Number Of Slaves.

As the scribe began amending the records, Velmore leaned back with smug satisfaction. He believed he had won since the cost of those slaves was much less than the properties he had saved and more than that, he had their loyalty. They could work as his spy. Elias had no idea that he was taking poison in exchange for elixir.

Elias offered no argument either, as the terms were confirmed, he sat there with a leisurely smile on his face.

"Do you want to meet and count the number of slaves before finalizing?" the scribe offered as he needed to mention the number of slaves.

"That would not be needed. There are thirty five of them." the scribe paused writing and stared at Elias in confusion. After the incident of last night, lord Halves had personally investigated baron Crestford and if he had previously animosity with lord Velmore but nothing was found. Both of them had never crossed paths. Then how did he know how many slaves worked in the estate? Even Velmore was stunned for a second.

He used to have thirty five slaves but a month ago, one was sent to the prison by Cladria.

"I have only thirty-four of them," Velmore announced curtly, waving a hand dismissively.

The room fell into a tense silence as they confronted each other. For a moment, the scratching of the scribe's quill stopped mid-stroke and he looked at both of them to confirm the number so that he could write it on the document. 

"Oh?" Elias drawled, folding his hands calmly over the parchment. "That's strange. The registry in the central market lists thirty-five under your name. Are you trying to hide one from the court, Lord Velmore?"

The shift in Velmore's expression was subtle but Elias did not miss it. A flicker of panic passed through his eyes before he schooled his face into a blank mask. "That record must be outdated," he said stiffly. "One of them was caught stealing and was sent to prison."

"Stealing?" Elias echoed the words softly tasting it on his tongue, but there was something sharper underneath. "How unfortunate. And what exactly did he steal that warranted such punishment?"

Velmore's jaw clenched. His fingers tapped against the armrest of his chair once, then stopped. "Gold," he replied after a moment. "What else could it be?"

"Mmm," Elias hummed as if the answer did not surprise him too. "And how much?"

Velmore blinked. "A full pouch. I didn't count it. Do you think nobles keep track of spare change like merchants?"

A chuckle escaped Elias. It was low, amused, and unmistakably mocking. "So you sent a man to prison, made an official complaint to the authorities.. and didn't even count the stolen coins?"

The question was casual, but the room had grown colder. The authorities note down what had been stolen and precise detail. The scribe looked at Lord Velmore in confusion.

Velmore's nostrils flared. "My men had gone to complain. They must have counted it and noted it down. As a noble, I have more important things to do than keeping track of such small details. We nobles are not all petty accountants, Lord Crestford. But I think you still have not learnt it."

"That is fine, but you must have kept the copy of a record, at least. Let's write the number as thirty five slaves. And you can add a copy of the report you have made." Elias murmured in a defeated tone. He leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh, as though he had just confirmed something.

Velmore frowned. "I do not want to drag this matter. If you want thirty five slaves, you will get thirty five of them. I will settle that matter and bring him back."

"That is perfect then," Elias said smoothly as he clapped his hands, "I will wait for the details of the transaction then and the name of the slaves."

The officials exchanged a look again. Even the scribe's pen hovered in the air, uncertain. Having the name of every slave would be too much even for a trader and they were talking about a noble.

Velmore leaned forward, voice sharp with unease. "Lord Crestford, I fail to understand your motive here. Are you only trying to make the transaction difficult and waste everyone's time?"

Velmore stood, barely controlling his fury. "I agreed to give up my people, didn't I? This is not a court trial. Do not create troubles for everyone.!"

The court official cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "If both parties have agreed, and no objections are made regarding the numbers, then the transaction shall proceed with thirty five individuals under Lord Elias Crestford's name."

Velmore gave a terse nod. "Go ahead." the man nodded and finished the details hurriedly afraid that they would argue again.

Elias merely stepped forward, took the final parchment once it was rewritten, and stamped his signet beside Velmore's.

Then he leaned slightly closer to the baron and murmured, just loud enough for him to hear:

"You don't even know what you've given me, do you?"

Velmore's brow furrowed. But Elias said nothing more. With a short bow to the officials, he turned and strode out of the hall.

Behind him, Velmore stared after the man he thought a fool, unaware that Elias had just taken the heart of his empire, not gold, not land, but loyalty. He gritted his teeth and threw the cup on the ground. The maid bent to clean it when he held her by her hair to force her to look into his eyes.

"Are you a commoner?" the girl flinched but nodded hiding her pain. She did not dare to scream or cry or the pain would be worse.

"I will pay one hundred gold coins to your family if you leave with him as a slave." the woman's eyes widened with fear and shock. Before she could refuse, he added. "You know servants disappear all the time from the houses. Then their family suffered poverty and their kids were sold as slaves. That would be a worse fate for anyone. Right?"