The three elders were obviously men and were the ancestors of the Caltu family. All three of them were super experts at the same level as Oliver, but there was one of them who was significantly stronger.
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His strength wasn't as simple as saying he was superior to Oliver's. Andrew took a good look at him and thanks to Fluffy's help, he understood that he was even more powerful than Sansa who at this moment is the most powerful force at Andrew's disposal if he didn't take into account his ability to give his body to Fluffy.
This powerful old man seemed to be the leader and that was why he was the one who spoke first. "Boy, you are a strange entity. You don't seem very strong, but my intuition tells me that you are more than what you show," the old man began to say.
"Honestly, all of us here are not opposed to your union with Victoria, since we know that the queen mother would not accept this engagement if you did not have what it takes, but what we really want to know are two things," the old man continued speaking.
"You can speak calmly, Elder. I will answer truthfully," Andrew said with a serious expression and then the old man asked, "The first thing is to know what your intentions are with the family and the second thing is in reference to the heir."
Hearing what the old man wanted to know, Andrew wrinkled his eyebrows, because the first point is not very difficult to answer, but the second involves the secrets of him as a candidate for god and not even Victoria knew that yet.
Everyone present noticed Andrew's expression changes but said nothing. Andrew thought for a few seconds and then responded, "Well, when it comes to your family, I don't have any plans."
Andrew's response surprised everyone. Even the old man couldn't help but raise his eyebrow in disbelief, but Andrew ignored them and continued speaking, "It's true that many want to join your family for the benefits, but I don't need them."
"Obviously, it would be great to have you as support and develop together, but like I said, I have my business and strength. My wives also have theirs and are therefore extensions of me, so I do not covet the resources of the Caltu family," Andrew concluded.
Everyone looked at him seriously. They wanted to see if he was lying, but the more they looked at him, the more his words seemed true. They resignedly accepted his explanation, and then the old man asked again, "So, what happens to the heir?"
Before Andrew could respond, he spoke again, "If you don't need the family resources, I don't understand why Victoria should give up her title?"
"First of all, I didn't ask her to resign. That's something that Victoria had already planned before our engagement, so she should explain that to you," Andrew responded.
"However, it is true that if she remains in power, it will only be momentary, as her bloodline will not be able to take the rule of the Caltu family if that bloodline is mixed with mine," Andrew added in a deep tone.
"Why?" the old man continued to ask and Andrew replied, "That's something I can't tell you. What you must understand, is that our marriage is not me joining the Caltu family, but Victoria joining my family."
This surprised everyone. Some even got a little upset, because he seemed to say that they were not worthy of him, but the three elders were men of experience and understood things differently.
"Will you harm our family?" the old man asked and everyone looked at Andrew wanting to hear his answer, Andrew smiling said, "As long as you are friendly, I will only give you benefits, but understand, even the royal family will suffer if they take me as an enemy".
It was a fragrant threat and although Andrew did not seem powerful, his words did not seem empty. Even the most emotional and innocent people present could notice that and were cautious.
The old man who had been talking to Andrew looked at him for a few seconds and after considering a few things he said, "As an ancestor and protector of the Caltu family I approve of your engagement, I only hope that you honor your words. Do not make her suffer and do not harm the family."
After those words, the old man looked at the present members of the Caltu family and said, "I hope you don't make stupid moves. I will be watching you", then the old man disappeared and the other two old men did the same without saying anything.
The Caltu family members were not idiots. They knew that since the old man had spoken, there was nothing to discuss about the engagement, but Clarisa still had things to discuss, "Well, since that topic is settled, let's talk about the shopping center."
Andrew smiled at this because the worst topic was over. Victoria was also happy because everything had gone well, but when Clarisa brought up the topic of the shopping center, the room regained its tension again.
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Unlike before, now the tension was due to the big business they were dealing with. The Caltu family had developed in business several decades ago, so their influence among the nobles had decreased and their members had been reduced, but their wealth had increased exponentially.
It was for this reason, that everyone knew how much they could earn in this business, so Andrew did not hold back and said, "Now that Victoria and I are engaged, they will surely give us a joint share, something that still needs to be discussed with the queen, but I think we should negotiate at least 20%."
Everyone was surprised at what Andrew proposed. It wasn't that they looked down on each other, but 20% was not a small number. They didn't think they could do it, so they looked at Andrew as if wanting to know his plans.
Andrew smiled and said, "You don't need to worry, I'll take care of it. As a dowry to the family, I will give you 15% and I will take 5%, but in exchange, I ask that Victoria move in with me."
The members of the Caltu family had planned to get 5% to 10% since they found out about the mall deal, so for Andrew to offer them 15% was surprising, especially since all he was asking in return was for Victoria to live with him.
Although it would not be well regarded for the countess to move to the red light district, if Victoria handed over her title, that problem would be solved, so everyone was confused by the simple request.
Andrew could see their confusion and said, "You don't need to overthink things. There really is nothing hidden, that's all I ask." Clarisa seemed skeptical and she couldn't help but ask, "How do you intend to ensure that percentage?"
"That's not important. You only have to respond if you accept my terms," said Andrew, still smiling, as if he knew that it would not be difficult to fulfill what he promised, and although everyone was skeptical, they looked at each other, and nodded.
"Perfect then, what you should do now is announce our engagement," Andrew said with a cheerful smile as if he had achieved a great deal, something that confused those present.
Seeing Andrew so happy made them think there was something he wasn't telling them, but they didn't know what. Andrew did not explain anything and seeing that they could not get information from him, Clarisa said, "First fulfill what you promised and we will immediately announce the engagement."
Andrew understood that this was her pride as a noble and he didn't care, so he just nodded while he got up. As he was leaving the room he said, "Then I will go to meet the royal family right now."
Nobody stopped him and Victoria even wanted to accompany him, but her family prevented her. "Victoria, this is something he promised, you can't interfere," said Clarisa, who seemed to have taken the lead in the family.
Thus the meeting with the Caltu family ended and Andrew boarded his carriage and marched towards the royal castle of Dunnas. If it had been before, Andrew showing up at the royal castle would only cause him to be blocked and treated with hostility, but now it was different.
The royal family already knew that Andrew was heading to the castle and that is why they gave the order not to block him, so he was able to enter without any problem. Kenya greeted him at the entrance to the castle and after some formal greetings, she guided him to the royal office.
At the door of the office, two powerful guards were guarding, but seeing that Andrew was coming with Kenya, they did not block him. Upon entering the office, he could see Daphne, a girl of about 15 years old and the current queen of Dunnas.
The three women, despite their age difference, were very similar and it was obvious that they were the queen's mother, the current queen, and the princess. The three beauties looked at Andrew seriously and he, without any fear, approached and bowing slightly, greeted them, "A pleasure to see you again queen mother, and a pleasure to meet your majesty and princess."
Daphne had a smile on her face as she saw his respectful greeting. The princess looked at him curiously, but she still evaluated him. Although she is young, she is still the princess of the kingdom, so her education is not simple.
Finally, the queen was the most serious. She had heard from her mother everything about Andrew and she knew that this young man was talented and dangerous, so she had to act accordingly.
She may have only been there for a short time since she assumed power in the country, but her entire life was prepared for it, so exuding an aura of majesty she returned the salute, "It is also a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Andrew. We are both busy people, so let's get to the point, what is the reason for your visit?"