DIVINE BANE-Chapter 67: make them pay

After Alex disappeared into the horizon, Zed and Zander turned and began walking back toward the estate.

Zed brushed his hand through his hair, letting out a quiet breath. "So... how's the whole ethereal plant situation coming along?"

Zander nodded, already expecting the question.

"I've reached out to several contacts across the empire. Requested meetings. But honestly, I don't think any of them will help us. Everyone's chasing the Golden Wave, no one's interested in teaching someone else how to compete."

Zed raised a brow. "So what did you do?"

"I sent requests to other races," Zander said, almost casually.

Zed looked over. "Other races? Like who?"

"Elves and merfolk," Zander replied. "They're known to be some of the best cultivators of ethereal flora. Especially merfolk they have techniques that preserve the plant's purity. I asked if they could send us an expert, someone who could teach us proper harvesting. Of course, we'd pay them however they liked."

Zed nodded slowly. "And? Any response?"

Zander sighed. "Nothing yet. I've tried reaching out to some of the top ethereal harvesters, too though they're few and far between. I think they're avoiding us deliberately."

"To cut down competition," Zed said thoughtfully.

"Makes sense. It's a ridiculously profitable industry if your land supports blooming. No one wants a new player with prime land entering the market."

"Exactly," Zander muttered. "But I'm not giving up yet. There's always someone willing to make a deal."

That evening, the grand dining room was calm and warm, lit by chandeliers that cast a soft golden glow. Aurora sat at the long table, gracefully enjoying her meal. Zander stood nearby, gently pouring her a glass of juice, while Zed sat across from her, noticeably preoccupied.

Aurora looked up from her plate, raising an eyebrow. "Zed, what's with that face? You look like the sky's falling."

Zander stepped in with a sigh. "It's the ethereal plant issue. We're at a standstill."

Aurora blinked. "That's it?" she said with a smile, then turned her attention sharply to Zed. "And you didn't even think to bring this to me?"

Zed glanced up, caught off guard. "I didn't think it was something you'd want to get involved in."

Aurora scowled playfully. "You're hopeless sometimes."

Zander leaned in, curious. "Do you actually have a solution, my lady?"

Aurora smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "Yes, I do."

Zed leaned back, arms folded. "Then by all means, I'd be glad to hear it, my dear sister."

She pointed at him dramatically. "Do you remember Sofia?"

Zed blinked, his expression somewhere between confusion and disbelief. It clearly screamed: You're seriously asking me that?

Aurora paused. "Oh... right. The memory loss."

She shook her head. "Sofia is the daughter of a noble elven house. You and she used to play together when you were little, like six years old. You two were adorable—"

Zed groaned, cutting her off. "Sis. Back to the topic. And maybe stop embarrassing me at the dinner table?"

Aurora chuckled. "Fine, fine. Anyway, her family runs one of the largest ethereal cultivation estates among the elves. If we reach out to them, they might help. Especially if it's you asking."

Zander exchanged a look with Zed, then gave him a subtle blink, his silent signal. Leave this one to me.

Zed gave a tiny nod and finally allowed himself a small, hopeful smile.

Later that night, deep within Zed's subconsciousness, the dreamscape formed into a quiet, starlit room. Zed and Zander sat across from each other, mirroring each other's calm yet slightly weary expressions.

Zander leaned back with a relieved sigh. "Gods, what a relief. I still can't believe we're actually friends with the Iyengar family. I didn't send them anything before because I thought they'd reject it outright."

Zed chuckled. "Good call, though. Now that we know, it feels like one problem finally solved."

Zander smirked. "Yeah, I've already sent them a formal notice. Hopefully, we'll get a response soon."

Zed's face turned more serious. "Alright. One issue down. Now... how many nobles in the empire are eyeing our land?"

Zander's tone grew grim. "Honestly? Almost all of them. Ever since word spread about our ethereal bloom potential, they've been circling like vultures."

Zed let out a long exhale, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Man, I hate politics."

Zander glanced at Zed with a sigh. "Also, a few nobles under our banner are visiting tomorrow. They want to discuss the bills and tax reforms."

Zed immediately slumped in his seat, groaning like a child. "Nooo, I don't want to deal with boring noble talk!"

Zander raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You have to. There's no escaping it, Lord Ravenhart."

Zed crossed his arms and pouted. "Ugh... fine," he whimpered, defeated. "But I'm going to be grumpy the whole time."

Zander smirked. "You already are."

The next day, in the grand main hall, Zed sat in the family head's chair, his expression stoic as he listened to the discussions unfold. Though he held the highest seat, it was Zander who handled the actual negotiations explaining, debating, and issuing decisions on taxes, bills, and administrative reforms. Zed looked utterly drained, despite barely speaking a word.

As the meeting wrapped up, Zander addressed the gathered nobles,

"That settles the matter. We'll return in a few months to check on the progress. I trust we won't be disappointed."

The nobles bowed their heads slightly, wearing the satisfied smiles of men who didn't expect things to go this smoothly.

Zed rose from his chair with quiet authority, signaling the end of the meeting. As he began to walk out, Zander followed. The nobles respectfully bowed as the young lord exited, his presence still carrying an air of nobility far beyond his years.

