By the time they reached the mansion, Nora was visibly tense, her jaw set in determination.
The mansion loomed ahead, its grand façade a testament to the barony's prosperity.
Guards opened the gates as they approached, bowing slightly in acknowledgement of Nora.
Inside, the atmosphere was markedly different. The warm hum of life in the mansion gave way to an air of tension and formality. Servants moved quickly and quietly, their eyes flicking toward the group before hurrying off.
As they entered the grand hall, they saw him—Lord Eude. Nora silently showed Jolthar, pointing out who Eude was.
He was standing near the large hearth, dressed in an opulent burgundy tunic adorned with gold embroidery. His slicked-back dark hair and carefully trimmed beard gave him an air of practised elegance, but there was a calculating sharpness in his eyes.
Two imposing men flanked him, clearly members of the Crimsan Blades. Their armour was polished, their hands resting casually on the pommels of their swords, though their alert gazes betrayed their readiness.
Eude was speaking to Baroness Cleora, who sat gracefully on an embroidered armchair. Her composed demeanour was a stark contrast to the merchant lord's animated gestures.
The Lord was engaged, as he so often was, in attempting to charm Cleora with words smooth as polished marble.
Cleora, whose face bore the serenity of still waters, maintained her composure as she received his attention.
"Lady Cleora, I assure you, my offer stands unmatched," Eude was saying, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Your beauty is unparalleled, and your wisdom—oh, your wisdom—is exactly what a man like me seeks in a partner. Together, we could elevate this barony beyond imagination." The source of thɪs content is NovєlFіre.net
Cleora, maintaining a polite but neutral expression, inclined her head slightly. "Your words are flattering, Lord Eude, but as I've said before, my position on the matter remains unchanged."
Before Eude could respond, Nora stepped forward.
"Mother," she greeted, her voice steady but laced with a subtle warning.
She turned briefly to Eude, inclining her head in the barest acknowledgement. "Lord Eude."
Eude straightened, offering her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Lady Nora, always a pleasure. I was just discussing some... opportunities with your mother."
Jolthar followed Nora into the room, his presence quiet but commanding. He took up a position behind the sofa where Cleora and Nora sat, his eyes scanning the room with calculated precision. His imposing figure drew brief glances from the guards, but they quickly resumed their stoic stances. He saw the two men behind Eude, gauging their strength; from what he could tell, they were around tier 8 warriors, both of them.
Cleora's eyes found Jolthar. She was surprised to see him, and then she smiled; brief though it was, it carried the warmth of spring sunshine.
Eude, however, barely spared Jolthar a glance, clearly dismissing him as unimportant. He leaned toward Cleora again, his voice dropping into a more intimate tone. "Lady Cleora, I can offer you not just wealth but security. With my resources, your barony would thrive like never before. And if you were to accept my hand in marriage, I could ensure that you and your daughter are cared for beyond measure."
Cleora's expression didn't waver, but Nora's sharp intake of breath betrayed her irritation. "Lord Eude," Nora interjected, her voice firm, "we've been over this. The mines are not for sale, and neither is my mother."
Nora, clearly annoyed by his presence and his words, thought if he caused any disturbance here, she would ask Jolthar to take care of it. She was confident in Jolthar, more like she bet on him to take care of the lord.
Eude chuckled softly, as though humouring a child. "Lady Nora, you misunderstand. This is not just about business. It's about building a future together—a future where your family and mine are united, stronger than ever."
Cleora finally spoke, her tone measured but firm. "Lord Eude, I appreciate your offers, but I must inform you that I am already spoken for."
The room fell silent. Eude blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Spoken for?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But your husband—"
Even Nora turned to look at her mother, obviously puzzled.
"Passed away, yes," Cleora said, her gaze steady. "But I have since pledged myself to another."
Eude's expression shifted, his confidence faltering.
"And who might this man be?" he asked, his voice edged with incredulity.
Cleora turned slightly in her seat, gesturing to the figure standing behind her.
All eyes turned to Jolthar.
The air in the room seemed to shift, the weight of the declaration sinking in.
Even Nora's eyes widened in shock, her usual composure slipping for a moment. Shocking would be an understatement.
Eude's gaze snapped to Jolthar, his expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "Him?" he said, his tone incredulous.
Jolthar looked at Cleora, and there was an understanding passed between them, their gazes locked while they did. He decided to play along with her act.
Jolthar stepped forward, his movements deliberate and measured. He met Eude's gaze with a calm intensity, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. "Is there a problem?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
Eude hesitated, his confident demeanour cracking under the weight of Jolthar's presence. The two Crimsan Blade mercenaries behind him tensed, their hands shifting to their weapons, but a subtle gesture from Eude held them back.
"Well," Eude said, his voice forced into a semblance of politeness, "this is... unexpected. He seems rather young to be your husband."
Cleora met his gaze without flinching, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of unease. "He is more of a man than anyone here could ever hope to be, and yes, he is my man, just as I am his woman."
The older man scoffed, his disbelief evident in his sharp tone. "A boy barely out of his cradle, still wet behind the ears, and not even the weight of life has carved him into a man yet. And you expect me to believe he is your husband now?" He gave a derisive chuckle, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine, Miss Cleora, if that is the story you wish to tell."
His words dripped with condescension, but Cleora's gaze didn't waver, her resolve a silent testament to the truth she held.
Cleora rose gracefully, her composure unshaken. "Lord Eude, I trust this clarifies any misunderstandings.
Now, if you'll excuse us, I believe our discussion has reached its conclusion."
Eude's jaw tightened, but he forced a strained smile. "Of course," he said, inclining his head. "I shall take my leave—for now."
With that, he turned sharply, his mercenaries falling into step behind him as he strode out of the room. The tension lingered even after the doors closed, the weight of the confrontation settling over those who remained.
Nora turned to her mother, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Mother," she began, her voice low but firm, "what exactly are you doing?"
Cleora simply smiled, her gaze soft but unwavering. "Protecting what is ours," she said, her eyes briefly meeting Jolthar's.
Jolthar, for his part, remained silent, his expression unreadable. But as the room began to settle, a faint, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.