Wolf cubs?
Jared was curious, but he didn’t ask anything about the cubs.
“Thank you for cooperating with our inspection, my lord. You can now enter the city.” Jared smiled at Alaric.
“I appreciate your efforts in keeping the city safe, Garrison Captain. May you be blessed by Aru.” Alaric cupped his fists.
After bidding farewell to the garrison captain, Alaric’s group headed inside the city.
Despite the freezing weather, there were still some small business owners selling their goods on the streets.
The group traveled for almost two hours before they arrived at the estate of House Paxley.
Although surprised by their unexpected visit, the guards brought them in. They had seen Alaric before so no one questioned his identity this time.
…
Meanwhile, Nathan Paxley had also received a report regarding their arrival.
“Did they forget something?” The baron muttered, feeling a bit confused by their return.
The baron didn’t bother to change his clothes. He just wore a coat over his tunics before he stepped out of his study.
When he got down to the entrance hall, he saw his wife, Vivian Harrison, and his daughter Hershey Paxley, waiting for him by the door.
Nathan frowned and looked around, searching for his two sons. “Where is Liam and Theo?” He asked.
“They should be here soon,” Vivian responded. She then walked to Nathan’s side and adjusted his coat.
Nathan was dissatisfied, but he didn’t say anything.
He might be a baron, but he was slightly afraid of Vivian’s collateral family. This was also the main reason why he wanted to strengthen his alliance with House Silversword.
Nathan noticed that his wife was showing suspicious behavior recently and there were signs that she was secretly building her own force.
A few minutes later, Theo and the laidback Liam finally showed up.
“What took you two so long?” Nathan glared at them.
“I apologize, father. I wanted to look good in front of Lord Alaric so I took my time to choose the best outfit. Hehe.” Liam responded with a chuckle.
Theo stared at his younger brother and remained silent.
Sensing his gaze, Liam winked at him.
“You better not say anything foolish in front of our guests later.” Nathan snorted as he stormed out of the mansion.
Vivian and Hershey quickly followed him.
“Please keep it a secret, Theo,” Liam whispered with a playful smirk as he walked past his older brother.
Theo stared at his carefree figure and shook his head.
I don’t know how to stop you anymore, Liam. I can only pray that Aru won’t punish you excessively for your wrongdoings.
Before coming here, he saw something in his brother’s room that left him deeply unsettled.
Theo felt that the younger brother that he once knew was no longer the same. It was as if he wasn’t Liam anymore, but an evil spirit.
As soon as he stepped out of the mansion, he saw Alaric jumping off from his horse.
Theo was a proud man. He felt like his talent was one of the best among the younger generation. However, in front of a true genius like Alaric, he felt utterly hopeless.
When he saw how Alaric defeated Cassandra in a duel, he realized that there was a big gap between them. It was like an insurmountable chasm that he would be unable to overcome no matter how he worked hard.
While he was immersed in his complicated thoughts, Alaric had already exchanged greetings with the baron and his wife.
“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon, Lord Alaric.” Nathan laughed heartily.
Alaric shook hands with the baron.
It was unknown if it was deliberate, but his eyes hovered over Liam which made the latter raise his eyebrows in surprise.
Hm? Why is he looking at me?
“Why don’t we head in for a chat, my lord? There is something I need to tell you.” Alaric spoke in a flat tone.
Looking at the serious expression on his face, Baron Nathan felt a sense of foreboding. “Alright, but you can only bring a maximum of four people inside.”
Alaric nodded and chose four people to come with him, including his uncle. As much as he wanted to leave Charles out of this, he had no choice but to bring him since Charles was still his uncle.
He temporarily left Yvanna to Henry. He didn’t bring her in because of her sensitive identity.
As they entered the mansion, Charles shamelessly walked beside Nathan to chat with him.
“Do you still remember me, my lord?”
“Of course! How could I forget you, Lord Charles! Hahaha!”
“I’m glad that you still remember me! Hahaha!”
While the two were chatting, Alaric deliberately slowed down so he could walk side by side with Hershey.
“Hello, my lady.” He whispered in a voice that only Hershey could hear.
Hershey looked at him and smiled when she heard his voice.
Of course, this interaction didn’t escape Liam’s sight.
Nathan brought them to the guest hall since it was bigger than his study room.
As soon as they took their seats, Baron Nathan cautiously inquired. “May I know why you have returned to Ryvaad?”
Alaric didn’t waste any time and presented the document shared between Liam and the mercenary leader. “You will understand once you see this, my lord.”
Everyone curiously stared at the parchment paper he handed to the baron, wondering what was written on it.
On the other hand, Liam’s eyebrows shot upwards when he saw the document.
That stupid mercenary! I’m fucked! Shit! Shit! Shit!
He was certain that it was the same document he had signed with the mercenary leader.
Baron Nathan’s face grew increasingly darker the more he read.
The others also sensed the abrupt change in his mood.
Upon reading the final line, Baron Nathan put down the parchment paper and looked at his son.
“Liam, what is the meaning of this?!” Anger was palpable in his voice.
“H-Huh? What are you saying, fa-, my lord? I don’t understand what’s going on.” Liam’s face fell under everyone’s doubtful eyes.
