Chapter 72. A Sudden Retreat

Present, The Assembly Hall, Ironwood Castle

“I said, I will be dropping all charges of murder against Lord Jeckson Libert entirely,” Ivan repeated, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face.

“Why?” Francesca asked, her voice dropping into an intensely serious tone.

Ivan picked up a goblet from the table and casually took a sip of water before replying, “Well... you see, after conducting my own private investigation into the matter, it turns out my deceased squire, Reafel, was secretly a vile child predator. I believe the sudden death of such a heinous criminal within my entourage is actually a great boon rather than something worth antagonizing this Viscounty over.”

Ivan set his glass down with a soft click, smiling faintly. “Honestly, if I had known about his despicable nature earlier, I might have disposed of him myself.”

“I... I see,” Miller replied cautiously, his mind racing behind a calm facade.

I am still suspicious that this is merely another scheme or a trap Lord Ivan is playing at... Miller thought, analyzing every detail before continuing aloud, “We will take immediate steps to ensure our dungeon security is far more refined going forward. It is a great gesture of goodwill that you are willing to drop the charges so decisively, Lord Ivan.”

Ivan waved his hand dismissively and stood up from his seat at the end of the table. “Think nothing of it. We are family, after all. You may release Lord Libert whenever you see fit.”

Offering a crisp, polite bow to the assembly, he added, “If you will excuse me, I must prepare for my departure this evening. I believe every matter requiring my personal presence has been thoroughly addressed?”

Miller shot him a sharp, calculating look before giving a firm nod. “Of course, Lord Ivan.”

Seeing her brother prepare to exit, Francesca gripped her cane and stood up as well.

“Your Ladyship, where are you going?” Lady Frederica chipped in from across the table, taking the opportunity to poke at her. “We still have critical items left on the agenda to discuss, such as the unemployment rate across the Viscounty...”

“I... I believe seeing my own brother off after the troubling ordeal he had to endure here is necessary for the dignity and hospitality of this House,” Francesca countered smoothly, extending her hand for Stella’s support as she began to walk.

“With all due respect, My Lady, this is your very first formal meeting as the appointed Vice Head...” Lord Edward began to lecture, puffing out his chest. “To walk out now is highly inappropriate—”

Lord Edward cut himself off mid-sentence the moment he felt an icy, terrifying glare radiating from Miller at the head of the table.

“We managed to handle these administrative meetings without her assistance before,” Miller interjected coldly, locking eyes with the startled council members. “Why must you make such a grand issue of it simply because it is her first day? As she stated, this pertains directly to the dignity of our House.”

Miller’s sharp tone silenced the entire Council, effectively shutting down any further objections as Francesca made her way toward the heavy double doors.

She paused near the exit and glanced back over her shoulder toward her husband. However, Miller kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, refusing to make eye contact with her.

With a soft, frustrated scoff under her breath, Francesca turned on her heel and walked out of the hall into the corridor.

“Ivan! Wait!” Francesca called out down the stone corridor.

Ivan stopped in his tracks, lingering for a few seconds as her voice echoed toward him.

Tak... Tak...

With a final, sharp stamp of her cane against the floor, Francesca caught up, stopping right behind him. “What on earth is this all about?! You were so aggressive about forcing me to hand over the Azure Tear, and now you just walk away?!”

Her golden eyes glared at him with burning intensity.

“I simply changed my mind. There is really nothing more to it than that,” Ivan replied casually, running a hand through his silver hair. “It is not as if I won’t have other opportunities to force you into surrendering it in the future. So... celebrate your luck, I guess.”

“That is so unlike you... I don’t believe a word of it!” Francesca blurted out.

Ivan chuckled softly, turning his head slightly. “Think whatever you like. Are you truly sure you want to waste time dwelling on this? It isn't as if I failed Father's assignment, after all. The mutual trade policy embargo will still go into effect in a week or two... You had better get to work figuring that out instead.”

He maintained a completely nonchalant attitude about the entire affair.

“Why are you so obsessively fixated on the Azure Tear anyway?” Francesca sighed in deep frustration. “It isn't like other magic artifacts that can be readily used. There is no point in collecting it when no one even knows the activation requirements!”

Ivan shook his head lightly at her words. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out two specialized, intricate lenses and slipped them over his eyes. As he did, his golden eyes began to glow with a soft, mystical light.

He smiled faintly. “This is a magic artifact I discovered during my travels after I left the LeonCraft Duchy. The researchers claimed no one knew what it did or how to activate it, yet I was able to figure it out, even if it took a great deal of time and effort.”

“Even Father and Lady Marlion spent years researching the Azure Tear in an attempt to activate its magic and bring back the dead, and they failed!” Francesca countered with a bitter scoff, stomping her cane. “How could you, with so little experience and knowledge compared to the Imperial Grand Researchers, ever hope to accomplish what they couldn't?!”

“I never said it had to be within my lifetime,” Ivan yawned, placing a hand lazily over his mouth. “It can happen decades or even centuries down the line. It simply needs to sit safely within the Great Library that I will build.”

He lowered his hand, his glowing, artifact enhanced gaze locking onto her.

“Oh... right. This artifact, the Eyes of Misiam, allows me to observe the true shape of souls,” Ivan noted casually. “Souls appear as glowing lights... Yours was always fractured ever since you were born, but I notice it is quite a bit more damaged now than the last time I saw you before your marriage.”

“What...?” Francesca blinked, completely confused by his sudden, random shift in topic. “What are you talking about...?”

“Think of it as a parting gift or a warning… from your brother,” Ivan replied, turning his fully away from her. “You should probably get an examination from a physician and a priest, just in case.”

Without another word, he began walking down the corridor, raising a hand to wave dismissively at her over his shoulder.

“Wait...! Hey, Ivan!” Francesca called out after him, but he never looked back, his figure disappearing around the turn of the hallway.