Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Isolde Amaris’s Husband

Chapter 79 – Isolde Amaris’s husband

”Meadow Wealth?” Isolde echoed, brows slightly furrowing. ”She is a good candidate given her background, I’ll grant you that. But are you sure?”

”Why shouldn’t I be?”

”Don’t play clueless with me, Cassius. You know exactly what everyone on the Net whispers about her.” Isolde’s tone dropped. ”She is not simply the youngest, spoiled daughter of the Wealth family. Being the only girl, surrounded by three older brothers and her mother, she is more of a Princess than even Esmeray herself.”

She paused a couple of breaths, then continued. ”A person like that, even if she has the competence to do something, won’t do it, because she doesn’t need to. Everything has been handed to her. That’s simply how life is to her.”

That was entirely true.

Meadow Wealth was so rich it had reached the point of being insufferable. Even if, technically, it was not her own wealth for it belonged to her family, and more precisely to her mother, the founder and CEO of the Tycoon’s Château.

The Bank that existed not only in the Badur Kingdom but across multiple states on the Khatab Continent.

That woman, a living legend in her own right, had built a generational wealth and legacy so vast it could likely never be exhausted, even if all her children decided to scatter it without a second thought.

It was just that much.

Everyone in the Kingdom knew that the Tycoon’s Château was the principal source of wealth in the Kingdom; and the most reliable path to getting rich, provided you had the means to be admitted.

And given that background, given that she was the youngest by far, fatherless, doted on endlessly by her older brothers and her mother...Meadow had grown into a woman of rather unique character.

’In the game,’ Cassius thought, stroking his chin with his gloved hand, ’Meadow was among the Main Heroines. Not particularly talented in combat, but with her business acuity and her wealth, she helped Emrys and Anesthesia fund everything. Their ascent through the ranks without financial strain was entirely because of her.’

Money was more important than anyone liked to admit. Every step up required it.

The Aspect Crystallisation Stone (ACS) was ridiculously expensive, found only in Fractured Lands and special zones, and divided by Tier like everything else.

The higher the Tier of the ACS, the deeper the strength it unlocked. Legend had it that a Tier Two ACS could allow someone to awaken two additional skills instead of one when ranking up to Imbued Self.

’So money is everything. And the Wealth family are the wealthiest I know of in the game. Not even counting the threads of connections they hold that run far and deep.’

His red eyes hardened as they settled back on Isolde.

”She is spoiled, yes. But we need her.” He said. ”And we should move before Emrys and Anesthesia get to her first.”

”What do you mean?” Isolde tilted her head. ”They’ll try to reach out to her?”

”If Anesthesia hasn’t already.” He grated, sighing. ”She’s at the Capital after all. And you know your sister. She will do anything to hold every possible advantage. And Meadow is a massive asset, she won’t let her slip by. And with Emrys involved...”

Cassius and Isolde both smiled wryly at the same moment.

”...she’ll fall for him, won’t she?” Isolde finished, shaking her head.

”Most definitely.”

She had in the game. Every bloody one of the three hundred and thirty-three runs to add. Cassius cursed quietly.

”So what’s your plan?” Isolde asked. ”Do you need my help?”

Cassius smiled. ”Oh no, darling.” He reached out his hand and his beautiful white-purple cane — pommel shaped like the Snake-Eating symbol — appeared in his right hand. ”I’ll handle Meadow myself. I think I have a way to get that girl working for us. As for you, you have your own task.”

Tak!

The cane’s tip struck the floor.

”As you wish. However,” Isolde’s voice went cold immediately, her purple eyes shimmering with intent. ”If you act anything like that man-whore Emrys, I will break every bone in your body and then kill her. No matter what. Remember who you are Cassius.”

Cassius leaned forward over his cane, bringing his face close to the phone screen, his own eyes burning like blood set aflame.

”And who am I, darling?”

”My husband.”

”And who are you?”

”Isolde.” She said. ”Isolde Amaris.”

”Which makes me?”

Isolde smiled, the scar at the edge of her lips deepening the beauty of it, a quietly possessive energy visible in her eyes. ”Isolde Amaris’s husband.”

Cassius mirrored her smile. ”Ah. I like the sound of that. And you have nothing to worry about, I will never forget. I can’t forget.” He raised his hand, showing her the ring with the name Isolde engraved on it.

”Everyone knows, or will know, that I am taken. I’ll shout it to the whole world. I am no longer on the market.”

”Neither am I.” Isolde grinned. Then she glanced at the time and exhaled faintly. ”Now it’s time for you to go, Cassius.”

