“This is the place, right?” Aether, now wearing a sleek rabbit mask, stepped out of the carriage and took a moment to observe the massive building before him. It was bustling with activity—people moving in and out, carrying large packages, creating an air of urgency around the structure.
“Rosavere Pvt. Transport Company…” Aether mumbled as his eyes traced the bold lettering on the board. His gaze shifted to Celestia, who stood beside him, dressed in a form-fitting black suit that completely covered her body.
“Is this it? Didn’t she work for an auction company?” he asked, his voice curious.
Celestia shook her head slightly. “No, that’s just one of her businesses,” she corrected a hint of amusement in her tone.
Aether raised an eyebrow, “One of her companies?” Find your next adventure on empire
Celestia chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with surprise, “To be honest, when you first showed me that visiting card… I was shocked. Not many people have the privilege of being in contact with her. This company is massive, Aether.
It operates in nearly every empire! And you—somehow—you’ve secured a direct connection with the CEO herself. I’m not sure whether it’s your luck that you met her, or her luck that she recognized your talent before anyone else did.”
Aether nodded, only half-listening, his thoughts drifting for a moment. His eyes scanned the building, and he could feel the intensity of the work happening inside, the urgency in the air.
As they stepped through the large glass doors, Inside, it was a whirlwind of activity.
Employees dashed back and forth, their movements hurried, as if even the slightest delay could cost them everything. The sound of rapid footsteps and urgent conversations filled the space.
Aether smiled to himself, the scene reminding him of a time when he too had been in such chaotic environments. He and Celestia made their way to the reception desk.
“Excuse me?” Celestia called, her voice clear and authoritative.
The receptionist, a young woman with a tired expression, glanced up from her desk, her frown deepening as she took in the sight of the unusual pair, “Yes?” she asked, her tone slightly impatient.
Celestia leaned in slightly, keeping her tone polite but firm, “We have an appointment with your CEO. His name is…. Lackey,” she said, holding up the visiting card for emphasis.
The receptionist’s frown deepened further as she inspected the card. Without a word, she made a quick call, speaking quietly into the phone before turning back to Celestia, “Please take a seat. Our CEO is in a meeting right now.”
Celestia’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded and moved to the seating area. Aether followed silently, sitting down on a plush sofa, his eyes casually drifting around the room as he observed the busy office.
“Hello?” A voice interrupted Aether’s thoughts.
Aether turned his head and saw a handsome man sitting across from him, smiling pleasantly. The man looked polished and confident, but there was something off about him. His smile was a little too forced!
“Are you waiting to meet the CEO as well?” the man asked, his tone casual but probing.
“You too?”
The man nodded, his smile widening as if he’d just found a companion in his frustration. “Yeah, I’ve been waiting here for over an hour now. No updates, no information. I think they’re just trying to keep us waiting to make us desperate.”
Aether raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Is that so?”
The man leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “Yes, they do that sometimes. Treat us like we’re insignificant. But we’re not, right? I think we should demand answers. Show them we won’t be treated like this,” he added, his voice laced with subtle annoyance.
Celestia, having overheard the conversation, glanced sharply at the receptionist, who had been keeping an eye on them but quickly turned away. Her frown deepened, and she was about to stand up and confront the receptionist when—
“No need,” Aether said calmly, raising a hand to stop her. He crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in his seat, casting a casual glance at the man across from him. “We just arrived. If you have a problem, you should take it up with them yourself. We’re fine waiting.”
The man’s smile faltered for just a second, but he quickly recovered, shrugging with a nonchalant grin, “I see. My apologies, sir. I thought we could help each other out, but… fine by me!” His tone was light, but the slight edge in his voice betrayed his frustration.
Aether smirked inwardly. He had encountered this type before—people who tried to manipulate situations to their advantage while keeping themselves safe.
They pushed others to make demands or take risks, all while they sat back, waiting to benefit from the fallout!!
Celestia, sensing the tension beneath the surface, shot a warning glance at the man, who merely smiled back, pretending to be unbothered.
Aether, however, chuckled inwardly, amused by the handsome man’s transparent attempt at manipulation. Though his face remained friendly, Aether could feel the disdain and anger bubbling beneath the man’s mask of calm.
Thirty minutes had passed, and the tension in the reception area was palpable.
Celestia’s glare remained fixed on the receptionist, while the handsome man across the room wore a small, smug smile as if revelling in the fact that nothing was happening.
Aether, finally losing his patience, sighed and approached the receptionist. “Will your CEO be meeting with us or not?”
The receptionist frowned her expression hardening, “She’s not someone you can meet so easily. If you can’t wait for half an hour, sir, you’re free to leave.”
Instead of getting angry, Aether’s voice remained calm. “Did you even inform her that I’ve arrived? I’m pretty sure my maid reached out ahead of time.”
The receptionist, rather than checking any records, crossed her arms and shot back, “Look, a lot of people come here claiming they have appointments with our CEO, showing us all kinds of fake cards and telling lies.”
Celestia’s hand instinctively moved towards her sword, her face darkening with anger, but Aether raised a hand to stop her. He smiled slightly and spoke with calculated politeness, “If you think the card is fake, then I must have met a fake CEO as well. My apologies for wasting your time.” He turned and started walking towards the exit.
Celestia, visibly frustrated, followed him. “A-Ae- Lackey—wait. She clearly didn’t inform the Her. Should I look for her myself?” Her tone was laced with irritation.
Aether shook his head, “Do you know what I admire about the Pyra Empire?”
Celestia paused, thinking for a moment before answering, “Their abundant raw Arcanium Materials?”
Aether’s eyebrow twitched, and he gave her a sideways glance, “Yes, that too… but more importantly, their loyalty to the Lizard Emperor. No matter how he rules—through terror or love—his people are unwaveringly loyal. They uphold the empire with absolute dedication.”
Celestia tilted her head, still puzzled. “And?”
“A company should be like that too. If the employees aren’t loyal, the whole structure crumbles from within. It doesn’t need an external enemy to fall; the employees will destroy it themselves. I can’t partner with a company that lacks that kind of loyalty.” Aether’s voice was serious.
He wasn’t just frustrated by the receptionist’s rudeness. He was thinking ahead—if the staff in the core branch behaved this way, what about those in the countless sub-branches? Could he trust this company to handle his projects, knowing that such carelessness might extend across their entire operation?
Aether turned to Celestia. “Is there another company we can work with? It doesn’t need to be famous. Loyalty and a fair partnership are all I care about.”
Celestia thought for a moment before starting, “There is another compa—”
“There’s no need for that,” a soft yet commanding voice suddenly interrupted her.
Both Aether and Celestia turned toward the source of the voice. Walking towards them was a chubby woman….
Her soft rose-pink hair cascaded down in elegant waves, perfectly framing her chubby, radiant face. Her mesmerizing pink eyes, flecked with amethyst, sparkled with a mix of warmth and intelligence.
She was dressed in a luxurious, form-fitting gown of deep purples and pinks that hugged her full, rounded figure with confidence. Minimal yet striking jewellery adorned her, enhancing her natural beauty without overshadowing it (Image in comment)
Her presence was calm and yet confident and with a lovely smile that made man’s heart skip a beat.
“Forgive me, Mr. Lackey,” she said, her voice smooth and soothing, as if she could dissolve tension with a single word, “Please allow me another chance” Her gaze was steady, a look of genuine sincerity in her eyes.