Chapter 156: Desperation
"So, you’re telling me all our potential leads are dead?" I say, pinching the bridge of my nose as frustration wells up inside me. The situation is spiraling out of control. It’s clear that whoever is hiding Noelle is one step ahead, systematically eliminating any trail we might follow. The fact that our leads—from carriage drivers to random civilians who happened to be nearby—are being wiped out is not just concerning; it’s maddening.
Grape, my pet bird, coos from his perch atop my head, a small gesture of comfort in this sea of endless chaos. I sigh, feeling the fatigue that clings to my bones. We’ve been at this for too long.
"Alright," I finally say, straightening up. "Let’s call it a night and reconvene tomorrow. We’re all tired." I can see the exhaustion etched on Leona’s face, and I know pushing further tonight would be pointless.
As Grape flies out the window to do whatever it is he does when he’s not with me, I don’t worry. He always finds his way back. With that, I prepare myself for what comes next: dinner with the Remiros. Not exactly my idea of a relaxing evening, but refusing would only raise suspicion, so I trudge down the grand staircase of the Remiro estate.
The dining room is as lavish as ever, a monument to wealth and power. Marble floors gleam under the chandeliers, and the air is heavy with the scent of roasted meats and decadent sauces. The table is enormous, with enough space between each chair that it feels less like a family gathering and more like a council meeting. Everyone is already seated when I enter, and I make my way to my assigned spot, two chairs away from the rest of the family.
"Thorne," Duke Remiro greets, his voice carrying the authority of a man used to being in control. I offer a curt nod, nothing more. My eyes briefly flick to Callan and his pregnant wife. The sight of them, sitting close and sharing small smiles, stirs a pang of guilt and bitterness in me. It’s a harsh reminder of what I missed: Noelle, pregnant and alone. The thought eats at me.
Dinner is a quiet affair, filled only with the clinking of plates and the scrape of silverware. I don’t really taste the food. It’s just sustenance, something to keep my body moving. Ever since Noelle was taken from me, everything feels muted, drained of color and meaning.
Duke Remiro breaks the silence. "So, the Aspen King is dead." His voice is casual, but I can hear the calculation behind it. I can’t help but think about that old man finally meeting his end. He clung to life and power longer than most, but now he’s just another corpse. I know the chaos that has erupted in Aspen and Bodin, the kind of chaos that only I could have sparked. Of course, Duke Remiro doesn’t know the full extent of my involvement. He only suspects, given that I have the Crown Prince of Aspen imprisoned and my forces have taken control of the Aspen royal palace. But he doesn’t have proof.
"It’s about time," I reply, my voice devoid of emotion.