Chapter 155: King Aldric
Inside the shop, Noah waited exactly one minute before closing up and preparing for his own departure. The brief delay ensured Lola had sufficient time to establish surveillance on the guard without risk of compromising her mission through premature exposure.
He secured the shop’s entrance and turned the sign to closed. The building would remain safe while he attended to other business requirements.
Time to find Valeria and coordinate the next phase of this investigation.
On his way to locate the guild master, Noah spotted two familiar figures approaching from the direction of the royal quarter. Princess Elara walked alongside a man who appeared remarkably ordinary despite the subtle aura of power that clung to him like expensive cologne.
The man accompanying Elara stared at Noah with interest. His clothing was well-made but not ostentatious, his bearing powerful without being intimidating.
As they drew closer, Noah thought of something. He had never seen Elara going with a man before, and the man next to her seemed to be close enough to her.
It was clear to Noah that the person in front of him was the king, without having seen him ever before.
The realisation carried both opportunity and risk. Royal interest could provide powerful backing for their investigation into Baron Richard’s criminal activities, but it also meant Noah’s growing influence had attracted attention at the highest levels of government.
Elara’s expression brightened with obvious pleasure as she spotted Noah, her wave carrying the enthusiasm of someone introducing valued friends to family members.