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“Olphia and Olvier,” called Raide, “-please tell your employee to not cause trouble.” They looked up, confused and on edge, the debate had sucked any sliver of confidence.

“The matter was settled by her majesty’s judgment,” intervened Bleu, “-Baron Denlord, ‘twould behoove thee not to add further insult to thy already pitiful attempts at scheming.” The words held weight; the arrival of Angel completely turned the tides of the proceedings. An ace up their sleeves, a very, very humble statement.

“Justice was served,” said Igna casually turning towards the ire-filled glares, “-Theo Denlord,” he voiced, “-my actions were justified, I won’t ask for much,” he broke the line the lawyers had created between him and the baron, “-a prodigious racer, one the likes none has ever seen before,” a prompt over the lens told of the man’s history, “-your future is gone,” he leaned menacingly, “-tell me, do you have the guts to make a contract?”

“Make a contract?” sweat dribbled, the overhead light didn’t add favorably to his nervousness, “-what sort of contract?”

“You,” firmly harsh hands gripped his shoulders, “-stay away from my son.”

“Baron,” he stared the hand then glared the man, “-interjecting when I’m making a deal is rather brave, don’t you think?” the posture straightened, “-after what’s transpired,” he stepped ever close to the baron and whispered in his ears, “-won’t be a surprise if a shamed noble is found dead.” A shiver ran down the spine. For the first time, Esteballe found himself cowering before another, the spectating crowd, confused by their whispers and inquisitive tone continued to watch.

.....

“Lord Haggard,” said Theo, “-what did you mean?”

“I firmly believe people who’ve lost everything know the importance of what they thought to be granted.”

Memories of races, the high-speed and rush of adrenaline, being able to move freely – waves crashed against his current self, the memories built in small increments, the heart pounded, resentment and envy washed the desolate resting frown. He nodded in agreement.

“Sign a contract with my company, Raven.”

“A contract?”

“Obviously,” he smiled, “-per the contract, I will personally ensure the sustained injuries are healed and safeguard thy return onto the racing track. I admit I don’t know much of the world of racing; still, I believe broadening one’s horizon is the true purpose of living.”

“I refuse,” interjected the Baron, “-my son is a genius, I won’t let him be bought by some rich noble son...”

“The decision is yours,” he turned on himself and faced the lawyers, “-agree to my conditions and the life you’ve longed will return.”

“What’s in for you?”

“Satisfaction,” the imposing strides halted, “-who doesn’t enjoy a good zero to hero story.”

“Is that all?”

“Perhaps.”

“Count me in,” he wheeled towards Igna, “-I promise to sign whatever contract and do whatever is needed. I want to return to the race-tracks, I want to drive and compete.”

“Right,” he exhaled, “-I’ll have an associate of mine get in touch later tomorrow.” The talk ended and the crowd dispersed. A darkened outside marked the entrance, “-well, master, it was great fun,” said Raide.

“Thank you for the help,” he replied courteously.

“Young master Igna,” Bleu cut into his field of vision, “-I’d like to offer my services to you, and only you.”

“Pardon?” he paused, a brusque breeze carried droplets of rain, the weather worsened.

“Bleu!” Raide exclaimed, “-are you serious?” he gawked, “-you finally decided to work for someone?”

“Master,” interjected éclair, “-this is great news,” he happily grinned, “-Bleu’s been a consultant for Elon’s Dynasty – he’s never showed much interest in other people besides himself. For him to easily offer his services...”

“Don’t make a huge deal out of it,” he added with a hint of embarrassment,”-I never chose sides because people are selfish and only want to win, no matter the extent. What happened earlier was different. There’ was a flicker of kindness wrapped underneath the layers of malice and blatant provocation. I decided to join partly due to éclair and his constant tales about his master, I wanted to know for myself. After all, my drinking partner is a great friend to have,” to wish he side-stepped to éclair and gave a quick elbow to the ribcage, “-glad I came.”

“Bleu Aizo,” thundered Igna, “-is the decision final?”

“Why ask?”

“The image thee have of me is subjective. I won’t waste time on those who only wish to stand afar and watch. Getting involved means to die if ever the need arises, I don’t care for those with weak resolves and weaker determination.”

“Right, ” sighed éclair, his expression tightened, “-Bleu, I’m glad you want to serve my master...”

“But?” the arms crossed, “-there’s a catch.”

“My master’s circle is very tight, those personally involved have vowed to give their heart and soul. They’d smile and give up their lives, I’m the same. I owe my life to him, and I’d never endanger his plans or get in his way.”

‘This feeling...’ the additional statements rendered the mind confused; the trail of thoughts jumbled into a tangled mess. Whilst he reflected, Igna nonchalantly climbed the stairs into the mild shower, the imposing outline blurred in the distance, ‘-if I don’t accept, there won’t be another opportunity for me to join,’ the resolve firmed, “-I’LL JOIN!”

“Sell thy soul,” he side-glanced, “-and offer thy loyalty.”

“I will,” he dropped on one knee, “-I, Bleu Aizo of the Aizo Dynasty, offer my sword and vow to devote my soul to the Prince of Arda, Igna Haggard.”

“Welcome,” he pulled the man up and gave a peck on his lips, “-Bleu Aizo, I’m honored to have thee by my side.”

“My liege,” the expression melted, “-thank you.”

“Congratulations,” cheered Raide, “-we serve the same family.”

“Yeah,” a warm feeling burnt in his chest, ‘-this sensation, it goes beyond anything I’ve felt. Igna Haggard truly is a prince, he knows how to pick and how to approach the situation. I’m glad I made the jump.’

