Chương 591: Chapter 590: Spell Check

Caena The elevator door opened, and I stepped out onto the casino's first floor. Tomorrow, it opens, I thought, a surge of anticipation coursing through me. I'm not talking about the casino opening. I'm talking about the big spell—the one I've created and refined countless times since I first began. Remus is pushing for 10% of the core essence, but I'm holding firm at 15% at the very least. The spell isn't just for the casino and its legacy—it extends beyond that.

It covers all the floors and even connects to people. Some of our people have been training in Onyx Halcyon, and I made sure to include them in my crafting. When they returned three days ago, they seamlessly connected with the rest of the spell, just as I'd intended. Their return has made the spell even more powerful. Ideally, I would have had at least a month of an active casino to fuel the spell fully, but at this rate, we'd be lucky to get more than a few hours of it.

Lord Halcyon's condition is dire—he's barely holding on and could pass at any moment. He's managed to keep himself going until tomorrow, but beyond that, it'll be nearly impossible for him to hold them back. The king is eager for the milking to begin as soon as possible, leaving little time to prepare. Everyone understands if the man dies before that. He is not going to get anything.

That's why I sent Danielle and the others to Halcyon, casting the complex craft on them to draw out as much of Onyx Halcyon as she could. She even managed to get the blood of the man—how she did it, I'm not sure, but it'll be valuable. It's the first time I've used people as pieces in a craft, and I don't know if it would even work. But I'm desperate, and there's no room for failure. We've poured massive resources into this—more than just the essence. We paid a lot for the first bite, spells, time, and everything.

I had to dedicate much of my time to these spells—the time I had planned to spend upgrading the enchantments imprinted on the legacy. If it succeeds, I will gain the knowledge I need to make this spell even better for the future. There are more first-bite contracts Remus had signed. It would be tremendously helpful if we could harvest a large amount of core essence from their cores while minimizing the risk.

"Madam Caena," I heard a familiar voice and saw the mother and son duo approaching me.

"Miss Halcyon, how is your father?" I asked. She had gone to see her father. We didn't stop them despite the opening being so close. It's her father, after all. I would have given everything to have had one more minute to be with my mother.

"He is not well," She replied, nearly choking.

"I am going to leave once more after the casino has opened," she added, her eyes tearing up.

"You should be with your father in his last days," I replied. I could see the relief in her eyes as she nodded. We talked for a few minutes before I walked away. I checked every charm and activated a few more to reinforce them. The new ones are powerful and crafted from the resources Remus had bought. A lot of things and a lot of money are at stake here, but if we succeed, it will all be worth it. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I finished my work and took the elevator to the top floor. I have a meeting with all the tower madams. The elevator stopped, and I got out. I spent a few minutes looking at things before entering the small conference room filled with all the madams. Looking at them, I want to sigh. We desperately need more madams, especially at the Tier II level—the seconds in command. Right now, the madams are divided into a three-tier hierarchy. The first tier is me, at the top.

Carla is above, but her position is more business-focused. She oversees all of Remus's business dealings, including Velvet Garden. Carla doesn't interfere in my business—aside from a few things, she can't. Here, I have absolute authority, second only to Remus. Tier II is where the real impact lies, second in command. They are the pillars, the ones who handle the most critical aspects—the important floors and departments like guest relations, plants, and more.

We desperately need more people in these positions, especially with the casino opening. In addition, Remus has taken Jenna under his wing, removing her from the tower. She remains a madam of a legacy, but her role has shifted, and now she'll be traveling much more. That's why I've promoted Senar to Tier II and brought Gloria in from the college. I wish I could give Bell more visible responsibilities.

She already has so many, both known and unknown: Teaching, acting as a secret adviser to Remus and the Legacy and handling other tasks that nobody else sees. Besides, she wishes to remain in the background. Not to attract much attention. The Tier III's are the floor leaders, and some are assistants to the madams. We are training them, but they are not ready for more responsibilities.

"Madam Caena," they all greeted and got up. Except for Carla, Margaux, and Miss Dawnstar. She had asked for permission to attend this meeting, which I had granted since we would only discuss administrative matters. Given her newness, I wouldn't have, but I did because of her experience. I would definitely like to hear her input. She runs her own business, and her insight could prove invaluable, especially with everything that's unfolding. I looked at them all and began.

"Tomorrow marks a historic day for us, the custodians of this grand establishment,""The anniversary and opening of the casino is not merely an event—it is a statement. A statement of our commitment to excellence, our passion, and our unwavering dedication,""This milestone is the result of years of meticulous planning and tireless efforts from every one of you." The words aren't a lie. Every single one of them had made the velvet garden what it is.

Without them, it wouldn't have turned into a legacy, no matter how great its chances were.

"As we stand on the threshold of this remarkable achievement, let us take a moment to reflect on what makes Velvet Garden truly special."

"It is not just the legacy—though that plays its part—but also your dedication, professionalism, and genuine care that has transformed this place into a sanctuary. A stay into a lasting memory, and a visit into a story worth telling."

"Tomorrow, we will welcome dignitaries, luminaries, and distinguished guests from across the continent."

"They will come with high expectations, and rightly so. But I do not doubt that we will exceed them. Why? Because I have seen the passion with which you approach your work, the pride you take in your roles, and the teamwork that binds us together."

"You are the reason the Velvet Garden isn't just a legacy but a transcending experience," I finished. They clapped, and some even had tears in their eyes. Tomorrow is a big day. I need them to be as motivated as possible, not only for the opening but also for the spell I had weaved.

"As we prepare for tomorrow. I want to remind you of a few key principles that will guide us," I begin with the business. This meeting is only for the madams. Remus will address another one in the evening for the entire staff. Forty minutes later, the madams begin to leave one after another.

"You run a pretty good ship, Madam Caena," said Miss Dawnstar as she appeared beside me.

"It's because the girls are capable," I replied, and her expression turned complicated. I am not denying my contribution, but the girls are good. They work hard and learn fast.

"You know, despite being a whore and accomplishing things, only a few could. I had never given my fellow whores a true chance; I have unconsciously thought them lacking," she replied, with shame welling up in her eyes.

"It's not your fault, Miss Dawnstar. The world considers us worse than animals, and they impose that view upon our very thoughts."

"It is extremely hard to break through that shackle," I replied. She nodded sombrely and walked away while I stopped at the bar.

"Madam Caena," greeted the woman.

"Cresa, have you considered my offer?" I asked the girl.

"Yes," she replied, her expression turning serious.

"And?" I asked, with hope, despite knowing the answer, looking at her expression.

"The position is great, but I like working at the bar," she replied. Hearing that, I couldn't help but sigh. She is the second person who has rejected the offer to be a madam. It's a prestigious position with a lot of power, perks, and an excellent salary, but it doesn't have that much allure for those who have found their own path. I wish there had been more candidates, I could have asked, but there aren't any. The madams don't only need to be capable but also loyal.

Loyalty is most important, given the secrets we dealt with and the kind of responsibilities and power madams are gaining in the city.