The Bomb Collar (4)
Two hours had passed since the dinner with Laura and Josepina. After taking a leisurely stroll around the Tourism Special Zone, Mikhail spent a bit of time in the casino before heading up to the cocktail bar on the resort’s top floor.
The cold touch of the copper mug filled with Moscow Mule felt pleasant against his palm. Leaning against the window, he silently gazed down at the night view of the tourist district he had created. The promenade dotted with streetlamp lights, the brilliant glow spilling from the casino, and the faint illumination of Vladivostok in the distance. It wasn’t a bad sight, but something felt lacking.
If only the buildings were a little taller. If they soared like skyscrapers, high enough to leave the clouds beneath them, it would have been far more spectacular. But that was impossible with this era’s architectural technology. Even if magic were poured into it, the maintenance costs would be astronomical. Just raising a building of this scale with cast iron and concrete instead of steel had already cost a fortune.
He clicked his tongue and took a sip of the Moscow Mule.
“My, my, Your Highness.”
A soft, coquettish voice came from behind him. Mikhail slowly turned his head. It was a woman wearing a dark dress that clung to every curve of her body. She was the one he had briefly exchanged greetings with at the poker table in the casino earlier. Her name was Zard, if he remembered correctly.
The viscountess had brought along a much younger-looking lover to the game. But now, no one stood beside her. The wedding ring that had sparkled on her left ring finger while she held her cards was still firmly in place.
She was supposedly from Gallia. It seemed the rumors that people from that region were particularly promiscuous were true.
“We meet again, Lady Zard.”
Mikhail raised his mug slightly as he spoke.
“Sorry, but if I hang around with a beauty like you tonight, Laura will give me an earful.”
He had no interest in getting tangled up with a woman who was basically a walking rag. The memory of a similar type of woman from back when the drug prohibition law had just been enacted still made him shudder. The sticky glances and the drinks she kept forcing on him had left him thoroughly sick of it all.
If the prohibition law hadn’t existed back then… if she had slipped opium tincture or cannabis tincture into his drink… Just imagining it gave him goosebumps. He probably would have woken up the next morning sobbing on Laura or Josepina’s lap while mourning his lost chastity.
Ever since then, he had been using Laura as an excuse. She didn’t actually get jealous over such things, but since everyone already knew she was his official mistress, she made for the perfect shield.
“Oh dear, such fierce loyalty.”
Lady Zard covered her lips and let out a coquettish laugh.
“That’s what makes it cute.”
Mikhail replied indifferently and took another sip of his Moscow Mule.
“The reason I approached you is…”
Lady Zard took a step closer and got to the point. The heavy perfume wafting from her stung his nose.
“Your Highness complimented my card skills quite highly earlier, but my friends refuse to believe it. I was wondering if you might be willing to show your face for just a moment.”
It was honestly a hassle. Her so-called friends were probably the same type as her. But… these small acts of kindness helped build the Tourism Special Zone’s reputation. A free-spirited space where even members of the imperial family could mingle without restraint. That was one of the zone’s key selling points.
I should brag to Laura and Josepina later about how hard I worked on customer relations.
He was bored anyway, and he had something to promote.
“Hmm, not a bad idea. If that’s all, sure.”
Mikhail shrugged. A bright flush of joy spread across Lady Zard’s face. She led the way, and Mikhail followed behind her at a leisurely pace.
She flung open the door to a private room at the end of the hallway.
“Everyone, look who I brought!”
At her excited cry, every head in the room turned toward the door at once. Three men and five women, including Zard herself. Judging by their extravagant attire and the relaxed air they carried, they were all nobles.
Empty wine bottles and plates of half-eaten appetizers were scattered around the sofas and tables. They widened their eyes in surprise at Mikhail’s appearance, then hurriedly rose to their feet and offered proper greetings.
“It is an honor, Your Highness.”
The man who appeared to be the oldest among them, wearing a striking red vest, spoke on behalf of the group.
“Honor? I’m the easiest member of the imperial family to run into in the entire empire.”
Mikhail waved his hand dismissively with a light joke. The awkward atmosphere in the room eased a little at his casual humor. Sheepish smiles appeared on their faces. It seemed they quite liked that he didn’t flaunt his royal authority.
Short introductions were exchanged. Most of them were title holders from respectable families with estates near the capital. Mikhail nodded appropriately and accepted their greetings, then plopped down into the most comfortable-looking armchair.
“Since we’ve met like this, how about a casual round?”
At Mikhail’s suggestion, every face lit up.
“Of course, Your Highness!”
“It would be an honor!”
Mikhail picked up the small handbell on the table and gave it a light shake. A clear ring echoed, and soon the door opened quietly. A neatly dressed employee stepped inside. He looked momentarily startled to see Mikhail seated in the center of the room, but quickly composed himself and bowed.
“You called, Your Highness?”
