Seducing the Conqueror

008: It is All About Work

BECAUSE of their background, Candice and Winston only needed a few seconds to change to their matching father-and-daughter clothing. Since Candice finished first, she put away her and Winston’s used clothes on a paper bag provided by the shop.

While folding their clothes, Candice wondered what the real reason of their dinner was. She and Winston are very alike --- crazy workaholics --- so she doubted that her father will take her out for dinner at the midst of their preparation for war. Even though she is genuinely happy for having some of her adoptive father’s busy time, she still can’t deny that it is highly possible that there is more into their so-called dinner date.

“Are you ready?”

Candice looked at the handsome man in his late forties standing in front of her, offering his hand. She immediately dispelled her curiosity and happily accepted the gesture.

“Finally, you look like a lady fit for your status!”

Candice got startled to see Nina outside the tailoring shop.

“What are you doing here?” she asked but Nina didn’t answer her.

“Is everyone all ready?” Winston asked Nina. His carefree smile already vanished and his stern look reappeared.

“Yes, leader. We are now all waiting for your order.” Nina is unusually serious. She is a tactless child who does not know how to respect others. But in front of the leader, she always walks with her tails between her legs. She becomes unexpectedly obedient. No one knows if it is because of her fear or great admiration towards the leader.

“Good. Tell them they could head out first. Candice and I will follow after midnight,” Winston instructed. “Take these bags and send it to our home. I already notified the housekeeper.”

Nina nodded and bid farewell to the father-and-daughter.

When Nina is no longer could be seen, Winston hailed a black carriage and helped Candice get on while putting his smile back on.

“Father… What was your talk with Nina all about?” Candice finally asked when they both settled on their seats.

Winston once again became serious and looked into Candice’s eyes. And with just one sentence, he answered Candice’s query.

“We are going back to Belmoure.”

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“I THOUGHT we are going to a family restaurant?”

Candice lowered her voice as they entered a five star hotel in Marienne. The ceiling is as high as a four-storey house with a bright chandelier covered with real crystals on its lobby. The floor is made of premium marble that shines like a mirror. Nobles from different family gathered and are having luxurious dinner in this establishment.

“This. Is. A. Family restaurant --- a premium restaurant for noble families,” Winston said in all seriousness.

Candice sighed and didn’t laugh at this lame pun of her father.

The two of them were ushered at the center table and were given a menu. Candice felt cold stares from her back but she didn’t turn her head to look. Winston gave all the orders as Candice looked around while pretending to look at the menu.

Winston took the menu from her and handed it to the waiter. As the waiter walks away, Winston held her hand.

“Relax, precious. They are just gazes from admiration and jealousy. There is no real danger in here,” he said.

Candice was startled. “Did I react too obviously?”

She worked as an assassin almost all of her life and she always does it perfectly. Even staking out is a piece of cake for her. Did she lose her edge now that her father is here?

“No, precious. You acted perfectly normal. You looked like a sophisticated lady sitting in front of a noble man. But I am your father. No one better than I am could guess what you were thinking,” Winston said as he laughs softly.

Candice let out a sigh of relief. Even though she is his daughter, she is still afraid of her father. She worries more than anyone that she’ll bring disappointment to the group --- more so to her father.

Not long after, a father and son approached their table. The two men wore luxurious tux made from premium cloth that were imported from another kingdom. The father’s hand was filled with golden rings with precious gems embedded on some of them, and a gold chain bracelet. On the other hand, the young man didn’t wear any jewelries but everything --- from his shoes to his clothes to his hairstyle --- all looked brand new and cost a fortune.

“Ah, Mr. Montgomener! What a coincidence to see you here in Marienne!” said the father while stretching out his hand.

Winston stood and shook the man’s hand.

“Nice to see you, Lord Pots. I am just having dinner with my daughter. Candice, this is one of our good customers,” Winston said as he turned to his daughter.

Candice wondered for a moment as to what business of theirs is he a customer of: from their antique shop, from their shipping business, or from their assassination business?

Candice stood from her seat and courteously greeted her father’s acquaintances. “Good evening, my lords. Thank you for your patronage on our business and for treating my father well.”

The two gentlemen were dumbfounded. They didn’t notice her earlier since her back faced them. Now that they saw her face, they were both spellbound by her beauty.

“M-Mr. Montgomener, you never mentioned that your daughter is such a beauty!” Father Pots said without turning his gaze away from Candice.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Miss.” Father Pots took Candice’s right hand and kissed the back of it.

