15. Business Partner (4)

Rune, Viscount Ainsworth and my maid Penny stood in front of us, Penny had dropped the tray of snacks while Viscount Ainsworth and Rune seemed frozen in their spots.

From their perspective, it wasn't quite a pleasant sight to see an unknown man carrying me in his arms.

"Wha-What is going on here?" Rune gasped.

I poked on Silas's arm making him look at me, "Put me down please."

He let me down before Rune walked over and gripped my wrist pulling me behind him and Viscount as he faced Silas. Penny held me against her chest and somehow it seemed as though they were protecting me from Silas.

"A-Are you all right, Young Miss?" Penny asked as she looked at me with a pale face. 

"I'm all right." I assured her.

"Who are you and what were you doing to my sister?" Rune demanded.

"He wasn't doing anything." I answered.

"But you went outside with His Grace, Young Miss, how come you have returned so quickly and with this person at that?" Viscount asked.

"I had work so he brought us back quickly."

"And what about Father?"

"He's coming back with my subordinate." Silas answered that.

"Subordinate?" 

"He's from the Mage's Tower." I spoke up making the two who were protecting me turn their heads to look at me.

"What?"

"It seems like your memory has gone weak, Viscount if you can't remember me." Silas said as he placed his hand on his hip making the Viscount frown slightly.

"Viscount Ainsworth, do you know him?" Rune asked and suddenly Viscount's eyes went wide and he bowed.

"P-Please forgive me, Your Excellency." He apologized, "I-It's been so long that's why I-I couldn't recognize you."

"What are you saying?" Rune tugged at Viscount's sleeve.

"Pa-Pardon me, Young Master but, don't you remember His Excellency?" Viscount asked him instead making me frown.

"Why would I remember him?" Rune frowned and then looked at me as if asking for some clarification but I simply shrugged my shoulders.

"He was too small to remember anything, Viscount." Silas said.

Viscount smiled, relaxing a little as he faced Silas.

"It really has been so long,"

"If you're done reuniting then, Viscount have you done what I told you to?" I spoke up and he flinched.

"Ah, yes, Young Miss. I prepared everything that you asked me for." He said as he turned and handed me the papers in his hands.

"What about our contract?" Silas asked and I looked at him.

"We'll need a strong magic contract for that,"

"I'll arrange that."

"Also we'll have to wait for at least a week, the court case needs to be sorted first."

"What court case?" Silas asked and I sighed.

"Let's sit and talk." I said as I held the papers against my chest.

"Penny clean this up and send some tea and refreshments in library. Rune, Viscount you come along as well."

"Me as well?" Viscount asked.

"I'll have to give you the further instructions."

Silas stared at me for a moment making me look at him.

"What?"

"... Nothing."

We shifted our little meeting to the library and I sat down on the chair looking at the chess game on the table.

"So, what is the court case you were talking about?" I looked at Viscount and he nodded before he started explaining Silas.

I checked the papers first and looked at the identity papers and then at the reports of the ore that I had asked to be tested.

It was just as I had expected, I also checked the soil reports and sighed. This could be used but it wouldn't be as effective so, I would need something which would drive away any debate.

Penny came and poured us all tea before I asked her to leave.

"He's still as foolish as ever." Silas sighed as he picked up his teacup taking a sip.

"Who?" Viscount asked.

"Arthur."

"You're crossing your boundaries." Rune warned.

I ignored them as I looked at Silas.

"Archmage, can you check this for me?" I asked and Rune's eyes went wide.

"A-Archmage?!"

"Yes and he's also our business partner." I added handing Silas the reports and he looked at them and then at the ore sample.

Rune was at a loss for words as he stared in between us.

"Quite a simple technique of fooling a fool." Silas said as he checked the reports.

"Hey!" Rune snapped.

"Watch your mouth, Archmage." I warned as I sipped my tea.

"Why is he our business partner anyways?" Rune asked me.

"He's the only one who can mine and process the magic stones and keep my lair a secret." I answered.

"But why him? We can get any noble to help us."

"I need a trustworthy person and also someone who would know the consequences of messing with my lair so, the Mage's Tower is our best choice."

Rune clicked his tongue and I was surprised as he was actually showing his irritation towards someone else so openly. Usually he would be gentle and kind.

"Would you need my help for this court case?" Silas asked.

"I will tell you if I need it."

"I guess the Duchy won't dissolve if you're the one handling the affairs ." He commented and Rune glared at him.

"My father is a kind person that's why there are people who think they can take advantage for him. The only thing I can do is stand behind him and make sure he doesn't get into any trouble." I said.

"Are you not going to be inheriting the Duchy?"

"Not interested, Rune is well suited."

Silas looked at Rune before he glanced at me.

"Then, are you willing to come to the Mage's Tower?"

I frowned at his offer, "And why would I go there?"

"You seem to have potential,"

"You're not taking Reina anywhere!" Rune snapped.

"I'm not going, Rune." I said making him sigh with relief.

"Unless I need to." His eyes went wide before he turned to glare at Silas.

"Viscount," I called and the said man straightened up.

"Yes, Young Miss."

"The title of Baron sounds good, I'm glad you brought along this stamp as well."

I looked at the stamp and he smiled.

"When is the next date for the court case?" I asked.

"Ah... In three days, Young Miss."

"Summon our attorney tomorrow."

"Yes, Young Miss."

I nodded satisfied with his answers and looked at the identity papers with a small smile.

"What are you smiling about?" Silas asked and I looked at him.

"This is the answer to my father's problems." I answered.

And also for my problems.

[Defender of Divine Glory anticipates your next move.]

[Goddess of Wisdom chides Defender of Divine Glory.]

"What's wrong with you two?"

[Defender of Divine Glory answers that they had a conflict regarding the time when the Dragon attacked you.]

"About that," I suddenly got reminded, "what happened to the Dragon suddenly that he accepted his defeat and didn't take my body?"

"You two did something, right?"

[Defender of Divine Glory points at Goddess of Wisdom.]

[Goddess of Wisdom glares at Defender of Divine Glory.]

"Goddess, you did something?"

[Goddess of Wisdom says she had no choice and you would have died if she hadn't intercepted.]

"So, you did what? Fought against that Dragon?"

[Defender of Divine Glory nods.]

"Wow... But how? Did you like come down there?"

She didn't say anything and I asked Defender of Divine Glory.

[Defender of Divine Glory says Goddess of Wisdom used Spirit Possession.]

"Spirit possession... Wait, you mean she possessed my body?!"

[Goddess of Wisdom asserts that she had no choice.]

[Defender of Divine Glory says nothing would have happened and Goddess of Wisdom was only being overprotective.]

The two started bickering and I sighed focusing back on the people present in front of me.

"I guess I'll have to wait till you're done with this court case then." Silas said and I shook my head.

"The next one will be the final hearing so, don't worry."

The three looked at me with surprised expressions.

"B-But Young Miss..."

"I don't need any unnecessary people snooping around my business so, it's for the best that this case ends sooner." I said.

The corners of Silas's lips twitched and before I could ask him why he was smirking. The doors of the library flew open with a distressed shout.

"Reina?!"

I, along with the others in the library turned to look at the doors which were slammed open.

It was the Duke followed by Darren.

Duke Arthur's face was red with anger and he was huffing as if he'd ran all the way here. He stomped over to Silas and grabbed his collar.

"You! How dare you take my daughter without my permission!" Duke shouted and Silas stood up.

"Just like how you took my sister."

Eh? What?