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Chapter 204: How Desperate Is She?
🕑 Added 2022-12-31 06:00:04 +0000 UTC“Keep your elbows tucked! If they’re out, they’re a target!” Tori walked along the row of first-year students who were new to long swords. There was a half dozen of them, and Tiff had asked Tori to teach them the basics on how to hold the swords and the primary cuts, as Tori was the one who taught her. “Miss Ward, slow down. Concentrate on keeping the cut smooth as you shift from one position to the next. Speed can come later; perfect practice makes perfect.”
“Yes, Senior!”
Tori wasn’t sure if it was because they were the Sword Association, but the first years tended to answer her as if she were a training commander. Ewan had told her that was normal, as that was how they answered their instructors at La Garda: loud and with vigor.
With the weekend looming the next day, students seemed to give their last school-related activity of the week their last bursts of energy. It was admirable, as if it were Tori, she’d be lazy about it. She complimented her underclassmen on their enthusiasm and told them to lower their swords.
“All right, stretch out. You have five minutes of free practice. If you have any questions, you can come to me,” Tori said as she stopped and stood to the side. She stood with her legs apart and arms behind her back as the first years tried to loosen their shoulders and arms after their practice.
“Miss Guevera, how are you with a single-handed sword?” Master McDouglass, the association’s staff advisor, called out to her and she looked over her shoulder.
She shook her head. “I’m not very good. I have limited experience with a single-handed sword, even less with a buckler. To be honest, Sir, I’ll likely default to using one as an extended dagger.”
Master McDouglass appeared a bit disappointed. “Von Dorn and His Highness could use more individuals to practice with. A good variation will keep them from becoming complacent after becoming used to the other’s habits.”
“Is there anyone we can reach out to?” Tori asked.
“I know a few retired sailors, but they are not local to the area. In fact, they’re in Anlar,” Master McDouglass said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “The two are advancing quickly, so I’d like to increase their training. Von Dorn in particular adjusts to a single-handed sword well. With his ability, it wouldn’t be difficult to move through the ranks later.”
“I can request assistance from the imperial family as Prince Gideon’s Lycée guard,” Tori said. “I am sure the Empress would be excited to find a suitable sword master.”
“They will be unable to come on campus, but after school and on weekends would be enough to sharpen them further. They’ve told me they already accompany you to Viclya to continue the training regime a naval training commander gave them.” Master McDouglass gave her a wide, cheerful smile. “To see them so devoted and working hard towards their goal makes this old man proud.”
Tori chuckled. “They really are trying, sir. I’ll speak to the imperial family regarding this.”
“Thank you, Miss Guevera.” Master McDouglass looked out towards the training grounds, his eyes settling on Fabian and Gideon in front of practice dummies. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you willingly assist von Dorn after that duel your first year.” He chuckled a bit. “Hardly much of a duel, though.”
“I like to think I humbled him,” Tori replied. “And that made him willing to learn again.”
Master McDouglass nodded. “He still had much to learn, but was too confident and resistant. It was a waste of ability and talent. His foundation was excellent. It’s a shame he didn’t go to La Garda.”
Tori wrinkled her nose. “No, I think he’s better suited for this. I heard that almost all personal knights went to La Garda, but von Dorn remains at the prince’s side and plans to in the future. That’s also good.”
She watched Fabian stop to correct Gideon’s form and Gideon, with a serious look on his face, nodded and practiced the form a few more times before Fabian nodded with satisfaction. The two continued to practice. For a moment, Tori wondered if their relationship would have remained like this if Alessa was still between them.
If the original story progressed and Alessa continued to be the object of their love, no matter what relationship Fabian and Gideon had, they would ultimately be rivals. Considering the romance-centric focus of the game, even if one of them did step aside for the other, the strong feelings would have remained and such strong feelings could mess up anyone.
Master McDouglass’ booming voice filled the training yard, telling all the students to head out as he had to close the yard. The students returned their training weapons, scrambled to the changing rooms, or in some cases, tossed their sweaty practice clothes into their bags to be washed.
