Chapter 95: Departure
Redrick walked briskly down from the second floor of the Portia Palace. The once frivolous and arrogant young man had shed his repulsive temperament. After spending several years in the knighthood under Leshert’s command, his temper seemed much improved; although he looked down on low-born servants as much as ever, he no longer went out of his way to make their lives difficult.
Upon seeing him descend, the servants quickly retreated to both sides of the corridor, bowing deeply.
Redrick casually walked passed them and headed down the stairs. The attendants waiting at the bottom held his longsword and armor. Redrick raised his arms, expecting them to drape the armor over him, but after holding the pose for a moment without any movement from them, the violent-tempered youth’s expression instantly darkened.
He opened his mouth to snap at them, only to find the attendants frantically gesturing with their eyes, signaling for him to look to the side.
Redrick froze for a moment, turned his head, and realized there was someone else in the hall.
The Portia Palace was vast, a sprawling complex of buildings that housed the direct bloodline of the Portia family. The current head of the house was Julius, but as he had yet to marry or have children, the primary family members of his father’s generation—specifically Delacroix’s widow and his offspring—still resided there.
According to the genealogy, Delacroix’s eldest son Redrick, his second son Nidro, and his daughter Surina all lived in the Portia Palace, along with their mother: the last female member of the Old Empire’s royal Claudius family, Lady Cassandra.
The magnificently decorated hall was exceptionally spacious. A crystal chandelier weighing hundreds of pounds hung from the dome, and luxurious Oriental carpets covered the entire floor. In a semi-open parlor to the side sat soft benches and cushioned sofas, with tapestries embroidered with scenes of Portia ancestors enjoying a spring outing.
A woman sat in the center of the sofa, head lowered as she sipped tea.