The Rules of Blood

Volume Two ; Chapter 98 (314) - Sophie, Plans in Motion

Knock. Knock.

“Come in,” said a voice from the inside of the room.

She opened the door gently, the creaking of the wooden door annoying her since she was a child.

“Father,” Sophie smiled gently, “I am in need of your assistance.”

“That’s rare,” Lucien chuckled as his quill stopped scratching the parchment, “But is it my brain you are in need of, or my coin pouch?”

Sophie smiled widely, “Come on, Father, you know me, right?”

Lucien sighed, bothered for having his hopes up, “How much?”

“A thousand gold,” Sophie checked part of her silver-colored dress as she replied casually.

“...What in Vita’s name do you need a thousand gold for?” Lucien frowned, “Buying Raw Vita?”

“ Developing myself, Father, nothing out of the ordinary,” Sophie raised her eyes back to him, “But no, I do not need to buy Raw Vita as I soon plan to go hunting.”

“Then what for?” Lucien pressed the matter.

Sophie’s golden eyes somehow grew even sharper, “A Lady’s business is her own.”

“Just as the coins are my own business,” Lucien grinned, dipping the quill in ink, returning to the parchment before him, “If you want to stay silent about it, then I’m afraid I cannot sponsor such endeavors. Now, if you will excuse me.”

“I will not excuse you,” Sophie straightened her back, “You show preferential treatment to Celine and Miyanna, throwing gold at their plans at every inconvenience they meet. Not to mention how ready you offered to gift Brother-in-Law a thousand gold. So no, Father, you are not excused.”

Lucien sighed, pressing deep into his eyes with his fingers, “That’s because they consulted me on the matter.”

“Here I am, am I not?” Sophie countered, “We are consulting right as we speak.”

“No, you are asking me for money without telling me what you need it for,” Lucien replied with a counter of his own, “At least they gave me something to work with, you do not.”

“Is getting equipment for my hunt that I plan in the future, not a sufficient answer?” Sophie asked.

“A thousand gold worth of equipment?” Lucien chuckled, “If you were preparing to equip an entire battalion, perhaps, but, dear daughter, you do not.”

Sophie clicked her tongue in frustration.

“Listen,” Lucien continued, “It is too late for this. How about we continue this productive conversation of ours in the morning?”

“Do you trust me, Father?” Sophie came up with an idea. “Do you wish for my happiness?”

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Lucien nodded, “Of course, I trust you, but I find it hard to believe your happiness lies in a thousand gold.”

“Then how about this,” Sophie began, taking a seat, “You lend me the thousand gold, and by the time Celine gives birth, you will have the gold back.”

“What are you getting yourself into?” Lucien wondered with a groan, exhausted.

“When I return the gold, I will tell you all you need to know,” Sophie pressed on, “Is that not good enough?”

Lucien scratched at his forehead, trying to guess what his daughter had in store for him.

But she seemed adamant enough in both her plan and secrecy. And a thousand gold wasn’t an enormous loss if she failed in her ventures.

But if she managed to do what she planned to do, then it was safe to assume that it would be worth it.

“...Fine,” Lucien gave up, nodding along. “I agree on this matter of yours, Sophie, but I will still have to consult with your Mothers tonight. If they all agree, you will have the gold ready by noon.”

“It has been a most wonderful discussion, Father,” Sophie jumped to her feet, overjoyed, “I await the good news.”

She headed towards the door and stepped outside when Lucien spoke again.

“Tell me, Sophie, is jealousy for Celine what gave you this secret plan of yours?”

Sophie stopped and turned towards her father, no reaction on her face despite how much it bothered her.

“Not at all,” she smiled politely, “I just wish to do things for myself, and to ensure the future that I want for myself.”

“And what is this future you envision?” Lucien asked, curious.

“Good night, Father,” she said, ignoring his question and closing the door behind her.

Her golden yellow eyes were visible even in the darkness as she walked back towards her room.

Once arrived, she took the three books she used as reference, and looking through them again, compiled a list of all the things she needed.

After all, it was cheaper to get the raw materials than the finished product. And even better for secrecy, as the materials would not give away her plans, regardless of who was looking into it.

By midnight, she began planning her next steps.

There was enough time. A few weeks at least. But there were gaps that she had to fill.

And slowly, over the course of the night, she had thought on everything that was required for this plan of hers to succeed.

She wrote letters, devised a plan on how to make money as a facade, and even prepared entire conversations in advance.

She was of Blood Maroux, yet she lacked the makings of an advisor.

The intelligence was there, but not the patience.

No… her gift was cunning.

She was never one to sit still, always seeking to compete with others, even when no real contest existed.

Still, if this plan succeeded, it would not only secure a constant stream of gold, buying her more freedom from her Blood, but it would also give her the chance to pursue other, more elaborate ambitions.

For she wanted a future of her own making.

And the first person to aid her in that was Olivia, who planned on visiting Celine and Miyanna in the afternoon.

Sophie knew Olivia would help her, regardless of whether she wanted to or not. There was no doubt in her mind.

And the way Sophie smiled, the way her golden eyes shone in the candlelight, was beautiful and frightening at the same time.

Now, all the more sharpened as she pictured the plan unfolding in her favor.

With dawn only hours away and the coming day already decided, she shed the silver dress for a nightgown and lay in bed.

But instead of sleep, her hands wandered restlessly beneath the thin fabric of her nightgown, her body moving in rhythm with the wicked thrill of her thoughts.

Her pleasures mingled with her ambition, her cunning, each wave of release feeding the fire of the schemes she refused to let go of.

For she was the dark of Blood Maroux, the side her Blood refused to show.

The side she… embodied.