Post by Antonin Deliambre on Jul 22, 2016 13:52:53 GMT -5
Aware that many in his family were not the early riser he was, Antonin left a note for his younger brother, requesting that once he was finished with his morning ablutions, Riccardo meet him down at one of the family warehouses in the Orchid Quarter. The note reassured his brother that there was no problems or difficulties, merely that there was a topic he wished to discuss with Riccardo but would be busy down at the warehouse in the early morning; joining him would allow the Duke to accomplish all he hoped to that day.
Thoughts and ideas had been circulating in his mind since his meeting with Dante Sandoval, especially as pertained to Vasile. While the Romanovs held control of the isolated northern region, Antonin had seldom ventured any kind of business or other relationship there. The Romanovs made it clear they were not really interested in trade or alliances, a stance that Antonin occasionally questioned for the sake of prudence. Everyone needed friends and allies, as far as he was concerned, whether they knew it or not.
He was genuinely sorry for the loss of the family, considering the means by which they'd been brought down. The attack in Anzio returned to his mind, a reminder that such attacks could have brought down the Deliambres and the Montefiores in much the same way. A sigh escaped him, leaving the Duke with the fervent hope that whomever took control of Vasile would be more amenable to reaching out for friends.
With that in mind, he intended to ask Riccardo to travel into the north after the royal entourage and see what he could learn of the candidates, as well as begin laying the groundwork for potential trade agreements and alliances. Lacking considerable knowledge of the region did not sit well with Antonin. While he could have sent Lorenzo, he trusted his instincts that Riccardo might prove a better choice. And if the man found a woman to interest him while there, so much the better.
Bringing his attention back to the moment as one of the workers offered a length of Sokoku silk for inspection, he eyed the color for a moment, a deep hue of green. Thoughtfully, he gestured for it to be put aside for the house. Catalina might like it, or know a use for it...
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Riccardo Deliambre