But the moment they stepped past the hall's grand doors, Zed dropped the act—his regal expression vanished as he leapt onto Zander's back like a child.

"Man, I'm so tired!" he groaned, arms lazily draped around Zander's shoulders.

Zander rolled his eyes. "You just sat there giving everyone cold, brooding stares. I did all the talking."

Zed smirked. "Exactly. That's exhausting too, you know. Emotional labor."

Zander huffed a small laugh. "You're impossible."

"No comments. I know I can't win an argument against you, so I surrender," Zed said dramatically. "Now, onward noble steed! Take me to my room."

Zander snorted. "You're acting like a kid."

"Well, duh," Zed replied with a grin. "I am ten."

They both laughed as Zander carried him down the corridor, the weight of duty momentarily lifted from their shoulders.

As Zander carried Zed down the long corridor like a sack of noble potatoes, Aurora rounded the corner with a book in her hand. She blinked once, then raised a brow.

"Well, well," she said with a smirk, "should I even ask what's going on here?"

Zed waved lazily from Zander's back. "Royal transport. Very exclusive, only for tired young lords."

Zander gave her a tired look. "Your brother is abusing his rank, my lady"

Aurora chuckled and walked alongside them. "Zed, don't burden Zander too much. He already looks like he might pass out from the paperwork alone."

Zed grinned. "Don't worry, if he drops me, I'll roll."

"Like a spoiled cabbage," Zander muttered.

Aurora laughed. "You two are ridiculous. I swear, if people saw you like this, the whole cold and scary Lord Ravenhart image would go down the drain."

"I have an image like that?" Zed asked, genuinely surprised.

Zander and Aurora answered in unison, "Yes."

They all burst into laughter, the tension of politics and meetings fading for a brief, cherished moment.

Aurora gave Zed's hair a little ruffle as they walked. "Still, good job today. You didn't do much, but you looked cool."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

Zed pouted. "I was working! Emotional support is also work!"

"Sure, sure," she said playfully. "Now come on, let's get you two something sweet before lunch. You've earned it."

As the trio made their way toward the dining hall for a late treat, the estate echoed not with orders or meetings but with laughter

***

A lavishly decorated room reeked of wealth and power, its walls lined with trophies from slain beasts fangs, claws, and the mounted heads of monsters that told stories of dominance. In the center, beneath a chandelier of crystal and bone, sat a man on a leather sofa, broad-shouldered, silver-streaked hair, eyes sharp as razors. His mere presence exuded authority. He was the Lord of House Laverick.

Kneeling before him was Jimmy Laverick, drenched in cold sweat, his eyes cast down in shame.

Pacing around him, heels clicking softly on the marble floor, was a girl with white hair and piercing violet eyes, his sister, Selena Laverick. Her expression was one of wicked delight masked as concern, her voice honeyed with cruelty.

"You brought disgrace to our house, brother," she drawled, each word laced with venom.

"First, you get kidnapped, how humiliating and then you show up again, soaked in your own fear, literally. And worst of all... you don't even know who did it."She leaned closer, eyes gleaming like a fox ready to pounce.

"Do you have any idea how much shame you dumped on our family in just one day?"

Jimmy trembled, unable to meet her gaze.

"I... I'm sorry, Father..."

The lord of the house finally spoke, his voice deep and cold as stone.

"Jimmy." He set down his glass, his tone calm but deadly.

"I don't care what happened to you. Whether you were drugged, overpowered, or simply kill you... it doesn't matter."

He stood, towering over his son.

"You are a son of House Laverick. That name demands respect. If someone dared to humiliate you... then they've humiliated us. And that... I cannot allow."

Selena smirked, eyes flicking to her father, pleased at how things were unfolding.

The room was silent for a moment, thick with pressure. Then, the Lord of House Laverick turned his gaze to his daughter.

"Selena," he said, voice like a blade sliding from its sheath.

Selena paused mid-step, her smirk vanishing into something more serious. She turned to face her father fully, hands clasped behind her back with the grace of someone used to commands.

"Yes, Father?"

"Find out who humiliated your brother," he ordered, eyes gleaming with restrained fury.

"I want names. Faces. Backgrounds. I want to know why they did it and how they did it. And once you know..."He stepped closer, towering even over her. "Make them pay."

Selena's wicked smile returned, slow and deliberate.

"With pleasure," she whispered.

"No one gets away with shaming the Lavericks. Especially not some backwater brat playing hero."

She walked over to Jimmy and crouched down, looking him dead in the eyes.

"Don't worry, big brother. I'll find whoever made you piss yourself..."Her eyes narrowed, sharp as daggers.

"And I'll make sure they scream for mercy before I'm done."

Jimmy gulped but said nothing. There was no comfort in her words only cold, calculated cruelty.

Selena stood, flicked a strand of white hair behind her shoulder, and turned to leave.

"Give me three days," she said confidently as she strode out. "I'll bring you the truth, Father. And blood, if you want it."

The Lord of the house returned to his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.

"Good," he said, almost to himself.

"Let the world remember what it means to cross a Laverick."