The Ganut

Episode 16: Everything is connected

Once he had crossed the threshold of the door, he saw a crowd around the manager's table. He came closer and saw the young lady from earlier yelling at the manager. She spoke to him with such vehemence that Lorentz feared she would come to blows. So he decided to send the lady away. He held her by the hand and led her towards the entrance.

-    What !!!!?

-    All soft, we calm down. I just want to prevent you from hurting yourself.

-    (She laughed meanly at first) Because a loyal patron of the prostitutes like you cares about the well-being of the ladies? No thanks, it will be fine.

-    Did the manager take your money ?

-    No it's not about that.

-    So why are you ready to get beat up in this place?

-    He exploits these girls! First, they must not do what they do, but if they do, they must be able to choose at least with whom they want to do it or even decide not to do it. And the annoying part is that the price is set by this damn manager and he is the one who redistributes the funds earned by these poor girls.

-    Wow, I didn't expect to hear such a plea in this place.

-    For what ? Because only nobles have common sense?

-    Okay, let's calm down. Can you try to answer me without hurting me in the process? It would be nice.

-    I don't even know why I'm wasting my time explaining this to you. A client like you won't understand me.

Lorentz had indeed understood what she was saying, but he no longer knew what to do to hold her back. Helpless, beaked by the words of the young lady, he watched her leave the tavern without even asking her name. This lady's plea had cut off his sexual appetite for the evening. The girl he thought was a potential prostitute had just lectured him. He therefore decided not to undertake anything this evening and to drink a few shots before returning.

Morak had returned before his mother noticed. He saw his sister going back and forth in the golden quarters.

-    Finally you are here ! Where have you been ? Night has fallen I tell you.

-    I had noticed.

-    You were lucky that mother came out after talking with the great sage.

-    Thank goodness because the way you wandered around my quarters, she would have noticed my absence.

As for Bali, she had learned during her conversation with Paul that Savel had travelled. She therefore quickly went to her lover Raoul's before her husband notified her absence later that night. She had borrowed Zassi's driver and her carriage to get there. Once there, she asked the driver to come back in an hour. She got out of the carriage dressed in her black hooded coat and knocked on Raoul's door. Raoul opened and saw Bali. " All in good time ! he said with a smile plastered on his face. She had barely crossed the door when Raoul had already started caresses. He ran his hand through her lover's jet-black hair, which resounded with pleasure. She let out a few suffocations as Raoul approached her private parts. Their caresses had directed them to Raoul's bed. The latter with his art of making love had been able to lure Bali into his bed during the previous 16 years. They were faithful to this infidelity. Despite the fact that Bali allowed Raoul to see elsewhere, the latter had never done so. Their love was illicit but unspoken to the point of engendering unfailing loyalty. Touching had finally given way to action. Bali enjoyed this carnal and illicit moment as long as she could. She returned after spending a few minutes lying next to Raoul. She heard that Zassi's driver was already back. She got in and said to the driver, "Not a word of that to anyone !" »

At the same time, Caesar had visited Paul. Bali hadn't noticed her absence when she left the palace. The latter had gone to share his suspicions with the great sage so that they could conduct an internal investigation.

-    I think it's all connected.

-    What ? What do you mean by everything?

-    From the murder of the servant, to the disappearance of the driver, including her unexpected exits from the palace. I think it's all connected! The driver is probably dead by now too.

-    It's serious what you say. Things don't seem to go well between Bali and you. If you think your wife is capable of this, then I fear the worst.

-    Lately, I've noticed her slyness even in her smiles. It's as if she took me for a kid she could lead crazy. I see her with this pretentious air of one who thinks she is above everything! I think I'm going to crack, it annoys me! How could I have been blind all this time!

-    Calm down, anger won't get us anywhere. She is surely getting help and they seem to be organized enough to pass under my nose anyway.

-    My suspicions started because I believed she was cheating on me. Eventually she could be an accomplice to murder and the worst part of it all is the idea that I'd be more relieved if I knew she was a murderer than guilty of adultery.

-    Well we're going to have to be more discreet now. We will have to communicate in person and not by messages. We also need to find a meeting place other than here to talk about this case. As for me, announcing the closure of the investigation may give rise to suspicion. I'm officially suspending the investigation until the driver returns. If he's really dead, that'll give us leeway to continue our unofficial investigation.

-    Also, I'm waiting for a letter I sent to Bali's cousin in Tresoria. If she answers me, I will be able to find out in a few weeks if my wife lied to me about the destination of her travels and investigate where she was going. For now let's focus on the murder of the maid and the disappearance of the driver.

With these words from Caesar, their discussion ended and Caesar returned to the palace. Once at the palace, he was heading to his room when he passed Bali in the great hall. " Where were you ? she asked him. Caesar who wanted to hasten to answer was stopped by Bali who told him that he didn't need to answer and that she trusted him. She stood up, gave him a kiss as she passed, and went to her quarters. Caesar remained motionless for about two minutes before returning to his quarters.

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