Tori went to her large canvas tote. Sonia had embroidered the seal of the Countess of Cosora on one side and it was large enough to hold Tori’s gambeson, gloves, and two wooden training daggers.
“The wagons to Duel leave in half an hour!” Tiff shouted as she walked through the yard. “If you miss them, you’ll have to find your own transportation there!”
“Captain, there are only two wagons. That’s not enough for us!” someone shouted a complaint.
“We only have so much money to rent them!” the sword association’s treasurer shouted back in defense.
“Tiff, I’m taking Layla there tonight. SIG One is free and can carry-”
“Guevera, can we ride in SIG One?” Gideon always seemed to materialize to ask for something at inopportune times. Tori took a deep breath.
“You have to share it. It seats eight people,” Tori said in a calm voice.
“All right, then the captain and the officers can sit with me and Fabian,” Gideon said. It was logical and no one argued with it. Tori gave them a small nod. She headed out of the training yard to put her things back into her dorm room and rinse off before following them to Duel.
Fridays were a big game night, and La Garda also came. When Tori got to her dorm room, Ilyana had already left with members of the tabletop gaming club. Tori put her dirty training clothes into the large bucket, poured in some soap, and activated the crystal to agitate the water. After cleaning up, she put on some clean pants and a tunic and headed to the front gates.
The wagons and SIG One had already left, but there were four knights waiting for her along with a beautiful black horse with a crystal-studded bridle. They were placed in a few tasteful points and didn’t stand out too much. Tori didn’t bedazzle every bit of leather.
“Layla, my baby,” Tori cooed to her horse as she came out and extended her arms. She stroked her horse’s neck and kissed her head. “Have you eaten well?” Layla let out a small chuff.
“Nyaow!” A loud cry came from the basket on the seat and Tori sighed. Alexander put his paws up on the edge of the basket and looked at her with large eyes.
“Yes, Alexander, I see you, too. Are you being good at Piers’ apartment?” Tori reached forward and gently scratched her cat under his chin. He let out a small chirp and rubbed his head against her hand.
“Tori, I am here, too.” Piers was seated on a brown horse and Tori furrowed her brows.
“Where’s Ice Queen?”
“She does not like Layla, so I am riding Sir Dobchek’s horse,” Piers replied. Tori rounded Layla and patted the brown horse with the black points.
“I thought she looked familiar. Hi, Boots.” Tori softened her voice as she stroked the horse’s mane.
“You know his name?”
“I know all the horse’s names,” Tori said. She looked towards each of the four knights. “East Wind, Leviathan, Smokey, and Reynaldo Felipe del Mar the third.” She grabbed on to Layla’s saddle and pulled herself up.
“You’re getting better that mounting, my lady,” Sir Atienza said.
“Thank you! I think it’s less jerky, too,” Tori replied. She adjusted her seat and took the reins. “Let’s go!” She pulled on the reins and let Layla walk ahead, past the other horses. She made it two steps before a voice called out to her from the gates. She looked over her shoulder and almost let out a groan.
“My lady! My lady, do you have a moment!?”
Even if she didn’t, she couldn’t take off galloping now. Tori turned Layla once more and made her way back to the gates. “Can I help you, Baroness?”
Alessa looked out of breath from running. “My lady! Tomorrow...tomorrow can you come with me to the Golden Cow?” Tori tilted her head to the side and frowned. Before she could ask why, Alessa stood up straight and rambled on. “Several of our customers are upset that we’re limiting the number of spices and they want to discuss a deal. I tried to discuss it with the store’s manager, but he says it is up to me and he normally does not deal with such things.”
“What about Mr. Rosiek?” Tori asked. “I have little experience with the spice trade specifically. He’d likely be of more help.”