”Aye.” He straightened, knowing he couldn’t make his parents wait any longer. ”I’ll message you when I arrive.”

”I’ll be waiting.”

”When do you plan to find that woman?”

”Today.” She answered. ”So we’re on time before the selection begins.”

”Be careful, darling.” Cassius smiled. ”And don’t worry, I’ll handle Meadow and everything inside the Royal Palace. You handle outside so everything lines up for the Event.”

”Aye.” She nodded. ”And eventually, Cassius, I will want to know where you plan to source the artifacts and potions for this merchant organisation.”

”After this event, darling?” He winked. ”Everything in due time.”

They fell silent then, each looking at the other through the screen, both quietly disappointed by the barrier separating them from each other’s arms.

They let that feeling settle — it was visible in the glow of their eyes as they held the look.

But as it was impossible right now, the couple accepted it and made the best of what they had.

”Take care, darling.” Cassius said, offering an achingly beautiful smile. ”I won’t stop thinking about you.”

Isolde smiled back. ”You live rent free in my head anyway.”

They laughed. And when Cassius tried to blow her a kiss, and went so far as to actually kiss the screen of his phone, Isolde ended the call in embarrassment.

Cassius barked a laugh for a brief moment, then went quiet.

He didn’t move for a couple of breaths, eyes closed, rehearsing everything he needed to accomplish at the Event.

Then, smiling faintly, he pivoted on his feet and walked out of the room, cane tapping the floor in a steady rhythm.

”Shall we, then, ladies and gentlemen?”

His smile deepened.

Tak!

...

While Cassius departed for the Capital, at that same moment, inside the Capital’s most famous brothel — tucked in the Red Quarters, a small district of casinos, restaurants, game stores and other dark commerce — Dorian Desdemona stood before a tinted window at the topmost room of Bliss’s House, looking down at the bustling streets in the early morning.

He was naked, his flaming chest tattoo on full display, his face altered by an artifact that melted his Desdemona features entirely into someone else’s.

”Already tired, my dear Patron of Bliss?” A voice came from the woman sitting on the enormous pink bed, the sheets covering her only loosely, both breasts fully visible, nipples erect.

Her hair was midnight black and cut short. Brown eyes glimmering with intense satisfaction and lingering desire. Her face wasn’t particularly beautiful, but there was something about it that made it pleasant to look at.

”I must admit, Bliss, that I will never tire of your cock.” She slurred with obvious intent, ”and you will always be my favourite. I could abandon my entire harem for you.”

Dorian chuckled. ”If you’re saying that to get another round out of me, love, I’m afraid it won’t work.”

He turned to face her, and the sight of him made her bite her lip. ”It’s time for you to go.” He said. ”I have business to attend to.”

She frowned slightly. ”Oh? What kind of business? Another woman to enjoy just like you did with me?”

”Relax.” He chuckled, walking toward her, steps unhurried, eyes fixed on her own. ”Your act won’t work on me. We both know exactly what this relationship is.”

He closed the remaining distance. ”You hide your identity. I hide mine. I don’t want to know who you are, and neither do you—!”

”But I very much want to know who you are, Bliss.” She cut in. ”Hiding your Birthright Mark with an artifact too, are you?”

”You shouldn’t want that.” Dorian said, now directly beside the bed, leaning over her, their lips grazing. Her breath caught. ”You and I are strictly business. You want satisfaction and I want to expand my empire with your help. Speaking of which...”

He narrowed his fake blue eyes. ”How is the selection going? Do you have the authority to choose?”

”After considerable effort, yes.” She smiled, kissing his lips. ”And for the performance you just gave me, I don’t mind letting you fool me and do as you wish. So go on. Take advantage of me, Bliss.”

”No one will know about this deal?” Dorian asked.

”I can’t risk losing you.”

”Losing my cock, you mean.”

”Same thing, sweetheart.” She laughed. ”So what do you say? Am I not your best VIP member?”

”You certainly are.”

”Then be mine and—!”

”No thank you.” Dorian interrupted, straightening up. ”I belong to no one, love. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

He walked away. Clothes summoned themselves and wove around him as he moved.

”You can stay as long as you like before going back.”

At those words, Dorian vanished from the room.

The woman was left alone.

She sat in silence, raising both hands and burying her face in them, her eyes glazed with an intensity that had nothing calm about it.

”I will never give up.” She whispered, biting her lip. ”I will make you mine. No matter what.”

After all...

”Only you can quench my overwhelming thirst, my dear Bliss.”

—End of Chapter 79—