Chapter 267
A heavy silence settled over the grand chamber, thick as fog.
Sunlight streamed in through the tall arched windows, but it did little to warm the chill in the air. The air was still, taut with unspoken words. It felt like the room itself was holding its breath.
At the long obsidian table, a tall black-haired noble shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His fingers tapped lightly against the carved wooden armrest—an unconscious display of unease. Finally, he cleared his throat and broke the silence with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"There’s no need to be so tense, is there, Grand Duke?" Marquise Ferdin asked, his voice light, but his shoulders just a little too stiff.
On the other side, seated beneath the imperial crest embroidered behind his throne-like chair, Grand Duke Ruth lifted his gaze slowly. His silver-white hair was immaculately combed back, his crimson eyes sharp and unreadable.
His cold stare cut across the room like a blade.
"That depends entirely," Ruth said, voice low and clipped, "on the contents you’ve brought with you, Marquise Ferdin."
Ferdin’s jaw twitched. He gave a strained laugh, waving a hand as if to swat away the tension.
"Come now, it’s nothing so grave. Just a minor matter."
Then, grasping for a softer approach, he added with a chuckle, "By the way, I heard about your son’s recent exploits. Seems the young man’s coming into his own and has grown up.He has talent—something my boy sadly lacks."
Ruth leaned back slightly, one gloved hand resting atop the armrest, the other gently tapping the side of the letter opener on the table. His lips curled faintly, though not in amusement.