Europe / London (Ainsworth Estate): May 29th, 1817.
(Mordred's POV)
"I'm not going. It's a waste of time and I have no business there" I said calmly while turning my attention back to the document in front of me, on my desk and grabbed a silver nib pen and dipped it into some Inkwell and started writing my signature onto the document.
Margaret rolled her eyes and said "Boy if you don't get your stiff necked, paper signing, no presence having ass into that ball next week I will personally drag you there myself."
The study was absolutely silent.
I continued writing without pause and saying calmly "You won't."
*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
Margaret's cane echoed across the floor as she slowly made her way toward me.
"You think I won't…you must've forgot who I am. I didn't survive this long by asking nicely." Said margaret with squinted eyes.
I signed the last stroke of my name onto the document and placed the pen down into the inkwell and said calmly "It is inefficient. Loud. A gathering of people pretending to be something they are not. I gain nothing from attending."
Margaret scoffed loudly.
*BANK*
Her cane slammed against the ground.
"You gain nothing because you don't know what you're looking at." Said margaret with an annoyed look on her face.
I leaned back into the chair slightly and said calmly "Explain."
The study was silent.
Margaret stared at me for a moment and said "That ball ain't for dancing. It's where deals get made without paper."
I was silent.
"Every single person in that room is watching, judging, calculating. Who has money, who has power, who is weak, who can be used. That is where real influence moves. Not in your little numbers and not in your little smoke." Said margaret with a low voice.
I tapped my finger lightly against the arm of the chair and thought "Information exchange. Social leverage. Long term positioning"
"Hm…" I muttered.
Margaret crossed her arms and said "And before you say something stupid. That Stafford girl…her family still has weight. Real weight."
I slightly tilted my head.
"Mary olive'era stafford…" I muttered.
"Yes. That one. Every man turned her down because of her face. Which means if you take her, her entire bloodline will owe you." Said margaret calmly.
The study was absolutely silent.
"Debt. Loyalty. Social access" I thought. My eyes squinting
I leaned forward slightly and asked calmly "And what do I lose."
Margaret chuckled and said "Nothing you weren't already planning to sacrifice."
I was silent for a moment and teh reached for another document and began signing it.
""I will attend." I said calmly.
Margaret smirked slightly and said while gesturing at me with her cane "Good. Now we have a week to fix whatever this is."
I glanced down at my attire and said calmly "There is nothing wrong with my appearance."
Margaret looked me up and down and said with disgust "You look like a undertaker that learned how to count."
The study was absolutely silent.
"Hm…" I muttered.
I reached down to the side and grabbed the bag of money and dropped it onto the desk.
*THUD*
Margaret's eyes Immediately landed on it.
"22,500…" I said calmly while untying the bag slightly and feeling the contents.
I was silent for a moment and thought "11,555 for bamburgh…750 for greenland…remaining balance 10,195"
I tied the bag back and pushed it slightly forward.
"This will be sent out today. Bamburgh and greenland will be secured Immediately." I said calmly.
Margaret nodded slowly and said "You're moving fast."
"Slow is inefficient." I said calmly.
The study was silent.
"Once the land is secured, I want workers moved into bamburgh Immediately and trade routes established along the coast. Greenland will be held. Long term." I said calmly while tapping the desk with my left pointer finger.
*Tak* *Tak* *Tak*
Margaret raised an eyebrow and said "Greenland…you really bought that useless ice block."
"It is not useless. It is simply not understood yet." I said calmly with a sigh.
Margaret chuckled and said "Hahaha…you got a weird way of looking at things."
I stood up from the chair and adjusted my sleeves slightly.
"We have one week. I will attend the ball, gather information and observe. Nothing more."I said calmly.
Margaret smirked and said "That's what they all say."
I ignored her. Footsteps sounded outside the study.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Enter." I said calmly.
The door opened.
*Boom*
"I DID IT." Said vladimir loudly as he stumbled into the study with a wide grin on his face.
The study was absolutely silent.
Margaret squinted her eyes and asked "Why do you look like you just fought for your life and lost."
Vladimir ignored her and walked over to the desk and slammed down a stack of papers.
*THUD*
"I opened the accounts…ALL FIVE." Said vladimir proudly.
I reached forward and touched the papers and felt the ink and seals.
"Hm…efficient." I muttered.
"Under Ivan's name." I asked calmly.
"Of course. Do I look stupid." Said vladimir with an offended look on his face.
The study was silent.
Margaret and I both stared in his direction.
Vladimir paused.
"…Don't answer that." He muttered. A visible hurt look in his eyes.
Margaret chuckled and said "What took you so long."
Vladimir cleared his throat and said while looking away slightly "I had to handle…business."
I tilted my head slightly.
"What business." I asked calmly.
Vladimir's face reddened slightly and said quickly "Important business."
Margaret smirked widely and said "Oh…he got himself a little something didn't he."
The study was absolutely silent.
"Shut up." Said vladimir Immediately.
I ignored the exchange and said calmly "Good. The funds will be transferred today. Prepare for movement. The brothels will begin construction Immediately."
Vladimir nodded and said "Got it."
The study was silent.
I tapped my finger lightly against the desk and thought "London operations begin. Land secured. Banking leverage established. Social entry next week"
My lip curled slightly.
"This city moves quickly." I said calmly with my eyes closing.
Margaret chuckled and said "Good thing we move faster."
The study was absolutely silent.
I reached forward and picked up one of the documents and slid it toward vladimir.
"Take this." I said calmly with my eyes opening.
Vladimir grabbed it and looked down at it with confusion and asked "What is this."
"A list of locations. Five brothels. I want them placed strategically near high traffic areas, but not too visible. I don't want attention yet." I said calmly.
Vladimir nodded slowly and muttered "I see…hidden but accessible."
"Correct." I said calmly.
Margaret leaned slightly forward and asked "And what about security."
I tapped my finger lightly against the desk and said calmly "Layered."
The study was silent.
"Outer layer…normal guards. Inner layer…men that know what they are protecting. No one knows everything." I said calmly with my eyebrows creasing.
Margaret smiled slightly and said "Paranoia suits you."
"It is not paranoia. It is structure. I make sure to suck the breast milk for nourishment every second I get." I said calmly.
The study was absolutely silent.
Vladimir folded the paper and tucked it into his coat and said "I'll get it done."
I nodded slightly.
"Do not fail." I said calmly with another nod of my head.
Vladimir smirked and said "Relax, I won't."
The study was silent.
I leaned back into the chair once more and said calmly "Now leave. I have work to do."
Margaret turned around slowly and said "Don't stay locked in here too long. Even machines need to step outside."
"I am not a machine." I said calmly with a sigh and wave of my right hand.
Margaret laughed as she made her way toward the door and said calmly as she left "That's what makes it worse."
*Boom*
The door closed. The study was absolutely silent.
I reached for a cigar and lit it. Smoke filled the room slowly.
I exhaled through my nose and thought "One week until preparation. Observation. Expansion."
My eyes slightly narrowed.
London will not remain the same.
…
THE END…