Recruitment

The next morning Alex woke up rather late considering the fact that he was the type of person who preferred to wake up at the crack of dawn and Aria herself was quite the early riser.

These habits had been instilled into them by their mother from a young age.

And they both would give the same answer the same way if asked who was the one person they didn't want to piss off.

Although their mother was strict but kind with them, she was absolutely ruthless to her enemies.

Alex still remembered the fate of the count who had dared to try and drug her on one occasion.

He was tortured for a month, his family destroyed and then executed. He couldn't help but shudder slightly recalling the memory of the man's head impaled on a spike.

Alex was confident that their mother wouldn't be against their relationship as though she was overprotective, but she made sure to take their opinion's into account, and as for her over protectiveness it couldn't be helped as they were in the position where they had a many enemies lurking in every corner.

Glancing sideways Alex gazed at sleeping beauty who was sleeping next to him.

Seeing her peaceful expression Alex couldn't muster the courage to wake her up and decided to let her sleep for a little while longer.

He really hadn't expected her to be that bold last night as he had only planned on confessing to her last night not go all the way.

Carefully slipping out of bed, Alex made his way to the bathroom for a shower which he desperately needed after his adventures with Aria last night.

.....

Leaving the shower, Alex glanced at Aria, who was beginning to wake.

Although a bit nervous and awkward, he tried his best to maintain his composure as he said.

"Rise and shine sleepyhead."

"Morning."

Aria replied sheepishly still half asleep while rubbing her eyes causing a thin smile to form on his lips.

The sheets slipped off her revealing her form, from under the covers which bore countless mark's from their passionate lovemaking last night.

With flushed cheeks, she quickly held it up once more eliciting a laugh from Alex as he said.

"Why are you so embarrassed, I've already seen all there is last night anyway."

This earned him a glare as Aria's blush deepened.

She kicked him out of the room before proceeding to shower herself.

As the two hadn't brought any servants with them as this city was under their family and was quite safe so, Alex took it on himself to prepare breakfast for the two of them.

After some deliberation, he decided to go with pancakes which was one of Aria's favorite's. He topped one of them with a sweet syrup called gram syrup which was basically this world's version of maple syrup and the other with chocolate.

It wasn't long after he finished that Aria arrived the atmosphere was a little tense from the awkwardness due to the sudden change in their relationship.

The two enjoyed light banter and pulled slight jabs while joking with each other as they had breakfast easing their nervousness.

"By the way what was the technique you transfered to me last night.

It seemed like a dual cultivation technique at first but when I tried it my mana was even purified.

Not to mention it's more effective than our house's cultivation technique."

Aria said while staring holes into him.

Alex smiled wryly before saying.

"It's name is 'Elemental Harmony Technique' as for how I got a hold of it that's a secret for now".

Aria stared at him for a while more before sighing with resignation.

"Anyway, What are your plans for today?

The next event

of the bazaar is an auction and it'll be held at night"

Aria asked stuffing a piece of pancake in her mouth

"Recruiting".

"Recruiting!?".

"Yeah, I plan on opening a company soon.so I'm recruiting someone who'll be very necessary for what I have in mind".

"I see" Aria replied not surprised by his reply as although a bit early it was about time for him to dip his hands into business to gain experience for the future when he'll manage the duchy. And one or two private source's of income never hurt anyone.

"Who's the person that was unlucky enough to be noticed by you".

"It's a cursed artificer, and what do you mean that he's unlucky to be noticed by me?"

"You'll just abduct him or something if he refuses right." Aria replied with a teasing expression.

Cough*

"I don't know what you're talking about people might think I go around kidnapping people if they heard it". Alex replied as he looked away.

"Hmm I completely believe you". Aria said with a face that seemed to not trust him at all.

"Anyhow what's so special about this person that he caught your interest as far as I know cursed artifacts aren't very popular despite being strong due to their random after effect."

"Do you also why they have strong after effects?"

Aria nodded her head in response before replying

"Yeah, it's because magic works on the law of equivalent exchange the stronger the magic the greater the cost".

"What if there was a way to specify what the cost would be."

Aria's eyes opened wide in surprise.

...

Author

Well this chapter was sort of awkward to write I had to do it twice.

Let me know if I can improve anything in it.