As Christopher was walking up the stairs, he started picking up his father's voice between the noise downstairs that was slowly transforming into a light and more composed chatter on the 1st floor, where the more prominent people took care of their businesses. Eventually, he started discerning between words, and could soon hear what the company's head was talking about.

"...Yes, that would definitely be an option."

"Thank You very much, mister Urso. We will then gladly join You and Your caravan when you depart." A soft and gentle voice replied. Right, Nolan said that Father was speaking with elves.

"Well then, I will be seeing you soon. May fortune be with you!"

"Likewise."

Right as Christopher stepped onto the floor, two tall and pale men passed him and went downstairs, quickly disappearing in the commotion below.

"Ah Chris, my boy! How are you doing?" Before him stood his father, a blonde man in his thirties, with occasional gray hairs showing here and there, as well as a seemingly permanent smile on his face. He was wearing a greenish tailored coat, a claret vest and linen trousers. Impeccable as always.

"I'm good, dad. Can I talk to you for a moment? In private."

"Oh, of course! Just,.. I hope it's not too long, I am expecting someone important to come soon. Well, let's go to my office."

Nathaniel's office was located directly opposite of the stairs, and was taking up the two rightmost windows of the building if looked at from the street. Thanks to that he could always see what was happening outside, and could easily see everyone on the staircase. It should also be mentioned that every office on the 1st floor was made to be soundproof. Not with magic, since hiring a mage capable of silencing magic would be too expensive, but in a hallway full of constant chatter it was good enough.

After Christopher and his father entered the office and sat down, the two men began talking.

"I wanted to talk about my birthday, dad." Started Chris.

"Oh, is there something wrong? Does the date not work, or maybe you think the Turos Castle's ball room is not grand enough for you?" Said his father with slight sarcasm.

"No, we can't refuse the marquess' offer, it's just that-" The boy paused for a second-"Do I really have to do do all those dances with the daughters of all those nobles and merchants and... everyone else?"

After these words, the man behind the desk stared at his son for several seconds with a stern face, and answered:

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"You know very well that I am a very important person here in Turos. And because of that, you as my son are just as important. We are almost like nobility here. And your coming of age party is a great moment for not just you, but also many other people to make very valuable connections in the political world." Exclaimed Nathaniel. "Besides, you don't need to start flirting with any of the girls, you just need to... talk to them, alright?" He added after seeing his son's gloomy face.

"...Alright, I can talk to them. But nothing more." Is what Christopher wanted to say, but at this moment Nolan entered the office (without knocking, which was quite unusual) and said, slightly nervous: "Master, the official from the Merchant Organisation is here."

"What right now? Chris, out, quickly, Nolan, please ask the gentleman to com..."

"No need to bother the butler, mister Urso." A deep voice cut off Nathaniel, And it's owner entered the room.

He was a tanned man of moderate portliness and with a thick, short black beard covering everything below his nose. He was wearing a traditional southern turban and a weird kind of dress which Chris had never seen before.

"Now, will you please leave us alone? Me and mister Urso have important things to talk about." Said the man to Christopher and Nolan.

"Right. Please excuse us, Sir. Young Master, please come with me." Said the steward, and walked out together with the boy.

After closing the door, he looked at Christopher and said: "Whatever you do, absolutely do not disturb them. Whatever Your father is talking about is very important. Understood?"

"Understood." He replied.

But after Nolan left to attend to other matters, Chris went up to the office's door and placed his ear next to it's upper hinge. It was a tiny spot where the soundproofing layer must've had a hole. He found out about it on accident a few years ago and so far was the only person to know about it.

"...had a deal, Urso!" He recognised the fat southerner's muffled voice. "You... and WE leave... WHY did you..." The man was constantly switching between whispering and shouting, seemingly angry at Nathaniel.

"But why? The Company has no issues with the IMO. Or at least not any I know about..." Christopher thought to himself.

"...not MY fault that..." That was Chris' father's voice, also angrily shouting at his guest.

And then, silence. Chris pressed his head against the door as hard as he could, but there was no sound coming from inside.

In a split second, he quickly realised what was happening and jumped away from the door, just in time to avoid it from hitting him straight in the cheek as the Organisation's representative swung it open and stormed out.

"You will regret this!" He shouted, walking away and down the stairs to Chris' father.

"Dad, what did you talk about? Is the Company in danger?" Christopher asked slowly, slightly scared.

"It's.. no, everything's fine. Don't worry." His father answered and let out a long sigh. "You should be more worried about your birthday, shouldn't you? Now shoo, the tailor should be coming soon. you need to... prepare for the celebration."

"Okay dad." He hesitated for a short moment, and added: "I love you."

"Love you too. Now go, really. And I'll be busy for... the rest of the day." After saying that, he closed the door to his office, leaving Chris in the hallway.

"Well," He thought to himself, "I guess I need to go."