Levi's hazel eyes stared at Juliann's gray ones. He propped his chin at the table between the two of them. He was surprised at how composed he was seeing Juliann again. Although there still was the familiar thump in his chest, somehow it didn't overwhelm him as it used to. The time that had passed and the experiences he had over his time away had made him more restrained and unbothered.

"I've been good. Never better. You? You're doing certainly well for someone who didn't want to be a merchant. You even became their king." Levi's eyes flitted over Juliann's form. He had matured quite well. The edges of his features adapted a sharper turn. His platinum hair was longer but it still had that moonlight glow in it. Juliann's cold demeanour however remained.

"And you certainly deviated from your so-called dream." Juliann cocked his head at him, giving his knight uniform a once-over. A neutral expression blanketed his visage. Levi never did like this side him. Juliann was always like this; always restraining his emotions as if it'll be the death of him to expose the fact that he was human too.

He smirked mockingly. "Yeah, who would have thought that we would be exchanging places?"

Juliann met Levi's eyes which made the latter tensed, his shoulder stiffening. Juliann stood up and with graceful steps walked up to Levi's front. His lips thinned in what seems like concealed anger.

"I figure it wasn't so bad. Also, I needed to look after what was left behind." Juliann retorted in a tight voice. He straightened up and held his hands in his back.

Levi was tongue-tied. He knew Juliann's underlying meaning despite the conciseness of his statement. Well, he did have a point there; when he left, the business to which he was the heir to fell into Juliann's hand whether he wanted it or not. On Levi's defence, he knew Juliann was quite capable of trussing up the business. He had been managing it ever since his parents died anyhow. It wasn't as if anything would change. In fact, in Juliann's hand it reached the pillar of success.

"Why did you leave, Vi?" Juliann followed up while Levi was caught up in his thoughts and remained quiet for a long while.

Levi snapped his head to the man at the sudden question. He bowed his head as he fiddled at the cuffs of his shirt unconsciously.

"I'm surprised you even asked. But does it really matter at this point, Juli?" Levi tried to sound nonchalant but there was an undeniable imprint of bitterness in his tone.

Levi shook his head indistinctly. He wasn't supposed to feel any resentment. He was the one who left of his own volition, in order to protect Juliann from himself.

"I'm here for a business offer." Levi then said after a pregnant silence between the two of them. He, of course, did not forget the reason he looked for Juliann.

Juliann cocked his brow at his declaration.

"Oh, and what kind of business offer is it?" Juliann, true to his title, adapted a professional attitude at the onset of the topic.

"My mistress would like to have collaboration with the Merchant Guild in starting up an auction house here in the Amaranth fief." Levi straightened up his back and spoke in a clear manner. The urge of wanting his purpose to succeed was like an off switch to his usual flippant ways.

"Sounds interesting. Terms?" Juliann's tone was neutral. Levi lifted his eyes to his, awkwardness evident in his form as he sat in the chair.

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"I... I actually... Err, actually, I'm not in the place to talk to you about the terms. It would be better for you to talk to my Lady yourself." Levi answered with a light cough. Juliann gaped at the man.

"I'm pretty sure the estate had sent you a request for it. Tsk. I knew you would ignore it. So, I came here for good measure." The former followed up, his hand gesticulating frantically in the air trying to cover up his embarrassment.

Juliann knew better, though.

'He still hasn't changed, after all. Still as hasty as ever.' Despite his thoughts Juliann chose not to refute the knight's reasoning.

"Alright. I'll leave it to you to send my agreement. I'd have to trouble them to meet me here, however. Such request isn't too much for your Lady, is it?" Juliann's thousand-year old frost face replied. Levi smiled slightly and nodded. He was about to bid his goodbyes to the cold man but was cut off before he could.

"Why don't you stay for now? The least you could do is accompany me for dinner and some drinks. With how much you owe me, aren't you ashamed?"

Levi's quaint hazel eyes widened as he gawked at Juliann in utter disbelief. However, the disbelief turned into annoyance. He pursed his lips at the man.

"You really are the Merchant King. You won't even let even such a small favour go unsettled. Fine! I haven't had anything to eat anyway. You better make sure they're good." He retorted with a scoff and refused to look at the insufferable man. Because of this Levi missed the beaming smile that illuminated the man's face that faded as quickly as it came.

---

Morning. Amaranth Estate

"Are you sure about this, my Lady?" Luke asked tentatively as he stared at the opulent, mahogany door of Chalice's room.

The lady in question was currently behind the wide, changing screen in the room slipping on an understated, emerald gown. Despite the presence of the changing screen, Luke chose to make himself scarce by facing the other way. If it were his choice, he wouldn't stay there whilst the lady was changing. They were of different genders, after all. Luke was not entirely a saint, truth be told. Except, if he did leave Chalice to her own devices, who knows what she'll do with herself?

The last time Luke let her on change and prepare on her own, Chalice went out with sloppily done hair, crooked buttons, uneven laces, inside out collar, and amiss of her gloves. It was a disaster to be in such a state for a lady of her bearing. Hence, the everyday scenario of him staying in and helping her even for such womanly matters.

"Hmm, I'm sure. It is a loss to not have the Merchant King on a cooperative arrangement. But, I trust our own plans will still end well. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean I'm not curious about his caravan." Chalice answered as she stepped out of the screen and sat on the nearby vanity. Sensing this, Luke turned to face her and proceeded to busy himself with combing her hair.

"Curious about his caravan, huh? My lady, it's not necessary for you to go about it in a roundabout manner." Luke stated coolly as he started to braid. Chalice glared at the man.