Chapter 59: 59: Intellectual Seduction
Eden paused, his eyes on Leo who was also staring at him.
He knew it. He knew that Leo already knew. And also knew that he knew that he also did know.
They all knew. So he guessed there was no need to act shocked or deny it. He could just be casual about it.
Eden found himself smiling now as he reached out and took the wine from Leo’s hands "I suppose I am. I’ve been lucky for centuries now"
Leo stared at the glass of wine that was now in Eden’s hand "Is that so? I’m really curious how you got where you are now. Did you use the crown prince?"
Eden stared at the wine which he was elegantly shaking while he spoke "Why? Do you think I’m that smart to pull such a grand scheme? You overestimate me. I’m not that smart. At least not like you..."
He stared at leo. Smiling.
Leo tried reading Eden with his eyes. But he didn’t think he could do so.
While they stared at each other without saying anything, A maid soon arrived to serve Leo wine. The Wine for the higher ranking noble.
It was the maid with a dragon tattoo over her neck. Eden caught sight of her and watched as Leo took the drink.
Damn, Eden thought. He was late. The drink had already begun going round.
He couldn’t stop it starting. Now he guessed he’d have to take responsibility for the aftermath since Elvis could be too dumb to handle it like a badass.
"Don’t you want any?" Leo asked, offering Eden another glass from the maid’s tray.
"No need. I’m okay. How could I take a sip from the high nobles tray? That’s rude of me. I’m just a no-body" he smiled as he watched the maid leave to serve others.
As long as the drink didn’t kill people but casually gave them stomach upset, he guessed he could leave it.
He would wait for the after math when it’s exposed tonight.
"You’re too humble" Leo expressed "A grand figure like you deserves one as well. Besides, you’re also living in the royal family"
"You’re too kind. I don’t deserve it" He expressed.
"it’s just wine" Leo said, playing with the drink in his hands. "No need for formality"
Eden watched him play with the glass while praying he would just drink it! For some reason he wanted to punish him with that stomach upset at least.
But Leo didn’t seem like he was drinking it anytime soon.
"It’s not just wine" Eden smiled "It’s the Grand wine that has been stored for over a hundreds years now from the Sulhak royal era. The first official Royal family back then had used it to celebrate their monarchy"
Leo stared at him "Interesting, I never knew you were into such history and knowledge"
Eden smiled as he sipped his drink that was free from any poison.
"Of course I know. I also know the significance of the wine which is bent on royalty. Over the years a mere noble is forbidden to have the drink. Else they’d be killed immediately. And the tradition still ran till now"
Leo slowly nodded, rather impressed. He didn’t know Eden was this knowledgeable about such facts. Facts that Leo himself was interested in.
"Is that so? Interesting you don’t know about the noble who escaped death even after having the drink directly from the king’s cup...." Leo pointed out, still playing with his wine.
"Of Course I know. You had researched and worked on it in one of your works titled IN THE SPIRIT OF WINE" Eden smiled as he continued.
"It’s interesting how you discussed the idea of rebellion against the Royal family subtly while using the metaphor of Mr Graf, a low baron drinking directly from the king’s cup in front of all yet managed to escape death with his wits and all. The first and only one to do so"
Eden sighed "Funny how history didn’t wish to record such. But you went ahead and did so. And you did so under a brilliant guise of expressing royal disobedience. I guess no one was witty enough to read through it to understand that it’s actually speaking in favour of Royal rebellion"
Eden smiled broadly while sipping his wine, his eyes still on Leo who was also staring at him.
He could tell that Leo was in-between shocked and impressed. Eden couldn’t tell which.
Leo was shocked on how Dave knew the details of it. Knew the details of his work and impressed how he knew beyond the surface level meaning.
He was part of the FEW that actually knew about his real message on his work. And he was somewhat shocked and also impressed.
"I have to give it to you Your Grace, You really know how to pull the strings. I’m also curious to know if you really did mean the message you put down in there..."
Eden paused as he stared at Leo, his eyes fixed.
Leo on the other hand was mute.
Eden knew Leo was a lover of knowledge. And he was one to take interest in anyone who expressed such knowledge. The interest would either be good or bad.
Eden didn’t know which Leo would take. But at least he had planted the seed. One of intellectual seduction. And he would wait for that to grow in him.
"I’m really impressed that the wizard of EL knows a lot about my writing" Leo smiled, looking calm.
Eden didn’t know a thing about all he said. It wasn’t his sole knowledge. It was all he had read from the novel!
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Note: All historical terms, knowledge and concepts used here are purely fictional! They don’t exist in real life!
It’s merely for the plot and character dialogue, they’re not supposed to be taken seriously and treated like real history!
Any historical hints or coincidences or offenses brought up was never intentional or what. It was all just made up.
The reader’s discernment is advised.