It's been a few days since the engagement party, and as expected many people talked about the wedding of the eighth prince and the Grand Duke. The gossip could not be less rambunctious, many people reproach the lack of scruples of young people to be intimate before marriage. Now, the nobles found that as a lack of shame and a bad example for younger people who were mirrored in the great Grand Duke.
"My maid said she heard my son talking to his friend who is curious about what it's like to bite someone!"
"My my! I heard that many people have frequented casinos and brothels, the wickedness of these people have only tarnished the reputation of our Empire."
There are those who sighed in wonder at the bravery of the Grand Duke and the eighth prince. Thanks to the way Lucian rushed to help his fiancé, many young singles longed for their love stories, now having a real model of what was possible.
"The eighth prince was very lucky to have the Grand Duke. Did you see how the Grand Duke showed no fear even in front of the first prince?"
"I would say the opposite. His Highness is such a handsome and charming man, and did not think twice before going to help his fiancé. This is a real man."
"It seems we will have to use a less conspicuous carriage, Your Highness. I fear that we are recognized and that this spreads more unfounded rumors", Argus commented, watching the two ladies walk down the street.
Lucian did not expect gossip to gain such proportions among the nobles. Even while walking in disguise through the less crowded streets, he could still hear the nobles talking about their engagement party and duel. It was just as he thought it would happen, Magnus' reputation was not tarnished.
Of course, the commander of the imperial army, a dominant omega and head of the only Grand Duchy of the Empire would not have his image distorted by a simple love affair. However, Lucian was not used to being the center of attention, and that really was uncomfortable to some extent.
"You're right. Please rent a carriage, Argus. The most discreet one possible to go to the Nightshade."
"As you wish, Your Highness."
And then, an hour later, Lucian and Argus finally left the neighborhoods full of expensive shops to follow the neighborhood of commoners. The difference between the two environments was striking, despite being the capital of the Empire. While the nobles rejoiced in a grand square and shops with more beautiful and well-kept buildings, the plebeians' neighborhood seemed to contain the maximum of simplicity.
As reported in the newspapers that Lucian followed, it was possible to see knights wearing armor of the first prince's army walking and surveying the streets. Argus even suffocated the surprise and horror in seeing the riders dragging suspects like garbage bags and throwing them on the street without any care.
The difference between the two regions reflected bourgeois society. For Lucian, it was safer for him to stay in his palace until the rumors were no longer important, or until the mercenaries were arrested. However, he knew very well that it would take time for that "cleansing" to be completed, and Lucian needed to "activate his dowry" for Magnus.
"Your Highness, what do you wish to find in the guild this time? Did you have any problematic vision?"
The concern stamped on his servant's face did not surprise Lucian, the poor fellow must have been traumatized by Lucian having bought a drug last time. Also, with the inspection of the soldiers, the plebeian neighborhood was not safe for a prince to wander. Smiling lightly, Lucian tried to look as harmless as possible.
"I wouldn't say it's problematic, I just want to do business. I hope the guild leader can accept my request."
"I thought Your Highness was going to take care of matters concerning your dowry. His Grace did not seem to believe that you took care of it personally."
Yeah... Magnus really didn't believe your words the other day. Even though Lucian was now mature enough, his "abandoned" state meant that all of his possessions as a prince were in the care of Cassander, his father. This was something that Lucian had to take care of after he woke up as the eighth prince.
Well, the first thing he thought after realizing that he was in the story, would be to cut off relations with the imperial family. Perhaps a dramatic escape. But for that, he would have to have money, which made Luciano curious about the possessions of the eighth prince. With the help of Argus, he got the documents back easily — which was very suspicious.
However, with the unfolding of his relationship with Magnus, the original idea went sideways and Lucian never touched on the subject again. Thanks to the recent outbreak of anger, which again put in danger his bond with the royal blood, he would be better off retaking the idea.
In this way, Lucian should put all his cards on the table and turn them over one by one wisely. His second letter was in that house hidden in the plebeian neighborhood. Argus mentioned the same password the other time when he knocked on the door, and the two were led by the same thug not too friendly.
Looking around, Lucian noticed the difference the last time he was there. Few men were guarding, and even some furniture did not seem to be in place. Probably the guild was already going through its turbulent time.
He needed to make good use of that information.
However, as soon as he stepped into that room, Lucian and Argus were greeted with more excitement.
"Well, if it isn't Your Highness visiting us again!"
Ethera, the leader of the information guild, extended her arms in a joy full of malice. Lucian lowered the hood of the blanket he wore and approached the woman's table cautiously, trying his best not to make a grimace for the smell of the tobacco she smoked.
"It seems you were waiting for me, Miss Ethera."
"But of course, I always get anxious when a customer expresses the desire to close business again. In addition, congratulations on the engagement", The woman stood up from her chair, approaching Lucian to speak quietly. "Did Your Highness use my drug to get hold of the famous Grand Duke in his claws?"
"That's right", Lucian smiled in response to sitting on a dusty upholstery. "I am very grateful that your drug has been very effective, even if in small amount. I took your advice and saved some for chance."
"Haha, I'm glad to hear that, Your Highness. So I must assume the eighth prince intends to do something. Do you want to know who attacked you in the temple? Or if someone has been spying on your schedule?"
"Oh, then you are aware of my situation. That's good, saves me time", Lucian followed with the look of the woman sit in front of him and cross his arms.
She remained in that arrogance of always, although it was clear that something was wrong. Besides that Ethera made a point to show, again, that she had way of obtaining information. Lucian was no longer surprised or frightened, now that his name was in the mouth of the people, many eyes were focused on him.
But he still needed to take care of the real villain of the story, who would certainly take advantage of the quarrel between Cadec and Magnus.
"What do you wish this time, Your Highness? I will all be heard."
"As you may know, I'm about to get married and I have the desire to help my future husband achieve... something."
Raising her eyebrow at the sight of that delicious bait, Ethera clapped her fingers on her arms.
"What prince devoted to his lover. Do you want to get information about this 'something'?"
"Exactly. What I want, more precisely, is a list of names."
The woman hesitated for a moment.
"Names?"
"That's right. I want a list of the names of people who hold influence in the underworld."
"What?!", the woman immediately began to laugh, showing her surprise. "Hahaha, Your Highness, wait a bit, do you want to get into something that is not even a little safe for a member of royalty."
"I know, that's why I want you to do this."
"You are asking my people to go into the underworld and get information that should not be out of there, Your Highness. And I doubt very much that you have anything worth as much as the lives of my men."
She was on the defensive now, Lucian realized. It was time for him to know how to negotiate with that woman and get what he wanted.