Chapter 373 - Three Hundred And Seventy Two

Chapter 373: Chapter Three Hundred And Seventy Two

Syrus nodded in agreement. The political games of the great houses were always deadly, and Duke Collin was one of the most dangerous players on the board.

Syrus continued with his report. "My best spy from the royal palace sent me a message late last night. He said Duke Collin did not just return home to rest. As soon as he arrived, he went straight to see the King."

Damon frowned slightly, a deep line forming between his eyebrows. Visiting the King immediately was a very bold move.

"And," Syrus added, making sure Damon was listening closely, "after he saw the King, he visited General Howe in the royal dungeons."

Damon’s frown deepened. His mind began to spin quickly. He raised a hand and slowly scratched his chin, confused by his uncle’s actions. Why would Duke Collin visit a man who was about to be executed for treason against House Benson and the Crown?

"Why?" Damon asked quietly, his eyes focused on the floor. "What does my uncle have to do with General Howe?"

Syrus shook his head. "I don’t know the exact details. My spy couldn’t get close enough to hear their conversation without been spotted. The guards were heavily bribed to look away. But my spy did manage to hear one critical piece of information. He said your uncle is calling for an emergency meeting with the four great houses very soon."

Damon stopped scratching his chin. The pieces were starting to form a very ugly picture in his mind. If Duke Collin was meeting the King, talking to General Howe, and calling the great houses together, he was planning to take total control of the narrative.

Syrus leaned closer, his eyes full of urgent advice. "I suggest you visit General Howe before his execution date. I have a strong feeling that the old general has information that is extremely valuable to you. He knows why your uncle visited him. If he dies with that secret, you will be fighting blind."

Before Damon could answer, another polite knock came at the door.

"Enter," Damon called out.

The door opened smoothly, and Mrs. Sarah, the head maid of the estate, walked in. Unlike Dani, Sarah was the picture of grace and professionalism. She carried a polished silver tray in her hands. Resting on the tray was a steaming ceramic teapot and two fine porcelain teacups.

She walked gracefully to the small table between Damon’s bed and Syrus’s chair. She performed a curtsy between the two lords and gently dropped the tray of tea onto the table without making a single sound.

Damon looked at her and spoke warmly.

"Thank you, Sarah."

Sarah bowed her head respectfully and left the room quietly to continue her work managing the busy household.

Syrus watched her leave, a thought suddenly crossing his mind. He reached out and poured himself a cup of the hot, fragrant tea.

"I just remembered," Syrus said, watching the steam rise from his cup. "I haven’t seen Uncle Murry today. He is usually always around, making sure everyone is doing their jobs. Where is the old man?"

Damon reached out and picked up his ledger again, opening it back to his previous page.

"He is in the main estate," Damon spoke smoothly, scanning the numbers on the page. "He is ensuring my grandfather is safe. The old duke’s health is frail, and the medicine was tampered with. Murry is watching over him directly. Sarah took over the daily affairs here from him temporarily, since she is the head maid and knows all the strict rules of the house."

Syrus nodded in understanding. He brought the porcelain cup to his lips and took a slow, careful sip. His eyes widened slightly in pleasant surprise.

"Hmm," Syrus praised, looking at the dark liquid in his cup. "This cup of tea is actually very good. What leaves are these?"

Damon smiled slightly without looking up from his ledger. "My wife chose the blend. She likes things to be perfect."

Syrus took another satisfying sip, enjoying the warmth. Then, his face turned serious again. He looked over the rim of his cup at Damon.

"One more thing before I forget," Syrus continued, his voice dropping into a quiet, serious whisper. "Your uncle knows you are alive and well."

Damon flipped a page in his ledger. The sound of the crisp paper rustling was the only noise in the room for a second.

Syrus watched Damon closely. "He knows, Damon. Which means you have a spy in your house."

Damon did not pause his reading. His expression remained flat and unbothered. He replied in a calm, steady voice.

"I know."

Syrus lowered his teacup, letting out a light, breathy chuckle. He shook his head, thoroughly impressed by his friend’s lack of panic.

"I’m not surprised that you already figured it out," Syrus said, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I guess you are already planning how to fish them out of hiding."

Damon finally stopped reading. He kept his eyes on the book, but a dangerous smile slowly curved the corners of his mouth. It was the smile of a hunter watching a trap slowly close around its prey.

"Normally," Damon replied, his voice smooth and cold. He had no intention of letting the spy escape. He was going to use them and then crush them when the time was right.

Syrus laughed again, feeling sorry for whoever had decided to betray Damon Benson. He sat back in his comfortable chair and looked down at his empty teacup. He had drunk the entire thing very quickly.

"I’ll have to finish this tea before I leave," Syrus said, enjoying the rich taste.

He placed his empty cup down on the silver tray. He glanced over at the small table and saw Damon’s teacup. It was full, steaming, and untouched, as Damon was too busy reading his ledger to drink it.

Syrus pointed at the full cup. He looked at Damon and asked politely, "Do you mind?"

Damon did not look up from the complex numbers written in his ledger. He just waved his hand dismissively in the air.

He spoke, his tone casual, "Go ahead."

Syrus smiled happily. He reached across the table, picked up Damon’s untouched tea, brought it to his lips, and drank it, savoring the taste.