Alessa shook her head, helpless. “I’m unable to reach him right now. I’ve been calling him all of yesterday and this afternoon, but he hasn’t answered, and this is urgent. I’m worried that the customers will take advantage of the Golden Cow, but I don’t want them to be upset and end their business with us.”
“Baroness, as long as the spices are being sold well below the current market value, I doubt they’re going to end their business,” Tori said. She crinkled her eyes and frowned. “Do they demand larger quantities for themselves? Do they want priority? Exclusivity?”
Alessa got as close to Layla as possible, but the horse sent her a low huff and stomped one hoof in warning. Alessa maintained her distance as a result, but still looked at Tori with a pleading expression.
“They already have priority by being able to reserve the maximum amount per week, one week in advance. They don’t need to line up with the other customers and come pick up at any time. This was because they offered to pay an additional fee.” Alessa ran her hand through her hair and appeared at a loss. “Now they want exclusive larger quantities for themselves.”
Tori continued to frown. “How many customers?”
Alessa’s eyes lit up, as if she’d seen her savior. “There are three! The Montes family of the fifth, and the Paquets and Vidals of the second district.”
“Montes, Paquet, and Vidal....” Tori repeated the names and filed them away in her head. “What time will they be coming to meet with you?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
“Wait for me tomorrow morning, after breakfast, at the gate,” Tori said. “I’ll go with you to review their current contracts.”
A wide smile bloomed across Alessa’s face. “Thank you, Countess!”
Tori gave her a nod and gave Layla a small tug to lead her back. They continued ahead and Piers fell into step with Tori.
“Do you recognize the names?” Tori asked.
“Paquets are influential in local business. A few restaurants and shops in the second district’s main street are owned by them. The Vidals are landowners and supply poultry to various restaurants, including the ones for the Paquets,” Piers said. “The Montes family run a transport service throughout the Central Corridor.”
“So, they’re all wealthy?”
“That is implied.”
Tori scrunched her face. “I can understand the first two, but why would a transport service need spices?” She sighed and nodded as the answer came to her. “Reselling along the trade route.”
“Prices have gone up and it is easiest to get the spices in Horizon,” Piers told her. He glanced towards her. “Has the delta been affected?”
“Of course. Everywhere has,” Tori said. “It’s just that we don’t use as much, so we have reserves. In addition, we’re trying to grow a lot of commonly used herbs and spices to reduce reliance on outside sources. Obviously, not all the ones we need due to the climate and resources required, but Senior Southard and her team are experimenting with different herbs and such. It’s not anywhere near enough to trade, though. We can’t even make enough for ourselves.”
“What do you plan to do about the Baroness’ problem?”
“Assess the situation, discuss the issues, and then come to a resolution. I hope,” Tori said. “I’m not familiar with these families personally.”
Piers looked ahead of them as they rode down the street. “They are familiar with you.”
Tori pursed her lips. “Good or bad?”
“I do not know. It is unexpected that you’d help the Baroness.”
“That’s what everyone says.” Tori shrugged. “I’m learning a lot. For instance...apparently, Adrien Rosiek can’t be contacted right now. Considering how he’s steadily maintained contact with the Baroness and is building on her maternal side’s land, it’s suspicious that she can’t contact him. My only guess is that something isn’t going according to plan that has him indisposed.”
She caught Piers glance at her from the corner of her eye. “I thought we agreed that you would not concern yourself with Pargath.”
“What does this have to do Pargath?” Tori asked as she lifted her chin. “This is a personal vendetta. I just like watching him suffer.”
The manager of the Golden Cow did not like her. He answered her questions and brought out the purchase orders that she requested, but he could not hide his disgusted sneer. Although Tori didn’t think he was trying to hide it at all.
“My lady, is it necessary to invite her to assist us?” His voice wasn’t quiet as he stood to the side with Alessa. Tori ignored him and pretended not to her as she looked over the orders that were filed by date.
“Countess Guevera is an experienced businesswoman and has influence in Horizon’s noble circles,” Alessa told the manager in a reassuring voice. “In terms of negotiation, she would be best suited for it.”
