The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the room's intricately woven tapestries as Elowyn and I continued our conversation. I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, assessing, probing, trying to unravel whatever secrets I might be hiding. Despite her calm demeanor, I knew that the Duchess was not one to be underestimated.
"Ryan," she began, her voice smooth yet laced with caution, "I would advise you not to involve yourself in the kingdom's politics. It's a dangerous game—one that can get even the strongest of men killed."
She leaned back slightly in her chair, her piercing eyes locking onto mine. "Especially when strong cultivators are involved. The power struggles here can be... unforgiving."
I met her gaze steadily, not flinching under her scrutiny. "I appreciate your concern, Duchess," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "But you don't need to worry about me. I know how to handle myself."
Her lips curled into a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "That may be true, but this is more than just about handling yourself. If you make the wrong move, you could find yourself up against forces far beyond what you've faced in that arena. And I can't promise that I—or anyone else—would be able to protect you."
I didn't confirm or deny whether I had any intention of getting involved, but I gave her a small, confident smile. "I appreciate the warning, Elowyn, truly. But I tend to make my own decisions."
She studied me for a moment longer, as if weighing whether to push further. But then she sighed, seemingly letting it go. "Just be careful," she said, her voice softening. "You have potential, Ryan. I would hate to see it snuffed out because you underestimated the stakes."
I nodded, acknowledging her concern, before steering the conversation in a different direction. "But tell me, what brings someone like you to an underground arena? I can't imagine a duchess such as yourself frequenting such a place just for fun."
Elowyn chuckled lightly, the sound rich and almost melodic. "Sometimes, even a duchess needs a break from the tedious affairs of state. I get bored, you see. And this place—" she gestured vaguely to the room around us, "—offers a certain... thrill that the courts simply can't provide."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not entirely convinced by her explanation. "Is that so? Or is there something else you're involved in down here? Perhaps something a bit more... clandestine?"
Her smile widened, and there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You think too much, Ryan. But you're not entirely wrong. I do have certain... interests that require handling outside the public eye."
I leaned forward slightly, my curiosity piqued. "Such as?"
Elowyn didn't answer immediately. Instead, she took a slow, deliberate sip of her wine before setting the glass down with a soft clink. "Let's just say that there are elements in this kingdom—elements that need managing. Sometimes, the best way to deal with such things is to operate in the shadows."
I nodded slowly, piecing together what she was hinting at. "So, you have a secret organization, then? A group that takes care of the kingdom's dirty work?"
Her gaze remained steady, though she neither confirmed nor denied it. "I take care of the kingdom in whatever ways are necessary," she said simply. "And sometimes that means dealing with the dregs of society in ways that the crown can't be seen doing."
I smirked, finding myself both impressed and slightly wary. "A woman of many talents, I see. I'll have to be careful not to get on your bad side."
Her laughter filled the room, light and carefree as if the topic of conversation had been about something as mundane as the weather. "You'd be wise to keep that in mind, Ryan."
The conversation began to wind down as the night grew late. I stood, ready to take my leave, but not before indulging in one last bit of banter.
"It's a shame, really," I said, allowing my tone to turn just a bit flirtatious. "A woman like you—so beautiful, so powerful—alone in this world. Perhaps you just need the right kind of company to keep things interesting."
Elowyn rolled her eyes, but there was a playful smile on her lips. "Is that your way of volunteering, Ryan?"
I chuckled. "I might be. But something tells me you're more than capable of taking care of yourself."
"Indeed," she replied, standing up as well. "But I'll keep your offer in mind."
Before I left, she produced a small, elegantly crafted orb from within her Spatial ring—a Communication Orb. She held it out for me to connect.
"Here," she said, "in case you ever need to contact me. Or if you just find yourself in need of a conversation partner."
I took my own from my Spatial ring, sending a little bit of mana inside to turn it on. After that, I touched her Orb with mine to connect. My orb works just fine, but the distance between here and home is too great for me to contact my mother.
. "I appreciate it. This will be useful."
She nodded, her expression softening just a touch. "Take care of yourself, Ryan. The world is full of dangers, but it's also full of opportunities. Make sure you're ready for both."
With that, I took my leave, exiting the dimly lit room and making my way back through the quiet halls of the underground complex. The encounter had left me with much to think about—Elowyn was clearly a formidable ally, but she was also someone to be cautious around. Still, I couldn't deny that our conversation had been... stimulating.
As I reached my quarters, I found myself thinking of her more than I intended. She was intriguing, to say the least, and the way she carried herself—with a mixture of grace, power, and just a hint of danger—had certainly left an impression. I placed the Communication Orb on the table beside my bed, knowing it would be useful in the days to come.
But for now, I needed rest. The events of the day had been taxing, and tomorrow would bring new challenges. I undressed and slipped into bed, my thoughts still lingering on the enigmatic Duchess as sleep slowly claimed me.