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Pantalone was considered the richest and the most eligible bachelor in all of Snezhnaya. His admirers could line up from Snezhnograd to Nod-krai. But little did these noble ladies and delusional girls know, Pantalone was already loyal to one person and one person only.
"Why are those two always together!? That damn banker is clearly partial to him!” wailed Sandrone.
“They seem close.” replied Columbina “Like a raven and a crow among doves, yet somehow finding comfort in their differences”
“Right. I don’t care about the homosexuality as long as I can wipe that smile off the Regrator and get him to sign my proposal!”
It was a boring, mundane evening in the Regrator’s office. Some noveau riche dude was trying to get Pantalone into a long term collaboration with his company and it was nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone wanted the Regrator’s attention, but this guy was particularly dense and his assistant was not bold enough to tell him to shut up, even though her eyes conveyed everything.
He refused to take a no and was being extremely annoying. Pantalone was getting a headache from listening to his voice, but he did not let his signature smile drop. Until the topic strayed off a bit....
“Lord Pantalone, this deal is definitely worth it! I could even add in a little gift for you. How about my daughter?”
Pantalone opened his eyes in utter bewilderment.
Taking this as a positive sign, the dude got excited.
“It would be my daughter’s fortune to get to know the Regrator after all. I think you’ll enjoy her beauty quite a bit”
As he said it, he pushed his assistant, probably his daughter, forward. Even from across the table, Pantalone could easily see the blush on the woman’s face, though it looked more like embarrassment than actual shyness.
The man’s implication thoroughly disgusted Pantalone. To treat your own daughter like an asset, you’d have to be a truly despicable person. The woman was clearly uncomfortable, yet he paid her no mind and she didn’t speak up.
He was a happily married man for Archons’ sake! Not that it was public information, but it was still a very awkward situation. What if his lovely partner got jealous of these people trying to snatch him away?
“Sorry, but I’m going to have to cut this conversation short. I am neither interested in your company nor your daughter”
“I suggest you leave for your own good” said Pantalone in that ever so calm tone.
Something about the way it was said made the man think that it was not an empty threat. He backed off quickly with a respectful bow.
After he left, Pantalone sighed deeply. “I wonder how my beautiful partner is going to react to this? I’m fairly sure my guards have been threatened or bribed to report everything I do to him.”
The day had ended with no further drama, but Pantalone was sure he had something waiting for him at home.
He could easily deal with shrewd businessmen and scammers, but not the wrath of his partner.
The moment he entered, a voice came:
“So guess who has finally decided to show up?”
“Hello to you too, love” Pantalone shrugged off his coat and immediately went to soothe Dottore with kisses. For someone so scary, the Second Harbinger was pretty damn demanding and needy.
Oh, but how much he loved this part of his Zandik. Sure, his jealous fits were a pain to take care of, but being so obsessively loved did something to Pantalone, he couldn’t explain it.
They were just Feofan and Zandik, playing their game of push and pull like they have been for the past 400 years.
“Love, just forget about it, okay? She was nowhere near as brilliant, talented, handsome or loving as you”
“Hmph. I’ll let it slide this once because it wasn’t your fault But if I get to know you pulled this nonsense again... there might just be a tiny drop of something else in your Elixir”
Dottore was sometimes a nagging wife, no matter how much he denied it. Feofan would never get sick of it though. He was right where he wanted to be. Their love was different, maybe even toxic from an outsider’s perspective. But they would always be willing to forgive each other, no matter what they say. Because they can’t let go of each other. Not for the past 400 years, not now, not ever.
“That son of a --- He just approved 200 million mora for that lunatic the moment he asked . I HAVE RESUBMITTED THAT FORM 9 TIMESSSS!!!!!” yelled Sandrone.
The power of love is too strong, Sandrone, too strong.