Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean

After introductions, Yalena's father conveniently removed my father from the room under the premise of business talk. My father couldn't very well say no so he had no choice but to leave me with Yalena in the office.

As I watched them leave, I began to feel a piercing gaze on the back of my neck. Turning, I saw Yalena leering like a big cat over prey, her hands folded neatly over the side of the armchair. Her body was leaned forwards, making her look as though she'd pounce over the chair at any moment. Despite her position, her full smile never left her face.

"So... Charlie" she began, stretching the words. Yalena stood up from her chair and began to walk over to myself who was seated on the couch. Then, Yalena shot her hands to the back of the couch, effectively trapping me. "Do you think I'm pretty?" she asked teasingly.

Did she just kabedon me? "Pffff" I couldn't hold in my laughter. Seemingly shocked by this, Yalena backed off with a frown on her face. I hadn't felt at all threatened by her advances because I couldn't take them seriously. She entirely overestimated my lust—and sexuality—although I guess I fit the demographic of teen boy.

After controlling my laughter, I asked Yalena to sit down. She'd removed her frown and now sat normally in the armchair to my left. "What were you aiming to accomplish Ms.Ouma?" I asked bluntly. Embarrassed, Yalena blushed slightly before responding with "I think you're really handsome" in a small voice while looking down shyly.

"Do you really?" I asked without pause. I made no effort to soften my words or move from the couch and simply watched as Yalena's face went through a series of expressions until she looked up again with a plain face. "You don't like girls, do you?" she asked. "No" I replied while chuckling at her bluntness. "I'll ask again, what were you trying to accomplish? I'm sure we can make some kind of deal if I stand to benefit" I said.

Yalena paused before hesitantly saying, "I was trying to secure power for my family. Most of the nobility who've arrived in the spirit lands after fleeing Paloma are in a bad state. They may have their titles and money but most don't have any influence on the spirit lands not to mention, land." I nodded periodically, agreeing with her view. "So you were trying to seduce me into marriage since my family controls the human territory in the spirit lands?" I asked. Yalena nodded.

I'd realized that the new nobles would become a problem. In the spirit lands, without power, they'd become arrogant brats that think they're superior to the commoners while most of them were just rich. When they realize what they lack, things could become violent in the pursuit of power. I'd definitely want to avoid such a situation but what could be done to pacify the nobility?

"Yalena, what if we made a deal?" I asked slyly. Yalena's ears perked at the question, showing interest. "When Paloma is invaded and inevitably conquered by one of the empires, the only thing that the nobles other than the Byrons will have is money. When that happens, I expect the nobility to become violent and try to overthrow the Byrons." I said calmly. Yalena raised her brows but didn't speak.

"Before any of that happens, a social order needs to be established in the spirit lands. When Paloma is lost, new territory can be assigned to the nobility accordingly which will sate them but only if they respect the authority that gives them the land. The Oumas being the highest and wealthiest nobility in the spirit lands have that kind of respect while the Byrons do not." A look of realization began to show on Yalena's face as I continued.

"I propose that our families join together, not in marriage but in co-governance of the human territory in the spirit lands. You will have the power your family needs and my family won't be overthrown." Yalena was deep in thought and began to smirk before I clarified "Don't think that you can just overthrow us prematurely and take all the power, the citizens won't respect the Oumas rule."

Yalena went back to thinking for some time. After raising her eyes to mine once more she asked, "What about when the empire comes to invade the spirit lands?" I smiled, glad that she had the foresight to realize the inevitable. "Don't worry about them. Just trust me when I say they'll be taken care of and that no harm will befall anyone in the spirit lands."

Without the context that I was in fact a powerful magic user, Yalena was left very confused. "How can you say that? Who is backing you?" she asked in quick succession. I didn't really think this through in retrospect. What assurance could I give without divulging my magical prowess? If I didn't ally with the Oumas, I'd end up having to set an example for the rebellious nobles to keep them passive. This was my only option that I could stomach. "Come alone to the Byron estate tomorrow and I'll show you."