They’re really giving me too much credit. Tori furrowed her brows and shifted through the orders. “Every week since the quantity restrictions were put in place, they’ve bought the maximum amount, which is understandable, especially for the Paquets. I can understand why you cut them a deal to allow them to reserve the weekly maximum ahead of time. They’ve been consistent and paid your asking price, even though it is below the current average costs of paprika, turmeric, and cumin in the city.”
“Has the Countess looked up the cost of those spices in Horizon?” the manager asked with distrust.
“Yes, I can do math and calculate average costs,” Tori replied in a dull voice. “I’d like to see what the other party offers. There is some room to increase their amount, as the higher the prices go, the less people are buying. It may not be a bad offer, Baroness. There is no harm in looking over the terms.”
Alessa let out a breath of relief and nodded. “I can see why Dimitri has asked you for assistance.”
“I can only offer advice based on experience and additional advice from others,” Tori replied. “Ultimately, it is up to him to decide whether or not to follow it. I’m in a similar position. Whether or not I follow the advice given to me is my decision. If a project fails, I can’t throw the blame on someone else.”
Dimitri was more hesitant in following through with his decisions than he appeared in the past and that was likely due to the massive failure he encountered. He needed to build up his confidence again, but at least now he was being more cautious and following through with more detailed background work.
“Is there any more information you need?”
“Is it possible to see what the current orders from the supplier are? How much is being delivered and the cost?” Tori asked.
“No!” The manager jumped in at once and almost seemed to shield Alessa from Tori. His dark eyes drilled into Tori, as if she was the devil. “That is confidential information!”
Alessa opened her mouth to try to argue, but Tori met the manager’s eyes, unimpressed. “Then what about just the current amount that is delivered per week? It is necessary to have an idea of what the Golden Cow can offer during negotiations.” Tori smirked. “Lack of information is a weakness.”
The middle-aged man took a deep breath and held his ground. Alessa stepped around him. “I can give you that information.”
Tori wasn’t surprised that Alessa was able to tell her how many barrels and their weights were delivered of each of the five spices they sold. Salt and pepper weren’t under any restriction, as there was no shortage. Salt was sourced domestically, and pepper was imported from Nazaria without problem.
It was the other three she’d mentioned earlier that were affected by the trading concerns in Pargath, which was the launching point to Soleil and Nazaria from the east.
“It’s been a steady supply?” Tori asked. This wouldn't have been suspicious in the past, but since ships have been carrying less, why hadn’t the supply decreased? She was sure Alessa’s supplier had some way to bypass Pargath’s restrictions. If they didn’t, then Pargath’s restrictions likely didn’t apply to them.
And that was unsettling.
“There has been a steady supply, my lady. We don’t have a shortage. We’re selling out of the supply that has been allocated per week. We’re not losing any money,” Alessa said, pleased for a moment before frowning. “However, we could always use more.”
“My lady, if we sold the spices to the highest bidder, any financial concerns we are facing could be dealt with easily,” the manager told Alessa in almost a pleading voice. “The Paquets alone are willing to pay top coin for it.”
“Is the Golden Cow in financial trouble?” Tori asked, glancing at the two casually. The manager scowled.
“It is nothing to be concerned about, Countess,” the manager replied in a sharp voice.
Tori didn’t look up. “It certainly doesn’t sound like it if you’re encouraging the Baroness to ignore the needs of the common people and only sell to the wealthy.”
The manager’s frown deepened. “The citizens of the city can get their spices elsewhere! You said yourself that the cost here was below average.”
“If people like the Paquets buy out every merchant that has affordable spices, they can sell what they don’t need at a high price, and no one can stop them. Not counting middle income individuals, it would also become a problem for some restaurants, especially regarding paprika, which is a fairly common spice amongst the masses since it was introduced centuries ago.”
