Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"Tomorrow's going to be a long day." Anton exhaled

"You coming?" Trent looked at him as he opened the car

"I couldn't find the others. They must've left."

"I've got to meet Wan up later. Goodnight, Trent."

"Just don't get involved with the politics and stay out of the spotlight." Trent chuckled,

"It's going to get really messy."

"I'm not that dumb," Anton scoffed, walking away,

"When do you plan to travel back?"

"Tomorrow. I've got a business to go back to. And a meeting with the President the next day. I guess it won't happen when news about this spreads."

"I'll be back in a few days. I have everything sorted out in the branch until I'm back."

"Alright. Goodnight"

Trent chuckled, rolling the window up and started the car.

Doesn't look to good for Kraven tomorrow. Wish I could see the look on Morlov's face.

_____

"I thought you'd spend the night there" Marie laughed softly as she opened the door.

"What can I say? I missed you" He replied, staring at her face.

"Did you get yourself drunk?" she scoffed, turning her face away. She peeked at him as he stepped in.

"Had dinner yet?"

"No." he groaned, looking at her, "I'm starving."

"You're in luck, my dear Sir," she laughed, walking past him.

"I ordered food and they brought a lot."

She paused and turned to him, her expression dropping slowly,

"D–Did... How's the Emperor?"

"Dead." he chuckled,

"Dear old granddad's dead"

"That's not a way to mourn my death, kiddo."

She blinked, turning towards the room. "E–Emp---"

"It's grandfather, Marie." Thaddeus voice cut through from her phone

"I thought you were with Cara." Trent scoffed,

"Shouldn't you be disturbing her and not creeping here? There's a lot of things to---"

"She's asleep." Thaddeus cut in,

"And you... shouldn't you be mourning? Not even a drop of tear for this old Man?"

"I'm sure you're not here for the teardrops... And I've got to eat and prepare for tomorrow since it's going to be a busy day. What's up?"

Thaddeus exhaled before continuing,

"The Sinclairs... they're going to try and get close to you. They've ordered the President to follow through with any favors you'll have."

"That's... Won't it be easier to meet me on their own?"

"They're not sure what you'll think of them since they abandoned Anton."

"So, what do you want me to do?"

He winked at Marie as she picked her phone up and looked at him

"Firstly... What do you want to do?" Thaddeus asked.

"Obviously, I don't want anything to do with them but I'm not going to say no if they're offering me the President." Trent scoffed,

"When do you plan to hit them?"

"In twelve days. It'll be their family head's birthday. Perfect gift for them, don't you think?"

"Alright" Trent laughed softly,

"Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to eat."

"What crime did I commit to get such uncaring grandchildren?" Thaddeus grumbled.

"So you're going to be meeting the President?" Marie asked

"Yes. Want to come with?"

"Can I?"

"Definitely. Morlov's not associated with the country but it gets to show that you're not with him. Plus I'll need your smile to aid me there"

"Sweet tongued." she huffed. What's gotten into him tonight?

Her heart thumped as he walked closer.

"I want a head rub, mo chéri..." he giggled, looking into her eyes.

"I need a massage." She scoffed, "Can I get one?"

"I'll give you a massage." he laughed, softly, standing at her front.

"Will you give me a head rub?"

"Depends on your massaging skills" she chuckled, turning her face away

"Let's eat before they turn cold."

"I look forward to the head rub and---"

"Nothing more."

"Ugh..."

_____

"Good morning, Boss" Scarlet greeted as they walked towards them.

"Good morning, Marie"

"Good morning, Yenifer" Marie chuckled

Trent glanced at her.

They're on a first name basis now?

Did they get so close?

They all exchanged greetings and settled back down

"T–Trent..." Diana stuttered,

"I hear you're planning---"

"Guys..." Xander's voice cut in, sharply.

"Have you seen the news?" He turned his phone's screen towards them.

"The Emperor's dead."

Trent and Marie faked surprise along with the others.

"That's... Damn." Marie muttered, glancing at Trent.

Theo and Xander looked at each other and then at them.

Was that why he stepped out?

"Things are going to get shitty in the next few days... Probably months" Trent exhaled, looking at Diana

She was already trembling and going straight into panic mode even with Mila calming her down.

"Diana!"

