35 Dealings
Following Jean's departure, Paul returned Princess Andromeda to her original seat before sitting across from her. Then, deciding to cut to the chase, he asked, "What, exactly, do you want to do? Like, what is your end goal...?"
Though Paul had treated her swollen cheeks, Andromeda sniffled a few times as she answered, "I don't have an end goal...I just...I don't want to suffer..."
Exhaling a sigh, Paul ran his hand over his forehead and through his hair, his leaf-green eyes focused on the empty space above Andromeda as he asked, "And how do I help with that? I can shelter you for a few years, but I eventually plan to set out and explore. Unless I married you, your family could always recall you, or the Asuran Nobility could force you to return to the Capital..."
Lowering his eyes, Paul met Andromeda's watery grey eyes as he added, "I want to help you, Princess. Make no mistake. However, you are far from the only person I want to help. Unless you have an ambition...a vision that drives you forward, the only thing I accomplish by helping you is delaying the inevitable...if you aren't willing to fight, why should others be willing to fight for you? Because you're a Princess...?"
Though he felt like he could have put it better, Paul had a pocket ledger whose pages were filled with the names of people he wanted to help but couldn't. If he made an exception just because of Andromeda's status, he would be spitting the faces of every one of them. It was one thing if she had the conviction to fight, but he couldn't just shelter and provide for her 'just because.'
Hanging her head in such a way that her silvery-white hair covered much of her face, Andromeda became eerily quiet once her sniffles faded away. For a brief moment, Paul even felt as though the surrounding temperature had dropped, a tell-tale sign of extreme animosity as the monochromatic Princess muttered, "I want revenge..."
Before Andromeda could continue further, Paul interrupted her, asking, "How do you plan to achieve it? House Notos has tremendous authority, but the Milbots Region is a production region. It has a military, but we're in no position to invade a foreign nation..."
Leaning forward, Paul waited for Andromeda to raise her head, his eyes appearing to shimmer with flecks of gold and purple as he said, "Tell me, Princess...does tying yourself to House Notos aid in your revenge...?"
Realizing what Paul was saying, or at least thinking she did, Andromeda lowered her head and muttered, "No..."
Nodding his head in approval, Paul sat straight as he said, "That's right. Going through with whatever plan the people behind you came up with is nothing more than a compromise. You are searching for a place where you can be safe, expecting everything to be provided for you despite knowing full well how your status complicates the lives of whoever chooses to be your Benefactor..."
Hearing Paul's calm yet penetrating, Andromeda couldn't stop her body from trembling. She was sad, but the most prominent emotions she was experiencing were anguish and indignation. She wanted to shriek and ask Paul what he expected her to do in such a situation, but the words simply wouldn't form on her lips.
Fortunately for Andromeda, Paul wasn't simply virtue signaling when he said he wanted to help. He just couldn't afford to have someone leeching off of him without contributing anything to their cause. If Andromeda was willing to work hard, train until she was completely exhausted, and slowly work her way up to the Rank of a King or Emperor, he would be more than willing to help her. She just needed to be willing to take charge of her own destiny, not place it in the hands of others...
Breaking the long silence, Paul's voice gained a strangely resonant quality as he said, "Let's make a deal..."
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With the convoy prepared by his father arriving to pick him up, Paul found himself in the precarious position of sitting between Jean and Andromeda while Barbara, Xiangling, and Xinyan stared at him from the opposite side of the carriage. He had explained the situation to them and even received their consent, but Andromeda was still an 'outsider.' Barbara, in particular, didn't like seeing her sitting next to Paul...
Attempting to alleviate the growing tensions, Paul stared at Barbara until she gradually lost her grumpy expression and started to become bashful. When she did, he adopted a smile and said, "That's better...you look cuter when you smile..."
Though his comment caused a very different kind of tension to permeate the carriage, it was a kind Paul had already acclimated to. He still didn't understand what he had done to ingratiate himself to each of them, but even Xiangling had confessed to him a few months back. The only person who hadn't was Jean, but she would place a kiss on his cheek each night and first thing in the morning. Paul wasn't entirely sure she liked him, but he wanted to think she did...
Putting his theory to the test, Paul flipped over his right hand and moved it a little closer to Jean. He didn't touch her leg or make it apparent what he wanted, but she invariably laid her hand atop his after a few seconds had passed.
Adopting a faint but genuine smile, Paul briefly met Jean's cerulean gaze before looking towards the three girls seated across from him and saying, "Andromeda is just one of the first among many people we will be helping in the future. She is coming to stay with us for protection and training, not to compete or supersede anyone else's position. Even if she tried, I doubt Ningguang would give so much as a single centimeter of ground..."
With Paul bringing up Ningguang, most of Xiangling's and Xinyan's worries were abated. So long as she was present, they didn't have to worry about some random Noblewoman telling them what to do. They also knew first-hand how obstinate Paul could be, so unless Andromeda matured into a beautiful and voluptuous woman overnight, the possibility of her 'stealing' him away was slim.
Seeing the two girls regain their smiles, Paul's became more prominent as he shifted his attention to Barbara. She didn't really know Ningguang that well, so she had yet to be convinced. Fortunately, Paul knew a magic spell that would immediately improve her mood, his expression softening as he asked, "Will you sing for me, pipit? Just for a short while..."
