Lord of Caldera - Chapter 264

Chapter 264: Chapter 264

“I’ll pay for the room in advance so you can rest. I’ll also ask the servants to bring some medicine for your fever.”

“T-Thank you….”

“Enough. Don’t strain yourself. Losing your voice in just one night is impressive, truly.”

Not that it was because of the fever. His voice had grown hoarse from all the yelps and groans during Sylas’s “lesson.” Despite trying to hold back his screams, Sylas had an uncanny ability to find the most painful spots. Just thinking about it was enough to make him shudder.

“We’ll stop by again after the celebration. Take care of yourself until then.”

“Y-Yes…”

As Count Bill turned to leave, Dani let out a sigh of relief, his body finally relaxing. He assumed Sylas would depart with his father as well. But when he looked up, he met Sylas’s gaze. Just that single glance drained all color from Dani’s face.

Sylas silently mouthed words that sent a shiver down Dani’s spine: “Cross me again, and you’re dead.”

“…!”

Dani nodded furiously, his head bobbing up and down as if his life depended on it. Sylas gave him a long, penetrating stare before finally following his father out of the room. Only when he was alone did Dani let out a long, trembling sigh—a sigh of relief for having barely survived.

‘…Maybe I should start looking for a marriage alliance with another noble family once I’m back at the academy.’

At this point, he didn’t care about his status as a legitimate son or anything else. He just wanted to get as far away from Sylas as possible and live a peaceful life. He figured that would be much better than staying under Sylas’s watch and constantly fearing for his life.

Sylas followed Count Bill into the royal palace. Yet, despite the grandeur of the place, their tasks remained as dull as ever. All they could do was wait patiently until the celebration.

“Is waiting all we’re meant to do here?” Sylas asked.

“Judging by your expression, it seems there’s something you’re curious about.”

“To be honest, I thought you’d at least take the opportunity to speak with other nobles.”

This celebration was a rare gathering of nobles from all across the empire. Sylas expected that those who arrived early might take the chance to exchange private information. After all, it wasn’t often that such a gathering occurred. But Count Bill shook his head.

“You’re right, but the issue lies with His Majesty’s disposition.”

“Disposition? Are you saying His Majesty disapproves?”

“Imagine what His Majesty would think, watching nobles openly making alliances and deals right in the heart of the Imperial Palace.”

Ah, of course. Sylas understood immediately. The Emperor already harbored some suspicion toward the power held by regional lords. He would surely dislike the idea of them plotting amongst themselves—even if it posed no actual threat to the Imperial Family.

“Right now, everyone’s under intense scrutiny. If it were the middle of the celebration, we might talk quietly. But openly meeting like this? It’s asking for trouble.”

“I understand now.”

If nobles spoke discreetly at the celebration, it might go unnoticed. But meeting openly would likely draw the Emperor’s ire. Sylas nodded, casting a fresh look at his father.

‘So, he may be a count, but he’s still a lord.’

Sylas had thought his father was unwaveringly loyal to the crown, especially given his reverence for chivalry. But now he saw that wasn’t necessarily the case. Though Bill was deeply committed to his duties, it seemed clear he would turn his back on the crown if it ever abandoned the Corleone family.

‘Well, he is a founder’s descendant and a frontier lord. He must have had his share of conflicts with the Imperial Family.’

The Corleone family practically ruled the eastern territories. To subsequent emperors, they likely represented a potential threat. No doubt there had been plenty of unspoken, or even open, clashes over the years.

“Either way, the celebration is approaching soon. Until then, keep yourself in check and avoid attracting any unnecessary attention.”

“Yes, Father.”

With little else to do until the celebration, Sylas decided to wait quietly in their quarters with his retainers. But there was one thing he hadn’t considered: even if he wasn’t interested in meeting others, that didn’t mean others weren’t interested in meeting him.

“It really is enormous.”

The palace wasn’t just one building. It was a sprawling complex with various structures, and one of them housed the Emperor himself. Without a guide, it was easy to get lost within the palace grounds.

“This way, sir,” the guide said, noticing Sylas veering off course.

“Ah, apologies.”

Sylas had been assigned a guide by the Imperial Family—a reserved attendant with an expression that hardly changed. Though the man was rather dull company, he was incredibly knowledgeable about the palace layout, making him an invaluable asset.

“It’s so vast, I’ve lost my way again. Could you lead me back to my quarters?”

“Follow me, please.”

Sylas followed the guide, letting out a sigh. With nothing to do but wait, he’d taken to wandering around, only to lose his way several times. While the guide’s presence meant he didn’t stay lost for long, the waiting itself was torturous.

‘At least this waiting will be over in two days.’

The celebration was just two days away. Once it began, the boredom would end, and Sylas would finally see the results of the seeds he had sown outside the palace. Lost in thought, Sylas was pulled back to reality when the guide suddenly announced their arrival.

“We’re here.”

“Thank… wait, what?”

Just as he began to thank the guide, Sylas realized something was off. The scenery looked familiar, but this was not anywhere near their quarters. The guide had led him to an entirely different area of the palace.

“What are you playing at?”

Sylas’s voice turned cold. The guide flinched, startled by the pressure emanating from Sylas. For a moment, he felt as if he was standing before a massive dragon rather than a man.

“I asked you a question. What are you playing at?”

“M-My apologies for not explaining sooner. My master—urk!”

Before he could finish, Sylas grabbed the guide by the throat. The guide’s eyes widened in shock at Sylas’s unexpected move.

“I’ve heard enough. You mentioned a ‘master,’ so clearly someone wants to meet me outside His Majesty’s watchful eyes.”

“P-Please calm… urgh!”

“I find this whole scheme unpleasant. Who do they think they are, trying to pull strings from the shadows? If they’re so desperate, they should come to me directly.”