Current production did not meet demand, especially during the fall and winter, when many seasonal dishes called for it, so Soleil imported most of it from the east, where it was cheaper to buy. They could still get it from across the sea, from the Tona Empire where it was native, but the large volume shipments would take longer to arrive. The people of Horizon couldn’t wait.
“I want our regular customers to have the opportunity to buy spices from us,” Alessa told the manager. “The Golden Cow serves everyone.”
Tori nodded her head. As expected of the heroine. Even if Alessa caused her many problems and lacked self-awareness, she was still a righteous character who wanted to be fair.
The manager grit his teeth, but nodded. “If you insist, Baroness.”
Tori wondered if he regretted working for Alessa, who refused to screw over the common people for profit. The heroine had to be loved by the masses somehow.
But whether or not Alessa was loved by the masses wasn’t important at the moment. Tori urged Alessa to sit down and review the records with her. If the three families wanted exclusivity, that was not possible, however, the Golden Cow could afford to increase their limit. With a suitable amount to work with, Tori felt a bit confident that while the three families wouldn’t get exactly what they wanted, they wouldn’t feel like their wasted their time coming, either.
She didn’t expect them to be so surprised when they saw her there. Piers was right. They did know who she was.
The three families arrived one after the other and each one recognized her immediately, and the confident atmosphere around them changed at once. Tori didn’t recognize any of them, but it was more important that they recognized her. There were compliments and the ferocity Tori expected during negotiations was severely tempered.
“If that’s what you suggest, Countess, I have no problem with it.”
“That’s more than we expected. Thank you, Countess.”
Tori kept her pleasant business smile on her face the entire time. She neither tried to be too aggressive nor cautious. In the end, the three families agreed to the limit increase and continued the reservation process they currently enjoyed.
There was no mention of exclusivity.
Alessa couldn’t seem to stop smiling, even as she sent them off.
The door to the Golden Cow closed and she turned around to look at Tori with an ecstatic expression. “We did it! Thank you, Countess!”
“We were lucky there was an allowance we could give them,” Tori replied as she gathered the documents into a neat pile.
Alessa opened her mouth to speak, but behind her, the door was pulled open.
“Alessa!” The door to the shop opened and a young man rushed in wearing worn, but neat clothing. Tori didn’t recognize him at first, though felt he looked somewhat familiar.
“Tom!” Alessa’s eyes widened as she took a step back to give the young man room. Tori didn’t change her expression.
There was only one ‘Tom’ Alessa should’ve known and it was her childhood friend. Tori looked him up and down. He’d gotten taller again and filled out a bit more. From his clothes, he was working in the back of a store, as there were some dust and dirt streaks on him. His face matured with more defined angles. The baby fat had receded and now he looked like a proper love interest. And his relationship with Alessa hadn’t waned. It’s surprising she didn’t have him work for her at this store.
Alessa threw him a wide smile. “How was work-”
“I’m sorry I’m late! Have you already dealt with those troublemakers?” The young man’s eyes immediately narrowed as soon as they landed on Tori, who was still seated at the table.
The fuck you staring at? I didn’t do anything. Tori raised one brow and kept her lips in a tight line silently daring him to say something.
Alessa got in between them, shielding Tori from Tom’s withering glare. Since Tori knew who he was after Alessa said his name, she wasn’t surprised by his initial response to her.
That was exactly how a love interest hooked on the heroine would look at the game’s big boss villain. Suspicion, disgust, and a smattering of hate. She hadn’t seen such a look in a long time and Tori almost basked in it.
“Yes! It’s all taken care of,” Alessa said with a wide, happy smile. “We managed to make a deal with the parties involved-”
“An exclusivity deal?” Tom’s russet face paled and his hands shot up and grabbed Alessa’s shoulders. “What about the commoners? Didn’t you say that you still wanted to give them access to the spices?”
Alessa appeared stunned by his desperation for a moment, but tilted her head back and laughed. “There isn’t anything to worry about! A set amount is still allocated for commoners and the pricing remains below average.”
