The next day arrived swiftly, the cool dawn light creeping over the city as Ethan stirred from an uneasy sleep. His mind had never truly rested, churning all night with calculations and contingency plans.
The only thing that gave him so montary reprieve was the fact that his wolves were still going at it. They seed to be extrely driven to level up and beco stronger and he was getting all the passive rewards of their efforts. He had leveled up once more overnight, bringing him to level 18.
Ethan dressed quickly, fastening the leather straps of his light armor before tucking a small dagger at his side. The 100 silver helped him get a decent armor and a new dagger.
While this eting with Lyra was supposed to be straightforward, Ethan had learned long ago that nothing involving powerful people ever truly was. Just in case, he wore his armor and he even took the beast warding dallion with him, hiding it in his pocket.
At the break of morning, the streets were already bustling with life—rchants setting up their stalls, adventurers on their way to the guild, and city guards patrolling in quiet vigilance.
Ethan made his way to the Lord's manor. He did not bring Lia with him this ti.
He had at most two more days in this city and he needed to be careful in these two days. Now that he had made himself visible, the target was right back on his head.
The guards at the manor gate nodded him through without question this ti, clearly expecting him. As he entered the grand hall, the air slled faintly of lavender and old stone, and servants moved gracefully, their steps barely making a sound.
A steward appeared, bowing with impeccable formality. "Master Rutgard, Lady Lyra awaits you in the west courtyard. Please follow ."
Ethan nodded and followed the steward through the winding halls of the manor. The west courtyard was a beautiful yet intimidating space, with tall marble columns and vibrant flowers blooming in ticulously arranged beds. It looked serene.
Lady Lyra stood in the center of the courtyard, dressed in an elegant gown. Her long dark hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing green eyes t Ethan's the mont he approached.
She radiated confidence, the kind that ca from knowing her station in life. She was beautiful, but there was nothing delicate about her; she looked like a blade forged in fire.
"So," she said, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "So you finally sohow managed to get on the good graces of my father?"
Ethan bowed slightly. It took him a mont but his eyes widened as her words set in. Finally? Huh?
The woman smirked at his confused expression. "Don't act all innocent Rutgard. If you wanted to play this card, you should not have proposed to five tis like a pathetic idiot."
Ethan froze, the words hanging in the air like a thunderclap. Proposed? Five tis? He blinked, montarily thrown off balance as his mind scrambled to connect the dots. This has to be a mistake, right?
He forced himself to recover quickly, schooling his expression into sothing neutral, though the faint tension in his jaw betrayed him.
"I fear there's been so misunderstanding, my Lady," Ethan said carefully. It looked like this dude has done so fucked up shit in the past but the future could look different. "I now understand the difference in our paths and will no longer disturb you. I will now be acting purely in service to the Lord and you, my Lady." He tried to salvage the situation.
However, Lyra's smirk only widened, her green eyes gleaming with amusent. "Oh, that's rich. You don't even have the spine to own up to it now, do you?"
She stepped closer, her presence almost predatory, and jabbed a finger lightly against his chest. "You practically threw yourself at my feet every ti we crossed paths. And now you want to believe you have changed? So quickly?"
Ethan took a slow breath, allowing a calm mask to settle over his features, though his mind churned with irritation.
"My Lady," he said evenly, eting her predatory stare, "I can't speak to the mistakes of the past, but I can assure you, I have no intention of repeating them. My focus now is on ensuring your safety during our journey and serving your father's wishes."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" she said, circling him slowly, like a hunter sizing up its prey. "And what makes you think I'll believe that this ti, Rutgard? Words are cheap. You've thrown plenty of those around before."
Ethan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The attitude on this woman. "I'm not asking you to believe anything, my Lady," he replied, his voice calm but firm. "Actions speak louder than words. If you doubt , then judge by what I do from now on, not by what I may have said or done before."
Lyra stopped in front of him, crossing her arms as she studied his face. For a mont, there was silence between them, the tension thick in the air. Then, to Ethan's surprise, she chuckled—a soft, amused sound that seed to hold layers of aning.
"Well, well," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Maybe there's hope for you yet. That's the first ti you've spoken to without sounding like a desperate fool."
Her green eyes sparkled, though whether it was with genuine amusent or another layer of condescension, Ethan couldn't tell. "Fine. I'll play along. Prove wrong, Rutgard. Show that you've changed."
Ethan inclined his head slightly, relieved to have navigated that minefield without further damage. "Thank you, my Lady. I'll do my best."
Lyra's smirk returned, sharper than before. "Oh, I have no doubt you will. After all, my father wouldn't have chosen you if he didn't think you were capable. But don't think for a second that I'll go easy on you. If you falter, Rutgard, I'll be the first to let him know."
"Understood," Ethan said, his voice unwavering.
She turned on her heel, her gown sweeping dramatically behind her as she walked toward a shaded alcove. "We leave at dawn tomorrow," she called over her shoulder. "Try not to embarrass yourself before then."
Ethan exhaled slowly once she was out of sight, tension draining from his body. That could've gone worse.
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