Chapter 72: Two Old Fox
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Lucard did not enter the Marovain shop through the front door.
The front entrance was watched too closely. Two guards stood beside the repaired steps, and another four stood near the broken statue covered with cloth. Workers had already washed the stones, but the street still carried the faint shadow of blood. Even if the blood was gone, the memory of it remained. The merchants nearby were not speaking loudly anymore. Their shops were open, but their eyes kept moving toward the Marovain building. Everyone wanted to know what would happen next, but no one wanted to stand too close when it happened.
Lucard crossed the alley behind the shop and reached the service entrance.
A guard stepped out from the side shadow and raised his spear.
"Stop."
Lucard stopped.
The guard looked at his dark cloak. "This entrance is for staff only."
Lucard lifted his face slightly.
The guard saw him clearly.
His expression changed at once.
"Young Master Lucard."
The second guard near the door straightened quickly. Both men had heard the name today more times than they wanted. They had not seen Dorian’s death directly, but they had heard enough from other guards. A fallen noble boy had killed a Velkhur in front of their shop and walked away like he had only finished buying bread. Now that same person was standing at the back door at night.
The first guard swallowed.
"Lady Celia ordered that your family should be protected at the inn. Are you alone?"
"Yes."
"Where are Orven and Malik?"
"At the inn."
The guard hesitated. "They were assigned to protect you."
"They are protecting what matters."
The guard did not know how to answer that. He looked at the second guard, and the second guard looked like he badly wanted someone else to make the decision. Finally, the first guard lowered his spear a little.
"Do you wish to meet Lady Celia?"
"Robi Marovain."
The guard stiffened again. "Lord Robi is busy with urgent family matters."
Lucard’s eyes remained calm. "That is why I am here."
The guard felt a cold feeling on his back. There was something wrong with the way Lucard spoke. It was not loud. It was not threatening. But it made him feel as if opening the door late would become a mistake people would talk about after his funeral.
"Please wait here."
The guard turned and entered the building quickly.
Lucard waited in the alley. He did not look impatient. He only looked up at the dark sky above Gravehold. Crows moved over the rooftops, black shapes against the last line of blue evening. The city was not sleeping yet, but it was quieter than usual. Fear had entered the streets. People were speaking behind closed doors. Servants were repeating rumors. Nobles were sending letters. Merchants were counting losses. Guards were wondering which family name would become dangerous to say tomorrow.
It was a good night for plans.
Inside the Marovain shop, the first guard hurried to the second floor and found one of Celia’s personal attendants. The attendant went pale when she heard Lucard’s name. She did not waste time. A few breaths later, she was climbing the stairs toward the secure meeting room on the third floor.
Robi Marovain was inside with Celia and three senior shop officers.
The room was full of paper. Witness statements sat in neat piles. Damage lists were written on long pages. A city guard report had been placed near the edge of the table. Robi was reading a message from a Marovain courier while Celia stood beside a map of Gravehold. She had changed her blood stained dress, but she still felt the memory of the blood against her skin. Her hair was tied more tightly than before, and her face looked calm. Only her eyes betrayed that her mind had not rested.
When the attendant entered and bowed, Celia turned.
"What is it?"
The attendant lowered her head. "My lady, Young Master Lucard is at the back entrance. He asks to meet Lord Robi."
For a moment, the room became still.
Celia’s heart jumped before she could stop it.
Robi noticed.
He noticed everything.
He slowly placed the message down and looked at his niece. "You seem surprised."
Celia’s face returned to normal. "I am surprised because he should be at the inn."
"Of course," Robi said. "That is the only reason."
Celia ignored the tone and looked at the attendant. "Is he injured? Was he attacked?"
The attendant shook her head. "The guard said he came alone. He seemed calm."
Robi leaned back in his chair. His metal fingers tapped the armrest once.
"He came alone at night after sending away the guards I placed on him. Either he is very foolish, or he learned something important."
Celia said, "Lucard is not foolish."
Robi looked at her.
She added quickly, "That is clear from his actions."
"Good correction."
Celia gave him a sharp look. "Uncle."
Robi smiled faintly, then looked at the attendant. "Bring him here. Use the back stairs. No staff should gossip about it."
"Yes, Lord Robi."
The attendant left.
Celia crossed her arms. "He should not be moving alone. If Velkhur or Ravencroft men see him, they might attack again."
Robi looked at her carefully. "Your concern is becoming very detailed."
"He is under Marovain protection."
"Is that what we are calling it?"
Celia’s cheeks warmed a little. "Uncle, if you keep saying strange things, I will leave the room."
"You will not. You want to see him too much."
Celia opened her mouth, then closed it because saying no too quickly would make it worse.
Robi chuckled once, then became serious again. "Control yourself when he enters. Lucard Vardros is not a normal young man. If he sees a weakness, he will use it. If that weakness is your heart, he will still use it."
Celia’s expression became colder. "I know."
"Knowing and resisting are different."
Celia did not answer.
A few moments later, the door opened.
Lucard entered.