The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 43. Meeting

Chapter 43: 43. Meeting

Two days later, Viscount Elgar Valarune stepped was in the Avermoor Town, worry and curiosity filling his thoughts. His daughter, Rin Valarune had informed him that the heir of House Caulem had requested an urgent, private meeting.

Such a request from someone like Leonhardt Caulem was unusual. He was in front of the rented building. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the wooden door.

After a moment, the door opened, and a sharp-eyed maid with brown eyes greeted him with a polite nod. "Welcome, Lord Valarune. Please, come inside, young master waiting for you," Liana said, as she stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter.

Elgar nodded and stepped in, his eyes scanning the modest but well-maintained interior as he followed Liana. She led him to a small meeting room. The moment Elgar entered, his eyes locked onto Leonhardt Caulem. The young noble sitting there, his crimson eyes calm but sharp. As Elgar stepped closer, Leo rose to greet him, extending a hand.

"Thank you for coming, Lord Valarune," Leo said, his tone polite but confident. His handshake was firm, nothing like what Elgar had expected.

Elgar studied the boy briefly, hiding his surprise behind a polite smile. "It’s an honor, Young Lord Caulem," he replied carefully. But inwardly, he couldn’t reconcile the confident youth before him with the rumors he had heard.

Everyone in the noble circles talked about the eldest Caulem heir as weak-willed, timid, and so disappointing that even the Duke himself was rumored to have given up on him. Yet, here stood Leonhardt, exuding an air of control that left Elgar quietly unsettled.

"Please, have a seat," Leo said, gesturing towards the chair across from him.

Elgar sat down, his mind already racing with questions. Why had the boy called him here? Why use Rin to arrange the meeting? Something about this situation didn’t feelright to him.

Liana soon entered with a tray, setting coffee down in front of them with practiced ease. She then excused herself, leaving the room silent for a moment. Leo leaned forward, his crimson eyes locking onto Elgar with purpose.

"Viscount Valarune," Leo began, his voice measured, "you’re probably wondering why the so-called weak-willed heir of House Caulem called you here for a secret meeting."

Elgar blinked, caught slightly off guard, but he recovered quickly. He forced a small laugh. "Of course not, Young Lord Caulem. I would never think that."

Leo smirked faintly, amused by the answer. "No need to be polite, Viscount. I’m well aware of my reputation." He lifted his coffee, taking a calm sip before setting the cup down. "Let’s not waste time. I called you here to talk about your business."

Elgar tensed slightly. His business. The word alone brought bitterness to his mind. "My business?" he asked cautiously.

"I’ve heard it’s struggling," Leo said bluntly, his voice steady.

Elgar’s shoulders slumped a little, and he stared at his untouched coffee. "It’s true," he admitted quietly. "We make soaps and cosmetics, but competition has been relentless. We’re drowning in debt."

Leo didn’t react. If anything, his focus seemed sharper. He leaned back, crossing his legs. "What if I told you," he said slowly, "that I called you here to help save your business?"

Elgar’s head shot up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Save it?" he repeated, unsure of what to think. "Why would you want to do that?"

"I’m willing to invest ten platinum crowns."

Elgar stared at him, shocked. "Ten platinum crowns...?" he murmured. "Young Lord Caulem, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but... I don’t think it would help. My business is in ruins. That kind of money would be flushed."

Leo smirked. "You’re not wrong. If I threw money at it blindly, it would be wasted." He paused, letting the room grow quiet before continuing. "But what if I offered more than just money?"

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded paper, sliding it across the table. "Take a look."

Elgar hesitated, his fingers trembling slightly as he picked it up. As he read through the document, his expression shifted from shock to disbelief, and finally, to something like hope.

"Young Lord Caulem..." Elgar stammered. "Are you certain this could work?"

Leo’s smirk grew. "I’m certain. This plan will not only save your business but make it a success. You’ll run the business, and you’ll be a face for me in this business."

Elgar gripped the paper tightly. "But my brand is damaged," he said hesitantly. "I don’t think anyone will trust us again."

"That’s why we’ll approach this differently," Leo said. "I’ve already considered that problem."

Elgar hesitated, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. But Leo’s calm certainty was hard to ignore, and for the first time in years, Elgar dared to feel hopeful.

Leo’s tone softened slightly but remained firm. "So, Viscount... are you ready to make the contract?"

____

A week later, in Caulem manor’s Duchess chamber, Duchess Maria’s anger erupted. The sharp sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the room as she threw a flower vase against the wall. The pieces scattered on the floor.

Her face was full of fury as she turned towards the head maid who’s standing there calmly nearby.

"What do you mean the commission’s blacklisted?!" she demanded, her voice sharp and bitter. "I paid five hundred gold crowns! That should’ve guaranteed his death! And now it’s failed?"

The maid kept her composure. "Madam," she said evenly, "the mercenaries who took the commission were ten of the best in the region and they are dead. Killed brutally. The guild decided the target is too dangerous to pursue further."

Maria let out a bitter laugh, pacing the room angrily. "Too dangerous?" she snapped. "What am I supposed to do now? Sit here while that brat takes over as duke?" She stopped suddenly, her gaze falling to the ground.

Her fingers curled tightly as she muttered, "Even my husband..." Her voice trembled with fury. "Even he’s starting to show interest in that child. They’ve been pressuring me. I can’t afford any more failures."

The maid stepped forward carefully. "Madam, perhaps hiring professional assassins would solve this problem. We can find top assassins easily."

"Do it," Maria said. "No matter what it takes, make it happen. And I want results soon."

The maid bowed her head. "Of course, Madam."

Maria took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Prepare the bath," she ordered, her voice quieter but strained. She strode toward the hallway, her heels clicking on the marble floor.

As she passed a small table, her eyes fell on a neatly wrapped gift sent by Viscount Elgar Valarune, she can smell quite fragrance from it even from there.

Turning to the maid, she added curtly, "Use those sent by viscount," before continuing down the hall.

Her mind was already full of frustration and thoughts, then hurried footsteps broke her focus. A cute voice called from behind her. "Mother! Mother!"

Maria stopped and turned to see her daughter, Vivien, rushing toward her. Her lilac dress swayed as she ran, holding a letter tightly in her hands.

Maria scowled a little, her voice stern but still maternal. "Vivien, I have told you a thousand times not to run down the hallways."

Vivien slowed down, stopping in front of her. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement. "Mother, look!" she said, holding up the letter like a prize. "Big brother sent me a letter!"

Maria’s face softened, her thoughts drifting to her son. "Lucian seems missing you already."

Vivien shook her head eagerly, her curls bouncing. "No, Mother! Not Lucian! It’s from big brother Leonhardt!" she said, beaming.

Maria froze, her expression shifting from warmth to shock. Her smile disappeared, replaced by unease. "Leonhardt?" she whispered.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.