After the fight, they had a moment for themselves. Everyone went to sleep, and Robert invited Nadia to a chat. He was extremely pleased with it, he wanted to know a few things about her. Unfortunately...couldn't. He was proficient in negotiations, business talks, and couldn't just communicate with women face-to-face. She didn't intimidate him, he just didn't know where to start, especially since thought she was someone else from the beginning. They sat in the living room, watching the flames happily shooting up in the fireplace, sipping thick, hot Belgian chocolate. She leaned back against the soft pillow, sinking into it a little, making her blonde hair obscure most of her face. She pushed it behind ear where a tiny diamond flashed.
- I think we were introduced incorrectly. - he began finally, as gathered himself up.
- Perhaps, Robert. - she muttered, a shiver running down his body that he had never known. - Another thing is the fact that taking advantage of my absence from the championship, I was deliberately hiding the title of the Russian champion from you. I didn't want you to...suggest yourself.
She twirled the cup in her hands, and the thick liquid inside it swirled gently. She took a sip, then softly licked off what was left on lips. She wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were always on the amber flames.
- I don't want you hiding anything else. - he replied in a tone that could not bear opposition, watching her reactions. - It could weigh on...
- We have two years to get to know each other better... - she broke into his word firmly, taking a sip again. - ...or end the farce our parents gave us.
He was surprised at how firmly she was on the ground. She wasn't deceiving herself, knew what the matter was. He also thought so at first - that this whole deal is a bad joke. But there was something about her that made him slowly, painstakingly change his mind. It could make sense.
- You consider our relationship a farce? - he asked softly, turning to her.
- We will see. - she replied, smiling a little as she glared at him.
- How about a game of chess? - he said after a while.
- I love. - she replied.
Without a word, he motioned to a table and two chairs behind them. They sat down facing each other, she was forced to look at him. One of the honey-colored eyes reflected the glow of the fireplace fire, but instead of a warm tone, he saw an icy, cold one. Robert frowned, the strange effect fading away. They started the game. Usually his opponent was Johnny, not very demanding and very predictable, due to his fiery temper and little experience. The more he was surprised by the girl who played on an equal footing with him. Once he thought he had figured it out, she changed tactics smoothly, almost imperceptibly. She impressed him. It was going to be a long and exciting game.
- What do you know about the Russian team? - he asked finally.
- It will sound not very honest, it's a team from my country... - she muttered, making the move. - ...but they are different than everyone else.
- You mean?
- There is something wrong with them. They are strange, even dangerous. Especially Boris Kuznetsov and their captain, Yuri Ivanov. - she replied, clenching her hand on the edge of the table, then shifting the figure, looking straight into his eyes. - Check. I've watched them fight over and over again, and if you think I have been ruthless with Johnny, you haven't seen anything yet.
He blinked quickly. He didn't even notice how her tower blocked his movement. He set the horse on. He looked at her. Nadia was clearly tired of the topic. She sighed heavily.
- They're brutal, but oddly enough, no one has evidence of it. If you're tempted to review your recordings, they're all amazingly clean. I don't know how they do it. I'm not sure they are still human.
- There must be a way to defeat them...
He thought deeply as he stopped the game. He was eager to take on this team. They looked like tough opponents, finally those who would be a challenge for him. There were two problems - no team and no access to group fights. He could get around it easily, though, given the fervor of the Bladebreakers. He looked at the board. Made his move.
- Do you think they would take your advice? - she asked softly, looking straight into his eyes.
- I don't think so. While Kai looks like a good strategist and captain, Tyson's enthusiasm is far beyond anything. - he replied. - He'll go his own way, whatever I tell him.
She made a mistake somewhere. He didn't catch when, but he used it deliberately. His queen was waiting, it was enough to join the king.
- Checkmate.
- It doesn't count, you talked to me! - she laughed happily.
- Maybe someday you'll get back. - he muttered, half-smiling and getting up from his seat.
- Young master Jurgens proposes a rematch? - she asked, smiling back.
- I'll make an exception for you. - he replied calmly. - It was a very close duel.
He turned his back to her and headed for the door. He felt sleepy and energized at the same time by the news about the Russian team. It remained to wait if the Bladebreakers would make the move they had anticipated.
- Robert...
- Yes? - he stopped, putting his hand on the doorknob.
- Be careful. - she replied, looking at him sadly.
She guessed. She knew he was asking questions for a reason. He nodded to her and left.
In the morning Robert set off to look at the effects of building his private Beyblade arena - the Olympia Stadium. It was to be completed three days earlier, which he did not fail to point out to the inspector of the works. Shortly after landing on his property, three friends caught up with him, and a moment later an enraged Gustav threatening that they would either leave or he would leave. He did not like the dismissal of his best, longtime employee, so it remained to find out why not very awaited guests abused hospitality. He found them in the dining room. This was not what he had expected. They were unpredictable, they devoured everything in their path. He'd like to kick them out immediately.
- Oh, no wonder they have such verve! - He heard a pearly laugh, then saw a laughing blonde next to him. - You can envy their appetite.
This time in a black dress with short sleeves, plum tights and black shoes tied with shiny laces. He noticed a lace ribbon around her neck with a tiny medallion in the shape of a coiled snake. She tied hair in a ponytail that fell over one shoulder, twining a loosely flowing purple bow on top of it. Golden circles dotted with yellow roses hung from ears. He didn't want to ask if she had an outfit for every occasion.
- They are like locusts, Miss! - Gustav said nervously, standing behind her. - They cleaned everything they found! And worse, they pour EVERYTHING with ketchup!
