They were still really reluctant to deal with the seemingly sinful albinos here. I crossed my arms and looked at them all. "C'mon, everyone. We have a good opportunity to get a lot of money and support in the mission we have been given by the crown. They really like me because I don't discriminate against them." I said. They just looked at me. I sighed. "Listen. All we need to do is not be an asshole to them. I am really not suited for business. I am going to get eaten alive in a real business meeting, so I can't do it. The only reason they haven't done it already is because they owe me for saving the life of His Grace, Bishop White." Lord Swiftheart was pretty angry. "He is a colorless! They deserve no courtesy at all." I rolled my eyes. "Are we seriously so close minded about this!? You have 2 sons here. I'm sure that you have trained them well enough in diplomacy to not start dropping slurs in the middle of a meeting." I offered. I groaned as they both shook their heads vigorously. I shrugged. "Fine. I had unilaterally found this opportunity. If you do not want to, it is fine. I hope you have other ideas."
I was very reluctant to put my neck out for it though. Lord Swiftheart looked at me. "You still have gold and jewels left over, correct?" he asked. "Of course. But I am not a golden witch. If I'm the only investor in this project, I am going to want a very huge share of the profits. My original goal was to launder the money by exchanging its value for currency in this world. That was appraised to be half of the kingdom's money for a year. I do appreciate you all, so I would never ask for that price, but I would need to get something to show for this." He looked at me. "Was knighthood not enough? For you and those centaur companions of yours!?" I nodded. "Yes. To get to this point it was. If you wish me to stay in your court permanently, I can't be expected to be a poor beggar living on your mercy alone, can I?" That made him pause. "You serious intend to leave and go back to your world?" I looked at him. I just said "There might not be honor among thieves, but even I love my mother and father. I'm certain they're grieving my death by now. Even if I was your courtier, I would still have to go tell them all that."
Fabien rolled his eyes. "And you haven't before now because...?" he challenged. "Because I was here working for you. As I was bid to do by our agreement. Travelling to a unsettled forest even further from the portal to my own world is a big deal." "And because you had not exchanged the stolen goods yet. They would toss you in chains and force you to rot in a cell as soon as you got back." Anthony added. I did not deny that because it was true. "We have to discuss what we will be doing going forward now. If not the White Family, where else can we get some money and help to develop the agreed upon land. I assume we'll need lots of men to come with us to cut down trees, landscape the area and build the resort as well as the settlement. All in 10 years to please the crown." I said quickly. Lord Swiftheart frowned. "Yes.... That is true. I have to find them all on my own. And all of them will expect pay, food and lodgings as they work on the resort." he admitted. Fabien looked at me and balled his fists. "I can... talk to them. If their money is all we need, it would be moral to take it from them." he said.
