Three days prior, the night Aiden first received the threatening letter from the Red Shark Pirates, within Abigail's summoning space, Aiden once again sat down with the Grand Witches, holding another business meeting.
"The money has been received. I've counted it, and it matches the accounts," Abigail nodded at Aiden. "Do you need me to send a receipt?"
"No need. What legal force could a receipt from the Witch Coven possibly have? If there's a debt dispute, can I send you a summons?" Aiden couldn't help but chuckle. "I'll handle the finances and other procedures. Just confirm that this quarter's accounts with me are settled. As for how the money is divided, that's your internal matter. How are the preparations for next month's raw materials coming along?"
"Only seventy percent complete. The dolls are already working round the clock, but your demand is too large for my small workshop to keep up," Vera complained.
"Use the funds for rebuilding the meeting ground to make dolls first. This year's gathering is bound to be postponed anyway," Abigail remarked. "Though you were getting the largest share of this money to begin with."
"How nice. We only got ten percent each," Hasbinis voiced her envy.
"You only helped deliver goods. Be content with ten percent," Lamia retorted.
"What do you mean 'just deliver goods'? I flew over checkpoints through the sky to smuggle materials for you! If you're so capable, do it yourselves!" Hasbinis argued back defiantly.
While the Grand Witches started chatting idly, Aiden initiated a conversation with Qimora: "Miss Qimora, are you free to come visit me tomorrow?"
He had no direct means of contacting Qimora, only through Abigail's summons. This business meeting was actually convened by him contacting Abigail; his real purpose was to contact Qimora during the meeting and arrange for her to come to the prison.
"Hm? Why, did I miss something last time?" Qimora didn't immediately grasp Aiden's intention.
"No, I wanted to discuss 'that matter' you specifically mentioned to me last time," Aiden emphasized the words 'that matter'.
"Huh? Ah..." Qimora paused before understanding. "Your Excellency intends... to give a response?"
Last time, she had only just mentioned trading Divinity with Aiden. In truth, she hadn't expected him to pay much attention to it. With Aiden bringing it up so soon, she was momentarily taken aback.
"Yes. It's better to discuss such things in person when you arrive," Aiden said in a serious tone.
"Alright, then..." Qimora nodded lightly, about to reply, when she noticed the others at the meeting had fallen silent, staring intently at the two of them.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
After a moment, Abigail broke the silence first: "What... are you two talking about?"
"Um... Just some, private matter," Qimora replied vaguely. "It has nothing to do with the Coven anyway. Abigail, surely you don't manage personal privacy too?"
Her trading Divinity with Aiden was naturally unrelated to the Witch Coven, and Qimora didn't want them to know about it. If Aiden proposed conditions that the other witches could also meet, they might get involved.
"Well, I certainly won't interfere with that..." Abigail replied hesitantly. The Witch Coven itself was an extremely loose organization. As long as it didn't harm the Coven's interests, she naturally had no right to criticize members' private interactions. So she didn't press further.
The remaining three Grand Witches exchanged glances, reading utter astonishment in each other's eyes.
Listening to this, how does it sound like these two... have somehow inexplicably gotten involved?
No one dared to speak further, merely listening as their conversation continued.
"Then, when would be a good time for me to visit?" Hearing Abigail's response, Qimora felt relieved and proceeded to confirm the meeting details with Aiden.
"The sooner, the better," Aiden replied without hesitation. "If possible, I hope you can come as early as you can. Honestly, I... can hardly wait."
The Red Shark Pirates could attack at any moment. Aiden had to prepare countermeasures as soon as possible. If Qimora hadn't arrived at Rose Iron Prison by the time the pirates began their move, it would be too late. Thus, he could only urge her.
But these words instantly drew the gazes of all the witches towards him.
"Okay, then I'll hurry... I'll set off shortly. I should be able to arrive by tomorrow morning," Qimora agreed without hesitation.
The Grand Witches simultaneously turned their gazes back to Qimora.
"That's good," Aiden paused mid-sentence, suddenly remembering something. "By the way, if possible, could I trouble you to bring some spare clothes?"
"Why?" Qimora asked casually.
"I was hoping you could stay here for a few days. Is that convenient?" Aiden asked nonchalantly.
At this point, Aiden had only received the threatening letter from the Red Shark Pirates and hadn't yet directly contacted them. Although he predicted the pirates would act quickly after his confrontational response, the specific time of the jailbreak was still uncertain.
To be constantly prepared for the jailbreak, Aiden could only ask Qimora to stay at the prison temporarily. With Qimora abilities, staying there without being discovered by others would be easy.
All the witches looked at Aiden together, subconsciously holding their breath.
Hasbinis couldn't help but whisper, "Holy shit..."
Then, Qimora also replied casually, "Alright, no problem."
The Grand Witches' gazes snapped back to Qimora in unison. Hasbinis and Vera looked like their eyes were about to pop out.
"Then I shall await you here. Farewell for now," having achieved his purpose for attending the meeting, Aiden decisively "went offline." "Farewell, ladies."
"Farewell," Qimora waved, beginning to ponder what conditions he might propose.
From start to finish, she and Aiden had only been seriously considering the transaction, completely oblivious to the far richer inner thoughts of the others listening in.
After Aiden's figure disappeared, the scene immediately fell into dead silence.
After a while, Qimora came back to her senses and noticed her companions all staring at her.
"What's wrong? Why is everyone silent?" Qimora looked around at them.
"Qimora..." Vera began hesitantly.
"Could you possibly..." Hasbinis continued.
"...like that type?" Lamia asked in a raspy voice.
"What?" Qimora didn't understand at first.
"Anyway... congratulations first," Abigail managed to maintain her composure.
"Have you all formed some strange misunderstanding!?" Qimora was somewhat dumbfounded.
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