Chapter 43
“Come on, man. How long are you going to sulk for? Even I didn’t know she was that prominent.”
It was just the two of us now. Auntie Shira had wandered off again, while Kaelon’s father went to deal with estate matters, despite Kaelon’s protests.
“Like hell, you didn’t,” he shot back. “No wonder you’ve gotten so disgustingly strong in just a few days—your teacher is one of the strongest in the Empire, and a beauty at that.”
He suddenly stood in place, pointing a finger at my chest.
“Fight me, right now, Caelith.” he declared, “I need to see it—the gap that exists between you and me.”
I stared at Kaelon searching his face for a joke, but he looked dead serious. I should have expected it; the moment his pride got poked, he’d sooner challenge a brick wall than back down—and if I humored him, It'd only end up bruising his pride more.
“Why are you not saying anything? Don’t tell me you’re scared.”
“Believe whatever you want—I’m not in the mood to explain to your father why his only son became a permanent fixture in the floorboards.”
“Tsk. Why am I not surprised you’d say that,” Kaelon muttered. He seemed to have calmed down.
I shrugged, leaning my back against the wall while Kaelon rested his face on his hand, staring out the window. Outside, Lilith and Yuna were running around the garden, laughing as they chased each other between the neatly trimmed hedges.
“They seem to be getting along well already,” I commented.
“Makes sense,” Kaelon replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Lilith always wanted a younger sibling. She never really got that chance until now, I guess.”
Before I could reply, the sound of heavy steps echoed throughout the hallway. The head butler Alistyr came rushing up the stairs, his normally composed demeanor lacking its usual grace.
Spotting us, he hurried straight toward Kaelon.
“Is something the matter, Alistyr?”
The head butler nodded.
“Lady Valeria of house Veyrling has arrived unannounced. She is currently speaking with Lord Eldritch regarding the repayment of the gold borrowed to maintain the current land’s upkeep.”
Kaelon’s brow furrowed immediately. “Why is she here? Don’t tell me she’s up to something again… Alistyr, lets go—now.”
He turned back to me, offering a small, apologetic smile. “Sorry Caelith.”
“Go handle it,” I replied. “It seems urgent. I’ll find something else to do in the meantime.”
I watched as Kaelon and Alistyr hurried down the corridor, their figures disappearing around the corner. I didn’t know what was going on—but, it wasn’t my place to butt in. Deciding not to dwell on it, I went to find my sister and see how she was doing.
…
Inside the room, a woman with crimson hair sat calmly, dressed in an elegant, high-collared gown trimmed with subtle silver thread. She casually took a sip of tea from the cup before her, a smile resting on her lips, one that held no warmth behind it.
Behind her stood a knight on guard, while seated across from her was the lord of the Eldritch household, looking frail and far from the dignified figure he once was.
Their families had once shared a close alliance, but that bridge had long been burned after the incident in which the Eldritch lord nearly lost his life to an assassination attempt, and where the Eldritch family had lost a significant portion of its influence.
To the Veyrlings, past alliances or sentiments mattered little. Like other noble houses seeing the Eldritches in their weakened state, this was the perfect opportunity to press their advantage.
She put down my cup and opened her mouth.
“I’m glad to find you in such high spirits, Lord Thaddeus.” she said, her voice as smooth as silk, “It's truly heartening to see the head of Eldritch doing so… well, after all that had happened.”
“May I know the reason for your visit today, Lady Valeria?” Thaddeus asked, his voice was steady, though the fatigue lining his features made his words heavy.
Valeria simply smiled, setting down her cup and meeting his gaze. “It’s nothing major. I merely wished to discuss the repayment of the gold your family borrowed from mine.”
Thaddeus shifted in his chair, his hand tightening around the armrest until his knuckles turned white. “I believe we already settled on an agreement for the monthly payments. What more do we have to discuss?”
“Please, don’t be so agitated,” Valeria said, her tone calm, almost teasing. “I only wish to renegotiate a few details of the arrangement. Given your… recent circumstances, surely you’d understand?”
Thaddeus pressed his lips together in a thin line,
Valeria’s smile only deepened. “My family has decided to recalculate the risk assessment surrounding the loan. We find it necessary to raise the interest rate.”
Those words settled heavily in the room.
“That was not part of our agreement,” Thaddeus said, his voice low. “The terms were fixed.”
The door suddenly burst open.
Kaelon strode in. The moment his eyes landed on Valeria—still seated, still wearing that same infuriating smile—his expression darkened.
“Ah,” Valeria said softly, turning her gaze toward him. “If it isn’t Young Master Kaelon. It seems you haven't changed a bit since our last encounter.”
“Cut the act,” Kaelon snapped. “What are you scheming, Valeria?”
He took a sharp step toward her—but the knight behind her moved a step faster, placing himself between Kaelon and Valeria and resting a hand lightly on the hilt of his sword. His eyes flicked over Kaelon with disdain, as if looking at an insect.
“I’d advise the Young Master to stand down, I wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself further.”
Kaelon felt his frustration surge, heat crawling up his chest as he glared at the insolent knight blocking his path. Before he could make a rash move, his father’s stern voice cut through the tension.
“Kaelon… Please.”
Hearing his father’s plea, reluctantly, Kaelon bit his lower lip, drawing blood, and stepped back. Valeria couldn’t help but smirk at the display, not bothering to hide her amusement.
