Chapter-10 -Trash-Gold.

"Upon the fulfillment of a single request, the blood offered to awaken me shall wither and fade, sealing me once more within my vessel—an Old Latch Toy. Should the same blood be offered again in defiance of this covenant, the vessel shall turn to ash, and I shall be lost to the void."

He finished, then frowned. His gaze drifted to his own hands, flexing his fingers. Then he placed a hand over his chest as if checking for something only he could sense.

The blood offering hadn't dried up at all.

"This is… unprecedented," he muttered.

I smirked. "So? Did I break the contract or not?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he took another slow, deliberate breath—something he clearly wasn't supposed to still be doing.

Finally, he exhaled.

"You have not broken the contract, per se because the blood hasn't dried up yet," he admitted. "Young Master Dane, you have… exploited a loophole? I doubt even Old Latch anticipated."

I grinned. "What can I say? I took a risk."

Mr. Mortimer studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh—one part resignation, one part reluctant admiration—he straightened his cuffs.

"It seems, Young Master Dane," he said, "I will be staying for some time."

"And?"

"And… I am bound to serve you for as long as your blood remains undried within me."

I nodded and smiled.

"Are you also bound to keep my secrets?" I asked.

Mr. Mortimer nodded.

"What if someone offers you even better choices than me?"

His expression didn't change. "Young Master Dane, if you were to free me from my curse, I would be forever grateful. I would commit any heinous act—kill, steal, destroy—without hesitation, for you and your next seven generations. But even then, I would never betray the secrets of my previous masters."

I raised a brow. "You sure about that?"

Mr. Mortimer met my gaze without hesitation. His voice, steady as ever, carried the weight of an oath carved in stone.

"I am certain, Young Master Dane."

He stepped forward, pressing a gloved hand over his chest, where my blood still lingered within him.

"My loyalty is not something that wavers. It is not dictated by wealth, power, or persuasion. It is etched into the very fabric of my existence. I do not serve out of choice—I serve because I am bound. And once bound, I do not break. Not for gold. Not for threats. Not for promises of freedom."

His fingers curled into a fist, pressing firmer against his chest. His eyes—cold, unreadable, yet carrying an eerie depth—held no hint of doubt.

"Even if my vessel turns to ash, even if my name fades into obscurity, the secrets entrusted to me shall be buried with me. Not gods, not kings, not the desperate whispers of the dying will pull them from my lips."

I watched him closely, searching for any crack in his conviction. There was none.

A slow grin crept onto my face. "You know, Mr. Mortimer, that kind of loyalty is rare."

He inclined his head slightly. "It is not loyalty, Young Master Dane. It is the law."

And then I saw something, a faint smile as if Mr. Mortimer was smiling. His handsome face was mesmerizing.

It was still not morning yet, so I stood up towards the door.

"Help me, Mr. Mortimer."

"Of course, Young Master Dane."

"Do you really have to address me with such a long designation?"

"Master Dane?"

"Just Dane…Please."

"Yes, as you wish, Dane."

I nodded and walked out of my room, followed the stars and instead of going to the front, I went towards the back.

Dane was faster, efficient, agile and treated me like royalty. Opening each door before I could reach it as if he was able to read my mind. It was kind of awkward to get pampered like that.

"No need to do all of that Mr. Mortimer. Just stay beside me. No need to do anything else unless I request."

"Yes, Dane."

I walked out in the back alley above the stream of stench flowing away. I looked towards the direction of that large warehouse where those children might be sleeping right now.

I took a deep breath and walked away. After several turns and shortcuts later, I arrived in front of a small stall. A fire was burning near it, several shady looking people still awake, trying to get warm.

"What the hell?" One of them recognized me. "You! That cat lover!"

I raised my hand. "I am here for business."

"We have unfinished business with you first."

"The pay is good…in gold…in three digits."

"Are you making fun of us? That we are so easy to…" Before he could say more, I splashed a handful of gold coins.

They immediately dived to collect and started fighting among themselves too.

The side door of the stall opened, a familiar face walked out, it was the same bald leader.

"You!" Now he had several scratches on his bald head.

"I am here for business, and as you see, I am not short of gold. That gold is for your pain."

Everyone who was picking the gold frowned and then they glared at me. Slowly they stood up and with cursing under their breath gave it to the Bald Leader.

The Bald Leader looked at it and then closed his fist. "What business?"

"Torch the Dried vegetable shop."

Everyone paused and looked at me like I was a mad man.

"Do you know who the owner is?"

"A backstabber…why? Are you afraid?"

The Bald Leader squinted his eyes.

"Were you not trying to make your name in Haron's Bazaar?"

Still nothing.

"Fine, I will ask Madam Yakshika. I will also tell her that some cowards live nearby her turf. She will be happy to renovate this dump of trash."

"OYE!"

I was about to turn and leave but stopped.

"What?"

"1000 gold." He clenched his fist full of gold coins.

I smiled and tossed a spatial ring to him.