110 RIVALS

"Ah, if it isn't the Lady. It's been a while..." Benjamin greeted me upon seeing Felicia walking towards the counter. Seems like the lady is here again with another request. "My master has been very eager to meet you, my Lady." Benjamin said with a teasing smile while Felicia just shrugged her head, smiling at his joke.

"Hello, same request," Felicia replied while eyeing the Bartender about what she wanted. Without further ado, Benjamin nodded his head and grinned, giving them a sign to follow him.

But upon seeing the lady's escorts, Benjamin couldn't help but to cock his eyebrow upon seeing an unfamiliar man, together with the Lady. He couldn't distinguish the man as he was wearing a longer cloak, hiding who he was and he was not able to disclose it since it was in their rule.

"A new companion, huh?" Benjamin asked as he led them towards the room where the guild master was currently staying. Upon the mention of a new companion, Felicia couldn't help but sigh once more as she wasn't able to push Alistair away from ever following her.

"Yeah, new companion," Felicia responded, didn't want the conversation to become lengthy. As soon as they stopped in front of the door, Benjamin knocked three times first, before slowly opening the door and revealing a luxurious room, where the Guild master could be found in the centre, looking at Felicia in surprise.

"Felicia! It's been a while-" He exclaimed, bursting in happiness but soon the surprise in his face vanished upon seeing an unfamiliar man, beside Felicia who refuses to leave despite Benjamin telling him off to leave. The meeting is only exclusive for Felicia and the guild master and this man won't give in.

"Who are you?" The guild master, Liam asked as Felicia entered the room, together with the man who still refused to leave the room. "Did you authorise this man to enter my room?" Liam asked, looking at Benjamin who immediately shrugged his head, looking helpless because of Alistair.

"He's with me. Don't worry, he won't be a bother." Felicia cut them off, sitting on the couch while Alistair did the same, making Liam look at Alistair with eyes wanting to skin him alive. Right here, right now. "It's been a while since we last saw each other, Liam. Busy, yes?" Felicia asked him with a professional smile.

"Yes... indeed, its been a while..." Liam coldly said, looking at the man and not paying any single attention towards her at all. 

"I could feel the cold stare, you know?" Alistair whispered closely at Felicia as he followed her, sitting next to her while looking at the Guild Master who was fuming mad right in his direction. Does that mean, even the Guild master is interested in Felicia?

Thinking about this, Alistair's mood went down while having a stare-off with the man in front of them, resonating with the energy that Liam was giving to the point that Felicia was muddled with the two acting like cats.

"Earth to everyone?" Felicia called, making the two men look at him softly like they had forgotten the fact that they were staring competitively at each other. She didn't understand that part though.

"Ehem... I apologize. I am strict with my clients having other companions since it's strictly between clients and service providers." Liam answered, throwing a passive-aggressive comment about Felicia bringing an unwanted man so suddenly.

He was happy earlier when he saw Felicia at the door until this man showed up and ruined the moment. Who the hell is he anyway? Why is he with Felicia? What's their relationship? Why is he mingling with Felicia?

"Ah... I apologize for bringing in someone without prior notice—"

"No, it's not your fault, Felicia. It's never your fault. No one's at fault here actually. It's just that people tend to assume that it's okay for them to join without asking for permission." Liam strikes again, giving an irk towards Alistair who was glaring at Liam.

He's not dumb, he knows that this man is throwing shades at him. It's with no doubt that this man knows Felicia and he's into her. There's no other explanation as to why he's acting like this.

Which also makes his heart frown upon this guy.

Alistair was about to respond but Felicia put her hand upon his lap which made Alistair's cheeks turn red upon what she did while Liam gasped silently at Felicia's behaviour.

However, the blushing soon turned into a cocky grin upon seeing the look of the Guild master behind the mask, his eyes screams how much he hates him right now. Ahh, the satisfaction he felt is making him want to pursue Felicia.

"Anyway, I came here because I need information about the second Prince." Felicia disregarded the actions of the two. "Here's my payment," Felicia added as she threw a pouch of gold coins at his table.

Liam was still able to function well as he remained flabbergasted and vexed. "W-what do you need to learn about him?" He asked in such a low voice while trying his best not to stutter.

"How many nobles are supporting him as of now? Who's the major power that is currently supporting him right now? I want to support him since the process of being a crown Prince can be changed when the tides change." Felicia immediately fired her question.

"I need answers, Liam. I know you can answer me." She greatly held up her face to show how confident she is upon betting that Liam can tell her about the mystery surrounding the second prince. 

