A/N: Thank you Kiyoka_San, for your support and the super gift of a castle!
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The sparsely lit upper room was filled with the hushed murmurs of the men gathered around the table. Their eyes darted nervously between each other as they exchanged furtive glances.
The scent of cigar smoke hung heavily in the atmosphere, mingling with the faint notes of ale and Rye whisky. The clanking of tankards and glasses punctuated the uneasy silence.
The men were unsure how the Baron would react to a stranger joining their private party. They knew how fiercely protective he was of his inner circle.
However, the temptation of the glittering gold coins stacked in the center of the table was too much for them to deny Carter a seat in the impending card game.
After a tense moment, they all nodded in agreement to let him buy his way in. The leather of the chairs creaked as they shifted in their seats, readying themselves for the game to begin.