Though she blinked a few times in surprise, an affectionate smile replaced Barbara's adorably grumpy expression as she softly replied, "Of course...I am my Lord's songbird, after all..."
Punctuating her words, Barbara brought her hands together as if she were about to pray. Then, after humming for a short while to warm up her vocal cords, she began singing in a soft and melodious voice that caused even Andromeda's eyes to widen. There were no words to her song, but it had a soothing effect that made people want to listen. Paul, in particular, had grown rather fond of hearing Barbara sing whenever she cleaned his ears or let him use her lap as a pillow...
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After a ten-day journey that felt more like five, the first two people Paul saw even before disembarking his carriage were Ningguang and Ganyu. When he did, his expression practically lit up as he questioned, "I take it things have been going well...?"
Wearing a far more expensive and custom-tailed dress than the one Paul had last seen her in, Ningguang returned a faint smile of her own as she answered, "Better than expected, but nowhere near where I would like to be."
With aspirations of overthrowing the Asura Kingdom or traveling East to create a brand new one, Ningguang wouldn't be satisfied so long as her movements were restricted to the Milbots Region.
Unsurprised by Ningguang's response, Paul mused, "That sounds about right..." before shifting his attention to Ganyu, his expression brightening even more as he remarked, "It's good to see you again, Ganyu..."
Lowering her head, a crimson hue spread through Ganyu's cheeks as she meekly replied, "Welcome home, Master..."
Though he would like to think Ganyu's reaction was to him, specifically, Paul knew the actual reason for her uncharacteristically meek behavior. She wasn't exactly fat, but she had clearly put on a bit of weight since he last saw her. While the other girls her age were between 20-22kgs, Paul imagined Ganyu was closer to 25, maybe more...
With Ganyu appearing as though she might break into tears any moment, Paul found himself extending his hand, gently caressing her pale, bluish-purple hair as he said, "You look adorable..."
"Master..."
While she was comforted by Paul's words, Ganyu couldn't suppress a slightly wry smile. She was well over three thousand years old, so she always experienced a jumble of emotions whenever Paul acted like she was a child that needed his care and attention...
Interrupting the 'tender' moment between Paul and Ganyu, Ningguang muttered an inquisitive, "Oh~? And who might this be...?" in regards to Princess Andromeda.
Retracting his hand from Ganyu's head, Paul looked around for a brief moment before turning back, gesturing for Andromeda to come closer so he could complete introductions. When he did, Ningguang only raised her right brow slightly before asking, "Is she on our side...?"
Making a so-so gesture with his left hand, Paul quietly replied, "A little bit of both. She seeks revenge, and I promised to help her obtain it. Can you lend a hand...?"
Though she gave Andromeda a quick once-over, Ningguang didn't have to consider her response before musing, "Of course. I wouldn't be much of a fiancee if I couldn't fulfill my future husband's requests..."
While her words were directed at Paul, Ningguang kept her wine-red eyes on Andromeda. The silver-haired Princess might only be a seven years old girl, but Ningguang knew better than to underestimate someone driven by sentiments such as revenge...
Interrupting the duo's impromptu staring contest, Paul asked, "Where are my parents? I can't imagine my mother abstaining from greeting me..."
Compartmentalizing her thoughts related to the Princess, Ningguang met Paul's worried gaze, an amused giggle emanating from her throat before she finally revealed, "Your mother is pregnant. She is currently resting in her room. As for your esteemed father, he has yet to return from his most recent survey of the territory. You might find this difficult to believe, but I have been placed in charge during his absence."
Though he was both excited and concerned by the prospect of having a younger sibling, Paul's most notable emotion was disbelief as he asked, "Are you serious? I knew you were capable, but...how?"
As eager as she was to reveal how she had uncovered the Chamberlain's shady dealings and increased the profitability of the Notos Estate by 18%, Ningguang suggested, "It is currently 5 degrees outside. Might I suggest we continue this conversation inside?"
With her new outfit resembling a tamer version of the garments she was known for during her tenure as the Tianquan of Liyue, Ningguang's legs were exposed to the elements. She had on a pair of thick black shorts, but they only covered the upper third of her thigh. Thus, while she would never allow herself to be seen shivering in front of others, she was very, very cold.
After casting a glance towards Ningguang's legs, a wry smile developed across Paul's face as he answered, "I believe that would be for the best." before holding out his left elbow and asking, "Shall we...?"
Nodding her head in approval, Ningguang linked her arm through Paul's. When she did, her brows raised ever so slightly as she noted, "Oh, my...it would appear you aren't just a pretty face. Your arms feel a lot firmer than before..."
Adopting a wry smile, Paul began leading Ningguang toward the entrance of his family's estate as he asked, "You waste no time, do you?"
Returning a smile of her own, Ningguang leaned her head against Paul's shoulder as she softly replied, "I try not to...however, if you keep putting on muscle, I'm prepared to set aside quite a bit..."
Though he had already anticipated Ningguang's behavior, Paul couldn't help exhaling a dry laugh before adopting a helpless smile and thinking, ("This damned minx is going to make me a criminal...")
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