Chapter 185: Visiting Kleopatra
A few weeks after Isabella’s funeral, Sky City Academy had officially resud all of its activities. Although fear was still palpable in furtive glances and hushed conversations, the students and staff were generally more relaxed than during the dark days that followed the tragedy.
During this period, Kaiser, back from the Duchy of Donoghan, had returned to the normal course of his academic life. He attended his classes, occasionally helped Kara during her personal training sessions, and sotis sparred with Jasper and Julian.
He also did not neglect his regular sessions with rlin, while devoting ti to demanding solitary training. In addition, he often visited Seraphina, whom he enjoyed teasing just to see her blush with frustration.
He also enjoyed simple monts of closeness with Eleanor, going out with her for no particular reason. Whenever he found the opportunity, he worked on developing his alter ego, Nostradamus, using Black Neon.
And so the days passed...
Two months later, Kaiser went to the headquarters of the Imperial Faction. The mont he crossed the threshold, a palpable tension hit him. The faces of the mbers he passed were drawn, their gestures filled with nervousness. Groups spoke in low voices, and the atmosphere was thick with warlike anticipation; everyone seed to be ntally and physically preparing for the possibility of an imminent conflict.
Without paying attention to the heavy stares directed at him, Kaiser walked slowly through the corridors. He headed straight for Olivia’s office. Since Isabella’s death, the responsibility for the majority of the faction’s files and problems had fallen to her.
When he reached the heavy carved wooden door, he knocked three sharp tis.
*Toc. Toc. Toc.*
"Please co in," a clear voice answered from inside.
Kaiser pushed the door open and entered. He found Olivia seated behind an imposing desk, almost buried under stacks of docunts and scrolls. She looked up from her work, and a flash of surprised fatigue vanished, replaced by a genuine smile when she recognized her visitor.
"Kai," she said, stretching slightly. "What brings you here in these troubled tis?"
As usual, her appearance was elegant. She wore a long, form-fitting pearl-gray satin dress, the lustrous fabric hugging her curves and accentuating her chest.
The dress was adorned with intricate golden embroidery on the fitted sleeves and hips. Delicate gear-shaped pendants glead at her ears. Her silvery hair, silky in texture, was styled: a long braided fringe with golden tips covered almost her entire right eye, while the rest of her hair was woven into a thick braid that fell down her back.
"It’s been a while since we last spoke," Kaiser replied, returning her smile as he closed the door behind him. "I just wanted to check on you. See how you’re holding up with all this work."
"That’s very thoughtful of you," she answered, genuine relief in her voice. "But you’re a few weeks late. I was expecting you sooner."
Kaiser glanced around the room and spotted a deep leather armchair in front of the desk. He dropped into it with a small sigh, for a mont seeming to share the weight of the surrounding fatigue.
"So tell , Kleopatra," he called to her, using the familiar nickna he sotis gave her, his tone turning sowhat serious. "Now that we’ve reached this point... what are your plans for the Pendragon Faction?"
"Well, as you can see, I’m currently completely overwheld," Olivia replied wearily. She adjusted a file on her desk before continuing.
"For now, we’re waiting for the Pendragon family’s reaction. However, I’m convinced that Adrian is already preparing his counterstrike. He certainly won’t take this insult lightly, so the situation could escalate quickly."
She interlaced her fingers, her gaze sharpening. "As for , my plan is to stay in the background. I prefer to let those two whales tear each other apart, then pick up the interesting pieces of their carcasses. My imdiate goal is to focus on strengthening my economic and military power."
Kaiser let out a small admiring laugh. "You really are a fox."
"One has to look at things that way if I ever truly want to beco empress," she replied with cold frankness. Then, changing the subject, she raised her eyes to him. "Now, since you’ve handed over the Claymore as agreed, what do you want in return?"
Kaiser stretched lazily in his armchair. "A gift? You can propose one to ."
Kleopatra sketched a smile and spoke clearly. "Since the Espadon is now in my possession, I contacted the alchemist. I’ve ordered a new Potion. That way, we can break the bond that ties us."
"I refuse," he countered, leaning forward. "How is that a gift for ? You’re the one who benefits unilaterally."
A teasing glint crossed his gaze. "To be honest, being bound to you doesn’t bother
at all. You’re a woman as beautiful as you are formidable; it cos with certain... advantages."
A faint smile touched Olivia’s lips at the remark. "That’s not how things work, Kai," she answered. "A more personal relationship might have been possible, but your notorious playboy reputation makes it impossible. On the other hand, a political alliance is a serious proposal. When I need you, you will answer my call, and vice versa. But on a personal level... I prefer we each take our own potion and leave it at that."
A shadow of disappointnt passed over Kaiser’s face. He watched Olivia in silence for a mont, reading the firmness in her expression. Finally, he tilted his head slightly. "Since that’s how it is, I accept your proposal."
’This woman isn’t easy to seduce... She needs to be fard like crazy.’
"Good," Olivia agreed, her smile widening, this ti with a hint of professional satisfaction. She opened a secure drawer in her desk and took out a vial filled with an erald-shimring liquid. She held it out to Kaiser. "The promised antidote."
Kaiser took the vial carefully.
"How can I be sure this isn’t another poison? You’re so cunning, Kleopatra ~"
"Ahr..." She clicked her tongue.
She gestured for him to hand it back, then drank a sip herself. After this demonstration, Kaiser did the sa.
After a mont, he frowned, puzzled.
"This ti, I didn’t feel anything at all. No particular change."
Olivia nodded, as if she had expected it. "Hmm, you should wait a few hours to notice the effects."
A silence settled between them. Kaiser contemplated Olivia’s delicate features, the curve of her mouth, and for a brief instant, the mask of the future empress seed to reveal the woman behind the strategist. He finally stood up, breaking the mont.
"Take care of yourself, Kleopatra," he said lightly.
"You too, Kai," she replied with a smile.
Without another word, he left her office and walked away, the soft click of the closing door marking the end of their eting.
But Kleopatra’s eyes narrowed. After all, how could she let her Kai remain a playboy?
’ Fucking with certain professors, being quite close to that half-beast, and even his ex-fiancée?’
"Let’s consolidate our power first, then I’ll take care of your problem, Kai..."
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