Tom slowly withdrew his hands and lowered them to his sides. His hands clenched. “Were those people angry?”
Alessa chuckled and shook her head. “I’m sure they were disappointed that they didn’t get as lucrative a deal as they thought, but something is better than nothing, so I don’t think they were angry.”
Tom let out a breath of relief and nodded. “Good...that’s good.
“Isn’t it?” Alessa asked, her smile still beaming. “And it’s all thanks to the Countess’ hard work!”
Tom took a step back, his head snapping back as his jaw dropped a bit. “The...Countess?”
Alessa motioned to the table where Tori was seated. “I told you she received a peerage, right? Countess Victoria de Guevera, Countess of Cosora.”
His doubtful eyes turned towards Tori.
“Mr. Fields,” Tori said with a cold, curt nod. “We meet again.”
The corner of his lip curled up in a sneer. “How unfortunate.”
“And we agree on something. That’s a pleasant change.” She responded to his sneer with a goading smirk. Go ahead and open your mouth. I haven’t ripped a love interest a new one in a while, and I can use the exercise.
Tom’s nostrils flared as he let out a low huff. He turned his head towards Alessa but kept his eyes on Tori. “Alessa, there’s no need for an ignorant noble to get involved. She’ll only try to trick you. Maybe she was working with those customers. She can’t be trusted.”
Alessa’s hands were up, and her face was red. She was flustered as she looked from her friend to Tori and back. “The Countess has an excellent reputation at school. Even the former Prime Minister’s son trusts her with his project.”
“He’s the former Prime Minister’s son,” Tom said, looking towards Tori. “He still has some influential backing. You and I are outsiders to Horizon and you’re a young noble from a small family. It’s far too easy for her to take advantage of you.”
He looked at her helplessly. Alessa looked down and seemed at a loss as to what to say. Tori checked the time piece in her pocket. The afternoon was still young, and she hadn’t eaten lunch yet.
“She’s not taking advantage of me. Besides, I was the one who went to her for help.”
“What? Why!” He paled and looked at Alessa with disbelief. Tori wondered if they remembered she was still there.
“Because the Countess knows how to deal with the nobles and aristocrats! You’re right! I’m an outsider here and my family has no real influence or position. There is no reason for those families to deal with me unless they plan to take advantage of me. That’s why I asked Countess Guevera,” Alessa said as she lifted a hand to her chest. “I needed her name and expertise!”
Tori’s eyes slowly squinted. This bitch...did just admit to targeting me to use me? Now that the powerful love interests are gone, she’s going to try to use me? The villainess? How desperate is she?
Tom let out low huff, unconvinced. His hardened glare looked back at Tori. “I don’t trust her. There is no reason for her to agree to help you. She not only detained you this summer, but caused your reputation to plummet at Lycée. She must be planning something. There is no such thing as altruism for a noble. She’s just as corrupt as those nobles who tried to coerce you into selling the spices to them.”
Tori grit her teeth for a moment before turning her head away in distaste. “Baroness, quiet your guard dog before I silence him myself.” She pushed her seat back, scraping it against the floor as she rose to her feet. “I will not stand for such blind accusations.”
“Wait! Countess, don’t leave yet!” Alessa grabbed Tom’s arm and pulled him back. “This isn’t what you think! The Countess was helping me!”
“I don’t believe she’d help you for nothing,” Tom said in a low voice. “She had you arrested this summer!”
“It was holding,” Tori told them in a calm voice.
“It doesn’t matter what it’s called! You detained her!” He threw his arms to the side and took a menacing step forward.
Tori didn’t budge. “I also detained my own blood-related aunt. What’s your point? Should I have ignored my delta’s protocol because I am familiar with them? Isn’t that an abuse of my position?” The corners of her lips tugged upwards. “Wouldn’t that make me a corrupt noble?”
Tom’s face reddened, but his glare did not weaken at all. “Only you would know what’s in your heart.”
