Chapter 69: HEHE
[Current Balance: £2,733,402 9s. 11d.]
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'Kronos!'
Not even a second later, the surrounding turned grey as Alaric looked around, then smiled. Everyone was frozen. The queen was looking at John Churchill as the latter's mouth was open. William Penn was about to use the knife to cut parts of his meal while Reuben was munching his food.
With a delicate touch, he rose from his seat and approached the Queen's side. There, he subtly cut his palm with a small, thin blade, and allowed a single drop of his blood to fall onto her wineglass.
The blood mingled with the liquid, the effect unseen but certain: the Queen's health, fragile as it was, would improve. This slight shift would ultimately prevent her early death.
Alaric returned to his seat, his movements imperceptible to the others at the table, his eyes quietly scanning the room once more. He deactivated his Sharingan, and time resumed its normal course.
'Ninja? Assassin? Templar? Isu? Begone from me... hehe.'
(What a let down, sorry guys... thought there was fighting, aye?)
The dinner proceeded without interruption, the conversation flowing easily, but there was a shift in the Queen's demeanor. She took a small sip of wine, and for the first time in months, felt a sense of relief, as if something hidden from her had been cleared away.
As the final course was served, Queen Anne placed her glass down, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned toward Penn.
"Now, Mister Penn," she began, her tone taking on a more serious edge. "I trust you are not here to waste my time. You've used our friendly relationship to bring this dinner together... speak plainly. What exactly is it that you wish to offer me?"
Penn sat up straight, meeting her gaze. "Your Majesty, I come with an offer that, if accepted, will ensure the future prosperity of this realm. The Celestial Salves I mentioned earlier, are gifts to help England in exchange for something."
The Queen's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into her voice. "And what exactly would you have me agree to, Mister Penn?"
Penn's lips curled into a slight smile. "A simple matter, Your Majesty. Abolisment of Bristol's slave system..."
"Simple matter!?" The Queen stared at him, contemplative, the silence stretching between them.
"Your treading on thin line, William. The Slave Trade in Bristol has brought one-hundred fifty thousand pounds of money to the crown yearly... how many Celestial Salves are we talking here?"
Penn met her gaze steadily. "Your Majesty, I would never bring such an offer without thinking of your position and the crown's interest. I will have forty thousand Celestial Salves arrive here tomorrow."
"That equivalents to one million pounds with each valuing at £25," Penn stated and paused, then continued. "This gives Bristol four years until the city starts paying tax again... after that period, I will make sure that Bristol will pay £250,000 in tax onwards."
"..."
"..."
Everyone was nervous of the Queen's decision. Penn appeared to be calm, but his palms were sweaty.
Even John Churchill, with all his power, couldn't help but hold his breath. 'It is a good deal to the crown indead... all that's left is her decision...'
The Queen sat back, her fingers tapping the edge of her glass lightly. Finally, after a long pause, she nodded.
"Very well," she said, her voice calm but firm. "The terms are accepted. But know this, Mister Penn... there will be no second chances. If Bristol fails to meet this sum, you will answer for it."
Penn nodded, a satisfied smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Everyone couldn't help but exhale the breaths that they were holding, making the Queen chuckle.
"Now, unto other matters... how are your children, John?"
"Ah... yes, Henrietta has been..."
"Oh, really?"
"Ah, yes..."
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An hour passed before Alaric could finally stretch his limbs after the lengthy discussions about politics and the Queen's pointed questions directed at him, Reuben, Penn, and Churchill.
'Could've sworn that meeting was eternal,' he mused, fishing a cigarette from his pack, placing it to his mouth and lighting it with his finger. 'I swear... she should do some exercise... okay, my bad.'
He took a puff and sighed as Penn approached him from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Spare one?" The quaker asked as Alaric glanced at him for a second, before giving the middle-aged man his packet.
Alaric tossed him the pack without looking. "Keep it." He sank onto a nearby bench, Penn joining him as Reuben emerged from the mansion.
They enjoyed the silence as the black haired Reuben finally got out of the mansion and walked over to their side. The former thief settled on a separate bench, grimacing at the smoke.
"So," Penn began, breaking the quiet. "When do you head east? There's a ship leaving for Portugal at 10am."
Reuben's gaze flicked to Alaric, who exhaled a plume of smoke toward the moonlit sky.
"... Tom- wait," The blonde replied but paused as he turned his head towards Penn. "You're influencial and have multiple connections... know anyone who'd charter a ship… discreetly? For the right price?"
This question made Penn's brows rose a little bit, but he thought about it and cupped his chin.
"Hmm... not offhand," The quaker replied and shook his head.
The blonde nodded his head as he looked at at Reuben, "What about you... would you mind journeying right away?"
"Makes no difference to me," Reuben shrugged as he crossed his legs. "I don't mind being here, I also don't mind going right away."
"Portugal it is, then," Alaric said, stubbing out his cigarette.
Penn studied them, a faint smile forming. "I'll miss the chaos you two bring. But I expect to read about your exploits in the papers someday."
Neither Alaric nor Reuben responded, their attention fixed on the man who'd allowed wealth into their lives.
"I will probably head to Bristol when business here is done... after successfully abolishing the slave trade system, I'll journey towards Pennsylvania," The quaker stated as he stared at both Alaric and Reuben. "I'll probably come back after two years, as I have lots to do in America."
"..."
"..."
Alaric nodded as he took a puff from his cigarette before throwing it away. "You know..."
Penn glanced at Alaric but allowed the blonde to continue.
"I never told you this... but," Alaric smiled as he placed a hand on Penn's shoulder. "None of this would've happened if we hadn't crossed paths that night. Yes, I saved you.. but you gave us a chance. So… thanks."
"..."
"..."
Penn cleared his throat, looking away. "Sentiment doesn't suit you, boy."
"Don't worry," Alaric smirked, slapping his shoulder. "Won't happen again."
Penn smiled and stood up. "Anyways... let's go."
"Yeah... let's..."
All of them got up as the moon shined brightly, casting a cold ambiance through their path.
As they walked towards the Palace's main gates, Alaric smirked as he could sense not only one, two, or three people staring at them secretly, but a little more than fifty.
'Despite having close ties with Penn, the Queen's still cautious, aye?' He thought as they got inside their carriage. 'Of course... since there must be a piece of Eden inside, they must be guarding it...'
'Heh... how much would a piece of Eden be if I sell it to the System?'
Alaric was busy with his thoughts as both Reuben and Penn were silent as they were also sleepy.
'I'll find out... tonight.'
'And hey... I didn't need to use Kotoamatsukami at all, what a waste of money.'
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