger struck the ledger.

"Vernacite is an exceptionally rare and expensive ore. One of the most valuable materials in the kingdom." Her voice dropped lower. "There’s no way they’ll pass up this opportunity to claim larger stakes in it."

Elina’s jaw clenched. Her golden eyes blazed with barely contained anger.

"So the vultures began circling because they think we’re dying."

"Precisely."

Alaric’s arms lowered. He sat forward again. The casual demeanor dropping away.

"How much time do we have?"