Chapter 332: Preparations

"What’s the matter?" Darius asked. "Is there some kind of problem?"

"N-No, my lord!" Sevrin hurriedly replied. "It’s just... something came up that I wanted to inform you about. I thought you should know since it is somewhat related to you."

There was a pause on the other end. "...Go on."

Sevrin took a breath and explained what he had discovered. That there was a chef from Bagdad, the one who had won the Golden Ladle Championship yesterday, whose name was Soren Everly and who resembled his disowned son, and so forth.

He kept his tone respectful and measured, careful not to sound like he was wasting his time.

However, the voice sounded totally uninterested. "So...?"

"Ahem. I-I was just worried if they are the same person..." Sevrin trailed off, sure that Lord Darius understood what he was implying.

If they were indeed the same person and reached that status, not only would the Valmere be in trouble, but the Morvain would be affected as well. After all, it involved their ’precious’ young lady.

"...I can assure you that they are completely different," Darius replied indifferently. "And I hope you won’t disturb me with such trivial matters again."

"Yes, my lord. I understand. I apologize for disturbing you." Sevrin said quickly, keeping his voice steady despite the unease crawling up his spine. "Goodnight, Lord Darius."

"Goodnight, Mr. Valmere."

The line went dead.

Sevrin lowered the phone and stared at the screen for a long moment. His frown deepened as he replayed the conversation in his mind. ’Completely different.’ What exactly did that mean? Different people? Or the same person who had changed so much that he was unrecognizable?

He wanted to believe it was the former. That would be easier and more logical. But Darius wasn’t the type to say things without meaning. The casual dismissal, the word ’trivial,’ the way he had cut the conversation short without a second thought. It all felt deliberate, as if he knew more than he was willing to share.

’No... If Lord Darius says it’s trivial, then it’s trivial.’ He set the phone down and picked up his almost empty wine glass, draining it in one go. ’I won’t offend him by digging further.’

He picked up his phone again and sent Aldric a quick message.

[Cancel the Kalmira investigation. Focus on the academy and the city.]

He then put the phone down and leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes. He still harbored the suspicion deep within his heart, but he chose not to act on it. Not until he had enough proof and power.

Fortunately, his ticket to rise was already secured. As long as he made sure nothing went wrong, the Valmere family would soon rise into the ranks of grand noble families like the Morvains. Maybe then, he wouldn’t always have to bow his head and behave like a damn dog around them.

He clenched his fists, then slowly relaxed them.

’No... I shouldn’t let my emotions cloud my judgment.’ He took a deep breath and exhaled, letting the tension drain from his shoulders.

Darius Morvain was a veteran, a ruthless man who survived decades in the cutthroat world of politics. Offending him would be the height of foolishness. Even thinking he could stand as his equal was premature.

’...One step at a time.’

He opened his eyes and glanced toward the window. The city lights flickered in the distance.

’First, the ticket’s success. Only then can we think about other things.’

───────

’Hmm...’ ℴ

In an unknown barren land, a man sat atop the corpse of a massive dragon. Its scales were black as night, and its body stretched across the wasteland like a fallen mountain. The man put his phone back in his pocket and gazed at the horizon.

’Master,’ a voice echoed in his mind. ’Why didn’t you tell him the truth directly?’

The man smiled faintly.

’What do you mean? I told him the truth.’ He leaned back on his hands and watched the clouds drift by. ’He is completely different from his past self.’

’...’

’Besides,’ the man continued, ’even without my intervention, they’re bound to cross paths soon. I want to see how he handles it this time. And if he fails... well, that will be interesting too.’

’Keke, you are as mischievous as ever, Master~’

The man merely smiled, neither denying nor confirming.

’Anyway, let’s continue. We have to set the stage for what’s coming. There’s still much to do before the real game begins.’

With that, he stood up and dusted off his coat. The dragon’s corpse beneath him began to dissolve into particles of black light, fading into the void. Soon, nothing remained but the barren land and the man walking toward the horizon.

───────

"Hmm..."

Ethea’s eyes fluttered open. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness, and turned her head.

Soren was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. He smiled the moment he saw her eyes open.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," she murmured, her voice still soft with sleep.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Mm. I did."

"Good. Then let me help you..."

They went through their usual morning routine. Soren helped her wash up, brush her teeth, and change into fresh clothes. Today, however, he didn’t pick something random from her wardrobe. Instead, he walked over to the closet and pulled out a beautiful white dress.

It was the one he had picked for her before during their shopping. And it was actually Ethea’s request that he choose it.

"This one?" he asked, holding it up.

Ethea nodded. "Yes."

He helped her into it, carefully adjusting the fabric and smoothing out the wrinkles. The dress fit her as perfectly as before, its soft white folds cascading over her wheelchair like fresh snow. She looked elegant and ethereal, like something out of a fairy tale.

Soren stepped back a few paces and observed her, a gentle smile forming on his lips.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you." Ethea smiled back. "Now, it’s your turn."

"Eh?" Soren blinked, caught off guard.

"Your clothes," she clarified, gesturing toward the closet. "I want to pick them for you."

"Oh, right, of course!" Soren nodded and glanced down at his simple shirt and trousers. They were comfortable and practical, but they weren’t exactly date material. Good thing she reminded him, or he might have forgotten it. "Alright, what do you have in mind?"