Chereads / The Machiavellian Heir / Chapter 22 - Chapter 22

Chapter 22 - Chapter 22

As I slowly opened my eyes, I couldn't help but notice the warm glow of the morning sun that had infiltrated my bedroom through the curtains. Its rays illuminated the room, and I could feel the positive energy it brought with it. Today was a new day, and I knew that I had to get up and get ready for what lay ahead.

As I stepped out of my room, I was met with the sight of Andrew, my trusty knight, standing next to my door. His presence caught me off guard, but I quickly regained my composure and addressed him with a curt nod.

"Andrew, is the carriage ready?" I asked, my voice ringing with authority.

"Yes, my lord," he replied, his voice laced with deference. "We are fully prepared to depart for the church. I have already informed the priest of your arrival."

I nodded in satisfaction. Andrew was always useful, anticipating my every need before I even had a chance to voice it. With a wave of my hand, I motioned for him to lead the way.

As we made our way towards the church, the town bustled with activity, with families strolling along the streets and children playing games. The overall mood of the town appeared to be upbeat and cheerful as if everyone was in good spirits.

"Welcome, Lord Lucas" the man around 5'4 hunched back greeted me in front of the large church with a polite smile. " I am Bishop Aniaus and the priest of this church"

As I approached Bishop Aniaus, I extended my hand and greeted him with a cheerful smile. "Greetings, Bishop Aniaus," I said. "I have come to offer my prayers and to show my respect for this holy place. Please forgive me if I am a bother."

I then snapped my fingers, and Andrew, who was standing nearby, quickly brought forth a small box filled with glittering gold coins. I presented the box to bishop Aniaus as a small token of my appreciation for the church.

Bishop's Aniaus eyes widened in surprise and gratitude as he accepted the gift. "Oh my," he exclaimed. "Thank you for your generosity. Your offering will bring you good fortune, my lord." Bishop Aniaus signaled us to follow him and we did just that.

As I step through the large wooden doors of the medieval church, my senses are immediately assaulted by a cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells. The dimly lit interior is illuminated by flickering candles and stained glass windows that cast a rainbow of colors across the stone walls. The air is thick with the scent of incense and the musky odor of old stone. The acoustics of the vast space amplify the echo of every footstep and whisper, making it feel both eerie and awe-inspiring.

The nave of the church stretches out before me, a long, narrow corridor lined with rows of wooden pews that face a raised platform at the far end. The pews are old and worn, with carvings of saints and symbols etched into their surfaces. Above them, a series of arches stretch high into the rafters, supported by thick stone pillars that seem to reach up to the heavens. The arches are decorated with intricate patterns and designs that have been carved by skilled craftsmen over the course of decades.

As I gazed upon the paintings and intricate patterns in the church, my attention was drawn to one thing - the face of a statue. It was a face that I dearly missed, one that I had loved with all my heart. Looking at it, I couldn't help but think of my son. He had added himself as God in his novel, and for that, I was grateful. It allowed me to see his face once again

As I continued to stare at the face of the statue, memories flooded my mind, and emotions overwhelmed me. It was as if I was transported back in time, to a moment when my son was still with me. I remembered how he would smile at me, with those same kind eyes as the statue. I could feel his warmth, his love, his presence as if he was standing right beside me.

As I reflect on the past, I cannot help but wonder how my son is doing in my old world. I can only hope that he is thriving and living a better life than I did. Despite my regrets and mistakes, I pray that he has learned from them and become a better man than I ever was.

'I'll make sure you will never be forgotten my son' I continued to follow the bishop towards a medium-sized room where we both sat down.

"Such donations usually come with a request, Lord Lucas so what will it be?" Bishop Aniaus quickly asked

As Bishop Aniaus sat across from me, I took a moment to study him. The church is great for gathering information as it is located particularly everywhere across the kingdom, and Bishop Aniaus is an influential figure in Silverglade and the perfect person to gather information from.

"I am honored to have your attention, Bishop Aniaus," I began, my voice smooth and persuasive. "I must confess, I have a request that may be out of the ordinary, but I believe it is within your capabilities to fulfill."

The bishop leaned forward, his expression curious. "What is it that you seek, my lord?" he asked.

"I seek information," I replied. "Information that may be difficult to obtain through other means. I have heard that you are a man of great knowledge, with many contacts throughout the town. I believe that your expertise would be invaluable to me."

Bishop Aniaus looked thoughtful for a moment, his eyes scanning my face for any hint of deception. "I see," he said slowly. "And what, may I ask, is the nature of this information that you seek?"

I smiled, keeping my expression friendly. "Oh, just a few tidbits here and there," I replied casually. "Perhaps some rumors about the way the wind blows and who might be changing its direction. Anything that could be of use to me."

Bishop Aniaus nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I see," he said again. "Well, Lord Lucas, I am willing to help you in any way that I can. However, I must ask for something in return."

I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. "What is it that you want, Bishop Aniaus?"

The bishop leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "I want power," he said simply. "Power to expand my influence beyond this town. Power to become a force to be reckoned with. And I believe that you, Lord Lucas, have the means to help me achieve that."

I pretended to consider his request, weighing the pros and cons in my head.

"Very well, Bishop," I said finally. "I believe that we can come to an arrangement. You provide me with the information that I seek, and in return, I will use my influence to help you gain more power. But let us be clear - this arrangement is to remain between us. No one else can know of our agreement."

The bishop nodded in agreement, his eyes glittering with excitement. "Agreed," he said. "I look forward to our future partnership, Lord Lucas."