- Robert, the guys and I talked a few things... - Tyson said between solid bites of chicken. - ...we challenge you to a team duel!
- Haha, good joke! - Johnny laughed. - Are you sure? We've already beaten you!
- Indeed, in individual duels. - Ray interjected. - Team fights are a completely different pair of wellies.
He expected this. That was the plan. He wanted to beat them and win the transition to the championship. He thought. In truth, he only knew the techniques of two of them, but the rest couldn't be a big problem.
- Why not. We agree. - Jurgens spoke after a moment's thought.
- Excuse me?! - the redhead growled. - But why?
- Think about it. Soon to open my arena. What will add splendor to this occasion than a team victory? - he replied firmly. - And to warm up the atmosphere a bit...the winner will go to Moscow to fight for the world title.
- I like it! Even right away! - said cheerful Tyson.
- I don't think you thought it through... - Kenny muttered worriedly, but his friend was not listening to him.
- Boldly... - the blonde commented, looking inquiringly at Jurgens.
- Nadia, you will be rooting for us, right? - Enrique rejoiced. - Right?!
- Unfortunately, I have responsibilities. I'm leaving after breakfast. However, if there is a broadcast, I will definitely be watching and keeping my fingers crossed. - she replied, then added happier. - I am one of the organizers of the final fights, you understand... Whoever wins, come all of you!
He noticed that smile in his direction. She was watching the same way as her helicopter took off in the air. She knew he was coming, he had many reasons for it. He combed the tossed fringe. Had to rethink the strategy.
~~~*
Nadia was sitting in her office when her phone vibrated. SMS from sister, found a transmission from the Olympia Stadium. She did not like working with the television on, but this time she made an exception, although she expected that it would engulf her and that she would have to sit longer. The ends justify the means. Robert wasn't very talkative unless he had his own business in it, so she had to learn something about him in another way. Besides, she wanted to look at him. She enjoyed looking at the imperious German in some twisted way. She began to suspect that she was masochistic. She looked around the spacious room, with a large window, shelves with books and the necessary equipment by the walls. Her desk, large and undoubtedly old, beautifully restored, gleamed with varnish on ebony wood. She got up from her chair and, treading her black pumps on the bottle-green carpet, made her way to the exit from the office. She locked the door. Didn't want anyone to disturb her, much less let parents get into a row about allegedly slacking off. She turned on the TV, searched for the correct channel.
The room looked really impressive inside, she was impressed, although she thought that Robert could be tempted by a bit of extravagance and add different battlefields. Well, she would. Oliver was the first to appear on the team. Wait, what did they call them? Majestics? The name is somewhat funny, but perfectly describes them. The entire team made up of proud heirs of great families. All in family armor, associated with their beasts and nations. She pushed these musings aside, looking further. The young Frenchman walked proudly, smiling, wearing an indigo jumpsuit, white gloves and black boots, and a pale pink breastplate trimmed with Napoleonic epaulettes. His green hair was covered with a helmet that looks a bit like a peaked cap, a green tail waving, and a unicorn horn. His opponent was Rey, a tall, black-haired Chinese with incredibly golden eyes. She saw their beasts for the first time - the silvery, majestic Unicolyon unicorn and the white tiger Drigger. The fight was exciting, it ended in an unexpected draw. She noticed a short circuit between Oliver coming down from the arena and Johnny coming in.
The redhead in his reptilian red armor again, with a halberd in his hands. His opponent was blue-haired Kai, the one who was the least active, and she could have sworn he thought the most. His Dranzer looked promising, defeating Gladiator from Glasgow in a beautiful style. McGregor had apparently learned nothing from fighting her. She sighed heavily. Cameras again caught a fragment of the heated dispute between the Majestics members. Sitting on a bench, Enrique, clad in golden and brown gladiator armor with a helmet decorated with two horns, did not seem surprised by the result. At last she also saw the captain. She took vegetable puffs from a drawer on the desk. The fight could have been very interesting considering how militantly he had instructed his predecessor.
His armor was the most muted of the four. Strongly modeled on the conquistadors, steel with a blue breastplate, maroon pants and black shoes, with elements suggesting belonging to the Jurgens family - such as elbow blades imitating griffin claws. She was right, Robert was playing hard from the beginning. He was clearly going to brutally outclass the Tyson he fought, and his beast proved very suitable for such maneuvers. A huge, shining purple and ruby neck with massive wings, huge, lion hind legs and relentless gaze. She sat more comfortably in the swivel chair, adjusted her plaid skirt and long-sleeved burgundy shirt. She hoped that someday they would get to know each other. The Griffolion was impressive, her goose bumps growing. It was just such a beast that she had expected from the appearance of her future husband. The opponent was not deceived by the first attack, he efficiently avoided the eagle feathers thrown at him, but he did not expect to pin Dragoon to the ground. Robert had a win at hand. However, something happened that she probably would not have expected from such a young player. Tyson lunged to save his dragon from attack. It was not a very smart move, although she would probably have done the same in such a stalemate. He found strength in himself, summoned the rest of his willpower, and his beast clashed with the mighty griffin. For a moment couldn't see what had happened, the arena was obscured by dark smoke, but soon Robert came out of the cloud, leaning on his opponent's shoulder. When the dust settled, it turned out that he had lost. But from his expression, she concluded that he had learned something. He wasn't stupid, just a little too confident of his own superiority.
- If you've made it, Tyson, then maybe ... - she muttered to herself.