43 Heir to the Throne

The messenger walked up to QJ and bowed. "Message for Viscount QJ."

"Thank you." QJ turned the message over in his hand. It was a small brown envelope that bore a wax seal in the shape of dice. QJ looked up to ask a question, but the man had already left.

"Very cloak and dagger, QJ, open it up. Let's see what it is." Breeze held out her hand as if expecting him to hand it over.

QJ rolled his eyes at her. "You guys mind heading back? I want to speak with Ringo for a bit."

Sato looked from one guild leader to the other. "Something going on here with you two?"

Ringo nodded. "Just another romantic liaison."

QJ laughed. "Yep, hot and heavy."

Breeze sighed, "when's it my turn again?"

Sato scowled at his guildmates, "you're messing with me."

Lotte looked at her hud, "can't go back to the Keep. It's being upgraded in a few hours."

Breeze pursed her lips as if considering her options. "Let's head to Maelstrom; I haven't had a chance to check it out yet."

QJ watched as his three guildies rode away. "Sorry, I completely forgot this morning." QJ rolled up his sleeve and held it out.

"I can last about a day and a half without feeling too bad." Ringo gripped his wrist and sunk her fangs into his arm.

QJ waited patiently, making sure to look away. The sight of her mouth on his arm was way too erotic to watch. "You mentioned three shops you want to open up. I want you to handle my three also; we'll pool them together." Being a Viscount entitled both of them to own businesses.

Ringo finished, wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve. "You want to go into business together? It's a big hassle. We could find us a manager."

"Done!" QJ jumped at the offer. He had no intention of opening his own shops, so letting someone else do so would benefit both of them. "Let me look into it. I'm going to head to Briar Rose. We'll part ways here."

"I have some business in Exodus, but I'll be back in a few hours. Catch you later, QJ."

QJ headed toward his estate, he let Scorch run hard, so the trip went very fast. He had thought the workers would have called it a day since it was getting late, but apparently, they worked in shifts around the clock.

QJ whistled when he saw the landscaping. The cobblestone had been redone, there were gardens and shrubs planted. Someone had repaired the large fountain in the front courtyard. "These guys work fast." He walked around the back of the house to the cottage.

Aji answered right away when he knocked on the door. She had a green wrap covering her short white hair and wore matching green robes. "Hey QJ, wasn't expecting you. I was making dinner."

QJ inhaled deeply. "Hold on... Why do I smell Italian food?"

Aji smiled, "I've studied different types of cuisine in Exodus."

"I see. Well, since you insist, I will join you." QJ pushed open the door and walked by her.

She stared at him for a moment, not sure what to do. "Right, we should talk about things anyway." Aji brought up the cottage hud and increased the privacy settings so that no one might overhear. "Have a seat, please."

There was a small breakfast nook just off of the kitchen. Aji had already set the table for herself, so QJ sat down on the other side. "Were you able to get the supplies? How many roulette wheels? I want at least three Blackjack and Dice tables also."

Aji nodded as she served up two plates of spaghetti. QJ opened the bottle of wine that she had placed on the table and poured them each a glass. "Repurposing the Vampire lair as a casino is an interesting idea."

"It must be kept secret. No one who works on it will remain in GnG." QJ swirled his fork around and sampled the pasta.

"I've been careful. No one is even allowed to mention it. Do you have a staffing plan?"

"Tomorrow, five people will come; at least, I think they will. Two of them are experts in the field. They will train the Silverleaf women."

"Use the first-floor mini-casino to train everyone?" Aji considered his words. "How are you going to keep it a secret once you open it up?"

QJ brought up his hud and zoomed in on the basement level. "We'll brick it off so there will be no exits or entrances to Briar Rose."

"I see," Aji replied. "So only portals in and out? That's why you are installing a portal down there?"

QJ sighed; the portal was ridiculously expensive. Thankfully Exodus had them, and Leah had purchased one for him. She refused when he tried to pay her. "Exodus compliant also, so they can port back to Ravenwood when their shift ends."

If everything went according to his plan. Briar Rose would be sitting on a casino that no one would know was there. Exit and entry would be by the portal, and that would be closely regulated. His casino workers would all be High Elf women that would never be seen anywhere near Briar Rose.

"An odd name, isn't it? 'The Casino Phoenix Royale.' Is there a meaning behind it?"

QJ nodded and removed a large orange-colored egg from his inventory. "Yep, right here."