“Right, we’re going to celebrate Bleu’s new endeavor, let’s have ourselves a drinking party!”

“Count me in,” said éclair.

“Don’t forget about me,” distant echoes of heels ran against the stone-brick walkway, “-I want to celebrate too,” said a flushed Angel, her breathing bordered hyperventilation, “-I’ll choose the location,” hands-on her knees, “-let me... catch my... breath... first.”

Igna casually touched her forehead, *Mana-Control: Restore Stamina,* her body recovered in minutes, “-I feel great,” she stood straight, her chest followed her harsh movements.

“Hard to beat her explosive weapons,” slyly added Bleu.

“Idiot,” chuckled Raide.

‘A nice group of friends,’ he hung to the side, ‘-this must be éclair’s circle. I’m impressed.’

“Master, we’re going on ahead,” said éclair, “-I’ll forward the location, meet you there.”

“Yes, yes,” said Laren with a subdued voice. She’d wrapped her arms around Raide and Bleu, the drinking had yet to start and they were already frantic. Quick to jump into the supercars, the anticipation of drinks pulled them out of the area and further southwest.

Hands in his pockets, the rain fell innocently, ‘-going on ahead, he must have wanted to do something.’ A slide down the silver railing and the trial seemed a far-gone story, “-Mister,” called from the side.

“Teno, what are you doing here alone?”

“I ran away,” he said, “-mother was being weird. She wanted me to lie, I hate it, I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

“It’s fine,” he took a seat next to the boy, “-how old are you?”

“Six.”

Silence settled, the cloudy sky parted, “-listen, your mother did what she had to. Adults often lie to protect their close ones. Don’t get angry and don’t make her worry so much. She’s also young, like you.”

“Mother isn’t young,” the eyes crinkled, “-she’s like 21.”

“And you’re six...” the thought didn’t cross his mind, ‘-twenty-one, she must have gotten pregnant... yeah not going to happen.’

“Teno, Teno, where are you?” steps echoed.

“Hide me,” said the boy.

“You sure?”

“Yeah,” he whispered and jumped behind the bench, her light steps hit against the stairs and stopped on the last step. “-Teno, where are you?” she tiptoed, scanning a greater area from the newfound vantage point. A taxi conveniently pulled onto the sidewalk at the same time, the slouched figure of a man exited with the recognizable orange notepad in hand. He took timid glances, almost returning to the notepad instantly.

“Stark,” she took notice and ran, “-where have you been?”

“I’m sorry, I was caught up in work,” he took a single glance, “-did you lose Teno?”

“Yes, I can’t find him...”

“Let me see,” he checked the right side, saw naught, turned left, spotted Igna who returned a very blatant, ‘-he’s here,’ expression.

“I’m a bad mother, I forced him to lie...”

“There, don’t worry,” he patted her shoulders, “-Teno’s closer than you think.” Reporters from the media, present earlier during the day, subtly made their way through a narrower entrance far to the side. It was an unspoken rule not to speak to nobility, especially not after a trial – many journalists chastised for indiscretion, the difference of social classes was engrained into the souls. The exception, if the lord/lady asked for the interview; hence, the quiet yard.

“Seems the trial went favorably.”

“Count Stark,” he replied, “-the matter was resolved before long. How has life in Hidros been, especially Rosespire, are the cases hard?”

“They’ve been a treat, the simplest of crimes often have the greater pull,” the mother hid in behind his shadow.

“Forcing a child into a very uncomfortable situation, even for an adult, is irresponsible at best,” the sentence sank her further into the Count’s shadow.

“Please refrain from making unnecessary comments.”

“Count Stark, I never meant my words maliciously. I only said what I thought as a parent. They must be the sword and shield, not the other way around. Changing side to fight against me, I admit, it did take me by surprise. Biting the hand that feeds you, I digress and chalk it to a situation that’s beyond thy control. Count Stark, fame detective, isn’t it the husband’s duty to assist his wife, I fail to see any semblance of coherence,” he exhaled, “-Teno, come out would you.”

“Teno?”

He pulled himself above the bench and laid his chin upon the ledge, “-mother, father, hello.”

“Teno, where have you been?” her tone, strict and unforgiving, “-you know how much I was scared, I had to run around looking...”

“No,” he said, “-I don’t like it, not one bit!”

“Enough,” said the Count, “-we’ll talk about this at home, come on Teno.”

“No, father, I don’t accept it.”

.....

“Don’t throw a tantrum,” she yelled.

“Right, enough,” thundered Igna, “-Teno, tell me, boy, what is it you want. Why are you angry.”

“I wanted to say hi and play,” he said, “-lying is bad. Father is already fighting evil.”

“There you have it,” he stood, “-Teno, become strong and stand for what you believe. That’s what it means to be an adult. It might not make sense now, one day, when you look back, heed those words very carefully.”

“GOODBYE, MISTER.”

He threw two fingers down the side and left, the car roared and rumbled into the distance.

“Why...”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here,” said Stark, ‘-he saved Teno and didn’t once try to hang the favor over our heads. Instead, he got angry at the way she treated the child, not how she betrayed him. Igna Haggard, what sort of man are you?’

‘Another day spent,’ he thought, the radio played a smooth melody, ‘-today was great, we recruited a world-class lawyer and gained control over Count Esteballe’s property,’ the car vanished into the neon city.

“Majesty, was it wise to antagonize the count?”

“He outstayed his welcome. Besides, the case was so one-sided it made me want to laugh. I don’t care for weaklings, there needs to be a culling; war is upon us. The Empire and church will retaliate sooner or later,” she combed her hair before an oval mirror, ‘-Igna, I have high hopes.’