With its dark color and confined space, the room seemed too small and uninviting to be part of an Arguna mansion. The lack of windows and the minimalist furniture, just two chairs and a table, only added to the gloomy mood. Among the servants, the room was called the small study, but its purpose wasn't to study. Whenever someone needed to hold a private or secret meeting, they would find their way here.
"I could hear the end of your speech, Laqhis. It was truly inspiring," Elder Caelestis said to his grandson.
"It's a shame I couldn't lay out my ideas right. In full I mean. Though I'm sure many lords wouldn't like me too much if I did," Corco replied with a crooked smile. "Anyways, we didn't e here to talk about my speech. Where have you been, grandfather? I really could have used your help earlier." Right after the end of his speech, when Corco had been swamped by the other lords, Elder Caelestis had shown up and dragged Corco into this private room out of nowhere. He didn't even know what had happened with Quirinu yet and it ate away at his patience. Still, since the old man had been suspiciously absent all evening, Corco wondered about the urgent news the old man would bring him as well. After all, on the elder's insistence, not even Primus had been allowed inside with them.
"I'm sorry, Laqhis. I was busy in a talk with Chaupic."
"The prime minister? What happened?"
For a while, the elder looked down to collect himself, before he raised his head again. In that moment, for the first time since Corco could remember, the old noble truly looked his age.
"About your father," he whispered, "about Titu. Is it true?"
"Grandfather, what..." At first Corco tried to deny his father's sorry state, but when he looked into his grandfather's eyes, he realized that the elder knew already. Caelestis wasn't here to learn anything new. He just wanted to hear the words from Corco's own mouth.
"Yes. It is. Father was most likely killed and his body salted and encased in wax."
Tired, the old man hung his head again.
"I was there, you know? So many times since his death. I was there and noticed nothing. Like a fool I sat there in prayer while my son screamed at me-"
"It's not your fault grandpa."
When the old man looked back up, his voice and eyes had firmed up again.
"I want you to keep me informed on whatever you find in your investigation. We need to find who did this."
"Of course, grandfather
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