Novel Full Chapter 979: Suspicious Visit
Chapter 979: Suspicious Visit
So many surprising things had been happening lately that Michael had grown numb to small surprises. Or so he thought.
It was one thing if Arianne visited him, but for the grand princess of the Lionheart Kingdom to pay a visit as well?
Now this was surprising.
If she said she was here without an ulterior motive, Michael wouldn’t believe her.
At the moment the three were in Michael’s office, and the two ladies were seated opposite him.
In the Lionheart territory this type of setup would be rare, as even within their own territory, most nobles would relinquish their seat of honour in front of Princess Priscilla.
Michael had no idea of such customs, and even if he could think of it he wouldn’t do it. As a modern soul he was quite bold compared to the natives of this region.
It wasn’t only him, as anyone from Aurora, except those who wanted to blend in or lacked a bold disposition, would not immediately think to consider themselves lesser before another being.
However, it was also because of this mindset that Michael’s fake it till you make it path to becoming a noble was possible, as together with his power, his bearing immediately made it look as though he came from an impressive background to the natives of this land.
Mage Lian had thought the same, and thanks to him that impression had passed on to others.
Princess Priscilla looked at Michael for a moment before a faint smile appeared on her face.
"So? Is Viscount Mic saying I’m not welcome?"
Michael shook his head calmly.
"How could that be? These lands belong to the Lionheart Kingdom. As a member of the royal family, Your Highness is naturally welcome anywhere within the kingdom."
The words themselves were polite.
However, the way Michael said them caused the knight captain standing near the office door to almost break into a cold sweat.
Most nobles would never speak to Princess Priscilla in such an equal manner. Not only did it emphasize a subtle distance in their relationship, it was too direct.
Even powerful dukes would carefully lower themselves in front of the grand princess. To use a line like that would only be acceptable as flattery, but Michael’s tone had not been particularly flattering.
It felt strangely casual.
The knight captain secretly glanced toward Michael and nearly sighed internally.
The young lord sat behind the desk calmly in black robes, his long dark hair tied neatly into a ponytail. A blue butterfly earring hung from one ear, swaying slightly whenever he moved.
Combined with his handsome face and increasingly mysterious aura, Michael genuinely looked less like a viscount and more like some royal prince.
Still—
The knight captain screamed internally.
My lord!
Please remember who is sitting in front of you!
That is the grand princess!
Please conduct yourself properly!
Just as that thought flashed through his mind, Michael’s gaze suddenly shifted toward him.
The knight captain instantly stiffened.
His face nearly turned pale.
Did I mistakenly say my thoughts aloud? the knight captain wondered. He lowered his head hurriedly while cold sweat formed on his back.
These days, more and more people within Thornvale had started feeling that their lord was becoming increasingly unreadable.
His presence alone carried invisible pressure.
Even his eyes sometimes felt frightening.
At this point, if someone claimed their lord could read minds, most people in Thornvale would probably believe it without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Princess Priscilla observed the interaction quietly. Arianne, seated across from her, had an awkward expression on her face as she secretly glanced in Michael’s direction several times with an apologetic look.
"Why was I not informed beforehand that Her Highness and Miss Arianne had arrived?"
The knight captain immediately straightened.
"My Lord, I—"
Before he could finish speaking, Princess Priscilla gently interrupted him.
"It was because our appearance was somewhat sudden."
Her tone remained calm and elegant.
"At least for this visit, only young Arianne and I came. If we had traveled using a flying vessel, there would naturally have been accompanying guards and attendants. In that case, someone would have informed you ahead of time before our arrival."
Michael nodded faintly after hearing that explanation.
He had already swept his senses across the manor territory several times since their arrival.
Aside from Arianne and the princess herself, there truly were no unfamiliar powerful presences nearby.
That alone already revealed many things.
Michael did not believe someone like Princess Priscilla would personally travel all the way to Thornvale without reason.
As for Arianne...
Michael could roughly guess that she was likely the convenient bridge used to soften the approach between both sides.
After all, compared to a sudden royal summons, arriving together with Arianne made the entire situation feel far less oppressive.
Still, Michael did not expose any of those thoughts outwardly.
Instead, he simply looked toward the knight captain again.
"Thank you for escorting Her Highness and Miss Arianne here."
The knight captain hurriedly lowered his head.
"It was my duty, My Lord."
"You may leave."
The knight captain almost sighed in relief internally after hearing the dismissal.
The pressure in the room was honestly too much for him.
One side was the grand princess of the kingdom.
The other was his increasingly mysterious lord whose mere glance sometimes made people feel as though all their thoughts had been seen through.
Remaining between these two figures was genuinely stressful.
After bowing respectfully toward Michael, Arianne, and Princess Priscilla, the knight captain quickly exited the office and gently closed the door behind him.
The atmosphere inside the room became noticeably quieter afterward.
Princess Priscilla calmly observed Michael from across the desk while Arianne still looked slightly awkward.
Meanwhile, Michael remained perfectly calm.
Though outwardly composed, internally he had already become more certain.
The grand princess had definitely come for him.
After the knight captain left, Michael did not waste time.
"What does Your Highness want from me?"
Arianne’s expression immediately became more awkward.
Even Princess Priscilla’s brows lifted faintly at the directness.