The cat didn't understand a single word Celine was saying, but it purred without a worry in the world, enjoying the attention it was receiving, not knowing it was going to be used as a pawn in a political scheme.
After observing the party and guests from a distance, this cat was Celine's best bet at approaching Earl Crestmont without making it seem intentional.
Demanding him to sell his cat as a spoiled noble lady would do the trick nicely.
Sending her father's people with money and a letter to include other things besides the cat in the transaction would do it even better. She would be out of the picture by that time, of course, and no one would be any wiser.
'The faster I deal with it, the sooner I can stop by Breezy Cove and get my proper dose of sugar,' she decided, marching towards her target.
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Lucian wasn't expecting another trouble to knock on his doorstep so fast.
The people on the docks didn't look like anything special, making him think it was just another tedious routine search like he didn't have enough time to waste.
So when the official suddenly changed his tone, it caught all of them off guard.
By the time Lucian realized it, hands were already grabbing at his men, and the whole ship was under siege.
"Hey, look where you are touching!" Jax yanked at a soldier's arm, who was checking his chest to see if he was hiding any weapons, "I don't like it when I'm being touched in that place by a dude, you pervert!"
"Shut up," the soldier pushed Jax down on the floor and kicked him, "You'll be singing in a different tune soon."
Jax groaned in pain as he was hit in the stomach. Another soldier cuffed his hands behind his back.
"What did I do to deserve this?!" Jax protested, but the soldiers ignored him.
The rest of the Vices didn't fare any better, some of them got a few hits before the soldiers decided to tie their hands.
"Why are there so many southerners in your crew?" the official asked, approaching Lucian, who was also being held down, "Are you planning to use them to commit treason against the crown and the king? What are you planning?"
"Excuse me, Sir," Lucian replied, trying to remain calm, "I'm just a merchant, not a criminal. My crew is made of men who have been loyal to me for years. We have committed no crimes or have any intentions to do so. You are mistaken, I believe, Sir."
The man snorted in derision, "A merchant? A merchant who had caused a riot and created a blockade in the port of Breezy Cove? You have disrupted trade and caused damage to the economy. That's a serious offense."
"My son!" a man cried out from behind the officer, "Where is my son?! What have you done to him?!"
Lucian lifted his head, seeing a noble, dressed in rich silks and wearing jewels, crying his heart out. The big hat was familiar to Lucian. The man was none other than A's father.
A's groaned in pain upon hearing his father's voice, waking up from his slumber. He looked around and saw his father, "Father…? What…what are you doing here?"
"Son!" His father exclaimed, running to A's side and embracing him tightly. The soldiers let him go when they saw their connection, "Thank the Gods! Did he hurt you? Did he touch you in any way?"
A's shook his head then hissed in pain, holding his wrist, "Aaarrrr...he...he broke my wrist..."
"Official Aran, arrest this man!" Mad Hatter demanded, pointing at Lucian, "He is the one who caused the riot in the port! The blockade! The loss of profits to my family! He even kidnapped my son and held him hostage! He is a criminal, a traitor, and a heretic! Arrest him and throw him in jail, where he belongs! Look at those eyes, he might even be a shackled!"
Official Aran didn't look pleased at being commanded, but at the mention of shackled, everyone sheathed their weapons and took a step back.
"BOSS!" Goblin screamed from the ground, the rest of the crew was also calling out to him, but Lucian remained silent, refusing to meet their eyes.
He was set up. He was set up well. There were no doubts about it.
Just when he was in a rush to get back home to his sweet little wife, this had to happen.
A's looked confused as well, probably being unaware of his father's plan to frame Lucian from the very beginning.
He suddenly began to cough and Lucian broke away from the guard holding him down with a quick pull.
He was faster than the soldier's reaction. He leaped at A's, grabbing him by the arm and kicked his father away before he could react.
His father was surprised, "Wha...let go of my son!"
"He's trying to sacrifice you," Lucian whispered in A's ear, making sure to keep his eyes on the surprised soldiers, "Your father used you as bait to set me up."
"What?!" A's father yelled, quickly throwing the syringe on the floor, "How dare you accuse me of such a thing! How dare you say I would sacrifice my own son?!"
A's looked at his father and then at Lucian, then at the syringe, "Father...?"
"What? He put it in my hands to frame me, don't believe anything that scammer says!" His father defended himself.
"He looked so disappointed when he still saw you were breathing," Lucian whispered into his ear, "It's not hard to figure out his intention. I am a threat to his business and you are just a tool to remove me."
Lucian didn't look like the type of person who would lie and his words were too close to the truth.
A's began to tremble and shake.
"Let him go!" The soldiers demanded, taking a step forward, their hands on their spears.
Lucian released him and raised his hands in the air, "I was just saving his life. He needs an antidote. It should be on his father's person."
"You liar!" Mad Hatter shouted, "You broke his wrist! Now you've poisoned him and want to put the blame on me?!"
Lucian returned to the soldier, who held him down, offering his wrists to be handcuffed, "I apologize for the inconvenience. I will comply with the search. I just didn't want to see murder of one's kin happen in front of my eyes."
The soldier put the cuffs on him while another another soldier tore through Mad Hatter's coat for an antidote. They weren't stupid enough to pretend this was all Lucian's doing.
"He really advanced… Gabriel, take him. Your speed should be enough to pin him down."
The soldiers discussed Lucian's knight rank as they changed their formation around him.
A priest soon joined them with a staff in his hand.
Lucian could feel his skin tingle at the sight of it. His instincts were telling him to scram the hell away from it and hide.