149 Old Enemies Friends 2 (1/2)
”It's done, young man. Your friends are safely back in Duke Leanne's care. And in case you're worried whether it's really done or not, I'll even give you time to check and let down the barrier for a short moment.” The Laughing Man seemed rather happy to serve Lars as he spoke such, causing both Lars and Silvan's heart to itch with curiosity once more as to why he was so congenial all of a sudden.
”Alright, let me check.” Lars pulled out a telephone and made a quick call to Boa. Once he confirmed that his companions were returned in good condition (though they were still unconscious), he nodded and thanked Joker who quickly bowed once more and left.
”Well boy, can we hurry up? As they say, time is money, and my time especially is worth more than it's weight in gold...! What are your next requests? Make it quick!” Duke Silvan was already rather on edge both from the time wasted as well as a bad feeling about the way things were moving.
He consoled himself once more as he lifted the cup of tea to his lips and took a deep long breath, drawing the warmth wafting from the teacup into his lungs. The newly refilled hot water brought out the best fragrances and flavours of the tea leaves and Duke Silvan felt his soul calmed and his emotions soothed by the refreshing and warming scents which stood in contrast to the cold underground surroundings, especially now that they were on the cusp of winter.
He felt better as he began to sip at the tea as he reasoned that this was but a small stepping stone and a tiny investment in view of the grand scheme of things. After all, what did it matter if a little chick affronted him? It was not in public or anything and it wouldn't affect him at all!
Satisfied with these thoughts, he raised the cup to take a long draught of tea as he watched Lars speak chirpily.
”Okay! Then, I want to marry Princess Moira after the Nationals!”
Instantly, Duke Silvan splurted out his entire mouthful of tea in front of him in a nearly 180 degree arc of tea-mist, covering the
'GODDAMN MOTHERF***ER!!! How dare he ask such a preposterous thing?!? Who does he think I am, the King already???' Duke Silvan huffed and puffed as his face turned a myriad of colours - mostly red - in shame, disgust and resentment.
The worst part was that, as he was facing in Lars' direction when he did this, he would have covered Lars in a coating of saliva and tea but for the fact that the boy had instantly vanished from where he sat and appeared 5 feet away, just out of range of the fountainous liquids spouting from Duke Silvan's mouth!
'Almost as if though he already knew that was going to happen!!!!!! BASTARD!!!!!' But the handsome and refined middle-aged gentleman refused to let it get to him even as he felt the veins in his forehead throb. He wiped his face and the front of his gold-embroidered shirt as he recited a mantra to soothe his nerves: I'll skin that boy, I'll skin that boy, I'll skin that boy x1000000.
Lars stood there and looked on in amusement, not even bothering to veil his maddening smirk as he seemed to mock Duke Silvan's circumstances. This made the blood rush to the duke's head once more and he felt as if though his vision were turning red and pain lance through his chest.
'Ugh!! No!!! Silvan, Silvan! Calm yourself down... You can't let a suckling baby get to you like this; what will you do when you become King and Emperor then...? You can't let just anybody affect your emotions... Don't be like grandpa who died from a stroke when he was too mad after learning that you had impregnated your sisters... You gotta be zen and calm... Chillax bro Silvan... Chillax, me...'
Silvan closed his eyes and took deep breaths, ignoring the fact that he was making a spectacle of himself in front of Lars. He did not mind; the boy would soon be a contractual slave, anyway, how could he speak of this to anyone...?
He began to open his eyes and speak his reply, ”Boy, haha, that is out of my capabilities. For such a thing--”
”Yes, just as I expected, you're not very useful, are you...” Lars folded his arms and sighed, putting on an expression of disappointment as the duke tried to smile in self-deprecation, but the smile came out as something more like a snarling animal hoping to tear out the throat of it's mortal enemy.
”Alright then, simple! I want to be assigned as Princess Moira's personal guard and butler - no, her exclusive guard and butler! You can do at least that much, can't you...? Or are you incapable of even that little...?”
Refusing to take the bait at the obvious jab at his pride, Duke Silvan nodded and smiled magnanimously, saying, ”Just that...? Of course, of course! It shall be done the moment the Nationals are over, you have my sworn word, engraved into our contract. Here, let me do it right now - I'll modify the contract array on the spot. You can watch if you don't believe me!”
”Really...? Wow! You're the best! If I had known you were so influential, I would have asked for something more... Oh, wait, I forgot - you already told me you're not able to do it... Nevermind then...”
Duke Silvan nearly choked in rage as his mouth opened and closed, lips trembling and unable to speak in his blinding anger. He felt like it would be better to die in anger and take the boy with him than endure any more of this verbal and mental torture! He breathed in and out deeply, closing his eyes for a moment as he hissed out venomously, ”Come on, boy! Tell me your remaining three requests! I don't have time for your games! If you don't want to strike this deal, it's off and over with! But don't forget - since you didn't fulfil your part of the deal, you'll have to bear the costs of all the Underworld's services, including the ransom fee and ”transportation” fees!”
He nearly bellowed out this ultimatum to Lars and, to his pleasure, he saw that the boy was taken aback and slightly shaken, appearing unsettled and nervous. Silvan smiled at the small victory and waved his hand twice quickly, indicating for the boy to hurry up.