My breath hitched as I jolted awake, heart still hammering from whatever nightmare just had the nerve to interrupt my sleep.
"I am not going to a dungeon again," I muttered to myself as I sat up.
I freshened up, dressed in the typical noble outfit — tailored, neat, and exactly as uncomfortable as you'd expect for something that screams "I have money."
A knock echoed at the door.
My morning tea! I almost grinned but caught myself before my dignity crumbled.
"Come in," I said, masking my excitement like a professional.
Instead of the glorious sight I was expecting, a stand overflowing with snacks and a proper tea set, walked in a lone elvian maid. No snacks, no tea, just her.
"My lord, what would you like for breakfast?" she asked, bowing respectfully.
Oh. Right. Clara is still under treatment.
Let's go with something light… " Honey-butter bread, a soft cheese roll, maybe some fresh fruit slices, and a small herb omelet," I said, keeping my voice smooth and polite.
Then I added, "And, could I have tea before I head to breakfast?"
The maid bowed again. "Of course, my lord. Tea will be served in a minute." She left as quietly as she'd entered.
I leaned back in my chair and mentally skimmed through today's schedule.
Everard mentioned we'd be meeting an old friend of his — a witch, apparently.
Good opportunity. I've got questions about that artifact I hid.
Inspect told me most of the details, sure, but the actual process of using it is a bit fuzzy.
Probably better not to poke it blindly and risk an 'oops-I-broke-space-time' situation. I'll just ask the witch directly before I try anything.
I was served the morning tea, and that's when it hit me — how much I'd taken Clara's tea for granted.
This one… tasted like someone boiled leaves out of pity. Not bad enough to spit out, but definitely the kind you drink while politely smiling and questioning your life choices.
I thanked them anyway and headed down to the main hall. Or… is it called a lounge in a mansion? Drawing room? Whatever, the big fancy room with too many chairs.
Orion was already there.
His presence was… oddly deflated today. Normally, he'd be sitting like a king at the head of the table, sipping his morning drink, skimming mansion reports, probably pretending to judge the world.
Today? He was slouched at a flank seat, no drink, no papers, nothing.
Everard effect, I guess.
I gave him a slight bow.
"Good morning, Lord Orion."
He returned it with a bow of his own. "Good morning, Lord Hugo. I couldn't ask you yesterday with all that happened... are you hurt? Do you feel okay?"
"Not at all, Lord Orion. If I were, I would've gone straight to a cleric yesterday. It's all thanks to Clara protecting us."
He nodded. "Yes, Sylvia briefed me on what happened yesterday. It's really an unfortunate accident."
I briefed it too, you know, I thought.
"It's all good since you brought my father."
"Yes," Orion said, "His Grace Lord Everard visited the mansion yesterday and asked, 'Where are the kids?' When I told him you went to the dungeon early in the morning, Lord Everard said, 'My son stayed in the dungeon for this long? Something's wrong.' Then we immediately went to the dungeon. Since we couldn't sense any of your presences, Lord Everard said, 'They've either left the dungeon or are trapped in it.'
"As we began going inside, we found traces of a teleport circle and thought you were teleported to the lower floors through a trap. But Sir Sebastian disagreed, saying Clara is too trained to fall for that. Lord Everard said, 'Let's wait until we can sense their presence again.' We slowly started descending and just as we reached the 13th floor, seven presences suddenly flickered to life. We rushed to the 19th floor, breaking the walls, and found you there."
I nodded along to his retelling, but honestly... It still stung a little that Everard's first red flag was lazy me staying too long in a dungeon.
Orion's gaze flicked past me. In an instant, he was on his feet.
"Lord Everard, wonderful morning. I hope you had a great night," he said.
I got up too and gave a bow.
"Good morning, Viscount Orion," Father said, his voice smooth as ever. "You seem energetic today."
Energetic? Right… you clearly haven't seen him on other days.
That man's "energetic" today looks like a decorative vase in the corner.
Orion smiled politely. "Thank you, my lord. Please join us for breakfast."
If Inspect hadn't told me earlier, I wouldn't have noticed Sebastian trailing behind Father at all. This dude's a perfect assassin material.
Father took the head seat at the table while I slid into mine. He glanced at me. "Finish fast, Hugo. The journey to the capital of Elvia is long."
"Yes, Father," I replied, polite and proper.
So his mysterious friend stays in the capital, huh? I smell politics. And probably headaches.
Orion looked like he wanted to ask where exactly we were going… but wisely decided not to.
Sylvia arrived shortly after, elegant as always. She bowed deeply to Father. "Good morning, my lord. I hope you had a great night."
Father gave a small nod. "You seem lively, little lady. Join us for breakfast."
"The pleasure is mine, my lord," Sylvia said before taking the seat across from me.
And then came… silence.
The kind that makes the clinking of cutlery sound like a war drum. I focused on finishing the breakfast served by the mansion maids, trying not to look like I was counting the seconds until we could leave.
Then Father spoke, just as I was about to put down my fork. "That's right… Hugo, I forgot to mention. I have decided to appoint you as the Falcon Duke soon and retire myself to the position of family head. The creation ceremony will be held in two years."
…Well, fuck me.