Chapter 310: Chapter 310
Soon after the door to his bureau was closed in synchrony to the displeasing taste of his encounter with his oldest son, Orland immediately clicked his tongue with the distinctive pace that would summon the one meant to heed it.
*swish...*
"Your Grace. I don’t think I should’ve–"
"I can guess what he’s probably doing right now. Tell me everything I can’t imagine he’s done while we weren’t here, Bashaa."
"... Are you sure? Your demeanour doesn’t convince me."
"Say it now so I can gulp the rage and distress in one swift slash! This firstborn of mine!! How can it– I have no–...*Bang*!!! Kh."
Biting his lower lip as his fist banged the desk strongly enough to burst a piece of it open, the Duke couldn’t take the wrath his son’s behaviour helped amass his displeasure.
"..."
"... Say it. What is it that he’s been doing? What kind of mumblings he said... Tell me because I am sure those letters he sent to Marianne are the smallest of his problems."
Orland’s teeth gritted as he spoke. Recalling the first words the Scholar, a member of the Umbra Quadrigis, had told him about his motivation for training.
— There is a reason I requested this of Bashaa... Even though I had refused multiple times in the past. —
— ... I didn’t ask– —
— I think you need to know, Sir. —
’I truly did need to know.’ — Orland thought as the words came back to his mind as vivid a scene of their conversation.
"What is it? For you to even glare at me although you are aware I won’t permit it."
"... I reckon you noticed this injury on my neck."
"Yes. What about it."
"It was made by the Crown Prince... Nonetheless, that is not the matter why I am mentioning it now." — The tranquil Theodore told the Duke, preparing to tell what did summon its mention. — "The matter is your Son, my Lord. Young Master Paul... Heard my usual mumblings while I changed my bandages. As you are aware the Little Duke has better skills than myself and..."
"Speak clearly."
"He approached me. Yet I believe he heard more than he needed to hear. Nevertheless, that is still not the issue why I am telling this encounter."
"Surely it isn’t..."
"... I will cut to the chase, Your Grace." — At the time Theodore said, noticing the growing displeasure of his lord. — "Your Son. I believe he also needs to be surveilled. With much stronger urgency than Miss Theressa."
"..... What."
"The source of your request. It is Lady Marianne, is it not?"
"..."
"I am deducing that doubts have been rooted when it comes to your Youngest, my Lord... Yet as I said. It is Master Paul who needs to be surveilled... He is the reason behind why I requested Bashaa for training, as I was to investigate on my own before getting back to you with my findings as I am sure... That with my current skill I would be spotted easily by your son."
"... You still have not said anything that excuses your decision, young scholar. My patience is not unlimited. It’s my son you are talking about here. Don’t tempt my will to listen."
"The days I’ve been following him are enough a reason. Your son is not having healthy behaviour... Towards your daughter, Lady Marianne."
"Wh-"
"Let me continue, my Lord." — Pained to tell, Theodore frowned while interrupting Orland, unable to meet the enraged yet also shocked eyes of his Lord. — "The man became different the moment I mentioned the Lady. It brought me to track his doings... And at night... His steps would lead to the Lady’s chambers, where I could tell... Something is wrong with Master Paul’s... Activities.
’... I couldn’t speak for a while when I heard such.’ — Orland thought as he went back to seat at his desk.
— Ominous mumblings, ones that shouldn’t be directed to one’s sibling... And sudden violence... Young Master Paul would stay in her chambers as long as the night permitted, Your Grace. —
It was during the chilling silence the Duke had instilled in his bureau that the conversation was recalled.
No word had left Bashaa’s mouth, the man that nonchalantly stared at his boss, flaunting the silver short hair with precious tanned skin covered by the cloak he wore through the shadows. And yet the stillness keeping their words was interrupted by the loyal Butler who with his arrival, invoked more recollections within his lord.
— The Young Master has been acting suspiciously while you were gone. Learning what you have discovered while at the palace... My Lord... It pains this elder’s heart to say it... Yet his violent attitude at night was also not restrained completely from the day. I am afraid there has also been a discussion between him and the Duchess... For I witnessed a rather improper attitude against the Madame. —
"... My Lord? Am I interrupting?" — Thomas asked as he felt the pondering gaze of his Lord as the doors were closed behind him.
"No." — Orland answered. Dismissing any more memories... So new disheartening ones could be gained. — "You are right on time, Thomas. Now tell us, Bashaa... What has my son been up to during my absence."
"... First of all..."
"Leave aside the fact that he is aware that someone is watching him. I learned about that already."
"Then, besides his behaviour, we must search for a way."
"..."
"Your son is in bad steps, Orland. What you told him about seeing a physician might help him mess up or..."
"Tell me what you saw and heard. We will see what to do thereafter. No suppositions. Tell me the facts, Bashaa."
The steps of the thin man getting near to stand before his desk came along with intrigue. The hand of Bashaa lightly touched the splinters coming out from the desk Orland had hit out of frustration, and taking one of them, the tranquil Umbra Quadrigis Leader smirked, commencing the tell his eyes found from the shadows.
"First. He did try going to the Forest House... Yet he couldn’t go because there was a letter that arrived... and thankfully I managed to intersect." — Sliding a folded sheet of paper he took from the inside of his sleeve the man confidently told Orland. — "Here’s the transcript of it. The Young Master isn’t playing games he can handle now. Read and tell me, how can’t I conjure things after reading this piece?"