Chapter 413: The Full Inner Circle
The soft glow of candlelight bathed Prince Erich’s private lounge in a golden hue, casting long shadows that seemed to dance along the elegantly furnished walls. The room, with its plush armchairs and meticulously carved wooden table, exuded an atmosphere of comfort and refinement. Lyan sat relaxed in one of the deep armchairs, a glass of rich, dark wine resting in his hand. He twirled the glass absentmindedly, his sharp eyes fixed on the liquid as it swirled. A faint smile touched his lips, and he took a slow sip, savoring the taste.
Standing a few steps away, Ravia and Raine stood with their hands clasped, their posture firm but not rigid. The siblings of death, the butlers of House Evocatore, were always prepared, always vigilant. Their recent mission had been taxing, yet they showed no signs of exhaustion. Raine’s dark eyes were calm, while Ravia’s silver gaze held its usual analytical sharpness.
Lyan looked up, his eyes meeting theirs. "You did well," he said, his voice carrying a note of warmth that was rarely heard. "Bringing in the assassin alive couldn’t have been easy, especially with the chaos they caused last night. You managed to capture the only survivor, after all."
Ravia inclined her head respectfully. "Thank you, Lyan," she said. Her sister, Raine, mirrored the gesture, her expression softening slightly. There was a sense of pride in their eyes, a quiet acknowledgment of their success. Lyan gestured towards the empty chairs nearby. "Sit down," he said, his tone almost casual. "You deserve a rest."
Ravia’s lips quirked up in a faint smile, and Raine exchanged a quick glance with her sister. "Butlers don’t sit with their masters," Raine said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Lyan let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly. "How cheeky," he muttered, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "I swear, one of these days, you’ll forget that whole ’butler’ nonsense and just take a seat."
Before they could respond, the door to the lounge swung open, and Prince Erich entered, his presence commanding attention. He wore a dark, embroidered tunic, his attire formal but with an air of comfort, suitable for a private meeting like this. His gaze swept across the room, taking in Lyan, Ravia, and Raine, and he gave a nod of acknowledgment.
"I see we’re all here," Erich said, his voice smooth, carrying a hint of relief. He walked over to the large armchair opposite Lyan and took a seat, resting his hands on the armrests. "I’ve already informed the nobles. There’s going to be a second banquet and meeting tomorrow." He paused, his eyes meeting Lyan’s, a knowing glint in his gaze.
"For now, we should focus on processing what we’ve gathered and strategizing our next move."