Chapter 425
"Pardon?" Valten's golden eyes widened in surprise.
Seren belatedly lifted her head to look at Ian. "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what you heard." Unlike the other two, Ian's expression and tone remained calm. "I have a reason to wait for His Highness. However, adding a favor on top of that is another matter entirely."
He shrugged slightly as he finished his sentence. "And if that favor involves stepping into an archdemon's territory, even more so."
"Then—" Seren's blue eyes, which had been flickering with uncertainty, finally steadied. "Rather than a favor, you're proposing a deal? Even when it concerns His Highness's safety?"
The voice that slipped through her visor had turned cold. Valten looked more stunned than angry—he hadn't even considered the possibility that Ian would take such a stance regarding the Crown Prince. After all, Ian was the chosen Agent of the Great Platinum Dragon. There was no way Valten could have known that Ian was the type to demand compensation, even from the dragon itself.
"Good heavens." Diana looked at him with an expression as if her heart had just dropped.
Yet Ian didn't even blink.
"You're gravely mistaken." Meeting Seren's gaze without wavering, he spoke in an even, detached tone. "I came here because His Highness requested an audience with me. That is all. I do not serve him, nor am I obligated to assist in his endeavors. To begin with, I haven't even met him before."
Seren's eyes flickered more intensely this time. It was as if she was only now realizing that something she had believed true was, in fact, false. The same went for Valten and Diana. The only one that was unaffected by that statement was Lucia. She simply crossed her arms and nodded as if she agreed.
"So, if you need my help, make a proper request—not a plea. If that doesn't work with you, then this conversation ends here. I believe I've already said enough about why I should wait for His Highness." Ian added those words as he looked at Seren, who seemed at a loss for words.