Chapter 85: A Bothersome Younger Brother
Tillian’s study enveloped itself in a serene hush, undisturbed by the faintest whisper of noise. The Duke assumed a solemn stance beside his desk, his presence commanding reverence, while Yuraon observed Bella’s careful movements as she poured steaming tea into a porcelain cup.
From time to time, the maid cast furtive glances toward the youthful King, not so much to admire his chiseled physique as to appraise his audacious demeanor. With each glance, she pondered silently, her thoughts veiled behind the facade of her menial tasks. Was such daring attire truly necessary, she mused, or merely an indulgence of royal antics?
Upon meticulously arranging the tea and accompanying snacks upon the polished surface of the small wooden table adjacent to the supple leather couch, Bella, with a polite excuse, withdrew from the room, granting the two men a moment of solitude at last.
With a subtle smile gracing his lips, Yuraon lifted one of the cups, savoring the light herbal flavor of the tea as he took slow, deliberate sips. Irritated by what he perceived as feigned indifference, the Duke released a weary sigh before finally addressing the matter at hand.
"What is the true reason for your unannounced and solitary visit?" he inquired, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration.
Disappointment flickered across the countenance of the young King, exacerbated by the fact that his cup remained only half-empty. Setting the tea aside, he reclined on the couch, fixing his glowing blue gaze upon the Duke as he offered a response,
"The skepticism in your tone wounds me, Your Grace."
However, Tilian remained unmoved by the attempted humor. Instead, he narrowed his red eyes, projecting an air of sternness and intimidation that eventually prompted Yuraon to give in.
"Very well, no need to fix me with such a stern gaze," the King relented, acknowledging the intensity of the King’s scrutiny. "One of my scouts detected suspicious activity along the border with Utar. Likely bandits, but I’ve dispatched my men to safeguard your caravans. Don’t be alarmed if some return prematurely before reaching neighboring kingdoms. It’s for their own good."