Reincarned with a deities Harem (Tome 1)

Absurd

We took the path towards the village, covering our heads with hoods, looking like simple travelers passing through.

The village was poor and the inhabitants looked at us like ghosts, it seemed like it had been years since they had seen any foreigners so as a security measure, Azef  put away all our precious possessions, money and  jewelry, in his cape.

The looks of some people were far too greedy  not to try to extort us.

Barely had he finished securing our money when a group of young people were already moving towards us in a threatening manner.

“Ah, they want to extort us.”  I commented.

“Sounds like it to me.”  Azef replied calmly

Azef put me behind him and took off his cloak, glaring at our attackers.

“I’ll be you, I wouldn’t even dare come near.”

“Or what?  Just because you are a pretty boy, do you think you’ll impress us?”

I looked at these people almost with sympathy, they don't even know who they are dealing with.

“If you really want to get killed, then come closer.”

“Honey, you just need to knock them out, no need to go that far.  This would risk jeopardizing what we are here for.”

“I understand, so I’ll do this quickly.”

He moved as soon as he said it and I didn't know what he used since it wasn't through combat that he knocked them out, all the bandits were on the ground and we continued on our way  .
We arrived at a hostel where everyone was looking at us with interest again and we went to the reception.

“Hello young people, what can I do for you?”

The old innkeeper had a gentle smile even if her look was deceitful, it seemed that in this village, the inhabitants were really very sneaky and dangerous.

"...."

I took out ten gold coins and placed them on the table in front of the manager whose eyes lit up with greed immediately.

“What can I do for you, my lovely young girl?”

“I need some information if you don't mind and if it's okay with me I can give you double what you already have.”

"What?  This way please… it’s better to be in a quiet place to talk more seriously.”

She came out from behind the reception and called a young man who ran towards her.

“I’ll leave the service to you for a little while.”

“Good grandma.”

So she turned towards us, and motioned for us to follow her.

Azef took my hand and led us behind the old innkeeper who was singing a song.

We arrived in the private room where we took our seats.

" SO?  What can I help you with ?"

“Sofiane.”

“Sofiane?  Which ?"

“The one who married the Duke of Hosten more than fifteen years ago.”

“Ah lucky girl.”

" Pardon?"

“That's what we call her around here... you have to admit that it was also quite lucky to be able to marry a duke and leave her miserable countryside to live a life as beautiful as what she already has  ...she even has a huge house that she had built three years ago and a few stores in the neighboring town...her husband the Duke of Hosten must really love her a lot to spoil her so much…”

"You think ?"

“Yes...she's always so well dressed and elegant every time she comes here, it's amazing.”

“Oh, it's that so.”

“And you, why are you interested in her?”

“Oh… forgive us for these late presentations, we are journalists from the capital's gazette, one of Sofiane'shops is the most popular place lately and we decided to dedicate a whole page to her to talk about her and her life... a sort of biography you understand?"

“Ah my little one, I don't understand everything you say, but if it's just an article there's no problem...but I have a little secret to reveal to you.”

The woman's eyes flashed, looking at the purse in my hand and I huffed, the human is so greedy.  I placed ten more gold coins on the table and she snickered as she quickly took them…

“So I’m listening to you…”

“Yes...you know the lucky one...she had a sick husband when she married the Duke”

"Pardon"

“Yes, he is in an abandoned cabin at the bottom of the village..... She abandoned him and the poor man is lying in his bed waiting only to die... the man's sister, a real  scum took advantage of this to blackmail the lucky lady and get hired as a headmaid in her house, frankly if that’s not unfortunate?”

I felt my heart skip a beat, this information was the best I could have hoped for.  Not only is Sofiane still married, and therefore a bigamist, which cancels her marriage to my father, who will also be more than happy.  But she brought in her sister-in-law as headmaid, in order to benefit from the prestige of the ducal family.  I understand better why the headmaid was so confident in doing what she wants when she wants.  In fact, she is blackmailing Sofiane and her way of treating Gabrielle, now I understand everything.

“Hey my little lady, I'm a chatterbox, please, what I told you last don't put it in the article”

“Don't worry, it will stay between us, our job is to beautify her image and not the other way around.”

“Phew thank you...so you're going to put my name in the article too, aren't you?  As a witness.”  She's not only trying to take advantage of Sofiane's secret, but to ingratiate herself with the person she just sold, it's pathetic.  In short, even if this article story were true, Sofiane would never be grateful to her for anything.

“We will be sure to do so... Madam, thank you for your wonderful information, I hope you are well.”

I put down the remaining coins and we got up, leaving the village towards the clearing where we landed.

"SO?"

“I didn't think it would be so easy...guess I prove there was a conspiracy against the legitimate members of the Hosten family by usurpers who want to take over the Hosten home.”

“It would be extremely perverse...but effective”

“I often amaze myself”

We returned home and I had to contact the second prince via one of his knights who remained stationed at the edge of the Forest of Nightmares, despite Azef's disapproving face.

“I need him to give the illusion that we can cure Karl thanks to the doctor’s idea…”

Fancy arrived in the room finding us sitting there looking like nothing.

“Alright Fancy, get ready already, once Karl heals, I’ll put the second phase of my plan into motion.”