[Phoenix Egg]

Embryo: Legendary

Description: This is

a Phoenix, a beautiful

creature of air and flame.

Aji stared wide-eyed. "Where did you get that, QJ?

"Hmm... my dad gave it to me, actually. Twenty years ago, he destroyed a threat to the High Elf Kingdom and personally turned the tides in an important battle. It was a gift from their King."

"I keep forgetting that your dad is Duke Q." Aji had read everything that was ever written about Q. He had aided two different empires in their darkest hour, eliminated a worldwide threat to NPCs, and restored the lost halfling race. While doing that, he had been the central figure in creating a powerful nation run by NPCs.

QJ waved his hand, "don't give him so much credit; my moms did most of it. He's a total goofball."

Aji placed both hands over his mouth in reflex. "Don't say something like that!" Immediately she pulled her hands back, "I'm so sorry, QJ!" Her dark face turned even darker, a sign that she was embarrassed.

He laughed aloud and leaned back. "It's fine; you are a really good cook, by the way." QJ didn't let it bother him; among the dark elves, his dad's star shone the brightest. The scarred dark elf princess, the brutal Mata Ru, and saving Serli Jol from Kimo Sai. It was one of the reasons QJ had called his Gram when he needed people. They were fiercely loyal to his family.

She extended a dark finger and touched the egg. "Will it hatch here?" It was very warm to the touch.

QJ nodded, "it's a TAP NPC, it should be fine."

"So... twenty years? Why hasn't it hatched?"

"Dad could have hatched it anytime; he has more stuff than he can use."

Aji's dark eyes glittered with excitement. "Okay then, how do we hatch it?"

"Place it in a fire for three days; it should hatch relatively soon after that." QJ finished off his plate and pushed it away from him. "We can't let it be seen here either. We'll hatch it in Ravenwood; it must never be seen near Briar Rose."

QJ stacked the plates and started clearing the table. "That was really good; next time, I'll cook you something."

Aji couldn't stop the surprise from showing on her face, "thank you, sir! I look forward to it."

QJ said goodbye and entered Briar Rose from the kitchen door. There were workers everywhere; according to Aji, the west office was completely finished, so he headed there.

He closed the door and adjusted the privacy setting for the office. QJ looked around, running his hands over the big desk. There was a huge window that stretched from floor to ceiling along one entire wall. A fireplace was nestled in one corner, along with a reading couch and a wall of bookshelves.

QJ sat on the couch and opened the message.

QJ,

I hope you are doing well. I find myself in need of a favor.

I need you to safeguard an important item for me. This is a

very dangerous mission. I almost hope that you would turn me down.

Meet me at the Briar Rose orchard tonight if you wish to help

me.

Annabelle.

QJ glanced at his hud, "probably a faction quest. If I am too deeply rooted in Lilly's faction, that could impede my progress later on."

A few minutes later, Scorch was trotting through the orchards. QJ had decided to at least listen before making a decision. A cloaked figure on a black horse waited beneath some of the lower hanging branches of a peach tree.

"It makes me happy to see you, QJ. I wonder if you feel the same?" Annabelle spoke as she dismounted. A sound from the object she was carrying made QJ freeze.

"Is that what it sounds like?"

Annabelle nodded and walked closer. She was holding an infant, completely swaddled in light blue cloth. "This is the son of Sebastian Malstrom. His father was killed by Morbin's men."

"Morbin's men let it go?"

Annabelle shook her head, "Sebastian knew they were in danger and hid his family well. Morbin's men killed Sebastian and were closing in on his family when you took Thunder Keep."

"Okay... if Morbin's dead, then where is the threat?"

"From within our own faction. This child would be ahead of Lilly in succession, so it is seen as a potential danger." Annabelle watched his face; he hid his emotions very well. "I shouldn't ask you this, QJ."

QJ felt his blood run cold; something so tiny seen as a threat. "Can't you just hide him somewhere? Find a nice family that wants children?"

"Yes, but then I'd know where it was. I want you to hide it, even from me." Annabelle's face turned pale. "The princess wants this child safe but doesn't want anyone to know it is still alive."

QJ held out his hands and received the baby. It was chewing on a small hand, fast asleep. "There's a river on this property. I'll drown it quietly and bury it where it will never be found."

Annabelle gasped in horror. "Just hide it, QJ; there's no need to harm the baby."