Oh, my fucking G.... Tori rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Think what you want. I’m going to get lunch.” She walked towards the door and Alessa cried out.
“Countess, please forgive Tom!” Alessa stood between her and the door, arms spread out to try to stop her as she wore a worried look. “He’s worried that I’ll be taken advantage of, so he’s cautious about everyone.”
“It’s fine to be cautious, but there is no need to call me ignorant or accuse me of corruption,” Tori replied. She craned her neck and looked past Alessa. “If you’ll make way, Baroness, I have another appointment with a meal after this.”
A look of panic reached Alessa’s face before she looked towards Tom. “Tom! Apologize to the Countess! She’s done so much to help me recently.” The sandy-haired young man stood rooted in his spot and appeared reluctant to open his mouth. Alessa gave him a pleading look. “Tom!”
“I’ll apologize, if we find out later that she took advantage of you-”
“With absolutely no respect, I don’t need nor want his insincere apology,” Tori said with a dismissive glance. “He can think whatever he wants of me. He is entitled to his opinions and his opinions are irrelevant to me.”
Alessa pursed her lips and looked at Tom with a beseeching expression. She shut her eyes and lowered her head. “I’m sorry if my friend insulted you, my lady.”
“Don’t concern yourself about it,” Tori replied. She drew her eyes back to Tom and narrowed them.
She stepped around Alessa and opened the door herself. SIG One was parked down the street, at Duel, so Tori walked in that direction. She hadn’t eaten much for breakfast and skipped lunch to deal with the three families. A late lunch at duel was a good idea. Her thoughts drifted to the menu and what she wanted to eat when she heard the rapid footsteps coming up behind her.
“Hey!” A man’s voice called out and Tori’s thoughtful smile thinking about lunch dropped. She glanced towards the windows of a store as she passed and saw the reflection of Alessa’s childhood friend about to reach her. His arm was extended, his hand aiming for her arm. Tori’s eyes narrowed.
“If you try to grab me, Fields, I’ll make sure your good hand will be as useless as your bad one.” She saw his reflection nearly come to a halt as his extended arm pulled back, as if about to be burned. Once confirming that he stopped, she turned around to face him. “Are you here to warn me of something, Mr. Fields?”
He jerked his head back and narrowed his eyes. His lips were tight lines as suspicious eyes looked her up and down. “What are you planning to do with Alessa?”
She blinked at him. “Did you not hear her say that she came to me in order to use me to deal with those families who were putting pressure on her? In what world did you see me plotting something against the Baroness?”
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done in the past! You know that the Golden Cow is competition with your store, so you-”
“Even if that were the case and I was trying to sabotage Baroness Hart, which I’m not, let me ask you a question.” Tori crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her head up. “What makes you think you can threaten me?”
Confusion filled his face as he looked at her as if the questions had nothing to do with what they were talking about. “You think I’m threatening you?”
“You’re here to warn me against taking advantage of the Baroness, aren’t you? There must be a dire consequence in order to ensure that I won’t; therefore, you are trying to threaten me.”
He let out a bitter laugh and put on a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You think too much, Countess.”
“As do you,” Tori replied. “Because there is nothing you can say or do that will be a threat to me. I mean...you can try. But I hope you’re aware of the consequences.”
Tom sneered. “Now it seems that you’re threatening me.”
Tori uncrossed her arms and let out a tired sigh. “I keep telling people that I don’t make threats,” she said. Her eyes narrowed. “I make promises. Baroness Hart came to me asking for help, so I came to give it as a fellow student. Whether or not you believe that it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care whether you think I’m incapable of altruism, but the Baroness and I are perfectly capable of being civil towards one another.”
The ugly expression on his face didn’t leave. “Civil just means you’re pretending for the sake of mutual benefit.”
Tori lifted her hands and gave him two unimpressed claps. “It seems you understand that much.”
He leaned forward. “What do you want from Alessa?”
“What do I want from Hart?” Tori’s brow rose. “How about to be left alone?”
