NOVPUB
Chapter 69: 69:An Ugly Duck
The scent of burning tobacco drifted through the dimly lit chamber, curling lazily in the cool air.
Grand Duke Ruth sat in his usual chair, fingers drumming against the polished wood of the grand table, the rhythmic tapping filling the quiet room. His sharp gaze flickered toward Rami, who was carefully setting up the table, arranging documents and a fresh pot of tea with practiced efficiency.
Without looking up, Ruth spoke, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of steel.
"What date is today?"
Rami straightened, his hands pausing momentarily before he responded.
"The 13th, my lord."
Ruth’s fingers stopped tapping. His brows furrowed slightly, his gaze shifting toward the towering window. Outside, the landscape stretched in eerie stillness, the darkened sky betraying no secrets.
"13th..." he murmured, his frown deepening. A sense of unease stirred within him—an instinct honed by years of power and war.
His eyes narrowed.
"Have they reached the estate?"
Rami shook his head, his voice measured.
"No, sir. According to the latest intel, they have taken a detour and visited Baron Altross’s territory."
Ruth’s head lifted slightly at the name. He searched his memory, but nothing surfaced. His expression darkened with mild irritation before he shrugged.
"Baron Altross?" he muttered, as if tasting the name for the first time. He leaned back, exhaling slowly. "I can’t remember every minor noble out there. There are hundreds of barons in the duchy."
The irritation in his tone was clear, but something else lingered beneath it,an unspoken expectation of silent demand for efficiency.
Then, his fingers curled against the armrest of his chair, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm.
"What is he doing? Instead of returning, he’s wandering off. Every time he sets out, he causes trouble here, there, everywhere."
The room chilled slightly as an unseen pressure settled over it. Rami stiffened.
Ruth’s eyes turned sharp, cold, an ominous glint flashing within their depths. A faint murderous intent seeped into the air, subtle yet suffocating. n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
"If he causes trouble this time..." Ruth let the words trail off, but the unspoken threat was clear.
Rami kept silent, knowing well that anything he said would be meaningless in the face of Ruth’s displeasure. He merely bowed his head slightly, his fingers tightening over the documents in his hands.
Inside, he could only pray.
’Young Lord, please... don’t stir trouble. If you do, many heads will roll.’
.......
Adele suppressed her panic and looked around at her father who had an uncanny expression.
"Why should I care about some random old fool?" Baron Altros scoffed, waving him off like trash.
Kael grinned, watching Ramos fume.
"See? I told you to know your worth, servant.No one knows you."
"Vain ego!"Kael scoffed and shook his hand.
He gestured for his men, Baret and Gare, to take Ramos away. The old man struggled, but they forced him along, ignoring his protests.
Kael then turned his attention to the Baron’s family. Albert, the son, looked down at him with a smug, arrogant expression, his eyes filled with disdain. It made Kael’s fingers twitch with the urge to break his face, but he held back.
Then, his gaze landed on Ariana. A fat, chubby woman with golden locks and blue eyes. But there was something off. Her eyes gave the feeling of a young maiden rather than looking mature.
Also they were sharp like a predator’s though she managed to hide it.
Hela immediately noticed Kael’s interest and snapped at Aroana, "You! Why are you standing there? Maids, take her away!"
"But.." Ariana tried to protest while acting as if she was fearful.
"Silence!" Baron Altros roared. "Lock her up!"
Ariana’s eyes darted to Kael for a moment, filled with something different—shock, concern but she was dragged away before she could say anything.
Hela turned back to Kael and smiled sweetly. "Please ignore that useless wench. I hope she didn’t offend your sight."
Kael didn’t reply. He just stared at Ariana as she disappeared from view. Then, he smiled at Baron Altros. "We need supplies. I hope I’m not disturbing you?" His tone was pleasant, but there was something dangerous behind it.
"Of course not!" Baron Altros quickly said, his fake smile returning. He ordered his servants to prepare rooms for Kael.
As they walked, Kael suddenly stopped beside the Baron. He leaned in close, his smile turning eerie. "Baron..."
"Yes?" Altros asked, stiffening.
"On my way here, I ran into an assassin," Kael whispered, letting the tension build. He tilted his head, grinning like a lunatic. "I hope you had nothing to do with it, because..." He giggled, his voice turning into a chilling cackle.
Baron Altros swallowed hard. "O-Of course not! I swear on my honor, I had no part in it!" His proud, arrogant demeanor cracked for the first time.
Kael patted his shoulder and whispered, "Good. Because if you did..." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
"You wouldn’t have a hand left to use." Then, he laughed.It was a twisted, madman’s laugh that sent a shiver down the Baron’s spine.
.....
The maids shoved Ariana into the room and slammed the door shut behind her.
"Can’t you behave?" one sneered.
"You’re so ugly that the man must have been dizzy and wanted to get rid of you," another mocked, laughing cruelly.
Ariana stumbled, catching herself before she fell. "Hey, don’t lock me up! Please... I have important things to do!" she pleaded, banging on the door.
The maids only scoffed. "Important things? We’re just doing what we were ordered to do." With that, they locked the door and started whispering to each other, ignoring her cries.
"Did you see how handsome he is?"
"Yeah, I can’t believe it! He’s nothing like the rumors!"
"He looked so sharp and dangerous, not some useless fool."
"Those eyes! They were mesmerizing... like they could see straight through you!"
"And that voice... it sent shivers down my spine. He’s got this charm, this presence... I never thought he’d be like that!"
Their excited whispers faded as they walked away, leaving Ariana alone in the dimly lit room.
She gritted her teeth, slumped down against the cold wooden floor, and hugged her knees. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to process everything.
"Something is wrong," she muttered. "If I have truly regressed, why is that man here?"
