A Plead Of Affection

DEKAOKTÓ

As Alexios got out of his private room, his facial expression darkened, "Noble-" Before the caller could finish his sentence, the man shut his mouth and stepped backward. His glare alone sent shivers running down his spine, "Nikolaos!" A familiar voice coming from the hallway got his attention.

Soon appeared a face that he did not expect to see but also anticipated getting a glimpse of. He was marching towards him with an anxious face. His brows were furrowed; no doubt, he was also angry.

"Are Nobles these days to useless to work with?" He questioned, raising his eyebrow, "I, Nikolaos Alexios Schleswig, greet you, Lord Ioannis Demeas," He lowered himself in respect for the person standing in front of him.

Looking at how frustrated the Lord was, Alexios assumed that something had happened wrong that he was now blaming others for his mistake. Ioannis was an easy person to read for the Noble. He perceives the man as someone who takes advantage of others that is weaker than him.

"What seems to be the problem, Lord Demeas. I am at your service?" He asked, raising his head slowly; Ioannis was about to speak when he noticed the loud murmuring of the ground. He took a deep breath, composing himself, "There are too many people here, let's talk inside," As he was about to step inside attempting to open the door, Alexios himself blocked the door.

"What do you think you are doing?" He sounded confused, "Everyone, I do hope you excuse yourself, Lord Demeas demands a private conversation," Slowly, the crowd dispersed only for the two of them to remain in the scene.

"Now, let's go inside, thank you for telling them to leave," He patted his shoulder and, once again, attempted to go inside the chamber. "Nikolaos, do you have no intention to take me inside your room?" He demanded an answer from him.

Alexios knew that it was rude to keep someone as highly as him outside; however, knowing that he was keeping Eva inside, he would bear the risk rather than show her to him. Especially his bad habits, he might forcibly take the Lady away from the Noble.

"My sincerest apologize, Lord Demeas, apparently, my office is a mess right now, a Noble of some mind, made a mess when we didn't get to approve his request," He reasoned out with a lie, "Is that so? I am fine with that," The man really wanted to go inside.

"We cannot do so, I do not want to look unorganized and desolate in front of the honorable Lord," He knows that fluttery was a way for the Noble to escape his situation and for the Lord to believe him, "I suppose it can't be helped, let us talk right here, however, I won't repeat it again and I will keep it brieft," Alexios nodded in agreement.

"Do you have any appointments for the next hours?" He nodded, "Besides your consultation, I have a matter to tend regarding the House of Schleswig," Alexios was referring to Eva at this moment; his last meeting for today was encountering this manwhore. It would have been perfect for him if he did not show up.

"All right, let's keep this straight. Lady Tocceli ran away from me after we broke up because of something that I wasn't satified," He started, "The problem is, someone- a Lady or a woman overheard- no purposely eavesdropped on us."

Alexios' eyes widened for an instant, but he instantly composed himself, trying not to show any hint of emotion on what happened. He exactly knew what he was telling. The Lady that eavesdropped on his case on their conversation was Lady Rabelino.

That means that the bickering couple that Eva heard in the hallways was Lord Demeas and Lady Tocceli. "You know how a pen is mightier than a sword is. I do not want any rumors to spread about how we broke up, I want to make a formal announcement," He uttered, "It gets me everytime how newspapers always gets the scoop even before I try to announce something," He complained.

"If something had happened just because of this situation, I do not want that kind of rumors to spread around; I do not want others to know things that I do not know," For a split second, Alexios noticed how Ioannis' expression felt grim for a second and instantly disappeared, "This matter not only concerns me, it will also destroy Ylury's hard-earned reputation. You know that I am Count Barret's nephew, I suppose," The man emphasized the Count's name and his relation to him.

If Alexios were dense, he would not have noticed that the Lord was threatening him. "And what may be I for your service?" The Noble questioned, "I want you to monitor every Lady or woman that came here hours ago. Look for her, I need to see her and interrogate her on what she plans on the information she heard!" He raised.

Alexios soon took a deep breath, straightening himself, "I understand," He then walked towards Ioannis, bearing a dark expression, "I will look for her as long as you provide her accurate description from what you saw, from head to toe." The Noble dusted the Lord's uniform after he patted his shoulder.

The Noble Schleswig expected that he could never keep Eva alone to himself. However, he will do anything at all costs not to let her go. This man in front of him will eventually meet her, and at his very best, he will do anything not to let them cross paths ever again; one time is already too much for him.

"I cannot help you with this one, Lord Demeas," Ioannis' forehead creased, "What do you mean?"

"I can only do work that is related to the court, and in your case, I cannot do things that is for personal use. If you would like, I will refer you to the Knight's Headquarters," He stepped back, calming himself, "Sir Rineas," He raised his hand, calling for a Knight that came from the hallway approaching them.