Chereads / Nozim's Legacy: A Shattered Heritage / Chapter 60 - Meeting invitation

Chapter 60 - Meeting invitation

"Please excuse me, Duke Nozim. Something urgent came up." Acrisios El Valtiere said as the royal butler stepped close to the king and whispered something.

Duke Nozim seemed slightly surprised at what could've made the king cut short their discussion but didn't inquire further. It wasn't his place to ask.

Still, this didn't impede the Duke from making several assumptions. There were three cases Nozim could think of off the top of his head.

The first one was information about the Northern Empire. That certainly would require the king's attention.

The second case that might need the king's presence was internal affairs. If something grave happened, such as a rebellion in a part of the kingdom, that would definitely require the king's knowledge and power.

And lastly, whatever happened was tied to Nozim directly. After all, the Duke did send out a spy to look for information, which could have significant implications both in personal discussions as well as international relations between Blackwater and Eredar.

That was if Nozim's spy were to have been caught and if the kingdom's inquisitors could get information from the spy.

"Of course, King Acrisios." Lord Nozim said with a smile, setting his teacup on the table, and got up to say his goodbyes.

The Duke then watched the king stride into the castle, leaving Nozim alone in the open-air patio. While the Duke waited for a servant to lead him to his rooms, his mind was filled with worry.

Rubbing the finger-length wooden plaque inside his pocket, Nozim hoped it wasn't anything related to him.

'As long as I get my information...' Nozim let his line of thought trail off as he saw a servant approach in the corner of his eyes.

The Duke had complete control over his dog's life. The popsicle stick in his pocket was the leash given to him by the scout's guild.

"May I lead Your Lordship to his quarters?" A pretty maid walked up to Nozim and bowed, gesturing to the entrance leading inside the castle.

The Duke nodded stiffly and walked behind the servant. As he towered over the woman, he had to slow his walking speed to avoid overtaking the maid.

Yet, the Duke couldn't point this out himself. 'Move woman!'

Alas, his irritation could only steep silently inside his mind.

Eventually, Nozim reached his room and entered without so much as glancing back at the maid, who bowed deeply. Inside the safety of his room, the man took out the wooden plaque linked to the scout's life force.

But something caught his eye.

On the window sill, a wooden sparrow groomed its wooden feathers before it looked at the Duke, crooking its head.

'A message.' Lord Nozim frowned upon seeing the piece of paper in the construct's beak, the worst of his thoughts resurfacing.

He approached the bird and took the letter.

'Recens? Shit!' Noizm cursed in his mind, but before he completely lost his mind, he placed a hand over the bird's head.

His palm completely enveloping the bird, the Duke sent a strand of mana inside the construct's eyes. As soon as the connection happened, a surge of unknown memories flowed into Nozim's mind.

'That incompetent bastard!'

The Duke cursed and almost crushed the small bird in his hand. Fury coursed through his body and mind, but his worry superseded that.

'Why there, Alex? What happened to Jhonas? Damn it!'

The Duke was more worried about his son than the servant, but the trouble was that Jhonas was the one who had the money on him. The old driver was supposed to get Alex out of Eredar and lay low for a few years until he and his wife settled things down.

Now, a dozen years have passed with no word about their son's well-being or location. Valerius had spent years looking for his son, and this was the first news he received?

Taking deep breaths, he calmed down and could think straight again. First, he needed to do something about that weird scout of his.

Saving the man was out of the equation. Not only did the scout let himself be caught, but Nozim couldn't reveal any ties to the captured scout.

The Duke still was Eredar's envoy, so he couldn't endanger his mission's success.

So, he did what he had to do. Using his thumb, Nozim broke the thin wooden plaque, killing the scout.

The only thing signaling the scout's death was a flash of light and smoke emanating from the runed tool.

'Now then, I should pay those Recens a visit.'

Valerius had to know Alex's state and where he was if the boy was still alive. Just the thought of his boy dying on a wooden bench made the Duke's blood boil.

Looking down in his hand, the wooden sparrow was still looking up at the Duke.

Grabbing the bird with both hands, Nozim quickly ripped its head off before attaching it to a string.

He disposed of the bird's body, but wore its head around his neck.

While it would've been better not to damage the construct, Nozim had no way to explain to the Royal Family how he suddenly acquired a mana construct.

It was easier to wear the most important part of the construct as an accessory, and it was easier to explain. Besides, with the head intact, Nozim could always conjure up another body for the sparrow.

After that, the Duke prepared for his short journey. He prepared to leave word for Acrisios and ask the king for a guide, but his plans were soon foiled.

"Duke Nozim?" A feminine voice was heard outside, causing the Duke to frown.

"Enter!" He said, and the same maid that led the Duke entered.

The servant bowed and extended a tray containing a sealed letter. "Her Highness, the Princess, sent an invitation."

The Duke breathed sharply, looking down at the invitation. 'Why does she want to meet?'

While he could refuse to attend the princess' meeting, the Duke would then be unable to ask for anything of the Royal Family. Which meant Nozim had to postpone his visit.

Taking the letter, the Duke nodded. "Send word I'll attend the Princess."