I took the scroll number from Winchester's youngest when he acted as second in the shitshow of the challenge. Unlike his older brother, he struck me as someone blessed with at least an iota of common sense.

-"I, Jaune Frederick Von Arc, bid-"

-"Stuff it, man"

It elicited some hope that my asinine plan may work.

-"How ya doin', man? Is Captain butthurt still moaning about impossible luuuuve?"

And I waggled my eyebrows into the scroll screen.

Cardin Winchester was not amused. Less than amused, if his bloodshot eyes were something to go by. He held his tumb and index close to each other.

-"I'm this close to kin-slayin. Two weeks. Two Oum be damned weeks. Where is my blonde luuuuuuve? She of jade eyes and AAARGHHHHH!"

Carding started pulling his hair and actually managed to tear out some tufts.

In the back of Cardin's room, a voice carried

...I want to hold her hand. Why is the world so cruel? Whyyyy?...

I could see a vein start to bulge in Cardin's face and his nostrils flared.

This actually makes me feel less guilty of manipulating him.

-"When you arrived at the state, I couldn't fail to notice how you eyed Mariam. Nor Hortencia. You also took your sweet time drinking your tea and asking refills from Magdalene."

He looked unapologetic.

-"Your maids are hot."

Now, for the kill.

-"What a coincidence that all of them are fau-"

-"SHHHHH! SHUT-"

He looked spooked, all colour draining from his face.

Cardin went to his bedroom's door, locked the bolt, and pressed a chair against it for good measure.

I could see from the scroll screen, how he went below his bedcovers and spoke in hushed tones.

-"Are you trying to get me killed? Are you nuts!"

Easy, Jauney boy.

-"I suppose your parents would take a dim view if you cavorted with gals who happened to have an extra set of soft, velvet, smooth ears. Caressable ears."

I could see his throat working and his breath shallow.

-"What do you want to keep it to yourself, Arc?"

I raised my other hand, that wasn't holding the scroll, palm up.

-"Easy, man. I want to help you."

He looked me sideways.

-"There is always a price. Why would you help me for free?"

I played the good ol' samaritan to the hilt.

-"Sixteen centuries ago, Arabella the Liberator helped for free."

Cardin's shoulders slouched.

-"Sometimes I'm disgusted by your goody-two-shoes act. But this is possibly the nicest blackmail I have ever seen."

I scratched my nose.

-"Ehh, I will take that as a compliment. Actually, I could use a favour… I need you to beat me up."