Marianne was thinking the same thing when she first heard the news, but she just couldn't wrap her head around it. Of what use would that be to him? 

He always made sure that nobody heard about the experiments and got rid of everyone that did hear it, so why did he allow its distribution in the districts?

And there's one thing she's sure about, it is him who produced the new drug. But it just doesn't make any sense, there's no way he'd profit from something like this. The only thing it does is make the other families suspicious of him and when that happens he'll be killed, no questions asked. 

She's about to ask Silas if he could think of anything that he would gain from doing so, but before she's able to do so Lance stands up and starts to talk. 

"I think by now all of you have come to the realisation that this drug will become a problem for us. That is if we don't do anything about it, but luckily for us someone has come to me with an offer", he makes a short pause to let what he said sink in. 

"Thalis is ready to give all of us a more powerfull version of the drug to make sure that we'll be able to keep everyone in line. All he asks for in return is a small favor."

Once again a murmuring comes loud, but this time it isn't out of worry, but out of excitement. 

The only people who don't seem to share that excitement are Asterikas and Faden.  

Suddenly Silas pinches her in the back, when she looks up she sees Lance staring directly at her. He seems rather interested in them. ~Did he say something while I wasn't paying attention?~, Marianne asks herself. 

But before she's able to make a fool out of herself Faden raises her voice.

"I don't think it's right to have Asterikas answer a question like that on their own especially not when you have yet to tell us what the favor is."

"You'll find out what it is once you agree to the proposal", Lance responds slightly annoyed.

"And what if they want to drop out once they hear what the favor is?", Faden asks pointing at Marianne and Silas.

"You're talking as if we were to agree", Silas says raising his eyebrow.

Maybe it's not all that bad that Leila rubbed off on him.

Hearing someone say they were to reject the offer everybody has started talking loudly again.

After all what they said was right, the favor could cost them way more than they'd have to gain from the drug. And it wasn't even said that anybody would try to overthrow them. 

There's also the rumor that's going around about Thalis many people who trade with him say that once you've started you can't get away from him. He'll find a way to keep you at his side until he gets everything he wants.

And if you aren't of any use to him he'll dispose of you to make sure you won't go around blabbing to someone else about it. It's truly a wonder how he still manages to have such a good reputation with rumors like these going around. 

The proposal he made them was very attractive, but if they'd fail to meet his expectations they'd losing everything for sure. The way things are right now they'd still have a chance to survive without agreeing to this offer.

"If this is everything you wanted to discuss we'll be taking our leave. I have other more important business to tend to", Marianne says calmly. 

Jasmine is going to return in less than two hours and it'd be rather questionable if Marianne and Silas weren't back by midnight.  

"If that's the case, I'll give all of you two weeks, until our next meeting, to think his offer over again. I'll be expecting your answer by then", Lance says as he stands up and leaves the room a bitter expression on his face.

After he left all the others start to follow his example. 

Just when Marianne and Silas got everything together and are about to leave someone taps her on the shoulder. It's Faden. 

"It's not a good idea to be absent minded when he is talking. You have already caught his eye, it's best to lay low the next few meetings."

"Thank you for your concern, but I don't have the time to worry about someone like him. Now if you'll excuse us", she says turning around ready to go.

She grabs her arm forcing her to turn around.

"Don't get too cocky just because you quickly rose through the ranks. I know what you're planning on doing and you don't stand a chance against him."

"That's not for you to decide", Silas says a threat swinging in his voice. 

Faden looks at him strangely for a moment, then she let's go of her arm and leaves.

"Come on it's time to leave as well, I don't want to be questioned the moment we return", Marianne says, taking his hand and leaving before anyone else can stop them.

The sun has already gone down once they get outside and the air is cold. 

After getting on the motorcycle he asks her a question he'd been wanting to ask all day. 

"Before coming here you said we would be visiting someone next week. Who is it? Do I know them?"

"Well aren't you curious? He is an old friend of mine, I'm sure you'll like him. Now that I think about it, I need you to buy me a few things for next week."

"Why am I getting a bad feeling about this?", he asks suspicious.

"I don't know what you're talking about", she says before starting the engine leaving behind the manor.

A sigh slips him, thinking what would happen if he took over.