QJ carefully secured the baby to Scorches saddle. "Now that I know it exists, it's a danger to me. This is better for everyone."

"QJ... you don't mean that." Annabelle's face was chalk white, her forehead wet with sweat.

QJ stared at her, his face emotionless. "Just ride back to Malstrom, and forget this happened."

"I... QJ, give me back the baby." Annabelle held out her arms; they were shaking slightly.

"No... Go, back to Malstrom."

"Please, don't do this. I'll find a way." Annabelle's eyes were pleading, "I know a family that recently..." She reached for her hideout gun, her hand only touching it briefly before she was staring down the barrels of QJ's weapon.

"Don't try it, Dixie." QJ stared at her, dodging to one side when she tried to kick him. Stepping forward, he gripped her wrist and tossed her over his hip. She pulled her gun, and after QJ took it away, she drew a dagger. She was a fairly decent grappler but not good enough. A minute later, she collapsed after being choked out. QJ rolled from beneath her and patted her down for weapons.

Annabelle woke up a few moments later. There was a small pile of daggers, assorted hairpins, and two syringes sitting on the ground near her. The bastard had found everything. "You're heartless? All this time?" She stared at him, tears in her eyes.

QJ was sitting in the saddle, smiling down at the infant. "Of course not; who could hurt this little guy?"

Annabelle stared at him, her mouth opening and closing several times in silence.

"Had to make sure, Annabelle. How could I know for sure that you wanted to save this child?"

"What?" She climbed to her feet and kicked the pile of weapons in anger. "Bastard! How could you think..." Her words trailed off.

"I'll take this him somewhere he will be safe and loved." QJ turned Scorch toward the Keep and started walking.

[System Message] Annabelle's impression of you has increased.

QJ stopped for a moment, a small smile on his face. "I like you too, Annabelle." He waved quickly and rode toward the Keep.

"Nan? You awake?" QJ called from the kitchen island a few minutes later. The light in her room was on, but sometimes she fell asleep at her desk.

Anna walked out of her room, rubbing her eyes sleepily. It was obvious she had fallen asleep at her desk. "Heya, handsome."

"Could you log in and come down here for a bit Nan?"

Anna yawned. "Can it wait till morning?"

QJ glanced at his room. "Definitely not."

"So... you bring home some interesting things." Quinn stood next to his son. They were both leaning with their elbows on the upstairs railing, watching the hornets nest their living room had become.

QJ grinned at him. "Welcome to fatherhood, 2.0."

"...." Quinn.

Anna was logged in as herself. She had made an avatar long ago for social functions that required a virtual presence. It wouldn't do to show up to dinner parties as Jaded Ice, the Necromancer.

QJ elbowed his father. Anna had taken one look at the baby and scooped it up. She hadn't put it down since. Every female they knew was swarming around her. "Look at Anna."

Quinn smiled at his long-time lawyer friend. "We'll figure it out first; we'll need the details."

Robin was sitting next to Anna; every once in a while, she would steal a glance at QJ, her expression unreadable.

The baby fell asleep in Anna's arms. Leah looked up the stairs at QJ and motioned for him to come down.

"Looks like you're in trouble now, son." Quinn didn't bother to hide his smile; for once, it was someone else on the hot seat.

Every seat in the living room was taken, so QJ faced his extended family on his feet. He turned to Naomi first, "most likely, this baby is a developing LAI. He's the son of Sebastian Maelstrom, a family that was wiped out by Prince Morbin on every other server."

Naomi nodded, "I'll talk with Felix, just to make sure it develops normally as an LAI.

QJ nodded. If Felix and Naomi kept an eye on things, it would turn out fine. "This baby isn't safe anywhere in GnG. His family is gone, and he is seen as a threat to every faction."

"It's actually a TAP baby. The lone survivor of a Ba'Avriel raid on a small village in Pern." Quinn's voice carried from the railing upstairs.

Immediately Tal and Leah nodded in agreement. The redhead put an arm around Anna and hugged her. "It's very lucky that Jaded Ice was in the area and found him."

Everyone started nodding and looking around. Simple was best, a TAP baby that would be raised in Ravenwood. As a family that harbored many secrets, this would be kept without question.

Anna looked at QJ, "is this really okay? I mean you..."

QJ nodded, "it's a shame about the raid. I like the name, Cale."

"Oh... I like that too." Anna gently rocked the sleeping baby. "Little Cale sounds nice."

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