“Now, back to our business.” Valeria said, “While the original terms were indeed what we agreed upon, you have to understand that with your household’s current instability, we simply cannot shoulder the risk.”
She paused briefly, letting her gaze drift from the frail Lord Thaddeus to the trembling Kaelon.
“Therefore, my family has decided to adjust the agreement accordingly.”
Thaddeus’s brow furrowed. “How much would the new interest rate be?”
Valeria lifted two fingers lightly, a faint, almost playful smile on her lips. “Twenty percent.”
“Lady Valeria,” Thaddeus said slowly, “Though our families once shared a close alliance, I must warn you not to go overboard. A twenty percent interest rate borders on exploitation.”
She didn’t seem bothered by the warning at all. Instead, Valeria calmly folded her hands atop the table.
“Unfortunately, Lord Thaddeus, alliances are built on strength. And at present, your household lacks what my family requires to honor the previous generosity.”
“If you truly find these terms unacceptable,” Valeria continued, her smile sharpening, “then my family is willing to offer an alternative proposal.”
Thaddeus knew whatever she was about to say would place him in an even more precarious position, but in the end, he still chose to hear her out.
“The territory in Argent Ridge that your family recently obtained. If you are willing to hand over the deed, my family is prepared to erase all previous debt—principal, interest, and penalties alike.”
Kaelon immediately lashed out, his composure shattering.
“Father, you mustn’t! Argent Ridge is—”
“Enough, Kaelon.”
Thaddeus raised a hand, stopping him. He knew exactly how valuable Argent Ridge had become with the recent silver discovery, and he had intended to keep it under wraps, hoping to quietly salvage the family’s fortunes.
He could only let out a tired, dry laugh.
“Haha. So this was your true intention all along, Lady Valeria,”
Valeria tilted her head, her eyes curling ever so slightly as she tried to mask her amusement.
“I’m not quite sure what Lord Thaddeus means by that.”
Thaddeus rubbed his temple, his expression darkening as frustration bubbled beneath the surface. There was little he could do—even if he refused to hand over Argent Ridge, it wouldn’t be long before other noble families found out of the silver mines.
In the end, after a difficult deliberation, Thaddeus’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a defeated sigh.
“Then allow me the grace to ask you this one question. How am I to be certain your family won’t go back on its word again?”
“I swear on the honor of my name. I believe that should be sufficient assurance,” Valeria said, carrying an unspoken challenge beneath those words.
“You can’t accept the deal, Father—”
Valeria’s expression finally turned cold as she shifted her gaze to Kaelon. “The last time I checked, you’re not the head of this house. So don’t presume to interfere.”
Kaelon’s hands curled into fists. For a brief moment, he imagined wiping that smile from her face—then forced the thought down.
Turning back to Thaddeus, Valeria lifted the cup of tea once more, sipping deliberately before fixing him with a calm, calculating gaze.
“So, what will your decision be, Lord Thaddeus?”
Thaddeus lowered his eyes. He pressed his lips together, then spoke with reluctant resignation,
“Alright… I accept your new proposal.”
A satisfied smile spread across her face as she leaned back in her seat, crossing one leg over the other. Her fingers traced the rim of her tea cup absentmindedly
“Since we’ve finally come to an agreement, my family can wipe the slate clean regarding all the previous debts.”
She set the cup down, straightening her posture, and adjusted her gown. “Now that I’ve accomplished what I came for, I shall be taking my leave.”
Thaddeus simply nodded, not bothering to see her out, while Kaelon shot him a look of indignation. As Valeria and her knight finally left the room, Kaelon’s frustration boiled over.
“Father, why would you accept such an outlandish proposal?!”
Thaddeus suddenly let out a series of harsh coughs, his body trembling slightly with each cough. Kaelon’s expression softened, and he quickly stepped forward to support his father, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder.
“Listen closely, Kaelon,” Thaddeus said hoarsely. “As long as you and Lilith are safe, nothing else matters. Trust me on this. You should focus on the Academy and leave the rest to me.”
…
As Valeria made her way toward the waiting carriage, a faint smirk tugged at her lips. Everything had gone smoothly according to her plan. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the Eldritch household reached its breaking point.
“You seem to be in a good mood, My Lady.” The knight behind commented
“Fufu, why yes indeed,” Valeria hummed. “Who wouldn’t be? I’ve just acquired a silver-rich territory for the price of a few polite words.”
As they turned the corner and into the courtyard, a young man emerged at the same moment, nearly colliding with her. He reacted quickly, stepping back just in time to avoid crashing into her.
“Oh—oops. Sorry, didn’t see you there,” he said casually, already moving past her without another glance.
Valeria stared after him, stunned, as her knight stepped forward, blocking his path. He barked at the young man.
“You will address My Lady properly. Or are your manners as unruly as your hair?”
The young man, his hair tied in a loose topknot, glanced at him—irritation flashing briefly in his eyes.
He then turned to Valeria, and gave a quick bow, “I’m sorry for bumping into you.”
Without missing a beat, he addressed the knight in a flat tone, “There. I apologized a second time. Satisfied?”
He continued walking past as if the knight didn’t exist, which only fueled the man’s anger further. Tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword, the knight stepped forward again.
“Where do you think you’re going? I haven’t finished speaking with you yet.”
