Chapter 78: An Audience with the Lord

TMP. TMP.

Three distinctive footsteps echoed through the hallway to Lord Boetus' audience room.

Oh...Seraphiel smite thee right now...

I winced inwardly as I struggled to maintain my composure.

Getting caught in a heated situation with a man was probably one of the most embarrassing experiences anyone could have in their lives.

And getting caught by a man like Galter Droet just made me wish the ground could open up and swallow me.

Well, fortunately, Galter Droet didn't seem to care much about our antics. He merely just made a few crass remarks before escorting us to Lord Boetus.

Galter Droet who was currently walking ahead of us had been awfully silent throughout, making the atmosphere tense but I didn't let it bother me though – as a member of an esteemed household, you learn to handle things like these at a young age.

Although, the scene of Galter catching us earlier kept replaying in my mind, forcing me to flush inwardly.

HOO...

I took in a deep breath, allowing the World Energy to enter my Aperture, calming me in the process.

From the corner of my gaze, I caught sight of Williem Nightingale.

Ever since our earlier encounter with Galter Droet, he had been silent, either appearing lost in thought or burning his gaze into Galter's back.

I once heard him mutter with a strange look in his eyes, "To think that this commoner could actually be more accomplished than Annabeth...and here I thought only mother could best her."

I didn't respond to him though but his words did make me realize one thing.

Williem Nightingale disliked commoners.

It wasn't a strange inclination though; some nobles were known for their detest towards commoners. Even I held them in low regard but I didn't completely diminish their worth.

I knew definitely that many aspects of civilization that were easily overlooked relied heavily on them, so I made sure to show them some acts of benevolence once in a while.

I think it's also worth mentioning that Williem holds his mother in a very high regard....

Suddenly, a strange thought wiggled into my mind, causing me to blink twice.

Huh? Could it be...

Immediately, I suppressed an urge to chuckle.

Williem...couldn't possibly be a mollycoddle...could he?

Somehow, I felt I was right.

Pfft...Williem Nightingale a milksop...what a scandal...

A small smile appeared on my lips once that thought crossed my mind yet my eyes didn't leave Galter Droet's back.

The First Architect huh...

"We've reached."

My eyes suddenly flickered at Galter's voice, before finally noticing the giant door behind him.

The door in question was of bronze and adorned with intricate yet abstract engravings.

It was the door to the audience room.

"I guess its time...", Williem muttered as his eyes regained their familiar intelligibility, his hand once again patting over his jacket.

"Yes, it is.", I replied as took a deep breath and exhaled, steeling myself.

Time to meet the Lord.

Galter Droet approached the door and halted, turning his head to give us a sideways glance.

"Before we enter, I urge you both to conduct yourself in an orderly manner before the Lord.", he said, his eyes moving from Williem before locking with mine.

What he was implying was obvious though.

Don't disgrace yourselves.

Williem and I frowned but didn't retort.

Even though his words could be interpreted as a warning, his voice carried his usual tone of boredom as if he didn't care much for what he said or for whatever we did.

Still...

I definitely will have him punished dearly for his rude conduct.

I thought as he turned back to the door and proceeded to open it, through a strange mechanism.

Huh...I've never seen that before...

CHACK!

The door opened a second later and soon a thin line appeared at its center.

SWISH!

Surprisingly, the door was silent as it slowly slid open, only making a smooth yet oddly pleasing sound.

I was slightly impressed.

The engineers who made this must be very talented!

SWOOSH!

Soon, the thin line on the door grew wider and from it, a flood of light bathed me in its radiance.

"What dazzling light.", Williem commented as he raised his hand to shield his eyes.

I didn't though – light was the source element of a Seraphim after all – taking a step forward instead.

Williem followed shortly after, still shielding his eyes from the blinding light.

TMP. TMP. TMP. TMP.

We crossed the doors of the audience room and slowly, the light began to lose its intensity.

Ah...

Before my eyes could even survey the audience room, my attention was stolen away by the magnificent envisage before me.

"Hmm.", a low yet deep and powerful voice rumbled through the room.

Sitting before me on a resplendent throne was the mighty figure of Lord Boetus.

Wow...

With his neatly shaven face, chiseled jawline and robust physique, he looked like a piece carefully carved by a sculptor of excellent renown and with his heavily adorned regal attire and golden crown, Lord Boetus looked truly daunting.

His presence, pressure-inducing.

At his sides were two guards donning the familiar black and gold armor, wielding polearms with the emblems of his manor on them.

On a lower step to his throne, a herald and a jester stood.

The herald had a stern look on his unremarkable face while the jester in his colorful clothes, had a cheerful expression.

For a second, I froze, the words refusing to leave my mouth but with a quick breath, I regained myself.

"Lord Boetus."

I gave a curtsy while Williem gave a bow.

He gave us a humorless smile and spoke, "Ah..."

"Marta Madeleine of the House of Seraphim and Williem Nightingale of the Ice Flower Sect...to what do I owe the audience of thine?"

Williem smiled pleasantly, "Lord, we have important matters regarding the Seraphim House.", he paused taking out the stamped envelope.

His herald stepped forward to collect the envelope but Williem waved him off, taking a step forward instead.

I was shocked, my eyes widening

Williem?! What is he doing?!

The guards by Lord Boetus' sides became alarmed, readying their weapons but Lord Boetus raised his hand, calming them.

TMP. TMP.

Williem kept walking till he stood face-to-face with Lord Boetus, his smile never leaving his face.

He handed the envelope over to the man who took it and said,

"Matters regarding the Seraphim House...hmm...", he paused before turning to Williem, "If so, then what business does a Nightingale have here?"

"Oh?", I heard the jester mutter, "Is our lord going to slander the boy?"

I raised an eyebrow and turned back to the two men, the space between them growing tense.

Williem's smile seemed to grow even brighter before he suddenly reached into his guard pocket.

Immediately, the guards broke into a panic, ready to subdue Williem Nightingale.

"Stop him!"

"Protect the lord!"

But before they could even reach him, Lord Boetus broke into euphoric laughter.