Chapter 185: Ch 185: He Survived- Part 1
Baron Adam’s office was everything one might expect of a seasoned noble and military man—spartan, efficient, and heavy with the scent of old leather and ink.
The walls were lined with maps, weapon displays, and detailed reports stacked in neat piles across his broad desk.
Behind that desk sat the man himself, tall and iron-faced, his posture rigid and his eyes sharp as a blade honed by decades of war.
The mont Kyle and Lady Rose stepped in, the Baron’s gaze fixed on the young man with a weight that could silence most n.
“What do you want from ?”
He asked directly, no pretense, no warm greetings.
Kyle opened his mouth to answer, but Lady Rose was quicker.
“Father! Kyle is here for the position of army commander, as we discussed. There’s no need to worry—he is fully up to date with our plans and formations. I’ve briefed him on everything.”
She said, her voice confident and loud.
The Baron’s thick brows twitched upward, but Rose wasn’t finished.
“He’ll do a good job. I’m sure of it. You don’t need to second-guess this decision.”
Her determination was clear, her support for Kyle surprisingly intense.
Kyle glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She was pushing too hard, almost as if trying to force her father to accept the decision before he could refuse it.
The Baron leaned back, sighing heavily as he studied his daughter.
Then, his gaze shifted to Kyle, asuring, weighing.
“Well then, what do you say to that, boy? What do you plan to do with my army?”
He said, voice slow and gravelly.
Kyle t his gaze without flinching.
“I’ll lead it, if you allow it.”
Simple. Calm. Direct.
And to Baron Adam, suspicious.
“You’re willing to take command of soldiers loyal to a man who insulted you, ignored your existence, and openly opposed your engagent to his daughter in the past?”
There was no bite in the Baron’s tone—just a cold curiosity.
Before Kyle could answer, Baron Adam raised a hand.
“Rose. Leave us.”
“What? No—why? That’s not fair—”
“Out.”
His tone left no room for argunt.
With a frustrated huff and a sharp glare thrown Kyle’s way, Lady Rose turned and left the office, the door clicking shut behind her.
Baron Adam stood and walked around his desk, standing face to face with Kyle now. He was nearly a head taller, and there was no warmth in the space between them.
“Now, tell what you’re planning. Don’t waste my ti.”
He said, arms folded.
Kyle didn’t blink.
“I’m not planning anything.”
The Baron scoffed.
“You expect to believe that? You stroll into my ho, take a command that my daughter insisted on giving you, and pretend it’s just for ‘experience’? Boy, you’re not half as subtle as you think.”
Kyle smiled faintly.
“I don’t think I’m subtle. But I am practical. I need experience before I lead my father’s n into real battle. Your army has a working structure, a steady supply line, and the mission we’re going on isn’t suicidal. It’s a good place to train and learn. That’s all.”
“Bullshit. But at least you have the guts to lie to my face and keep a straight spine while doing it.”
The Baron muttered.
Kyle’s eyes remained steady.
“If I fail, you can take the command back. Simple as that.”
Baron Adam laughed, not kindly, but genuinely.
“You really think I’d give a green boy one chance with my n just because he knows how to act calm?”
“No. I think you’ll give one chance because you find amusing—and because deep down, you know that your daughter already made the decision for you.”
Kyle said.
Baron Adam’s laughter grew louder.
“So that’s how it is. You think I let a little girl dictate the future of my army?”
“I think you know when it’s easier to go with the tide. At least for now.”
Kyle replied coolly.
The Baron stared at him for a long, heavy mont. Finally, he turned back toward his desk, grabbing a stamped docunt from one of the drawers.
“Fine. You get one chance, Armstrong. One.”
He tossed the docunt toward Kyle, who caught it without looking down.
“Commander, for this expedition only. Prove yourself, and we’ll talk about anything more long-term. Fail , and I’ll make sure no one even rembers your na in a month.”
Kyle bowed slightly, unbothered.
“Understood.”
Baron Adam gave a half-smile, more like a baring of teeth.
“Welco to my army, boy. Don’t disappoint .”
Baron Adam narrowed his eyes as he returned to his seat behind the large desk.
He gestured briefly toward the butler waiting near the door, but his focus remained on Kyle.
“You might have joined my army, boy, but don’t expect any special treatnt from . Not now, not ever.”
He said, voice rough with authority,
Kyle stood tall.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’ll take whatever situation is thrown at and won’t complain.”
He replied calmly.
The Baron gave a small snort of amusent, but there was no warmth behind it.
“Good. Because you’re going to be thrown into the thick of it soon enough. I don’t care whose son you are or who you’re engaged to. You’re just another sword in the ranks now.”
Turning his gaze toward the butler, he added.
“Show him to the army quarters. Help him settle in. But don’t you dare give him any noble treatnt. He earns his place like the rest.”
The butler blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard by the order.
His eyes flicked briefly to Kyle—no doubt recognizing him not only as a noble but as the future fiancé of the Grand Duchess.
Still, he quickly bowed his head.
“Yes, my Lord.”
Kyle gave a respectful nod before following the butler out of the office.
The corridors were long and cold, the walls of the estate plain and unadorned in this wing, unlike the more ornate central halls.
The further they walked, the clearer it beca that Kyle wasn’t being taken anywhere luxurious.
“I must apologize, Lord Armstrong. The quarters reserved for army personnel aren’t exactly… refined. If I had known earlier, I would’ve arranged sothing better.”
The butler said, casting a glance back.
“No need. This is perfect.”
Kyle said.
The butler gave him a puzzled look but said nothing more.
Eventually, they reached a small stone barracks at the edge of the estate grounds.
The building was clean, but it bore the clear signs of heavy use—scuffed walls, creaking wooden floors, and the lingering scent of oil and sweat.
Inside, the rooms were cramped, shared by multiple officers, and furnished with nothing but bunks, footlockers, and a small desk.
“This will be your space. If you require anything, I’ll be nearby, though I am under strict orders…”
The butler said apologetically.
Kyle stepped inside, setting his small pack down beside the bed.
“I understand. I’ll make do.”
The butler hesitated for a mont longer, then bowed.
“Very well, my Lord.”
As the door shut behind him, Kyle looked around the room. It was simple. Cold. Unwelcoming.
He smiled faintly.
‘Just the way I like it. Now, to make use of it.’
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