She could ask this towards Alexander but knowing the mystery of the second Prince, there would be no information that she could pull towards Alexander. Therefore she went with the guild master.

"There are currently 7% of the population of the nobility focusing on supporting the second Prince due to the merits he gained through the battles that he won. The biggest influence of his highness is Count Leopold, a wealthy shipping line owner." Liam answered while deciding to ignore the man beside her.

"Leopold? Leopold... Where did I hear that name?" She asked herself, thinking as to who the count was. She really needs to engage herself with the crowds now because she lacks the connection she needs.

Liam however, was perplexed as his heart throbbed, silently cursing under his breath. God, what the hell is he doing and pushing her towards someone whom he didn't want her to know?

He didn't want to tell her about his condition—of being related to the count in terms of marriage. He didn't want her to think that he was loving someone else rather than her.

But do they even have such a relationship?

"Hm, why are you curious about the second Prince, Milady?" Alistair couldn't help but ask Felicia who was still having trouble remembering from whom she heard the name, Leopold.

"Oh yeah, that girl... She said her name was Cordelia Leopold... Great... I see it now..." She smiled to herself, didn't realize that she said it out loud which made Liam freeze in his seat.

He knew that Cordelia had already befriended her but for her to know that he and Cordelia are engaged... It's making his heart droop so low.

"I want to support him and become his ally. He deserves the spot of being the next Emperor." She explained shortly while smiling. How lucky is it for her to become an acquaintance of Lady Leopold? Luck is totally on her side.

"I see. You want to support him... Suspicious." Alistair commented, teasing him earned him a smack on his nape, making him groan in pain. How vicious this lady is. But not that vicious compared to her sister.

"Anyway, I'm curious about a lot of things. I hope you'll answer them." Felicia smiled, looking at the Guild Master who was bewitched at her, his eyes never leaving her sight. She was the only reflection that could be seen in his eyes.

"Of course, for you," Liam responded, not ending the stair that he had for her. If only he could deal with his issues sooner he would have been given the freedom to be with her.

And it's making his thoughts go dark.

—

"Thank you for your time. I hope I didn't disturb you that much seeing how much paperwork you have." Felicia chuckled, making Liam also let out a chuckle while shyly brushing the back of his head.

"If it's you, Felicia. Every hour of mine is free to spend if it's you." He replied, making Felicia even more giggly with his response. What's with the honey-coated tongue of the guild master? Sure it's kinda creepy for him to stare but he might just be spacing out and joking with her.

"My aid will see you out, I'm sorry I can't be with you.—"

"No, it's alright. The information you provided is already sufficient. I thank you a lot." Felicia replied as she shook her head at him while he apologized. There's nothing wrong with it so why is he apologizing?

"But I hope that you'll visit me often since I thought that we are friends? You've been very distant lately." She chuckled while pretending that she was disappointed at Liam who in return, just looked at her and sighed, shaking his head. He then approached her, despite the man behind her trying to interrupt, he bowed his head and took her hand, placed his lips on the back of her hand and never let his eyes shift away from hers.

A growl accompanied Liam's kiss from a certain someone but he didn't care. In fact, he just let himself be immersed with what he's currently doing. And that is to stare into her eyes where he can only see himself and no one else.

"It's such a pleasure for me to help you, Felicia. As a token of gratitude, I offer you this bracelet. It's nothing much compared to your wealth but it's a token of our friendship..." Liam said as he gently lifted her hand and tied the bracelet on her wrist, without even waiting for her answer.

Of course, Felicia was baffled by the sudden gift that she wasn't able to thank or reject since he immediately put it on her wrist, without giving her the time to respond to giving her such a gift.

"Forever..." Liam mumbled, looking at the bracelet on her wrist.

"You really don't have to give this treasure," Felicia answered as she pulled her hand back, making Liam look disappointed as he wasn't able to hold her a bit longer. Damn it.

"No, it's actually okay. Consider that as a friendship gift. It's not that expensive anyway so keep it." He sighed as he waved his hand, signifying that she should just accept it and she didn't have the choice to reject it.

Felicia sighed, smiled at his thoughtfulness and bid her goodbye before walking away, leaving Liam at the doorstep while his eyes gaze upon Felicia who then met up with the guy who was annoying back then.

His eyes darkened at the sight of the man, enjoying his time together with Felicia as his hand carelessly ruined the frame of his door, cracking it as he stared at the two, exiting the place together with Olivia and the man.

His eyes were really intense as he looked towards them, even remained despite the three of them leaving the tavern already. He didn't notice that he was greatly upset, as he stared continuously at the blank space.

That woman... Is his to begin with. That man has no right to be that close to her.