As the carriage rolled away from the village, Kyle leaned back, closing his eyes for a mont. The trip had been more eventful than expected, but at least it was over now.
Bruce, sitting across from him, humd happily, a satisfied grin on his face.
lissa raised an eyebrow.
"What's with you? I don't like how happy you are looking."
Bruce grinned even wider.
"I just think we gained a lot from this visit. The village is now loyal to Lord Kyle, and I've found a new direction in life."
lissa tilted her head.
"New direction?"
Bruce nodded seriously, puffing out his chest.
"I've decided to dedicate my life to serving Lord Kyle!"
lissa scoffed. "Took you long enough."
Bruce turned red.
"I was always loyal!"
He argued, crossing his arms.
Kyle, watching the exchange, smirked but said nothing. He reached out and tapped the carriage wall.
"Let Queen inside. I would rather not have Queen be shot at while we reach the castle."
Bruce obeyed, opening the window. A gust of cold wind rushed in as Queen, in its bird form, flapped in gracefully and landed on Kyle's shoulder.
The sleek, dark-feathered creature nuzzled against his cheek before settling down, its eyes glowing faintly.
lissa watched the interaction, a hint of curiosity in her gaze.
"Queen seems stronger."
Kyle stroked Queen's head absentmindedly.
"It ate well."
lissa didn't press further.
As they neared Armstrong Castle, the familiar towering walls ca into view. The carriage slowed, then ca to a stop at the massive iron gate.
Bruce frowned and peeked outside.
"What's the hold-up?"
The gatekeeper and several guards stood at the entrance, whispering among themselves. Their eyes flickered toward the carriage, their expressions tense.
Bruce's irritation flared. He pushed the door open and stepped out, his posture firm.
"What are you doing? Are you seriously delaying the son of the Duke?"
The guards stiffened but didn't imdiately respond. Instead, they exchanged hesitant glances, as if unsure how to proceed.
Kyle, still inside the carriage, sighed. His fingers tapped against the wooden fra in a slow, rhythmic pattern. Then, his voice cut through the tension.
"If you're going to waste my ti, at least do it properly."
The guards flinched, their nervous whispering stopping at once. Finally, one of them stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"You may enter, young master."
Bruce shot them a sharp glare before climbing back inside the carriage. lissa remained quiet, but her expression mirrored Bruce's unease.
As the carriage moved forward, Kyle's gaze lingered on the hesitant guards. He could tell sothing was off.
These guards looks restless as they allowed him to pass.
However, that did not an Bruce was going to let their insincerity go.
Bruce glanced back at the guards, his eyes narrowing. Sothing was off.
As they got further and further away, Bruce dared to look outside the window toward those guards. His fury burned before he could not help but question his lord.
"Young master," Bruce asked, lowering his voice. "Should I go out and deal with this?"
Kyle didn't even glance at him. "No need."
Bruce nodded and sat back. If Kyle wasn't worried, then there was no reason for him to be either.
Seconds later, Bruce noticed the two guards collapsing to their knees. It seed as if they were sick and could not take it any longer.
Bruce turned back to Kyle, who remained seated inside the carriage, completely unbothered.
Bruce had seen enough to understand what had happened.
His master had done sothing. He didn't know what, but questioning Kyle about it wouldn't get him anywhere.
'Everyti I question a young master, he sohow finds a way to remind not to question him. I need to learn and do better.'
______
As the carriage pulled closer to the castle gates, Kyle suddenly tensed.
He felt it—an intense gaze watching him from afar. He lifted his head, scanning the upper levels of the castle, the surrounding area—nothing.
But that presence… It was there. Soone was observing him, hidden from sight.
He didn't react outwardly. Instead, he leaned back into his seat, his expression unreadable.
If soone was watching him, let them watch. He wasn't afraid.
As the carriage entered the grand driveway of Armstrong Castle, the butler was already waiting at the entrance.
He was an older man, his expression as composed as ever, but Kyle noticed the stiffness in his posture.
"Young master. The Duke wishes to see you imdiately."
The butler greeted with a respectful bow.
lissa and Bruce instantly stiffened at the words.
"Young master, Should we accompany you?"
lissa spoke up, stepping forward.
Bruce nodded.
"If sothing's wrong, you shouldn't face it alone."
Kyle waved them off.
"I'll handle it myself."
His tone left no room for argunt, and despite their concern, Bruce and lissa could only bow their heads and watch as Kyle disappeared into the castle.
High above, on the castle's grand balcony, two figures stood watching.
Christan Armstrong, the eldest son and heir of the Armstrong family, rested his arms on the railing, his sharp blue eyes fixed on the carriage below.
Beside him stood his younger sister, Elia Armstrong, her delicate features twisted in mild curiosity.
"So, little Kyle is back."
Elia mused, her voice light, but laced with amusent.
Christan didn't respond imdiately. His gaze remained on the retreating figure of their youngest brother.
Elia sighed dramatically.
"I wonder why Father summoned him. I an, it's not like Kyle is particularly useful for anything. He's always been weak. What could Father possibly want from him?"
She smiled sweetly, but the words carried an undeniable edge.
Christan finally turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
"I don't know. But if Father called for him personally, then it must be sothing important."
He admitted.
Elia pouted.
"Tch. Well, if it's important, then I guess we'll find out soon enough."
She turned on her heel and walked away, her elegant dress flowing behind her.
Christan remained on the balcony for a mont longer, watching as Kyle disappeared into the castle halls.
His gut told him sothing was about to change.
______
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