Chapter 42: What did you say Father?
Grim reentered the ballroom, his mind still reeling from the revelation that the elderly man was his grandfather. Cassius Van Ambrose, the White Death. He scanned the crowd, half-expecting to see Cassius again, but there was no sign of him. Instead, his eyes landed on Julius Luminaris, who was watching him with undisguised suspicion from across the room.
Grim looked away, not wanting another confrontation. The night had already been eventful enough.
[Your father is to your left,] the voice in his head noted. [And he doesn't look well.]
Following the voice's direction, Grim spotted his father in conversation with several nobles near one of the refreshment tables. At first glance, everything seemed normal. Rowan stood tall and dignified as always, nodding as one of the men spoke. But as Grim watched, he noticed something strange. His father's usual perfect posture seemed slightly off, and there was an uncharacteristic intensity to his gestures.
When Rowan suddenly laughed a loud, boisterous sound that drew glances from nearby guests. His father never laughed like that. Rowan's humor was subtle, expressed in small smiles and quiet words, not in raucous outbursts.
Concerned, Grim began making his way toward his father, but before he could reach him, Julius Luminaris intercepted Rowan. Grim slowed his approach, close enough to hear but not to intrude.
"Lord Ambrose," Julius said, his tone carefully neutral. "I believe we need to discuss your son's behavior tonight."
Rowan turned, and Grim was surprised to see a wide smile on his father's face. Not the polite, measured expression he usually wore in public, but something that bordered on a smirk.
"Julius," Rowan said, his voice oddly jovial. "Always with the complaints. What has you so troubled this time?"