“Bring us a deck of cards. Oh, and about three bottles of Blue Label. Put the drinks on my tab, of course.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
The employee bowed politely and withdrew. The moment he left, the room grew noisy again.
“Whoa, three whole bottles of Blue Label!”
“As expected of Your Highness! What generosity!”
Their faces were filled with a mix of admiration and excitement. Mikhail silently observed their exaggerated reactions.
Soon the employee returned with a tray holding cards, liquor bottles, and clean glasses. As he skillfully cleared the table and poured the drinks, one noble raised his glass and said,
“Wow, thanks to Your Highness, we get to taste such a precious spirit. Tonight is truly going to be a special night.”
Boisterous laughter filled the private room.
The table was now littered with half-empty Blue Label bottles and leftover appetizers. The card game had somehow devolved into a drinking game. The rules were simple: whoever came in last in One-Card or Old Maid had to drink a glass of Blue Label as a penalty.
But because the liquor was so expensive, even the losers had flowers blooming on their faces. Some even looked disappointed when they won.
Mikhail, at their insistence, reluctantly accepted a few drinks. The sensation of the strong distilled spirit sliding down his throat wasn’t unpleasant.
“Wow, Your Highness has quite the tolerance.”
The man named Jacques, wearing the red vest, spoke with a slightly slurred tongue.
“Drinking something this strong like water… there’s no competing with you.”
As the alcohol took effect, the stiff atmosphere completely melted away. People began tossing out casual remarks one after another. The men naturally steered the conversation toward horse racing.
“I recently acquired a rather fine stallion from an eastern ranch. His name is ‘Eastern Khan.’ He’s quite the specimen. Excellent bloodline, and the way he runs…”
“Huh, Eastern Khan? I had my eye on that one because his parents were quite impressive… so you were the one who bought him?”
They tried to include Mikhail in the conversation, clearly hoping to win his favor.
“Does Your Highness have no interest in horse racing?”
“Sorry, but while I enjoy riding horses well enough, I don’t have much interest in racing itself.”
Mikhail answered while idly fiddling with the cards in his hand. The moment he drew the line, the women changed the subject.
“Your Highness, have you seen the new play Metamorphosis that recently opened? It was incredible! So much more vivid than the novel, and so heartbreaking!”
“Exactly! I’ve already seen Katarina and Henrietta three times. I don’t know how every single work Your Highness sponsors is so entertaining. Your taste is truly superb.”
Their eyes sparkled with respect and curiosity.
“It’s nothing special. I just give money to writers who can create things I’d find entertaining.”
Mikhail shrugged with a casual quip. After various topics came and went, the conversation inevitably arrived at its final destination: money. This was the topic Mikhail had been waiting for.
“Your Highness… between this Tourism Special Zone and everything else, you seem to have an incredible sense for business.”
Jacques carefully brought it up while refilling his glass. His eyes gleamed with blatant greed.
“That’s why I ask… have you perhaps taken notice of any promising investment opportunities?”
“Me? It’s all Laura and Josepina’s doing. I don’t really know much about it.”
Mikhail feigned ignorance and tossed the card in his hand onto the table. The Heart 2 he had just drawn from the person beside him perfectly matched the Diamond 2 already in his hand.
A few more turns passed like that.
“Oh, now that I think about it. I heard the Valeriano Merchant Coalition is launching some kind of financial product?”
When his turn came around, he casually dropped the remark as if it had just occurred to him, along with his card.
“I agreed to guarantee it. Well, more precisely, to insure it.”
“What kind of product is it that Your Highness would personally guarantee… or rather, insure?”
One noblewoman, who was drawing a card from Mikhail’s hand, asked with sparkling eyes. The tips of her fingers trembled slightly with anticipation.
“I heard they’re securitizing bonds or something and selling them?”
Mikhail answered while pretending to stifle a yawn.
“You know that guy, Conrad Salcher, the empire’s top investor? He’s starting something called a credit rating agency. They’re apparently using data from there… now that I think about it, before he set that up, he came all the way here and talked with Laura for quite a while… I didn’t understand a word of it even when I listened. I’m just trusting Laura and going along with it.”
At his words, every person in the room showed a flash of interest in their eyes. The crown prince, Laura Valeriano, and Conrad Salcher. Mikhail silently watched the greed rise on their faces.
The bait had been cast successfully.
Whether from the alcohol or simple fatigue, he was starting to feel sleepy, and he had no more business here. He took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
“Ah, it’s gotten late. I should be going.”
Mikhail stood up.
“Feel free to finish the remaining Blue Label and enjoy yourselves. Just know that if you cause any trouble, I won’t let it slide.”
At his half-joking warning, everyone laughed and rose from their seats.
“Safe travels, Your Highness.”
“We truly had a wonderful time tonight!”
He left the room amid their farewells. The moment the heavy door closed behind him, faint murmuring could be heard from inside. The actual content was muffled by the door, but the topic was obvious.
A satisfied smile formed on Mikhail’s lips. His steps down the hallway felt unusually light.