Chapter 202: One More Thing
The crowd’s enthusiasm continued for several more minutes, with people calling out congratulations and well-wishes for the Ambrose family reunion.
Grim maintained his composure through sheer force of will, accepting handshakes and brief conversations while his mind raced to process what Malaxis had revealed.
The entity wearing his father’s face moved through the crowd, accepting greetings from nobles who remembered Rowan van Ambrose and introduction to those too young to have known him before his disappearance.
To all outward appearances, it was exactly what it seemed—a beloved family patriarch returning home to witness his son’s triumph.
Chen Xing appeared at Grim’s elbow as the crowd around them began to thin. "My lord," he said quietly, "there are several delegates who wish to speak with you privately before the formal ceremonies conclude."
Grim nodded, grateful for the interruption. "Of course. Lead the way."
As they moved toward the designated area for private meetings, Chen Xing leaned closer. "That was unexpected," he murmured, his voice carefully neutral. "I trust you’re... handling the situation appropriately?"
"For now," Grim replied, understanding the coded nature of their conversation.
They reached the private meeting area, a smaller pavilion that had been set up away from the main crowd. Grim turned to look back toward where he had last seen his father, intending to keep track of Malaxis’s movements and interactions.
But Rowan van Ambrose was nowhere to be seen.
Grim scanned the entire courtyard, his eyes moving methodically across the hundreds of people still celebrating. He checked the main platform, the refreshment areas, and the entrance gate, but his father was nowhere to be seen.