ushernet Chapter 55
Chapter 55
“It seems we need to discuss the terms of the contract further. Would that be alright with you?”
“Of course.”
“Good to hear. Please feel free to stay at the castle until we finalize a mutually satisfying agreement.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
Lianel replied with a soft smile, leaving Penelope with the distinct feeling that she was up against a formidable opponent. Her determination flared.
At that moment, the drawing room door burst open.
“...What is this?”
Ahwin frowned as he surveyed the scene. Lianel’s aide flinched upon recognizing Ahwin, but Lianel raised a hand to stop him.
Ahwin glared coldly at Lianel and asked, “Why are you back here?”
“I’m here to negotiate a contract on behalf of the Grand Duchy. The lord has already permitted it.”
“Your work doesn’t keep you busy enough?”
“I returned to the Grand Duchy to handle urgent matters and came here afterward. That’s why it took me longer than expected.”
“Is shamelessness carved into your bloodline or something?”
Ahwin asked, exasperated. The Grand Duke merely smiled dismissively and turned to Penelope.
“I must say, I’m surprised. The territory has changed so much since the last time I was here. It’s incomparable to the state it was in when I left.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Penelope forced a smile and quickly shot a pointed look at Ahwin, signaling him to stop provoking unnecessary conflict. Ahwin furrowed his brows and crossed his arms in response.
Lianel, observing this with a touch of amusement, finally spoke.
“It seems I’ve taken up much of your time, my lord. I shall take my leave for now.”
“Oh, yes. The steward will show you to the guest room.”
As Lianel rose from his seat, his aide followed suit. Ahwin remained rooted in place, watching them leave the drawing room.
With a click, the door closed, and Lucas let out a long sigh, clearly exhausted by the tension between the two men.
Penelope turned to Lucas.
“Lucas, you should head back to the office and continue your work.”
“Yes, I’ll take my leave now.”
Lucas stood and quickly disappeared into the office as if he had been waiting for the chance to escape.
“I suddenly remembered I have work to do too.”@@@@
“What work—”
Before Penelope could stop him, Ahwin slipped out of the drawing room.
Finally alone, Penelope slumped onto the sofa, as though her energy had been completely drained. She felt utterly exhausted.
As Lianel stepped in, he paused. Someone was already in the room.
Lianel greeted the person nonchalantly.
“Oh, it’s been a while. You haven’t left the territory yet?”
“What are you thinking, showing up here again?”
Ahwin’s voice was icy as he asked the question. Lianel’s lips curved faintly upward.
“Isn’t where I go up to me? Even if you’re the Mage Tower Master, you have no right to interfere.”
Ahwin’s expression froze, becoming unreadable. Then, his pale green eyes, etched with golden claw marks, scrutinized Lianel. The gaze was so deep and unfathomable it felt as though it could peer into Lianel’s very soul. An ordinary person wouldn’t have been able to breathe under such scrutiny.
Lianel instinctively glanced toward the hidden compartment where he’d stashed his enchanted firearm.
‘Could I hold out for ten seconds against the Mage Tower Master with just my bare hands? If I manage to grab the gun, it might be a fair fight... But if it comes to a head-on clash, this small castle will be obliterated instantly. My survival wouldn’t be guaranteed either.’
In an instant, Lianel calculated the odds of a confrontation. The Mage Tower Master was a challenging opponent—armed with a near-impenetrable magic barrier, high magical resistance, and exceptional skills in both hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship.
‘In short, he’s not human.’
Lianel swiftly concealed the hostility that had briefly flared within him. At the very least, he had enough common sense to avoid causing a scene in someone else’s territory.
Yet, for some reason, Lianel couldn’t resist provoking Ahwin. He had disliked the Mage Tower Master from the moment they met.
“Judging by how wary you are of me, have you perhaps confessed your feelings to her?”
“...What?”
Ahwin’s eyebrows rose sharply, and his lips parted in disbelief.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh, nothing. Just that you seem overly conscious of me.”
Lianel smiled slyly, extending a hand as if to politely usher Ahwin out. The unspoken message was clear: stop picking a fight and leave.
Ahwin, however, didn’t budge, standing as still as a statue with his gaze fixed on Lianel. His green eyes momentarily glazed over, as though he had been struck by something unexpected. Then, his neck flushed red, the color spreading rapidly to his cheeks and earlobes.
Lianel briefly felt a twinge of regret.
‘Well, it seems he hadn’t even realized his own feelings.’
If Lianel had left it alone, Ahwin might have made a fool of himself eventually. Instead, his careless words had made the Mage Tower Master aware of his emotions.
Ahwin attempted to dismiss the notion.
“Don’t spout nonsense. You’re remarkably good at wasting your breath.”
“My apologies if I confused you. I meant nothing by it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to rest. Traveling here by carriage has been quite tiring.”
“Your deflection only makes you more suspicious.”
“Me? Suspicious?”
Feigning complete innocence, Lianel shrugged.
Ahwin narrowed his eyes.
“Your hobby seems to involve obsessively observing me, doesn’t it? Trying to find some weakness to exploit. Let me guess, you think Penelope is my weak spot?”