Chapter 57: Meeting in the Red Circle 2 (2/2)

Aldrich looked over the profiles before he settled on one

One that he remembered in crystal clear, perfect detail

A villain with a burly, bristle furred body with a butcher's apron as a costume

This was the same man that had chopped Aldrich's parents into little pieces

Aldrich's undead e of eeance and bloodlust, away so as not to draw attention But even then, his finger trehtly as he pointed at the man's photo

"This one I want this one," said Aldrich

"Oh? The Butcher?" Casimir cocked his head in surprise "He is not quite suited for guarding jobs His personality is rather erratic, and his patience is rather limited A condition of his power, it is said

He is far more suited for torture, ah, wait"

Casimir smiled at Aldrich "Don't tell uard at all, were you?"

"H if Casione Soed you And you want them to suffer Am I correct?" said Casiht Very, very right "How could you tell?"

"I have a knack for sensing out my clients," said Casimir "Mr Vane, you really did not have to skirt around what you wanted You could have toldto hire a guard

I understand you are unfahtforward here

Within the underworld, all desires hidden and locked away may be laid bare That includes a need to ht I a with all of this Thank you for the tip, I'll keep it into help," said Casimir "Will this be your final selection, Mr Vane? Do understand that once you have reached out to arrange a , it cannot easily be cancelled"

"I'm sure of it," said Aldrich

"Excellent!" Casimir clapped his hands triues and returned to its e within the Red Circle by this very week! Details regarding payment and contract details, numbers and words that spoil the ht then, the doors opened, and three e plates covered by cloches, a breadbasket, and an assort from seafood bites to salads

"For no about we enjoy the beginning of this fruitful relationshi+p with a ed the plates neatly before Aldrich, Valera and Casi neatly seared chunks of steak glowing in a bath of still sizzling butter butter baked baby carrots and rich, creamy scoops of mashed potatoes accoed Quake-Hoof Bison steaks," said Casioldcream butter I sincerely hope you can stay and enjoy this meal"

"It smells incredible," said Aldrich, and he did not lie This was food that he could never have afforded to even look at throughout his entire life The kind of food that costed hundreds of credits a meal that only the richest of the rich could afford

"I ree with my husband," said Valera as she put a hand on Aldrich's "This is quite the treat you have prepared for us"

"Oh, it's nothing A simple token of appreciation," said Casimir

Aldrich stayed focused and hinted to Casi"

"A certain Celeste vintage, no? Don't think I forgot, Mr Vane," said Casiive us a pour"

The hulking, ance, bowing as he poured at the red wine in everyone's glasses

Aldrich saw as hundreds of credits in the forrapes just poured out casually like that, but he did not let his upbringing as someone who had never experienced luxury show

Valera, however, seerace of a court lady and slid her wine glass towards Walters with an eased confidence

Walters poured, and Valera nodded ever so slightly before taking the glass and swishi+ng it, swirling the dark red liquid about

Aldrich lass

"Now, a proper toast! To a new partnershi+p!" said Casimir

"A new partnershi+p," said Aldrich as he and Valera clinked their glasses against Casimir's

At the same time, all three took a deep sip of the wine

Aldrich felt the deeply dry and bitter taste and held back a grimace He did not really like alcohol as it affected his diet and training, but he did not let his displeasure show He instead pretended to savor the taste like Casi

When after what see the wine linger in his mouth and sed it

"Ah, hoonderful," said Casimir "This kind of subtle dryness - Celeste is known for this And what better to cut through dry with rich?"

Casimir picked up his fork and knife and reached down to cut his steak and then froze all of a sudden, as if someone had just hit the pause button on his body

Almost immediately, the atiant waiter, came on alert, as did the two mercenaries in the room

Then, after a tense half second, Casiain

"Are you okay, sir?" said Walters

"Hh?" said Casimir as he cut his steak "I have never felt better!"

"Sa in his head