Chapter 43. Meeting
Two days later, Viscount Elgar Valarune stepped was in the Avermoor Town, worry and curiosity filling his thoughts. His daughter, Rin Valarune had informed him that the heir of House Caulem had requested an urgent, private meeting.
Such a request from someone like Leonhardt Caulem was unusual. He was in front of the rented building. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the wooden door.
After a moment, the door opened, and a sharp-eyed maid with brown eyes greeted him with a polite nod. "Welcome, Lord Valarune. Please, come inside, young master waiting for you," Liana said, as she stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter.
Elgar nodded and stepped in, his eyes scanning the modest but well-maintained interior as he followed Liana. She led him to a small meeting room. The moment Elgar entered, his eyes locked onto Leonhardt Caulem. The young noble sitting there, his crimson eyes calm but sharp. As Elgar stepped closer, Leo rose to greet him, extending a hand.
"Thank you for coming, Lord Valarune," Leo said, his tone polite but confident. His handshake was firm, nothing like what Elgar had expected.
Elgar studied the boy briefly, hiding his surprise behind a polite smile. "It’s an honor, Young Lord Caulem," he replied carefully. But inwardly, he couldn’t reconcile the confident youth before him with the rumors he had heard.
Everyone in the noble circles talked about the eldest Caulem heir as weak-willed, timid, and so disappointing that even the Duke himself was rumored to have given up on him. Yet, here stood Leonhardt, exuding an air of control that left Elgar quietly unsettled.
"Please, have a seat," Leo said, gesturing towards the chair across from him.
Elgar sat down, his mind already racing with questions. Why had the boy called him here? Why use Rin to arrange the meeting? Something about this situation didn’t feelright to him.
Liana soon entered with a tray, setting coffee down in front of them with practiced ease. She then excused herself, leaving the room silent for a moment. Leo leaned forward, his crimson eyes locking onto Elgar with purpose.
"Viscount Valarune," Leo began, his voice measured, "you’re probably wondering why the so-called weak-willed heir of House Caulem called you here for a secret meeting."