This was a tactic in manipulation. However, what made this type of manipulation so vicious was the fact that everyone in the room knew what Damon was after, but at the sa ti they could not let him be.
A young man who had the potential to beat Ashcroft all by himself.
That was an asset both military and political.
However, at this point he was just an investnt, which ant he was a liability. He ca with too many risks and troubles. So young, yet so many enemies.
Annalise could see that, and she was sure both her husband and father-in-law could as well. From his calm and casual attitude, she knew Damon was well aware of what he was doing. The boy was reckless, that much was true, but he was also calculating.
’He knows how to weaponize his audacity.’
Cassian was a pragmatic uncle, however he was still an uncle. The Grand Duke was stern, or at least made a show of it, but he was a soft-hearted old lion.
Annalise let out a soft sigh.
’We’re about to get exploited, aren’t we?’
’He’s manipulating us while genuinely needing us... we are his only choice at the mont.’
However, Annalise was also aware he was close to the daughter of House Astranova, and he was also friends with the son of the Ravenscroft family. This boy was well politically connected. There was the daughter of the Roaring Gale from the Wild Continent.
He surrounded himself with gateways to potential allies.
A maid had walked in with tea earlier, and Damon had said his part. They had been here quite a while. Cassian glanced at the young man casually sipping his tea with a calm expression that evidently said:
I win.
Still, he had to teach his nephew humility.
"You defeated Ashcroft... and he escaped."
"That’s right."
"You want us to act as your backing, giving you both political influence and military support."
Damon put down his teacup.
"Viscount Damon has a nice ring to it... I’ll also want so land."
He smiled softly.
"It’s not everyday a guy can defeat Ashcroft."
Cassian scoffed.
"And if we refuse to act as your backers?"
Damon didn’t say anything. He was sure they would help him. But then he reached for his pocket and pulled out his pager.
"Hmm. It’s almost ti. Oh, my apologies, I have a small eting with the one and only heir of House Ravenscroft."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Nothing serious. He only needs a favor from and agreed to do whatever I ask in exchange... desperate people are very easy to push around, you know."
The Grand Duke chuckled. His grandson’s negotiating skills were truly impressive. This boy was adaptable, using opportunities and random chance with his wit.
"What value can you provide? And how can we be sure you won’t turn on us when you’ve reached your full potential?"
Damon kept his expression calm.
’Seriously, old man, I know you’ll agree. Stop acting tough.’
He didn’t let his thoughts leak through.
"That’s the thing... you don’t. I’m an investnt."
Picking up the teapot, he poured the contents into the empty cup of the Grand Duke.
"Go big or go ho, I like to say."
The old man nodded. This youngster wasn’t bad, but these two were wily old foxes and could also take advantage of the situation.
"We don’t need you, you need us. Let’s break it down. You’ve made an enemy of the White Ruler, you pissed off soone in the Temple, you harassed Sera’s Blade, you destroyed Ashcroft, demons would want you dead... and most young nobles, among a long list of people who dislike you."
Damon was quiet, then he chuckled.
"Didn’t know I was so popular."
The Grand Duke cleared his throat.
"While you are an investnt, you’re more like a high-risk, high-return. In other words, a gamble."
He leaned his palm on his chin.
"Okay, let’s cut to the chase then. You guys want to sign an oath scroll, right?"
The Grand Duke glanced at Cassian, who smiled back at him.
"We have a better idea."
Damon suddenly got a bad feeling.
"What... I’m all ears."
The Grand Duke gave him a soft smile. The smile made Damon’s skin crawl.
"Since you are an investnt... we will agree to back you. But we’re going to need sothing to fall back on."
Cassian sighed.
"We’ll need you... to marry into the family."
Damon squinted his eyes with an air of confusion. He glanced at the two n in the room, then raised his hand in surrender.
"Aren’t... you two a little too old for ? And you’re sort of male... that’s gonna be a no for ."
Annalise couldn’t help but facepalm in exasperation.
Cassian scoffed.
"You’re in the mood for jokes... good. But we’re serious."
Damon sneered without a hint of fear.
"Yeah, so was I. Why on earth would you two think that I would ever agree to that? What right do we have to just sit here and decide Evangeline’s whole life... so no, I’ll pass."
He stood up, slamming the table with his fist until it shattered.
"I think I’ll take my chances with whoever is coming after ."
"Hahahaha... ahhh," the Grand Duke laughed, his face beaming despite Damon’s blatant disrespect.
"Ahhh, good, very good. I’m glad to see you have Evangeline’s best interest at heart. Alright then... we only need to convince her, am I right?"
Damon didn’t really like that idea at all.
"Sweet talking her or manipulating her into making the decision to help won’t work. That’s still a no for ."
Cassian sighed. Why did they even think this was going to work? He was clearly not going to agree.
"What now?"
Annalise sighed. She had let them talk, now it was her turn.
"There’s more than one way to join a family, and you don’t even have to marry Evangeline."
They all turned to her.
"Why not just beco my godson? You enjoy all the benefits without the deficits."
The two of them nodded.
Hmm. That could work.
Damon narrowed his eyes.
"Isn’t that a bit suspicious? The whole reason you guys made that poor joke was because you wanted a way to guarantee I stayed on your side. Now you suddenly want to adopt ... isn’t that a bit suspicious?... you gain nothing from that.."
Cassian felt the urge to sigh.
Why did he have to be so paranoid? They didn’t even have any ulterior motives. They just wanted an excuse to welco him ho.
"I insist on the initial suggestion," Cassian decided to push it.
"We’ll give you our political backing now. Think of it as tasting the pie. If you like it, you can buy the whole thing. Do you accept or not? After all, your only qualm seems to be the three of us arbitrarily deciding Evangeline’s life."
The Grand Duke nodded in agreent.
"In that case, we’ll leave negotiations to Evangeline then. She’ll decide the terms and conditions. Do we have an agreent?... her life, her choice."
Damon didn’t even know what to say.
’Seriously, what is wrong with these two? Anything but telling the truth, huh. Why do they think I acted out?’
’Just tell the truth and that’s it. This whole thing is a farce, and they both know it.’
"Very well then. We have an agreent."
He narrowed his eyes, feeling irritated with the two of them.
"Do you want that in writing?"
The Grand Duke smiled, shaking his head.
"There’s no need. I believe both parties would honor their word."
The old man seed excited.
"Actually, before tomorrow’s gas, there’s going to be sothing of a military parade. Nothing too big. Why not join us?"
Damon sighed, feeling cheated without even knowing how.
"Alright then."
’I see where the shitty part of my personality cos from... these two are horrible human beings... I think I just got played... worst I still haven’t figured out how."
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