Chapter 30. Offer
I looked up and saw the two of them. A man named Solomon. And next to him, hers. Quinn. The main character. And the future wife of that bastard, the main character. Bitch, I envy that bastard.
They stood on the threshold of the manor, frozen like statues. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide with shock. They saw everything. They saw how their best warrior was thrown into the mud in a matter of seconds. They saw how their strength, their pride, their invincible aura proved useless against cold steel and absolute speed.
The silence hung in the air, heavy and loud. And my voice pierced him. Indifferent, even, as if I really didn't care about all this.
—Hey, you two,— I said.
They shuddered as if they had been electrocuted. Their gazes, full of horror and incomprehension, slowly crept from the defeated Ragnar to me. I saw Quinn take an involuntary step back, and Solomon's hand went to the hilt of his sword, but stopped in mid—stride-he understood the futility of the gesture.
I paused, letting them realize what had happened. Then he uttered a single word that put them in even greater confusion, plunged them into even greater confusion.
—Negotiations," I said, looking at them with my empty brown eyes.
The word hung in the frosty air, as unexpected and incredible as my victory.
Solomon looked up at me slowly, as if through water. A storm raged in his scarlet eyes—humiliation, rage, fear and... burning, insatiable curiosity. "Negotiations?" His voice sounded hoarse, and he forced himself to speak. —After... this?" Do you come to my house, attack my warrior, and talk about negotiations?
"He attacked first,— I retorted, jerking my head towards Ragnar, who still couldn't get up. — He attacked a child. I just replied. And now..." I took a step forward, and they both involuntarily recoiled, "now we're going to talk. Did you want my power? You saw her. Now let's discuss the terms.
Quinn, who had been silent up to this point, suddenly stepped forward. Her face was flushed, and there was a challenge in her eyes, mixed with the same indomitable interest as her father's. — What are the conditions? She blurted out. "You came here, humiliated us."…
"I offered you a deal back in the cabin," I interrupted her coldly. — You responded with surveillance and attempted manipulation. You chose this path yourself. And I... I just showed that I don't intend to play your games. You either accept my rules, or"—I glanced at Ragnar—"you keep losing your best warriors.
Solomon raised his hand, stopping Quinn from exploding. "What do you suggest?" "What is it?" he asked, and there was a note of tired but pragmatic acceptance in his voice.
—I'm going to be Quinn's teacher,— I said. "I'll teach her something no master of yours can teach her." She's strong, but she's rude. I'll make it a sharp blade. In return — shelter, food, protection for me and for Yuki. And non-interference in my methods.
"So what?" Should we just entrust our heiress to you? There was doubt in Solomon's voice.
—No,— I shook my head. — You have to give her a chance to become stronger. Stronger than all of you. And I... I'll get what I need without destroying your Clan. It benefits everyone. Except, perhaps," I looked at Ragnar again, "those who are too confident in their strength.
I saw the struggle going on in Solomon's eyes. Pride versus pragmatism. Fear versus thirst for power.
—Probation," he finally exhaled. — A month. If you show that you can teach something, you will stay.
"Okay,— I nodded. — But keep in mind... — my gaze slid over his face, then over Quinn's face, — my lessons will be tough. She might not be able to stand it.
"I can handle it!" Quinn immediately blurted out, her scarlet eyes flashing with determination.
I grinned at him. That's exactly what I expected. — great. Then we'll start tomorrow. And now..." I turned to Yuki, who had been watching silently all this time, clinging to my leg, "we need to rest. And to eat.
I took her hand and, without waiting for an answer, led her to the open gates of the manor, leaving behind three representatives of the powerful Crimson Clan — defeated, humiliated and stunned.
Negotiations were open. But now they were on my terms.