469 Resolution of issues
Asiva kept staring at Max's clone not really understanding how she felt about the whole situation.
On one end she knew that Max probably had no option in this sudden development, but on the other it was just too abrupt for her to process it all so suddenly.
Just a few hours ago she found herself daydreaming about the wedding she would have with Max in the coming months but now he was gone to some unknown place with some ancient god and nobody had any clue how long it would take for him to return back home.
To make matters even worse, his clone was right there wearing his mask and behaving exactly like Max would have, but while he was her for now, even the cloning spell would run out of its duration after 24 hours.
In the next 24 hours, Asiva had to calm her emotions, finish an important meeting with Felix Aurelius and then make a believable excuse for Max's absence in the coming months.
It was next to impossible for a public figure like Max to go missing for months at once and arise no suspicions, as let alone external threats, she was not even sure she could fool the intelligence beauro of her own country over this matter.
The only other person who was aware about Max's predicament and was in the same boat as herself was Sebastian and he was even more depressed about the whole affair than she was.
" I'm too weak, Max kept telling me to improve myself and fast, but I always took his advice too lightly.
There are ancient gods, monarchs and powerful people all across the universe, if I ever want to be truly free, I'll need the strength to defend the things I love " Sebastian said as he clutched his fists and looked at Asiva with determination.
Although she was in no mood for motivational talks, something about Sebastian's wordings touched her heart as she too clenched her fists and said " Yep, you are absolutely right "
It was at this moment that a struggling Zippo walked into Asiva's office as he tried to look for Max in a dazed state.
" Howe didzz you ditch me? Why diz happening? " Zippo said in a slurred speech as he held the clone's robes tightly to support his body weight.
" That's not Ravan Zippo, it's the clone, you will get nothing by holding onto him " Asiva said as she held Zippo by his arms and offered him a seat.
The black dragon was heavily sedated and was moving by sheer will to fulfil his duty. Had it been anyone else they would be our cold, sleeping for next 12 hours because of the effects of the sedative.
Never in his life had he been blindsided so badly as he was today, as not only was he unable to detect the attack, he was rendered completely defenceless against it when it did strike his body.
He had no idea who the attacker was or what happened to Max afterwards as he had blacked out instantly.
It took Sebastian quite a lot of effort to make Zippo aware of the current situation as only after realising that he could do nothing about Max's safety anymore did he close his eyes and let his body fall asleep completely.
While he slept, the clone, Sebastian and Asiva discussed their plan on how to justify Max's absence in the coming days.
*********
( The next morning )
Felix Aurelius entered dombivli palace through back channels as he was escorted by 4 guards.
Their entourage was given a security clearance by Asiva who received them personally at the gate, with not a single non-essential individual finding out the identity of the hooded visitor at the gate.
Eventually, Asiva led Felix to the conference room where the clone was waiting for him.
" Prince Felix, it's a pleasure to host you here today " the clone said in a cheery voice full of fake emotion.
" Lord Ravan, please accept my late wishes on your coronation" Felix said with a bow as he respected the age-old vampire seniority and gave the appropriate respect to a Lord.
The clone nodded back in courtesy, as Felix cut straight to the point.
" I'm sure, Lord Ravan, you are aware of my connection to the Red Umbrella group, it's no secret to you that they are my backers, so I'll not pretend like you have no idea.
Since you are a customer yourself, I hope you understand that with the modernization of times it's necessary we allow such organisations to operate legally inside the vampire society, but my father does not share my views on this topic.
Currently, I hold a 20% stake in the group and I'm willing to offer you 0.2% of that stake as a hush money fee if you can keep the information about my backers a secret " Felix proposed as the clone shook his head from side to side.
" I'll accept your deal Prince Felix, but you can keep the 0.2% token shares to yourself.
The Bloodfall clan does not wish for bad blood with the second prince's faction and despite the scuffle in Dwargon, it was not my side's intention to trouble the establishment, but rather your people who tried to poison us first.
As for signing any non-disclosure contracts over this matter, I'm ready to do so". The clone said as Felix Aurelius was truly surprised by his proposal.
He had expected Ravan to squeeze him for more shares or outright blackmail him, but he was surprisingly calm about the incident.
His intelligence report suggested that he was close to Lucius's faction, but it seemed like those rumours were exaggerated greatly as Ravan was basically a neutral.
" My apologies Lord Ravan, if they did indeed try to poison you then they deserved what they had coming for themselves.
As for signing the non-disclosure I think there is no need since you have personally given your word over the matter and I trust you to be an honourable gentleman " Felix said as he amiably shook hands with the clone, feeling relieved that the matter he came here for was resolved so easily.
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