“Your father always mentions that you are his treasure. Now that I’ve seen you, I understand why your father never brought you in our gatherings!” he added as he laughs.

Winston smiled. “I presume that this young man is yours?” he asked.

Father Pots did forget about his son at that moment so he pushed the lad’s back to face the father-and-daughter. The younger Pots’s eyes never left Candice.

“Good evening. I’m Harold. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said and kissed the back of Candice’s hand.

“The pleasure is also mine,” Candice said politely.

“This rascal! Excuse my son’s behavior, Mr. Montgomener. It seems to me he is completely spellbound by your daughter’s beauty. He forgot his manner!” Father Pots said but Harold didn’t paid attention to him. He still continued to look at Candice.

Winston let out a laugh. He already anticipated this scene even before he booked this restaurant. Without being bias, his daughter’s beauty is indeed above others.

“Mr. Montgomener, it’s nice to see you here!”

Everyone turned their attention to a woman walking towards their direction. She is wearing a tightly fitted dress with low neckline that clearly shows her cleavage. She’s wearing matching silver jewelries that compliments her glittery grayish-black gown. Her hair was pulled upwards and curled to the back, leaving some curled hair flowing at the side of her face.

Behind her walks a tall man in an elegant dark grey suit that fitted his masculine body. Even with his clothes on, anyone could see how built he is. He has a broad shoulder and long legs that is fit to be a model or can be compared to someone who came out of a painting. With his chiseled jawline, he looks powerful and full of confidence.

“Madam Clair, it’s nice to see you, too! This is my daughter, Candice,” Winston introduced. “Madam Clair Aubert is one of our patrons at the antique shop.”

Candice politely greeted her, the same way she did with the Pots.

“I see that you were hiding such a gem from us,” Madam Clair said. “I wanted to introduce my son, Hugo.”

The lad shook Winston’s hand and politely bowed to Candice. Candice appreciated his gesture. At least, he didn’t show any lustful action unlike the Pots.

“You know me, Mr. Montgomener, so I will cut to the chase. I want to invite you two to dinner. I would love to know your daughter more and I would also want you and her to better know of my son. He is a capable man and I believe he is a good match for your daughter,” Madam Clair straightforwardly said.

Candice almost coughed up blood. She is downright selling his son out! Is she that desperate to look for a bride for her son? And this Hugo doesn’t even care!

Upon hearing the madam’s intention, Father Pots didn’t waste time. He also wanted to pair up his son with Candice.

“Actually, I would also like to invite the two of you for dinner. I was just interrupted by the madam,” Father Pots said.

Madam Clair’s lips curled up. She looked at the father-and-son from head to toe.

“You may be the first to arrive --- but I’m the first to invite them.” Madam Clair turned to Winston. “I believe it is just right for us to have dinner with you first. Besides, my son is definitely a better choice for your daughter.”

Father Pots face turned bright red. “How could your son be better than mine? My son is a knight at the palace. In fact, he is assigned to guard and assist the Black Conqueror at the tea party, couple of days from now.”

Candice looked at Harold and an arrogant smile showed to his face.

Madam Clair laughed. “He is just basically a servant at the party, while my son is an honored guest!” Father Pots was baffled. “Yes, my Hugo was personally invited by one of the Conqueror’s generals. So, how could your measly son compare to my Hugo?” Madam Clair said with an air of importance.

Candice glanced at her father and saw that he is calm and unfazed. Does meeting these two families just a coincidence? she thought for a moment.

When the two parents continued to bicker, a hotel staff nervously approached Winston’s and Candice’s table.

“Sir, Ma’am, would you like us to reassign you to a larger table?”

Winston smiled. “That would be great. Sorry for the inconvenience,” he said.

The man sighed and immediately made preparations.

Winston turned to the two families. “Since we are all here and originally planned to have dinner, why don’t we sit at a larger table? In that way, everyone could enjoy the meal while letting the kids get familiar with each other. What do you say?”

Madam Clair and Father Pots came to a truce and agreed to Winston’s suggestion.

As the group moved locations, Candice took the opportunity to whisper to her father. “Father… Did you plan to have dinner with them in the first place? Did you know about their connection to the Conqueror?”

Winston lowered his head and whispered to her ears. “No, precious. I didn’t expect them to ask us for dinner. My plan is to introduce you to them but this scenario is indeed better than I imagined.” A smirk appeared to his face as he walked past his daughter and joined the two parents upfront.

I knew it. Candice is a bit disheartened. But she knew all along… Her father’s action is always all about work.