Seducing the Conqueror

009: We Will Definitely Be Ready

THE GROUP moved to the restaurant’s second floor and sat at the large table at the corner. Hugo and Harold both sat at Candice’s side while their parents sat on their other side. Winston is now sitting across Candice’s chair.

Both Madam Clair and Father Pots ordered for the most luxurious food in the menu --- both trying to please and make an impression to the Montgomeners.

“Miss Candice, what kind of flower you like the most?” Harold asked while they are waiting for their food.

Candice smiled and answered “Red spider lilies.” She is not really fond of flowers but she doesn’t hate it. She just doesn’t have the so-called favorite flower.

The two gentlemen beside her clearly didn’t expect her to choose this specific flower. Red spider lilies are scarlet flowers that grow near rivers or cemeteries during summer, and are associated with the word “death”. This is definitely not the type of flower a beautiful girl like her should like.

“May I ask what made you like red spider lilies?” Harold asked out of curiosity.

“I like its scarlet color --- like a sunset,” Candice lied. She chose red spider lilies because it perfectly suits her: a person who is associated with the word “death” and someone who sends her targets to the afterlife.

When the food arrived, Harold still kept asking Candice about herself. Of course, everything she said is just a facade. She answered the questions to build her alleged sophisticated personality.

On the other hand, Hugo kept as silent as he could. He only talks when he is offering some dish to Candice or if he is offering her some help. He looked like a harmless child. But who would have known, he certainly inherited her mother’s straightforwardness.

“Miss Candice, would you like to attend the Black Conqueror’s tea party with me?” he said when they are about to finish their dinner. Madam Clair proudly looked at her son.

Harold wanted to retaliate and invite Candice instead, but due to his position, he himself is not attending the party as a guest. Who is he to invite a lady to attend a party without an escort?

Harold could only cry inside as he waited Candice’s acceptance to Hugo’s invitation. But in contrary, Candice politely rejected Hugo’s offer.

“It is such an honor to be asked by a fine gentleman like you, Mr. Aubert. But I’m afraid I have to decline your offer.”

“Could you give me a reason for your rejection? Does it have something to do with our status?” Hugo sadly asked.

The Aubert family is not a royal but is well-known as one of the richest nobles in the kingdom. Even though the Montgomeners aren’t commoners, they are still far off from Hugo’s family. They are just considered new money and do not have real power yet.

Candice shook her head and sadly looked at Hugo’s eyes.

“I would love to go with you. I would love to go to such a prestigious party at least once in my life --- but I already have prior engagements that I could not decline or postpone. I hope you could forgive my inability to fulfill your request.”

Her sweet plea and sincere look melted everyone’s heart.

Ah, this child is unfortunate. She has no choice but to dream from afar while she’s fulfilling her role as the daughter of a rising businessman, they all thought.

“Do not worry, child. My Hugo understands your situation. You are not in a position where you could favor one and disregard the other,” Madam Clair said.

“Hugo, why don’t you and Candice walk at the streets of Marienne for a while? I think she would love to hear the stories of the parties you previously attended,” she recommended to her son.

Hugo turned to Winston and asked for his approval. Only after Winston nodded did he ask Candice. “Would you like to take a walk?”

Candice glanced at her father. No words were needed. They understood what has to be done.

I need to collect as much information as I could! We will definitely be ready for the tea party!

❀°˖✧˖°✿°˖✧˖°✿°˖✧˖°❀

THE WIND blew on Candice’s face as she stepped outside of the five-star hotel. It was neither cold nor warm --- just the right temperature of fresh air.

Due to her thin clothing, Hugo removed his jacket and put it over her shoulder. Candice muttered a soft “Thank you” as they walk towards the long street of Marienne.

Even though the sky is missing the bright moonlight, the night was filled with sea of stars. The night is deep and the people in the streets are beginning to disperse.

Hugo kept Candice away from the road, silently glances at her and considerately matches his steps with her pace. Candice felt that he might not start talking at this rate so she is the one who broke the ice.

“Have you met the Black Conqueror before?” she asked.

“I have seen him during his return from battle but he is always wearing his mask on. As far as I know, he also never attended any social gathering yet. His tea party would be the first.”

“Why is that? It seems a bit unusual for someone who leads thousands of soldiers not to appear in any social gatherings,” she said. Candice needed to know about the attendees of the party or the connections revolving around the Black Conqueror. But she doesn’t want to ask too much that could raise suspicion from others so she needed to throw some off-topic questions.

“I do also think it is unusual but maybe he really just doesn’t want to waste his time on things that doesn’t involve war or colonization. I heard it was only because of the king’s request that the Black Conqueror arranged a tea party for his people.”

“If that’s the case, it would be a waste. He should just go and party sometimes. He is missing all the fun!” Candice pretended to be jealous.

Hugo let out a laugh. “Can’t you really come with me to the party?”

Candice sighed. “I really wish I could. I was really the one who is missing out.”

“That is not necessarily true.” Hugo smiled and looked at Candice as they stopped at the bridge of Fourteen M Street. “I will tell you anything you want to know about the parties I’ve been to so you could at least picture out how it is like to be there. What do you think?”

Candice’s eyes brightened. Her eyes twinkled as she sees an opportunity to squeeze every information she needed.

“Well… How about we start with the type of persons who attended those luxurious parties? What are they like?”

Hugo recalled the familiar faces he met in several occasions. He even mentioned their habits and the rumors floating around them during those times.

“Are they also invited to the upcoming tea party?”

“Not everyone. But I could recall some names that I heard will be attending the party.”

Hugo enumerated all the names he could remember. Candice asked for their personalities and habits like she was asking them out of curiosity. But he wouldn’t have known that his good intention of cheering the girl he’s interested to will result to these guests’ deaths.

Just as they finished talking, a red carriage led by black proud steeds stopped on their tracks. A man in brown leather coat descended from the carriage. Holding a fur jacket on his one arm, he approached the two.

“Miss Candice, it is past midnight. Your father asked me to come pick you up,” Nat said.

Since she’s done extracting information from Hugo, she nodded to Nat and returned Hugo’s jacket.

“Mr. Aubert, thank you so much for this wonderful night. I learned a lot and knew how it felt to be at a party. Your stories are all wonderful and fun to listen to.”

“Call me Hugo. The pleasure is all mine so you don’t have to thank me. You are a great company,” Hugo said as he receives his jacket.

“Thank you --- Hugo. I have to go now. My father is waiting for me. May you also have a safe trip home,” Candice said and received her fur jacket from Nat. Their eyes met and Nat knew she obtained quite a few important information.

Before her carriage drove off, Hugo approached Candice’s window.

“Miss Candice, can I look for you again sometime? I would love to have dinner with you again --- if possible, just the two of us.”

Nat suppressed his urge to slam the window’s cover on Hugo’s face. How dare he make a move in front of him?

Candice smiled at Hugo. “You could ask my father about that. Have a good night --- Hugo,” she said.

Nat tapped the carriage roof and their carriage started to move. Hugo stood silent as he watches their ride vanish to the darkness of the night.

“Have you seen his face?” Nat said when they got far from Fourteen M Street.

“He is totally bewitched by you! Ha! Poor kid.” Nat recalled Hugo’s flushed face as he asked Candice for a date.

Candice did not remark on this. She’s busy writing the details she obtained from Hugo.

Nat sighed as he watched Candice immerse herself on her report.

She really is his daughter. Everything she does, it is all about work.