Chapter 248: House Viren
Logan half anticipated the question to be about Leonard's near-death experience. The rest of the Shadows were also prepared to receive their due punishment once they returned.
Even though Leonard has specifically ordered them to be away, that didn't excuse the fact that they failed in the very duty they were assigned.
"It was indeed a mishap on our part," Logan responded without any excuses.
There was no point in lying either.
The fact that Eleanor knew about the assassination incident was already her indirect way of saying she had spies.
"I'm glad you didn't try to skirt away the responsibility." Eleanor nodded in approval.
Soon, her aura retracted as she stopped controlling the surrounding mana.
Her actions took Logan by surprise.
He thought she was going to attack him. There were even traces of killing intent within the fluctuation earlier, too.
Yet in the blink of an eye, those sensations vanished.
"I have no right to punish you on behalf of Leon." She softly said, explaining her actions. "But I must warn you. If there's another incident like this, I won't hesitate to give my hand some red dye."
Logan remained silent. Even without her warning, he had no intention of letting Leonard be in harm's way again.
Since a fight was avoided, Logan promptly excused himself and entered the portal to continue protecting Leonard in the shadows.
"Eh, that was it?" Leonard held a face of disbelief. His hands even held onto some snacks to prepare to watch a fight unfold. After all, it would have been a good learning experience to see how the elites fought.
"Did you want to gain some experience for your upcoming academy life?" Eleanor giggled sweetly.
"Unfortunately, I have no intention of helping someone who disregarded their safety and played some hidden identity or undercover life."
"..."
What was scarier than power?
Most might be stumped by this question, but the answer was often easy.
Knowledge was the one thing more scary than power.
Because even if one had the power, they would still be an easy opponent if they lacked the necessary knowledge on how to proceed further.
Leonard was somewhat frustrated and wanted to leave her alone.
But before he could take a step, Eleanor suddenly curled her lips upward.
"Alright, I won't tease you further. I didn't fight your bodyguard for two reasons. One is because of your reputation. I wouldn't overstep like that and cause others to treat you lightly." She explained in a natural manner.
"What about the second reason?" Leonard asked.
"The second is even simpler. Your father, Emperor Aldros, must be waiting for us in the Imperial Palace. If we delay any further, then your brothers would have leverage to use the issue and attack you politically."
Although both reasons sounded very reasonable and logical, Leonard felt something was amiss.
Unfortunately, he just couldn't think about what was amiss.
"Very well, let's just meet with Father." In the end, he gave up. He scratched his head and proceeded to walk away without any intention of pushing her wheelchair anymore.
Since she could unleash such power, she could definitely control the wheelchair alone.
Of course, part of it was because of pettiness.
'Your body cannot handle too much mana residue. Otherwise, your condition might erupt.' Eleanor thought to herself.
"Miss, was it alright for you to have made a move here?" Albert gently approached her and held the handle of the wheelchair.
They were ultimately still on another continent. The enforcement guards' crimes were already exposed. It was clear that they would be punished accordingly.
There was absolutely no need for Eleanor to personally make a move.
"Did you also think that was impulsive of me?" She asked amusingly.
Albert remained silent and lowered his head.
Despite the silence, though, he couldn't conceal his inner thoughts from Eleanor.
"There are three main factors for my actions. My stance toward pathetic schemes, my position in this political turmoil, and Leon's current state of condition."
'I suppose the last reason was the main one.' Albert smiled bitterly. He didn't know how or when, but his Miss seemed infatuated with the rumored incompetent and cowardly prince.
So many men wish to receive Eleanor's grace, only to meet a stone-cold wall.
Yet somehow, Leonard was able to effortlessly and even received much of her leniency.
All the taboos he said to her were actually ignored and not even retaliated against.
Sometime later, Eleanor gestured for Albert to start following Leonard. She didn't need to ask him if he understood her true intention.
Albert was someone who had been her butler for the longest time. If he couldn't even comprehend something this simple, then that would be a great joke.
As Eleanor and Leonard prepared themselves to enter the Imperial Palace, news of this incident soon spread to other Houses and nobles.
…
House Viren
At House Viren, known as the House of Shadows, two mature women sat in the living room.
These two women were sisters and also the concubines of Emperor Aldros: Concubine Beatrice and Concubine Elenya.
In front of these two women were two young adults, who were forced to kneel.
If anybody were to stumble across this scene, they would be frightened to death.
After all, the two young adults were none other than the Fourth Prince Sylas Viren and Second Prince Derrick Aldros.
Due to Derrick's contribution in the army, he was able to gain the Aldros surname, whereas Sylas hadn't and had to keep his house surname.
"Dear sister, how do you teach your son?" Beatrice, mother of the Second Prince, turned to her little sister and inquired.
Elenya lowered her head in shame. She was the mother of the Fourth Prince and was ashamed of this incident.
Beatrice could only sigh softly when she saw her little sister's reaction.
"We're both from the same house, so we should be working together to upgrade and improve ourselves. This General Henry, being instigated by your son, had now implicated mine." She tapped her fingers softly on the table with her eyes closed.
"His Majesty's imperial guard captain has sent me a warning. Our House Viren could be said to be in quite the spotlight this time."