She looked at him immediately, snapping out of her panic

"It's going to be alright."

"Yes, your highness." Mila rubbed her back. "I'm going to be here. It's going to be alright."

"N–No. The succession is going to be fierce with no heir chosen" Diana stuttered, lowering her head

"I'm not going to be---"

"You should tell them." Marie cut in, looking at Trent.

They looked at her.

What's she talking about?

"Xander..." She turned to him, "That thing you said to ensure we're always safe and---"

"The Canceller?" He responded,

"What's that?" Trent asked

"It's a device that cancels everything— it disables all spyware around us— cameras, speakers... I carry it along." he pulled a small box from his jacket.

"I asked him if it was possible and he made it. Just tell them" she looked at Diana

Well. Trent exhaled.

It's not going to be a problem in any way.

"What's the secret, Boss?" Scarlet mused

"Diana..." he ignored her, leaning forward to face Diana

She stared at him, trying to pull herself together.

"The succession is not going to be a problem for you."

"M–My brother---"

"He doesn't even have the power. And the test was not conducted, was it? Right now it's just chaos. A free to all."

"He'll---"

"I'm not panicking, am I?"

She stared at him.

Why should he be panicking?

He looked at them and exhaled.

"The truth is... I'm also eligible to the Throne. If I wanted."

"What? You're connected to Kraven's royalty?" Theo cut in, "How are---"

"The Emperor's my maternal grandfather."

The room turned silent for a few seconds.

"I know it's sudden to be saying this, but I found out recently too." He sighed.

"...Was that why you had to leave last night?" Diana stuttered.

Before that...

"W–We're related? How is---"

"You're a Kravenberch?" Theo cut in,

"That's not possible. All the Children have---"

"My mother has been presumed dead" Trent looked at him.

"She was Thaddeus Kravenberch's first child"

They just stared quietly at him for a while. How does that make sense?

"The Madam" he turned to Scarlet.

"She's my mother"

Scarlet blinked, her expression turning serious immediately.

The Madam?

Damn.

No wonder she's done so much for a stranger...

"T–That doesn't make you eligible" Diana stuttered,

"The Nobles won't accept you because of a claim---"

"I've met Duke Dumroe"

Her eyes widened.

"You've---"

"Lady Croft and Lady Walter too. Together with the Emperor"

"Those people---"

"They are the backbone of the Empire. Really powerful people even around the world." Scarlet interrupted Theo.

"W–Will they support---"

"If I wanted." he smiled,

"I could fight for the throne and become Emperor."

"I–Isn't that cool" Theo awed in excitement, looking at everyone.

"You keep surprising me, Cap"

"But I don't want to." Trent chuckled.

Theo's face dropped.

What?

"Why not?" Xander asked.

"Why should I?" Trent chuckled, looking at Marie

"Do you want to be Empress?" He turned to Diana with a smile

"N–No." she replied sharply, shaking her head.

Theo and Xander looked at each other. What's up with them?

"Being Emperor would be cool as fuck, Man." Theo turned to Trent.

"You'll have the power to do---"

"It's a matter of perspectives" Trent chuckled, "And there's more power without being Emperor."

"What kind of---"

"It's really chaos on the internet." Xander muttered, interrupting as he stared at his phone

"Pictures from the Astralis are trending" he showed the phone's screen.

"Even the Emperor's speech about joining the stars. Fanatics of the Astral Temple are calling him the Chosen— the beast, honored with a call back home on Astralis"

What an interesting plot.

Anneliese must be having fun.

"It's buzzing... topping all the other succession news."

"See?" Trent turned to Diana

"Don't worry about it. They'll keep it tight."

"B–But I," She paused, "I can't keep---"

"Why not go back with us?"

"Won't that be difficult with everything going on? Westeron's government won't---"

"He'll take care of the government."

"Certainly." Trent chuckled

"You can come back with us if you feel this Kraven or the hotel isn't safe for you anymore."

"T–That'll be," she stuttered, glancing at Mila

"Both of you can come along." Marie chuckled.

"T–Thank you" Diana sniffled, lowering her head.

"You don't---" Trent paused, pulling his phone out as it rang.

Morlov Sanchez?

He must be experiencing shit right now.

He mused as he answered the call.

This is going to be fun.