Hero return - 08

Lucian's steps echoed quietly in the silent corridor, while Natty walked in front of him with nimble steps. The light from the candlelight installed along the walls gives it a mysterious feel, adding to the dramatic impression of the night that has begun to get late. The atmosphere in the mansion felt a little tense, as if each room was holding a great secret that was ready to be revealed.

"Here it is, My Lord," Natty said, stopping in front of the large door that led to the dining room.

Lucian just nodded without saying a word. He took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension that began to creep inside him. What does Marquis Hale want from her? Is this a trap or an opportunity? All those possibilities revolved around his mind.

The large door opened with a soft creaking sound, and Lucian stepped in. As soon as he entered, the luxurious dining room atmosphere welcomed him. A large crystal lamp hung from the ceiling, reflecting the light that radiated around the room. The long table is decorated with a clean white cloth and a variety of delicious dishes are served on it. At the end of the table, sat Marquis Hale sitting with Pavel beside him, and beside him was Julian who was drinking wine at the moment.

"Lucian Hale, paying respect to his Elder Brother and Father at this moment." Lucian slightly bowed, his hands half-crossed over his chest in a gesture of honor, although his expression remained unreadable. His sharp eyes assessed the surroundings—Marquis Hale sitting upright, Julian glancing occasionally, and Pavel appearing calm beside his father.

However, there was no response from Marquis Hale or Julian. The dinner atmosphere felt more rigid and tense, a stark contrast to the usually warm family dinner setting. There was no laughter, casual conversation, or even smiles. Everything seemed formal, even somewhat forced.

Lucian sat in the designated spot without saying a word, letting the waiter serve the food on the table one by one with care. Every movement of the waiter, every plate placed, only added to the formal and calculated vibe in the room. Lucian stayed silent, not uttering a single word. Right now, he knew that every move he made, every conversation, had to be chosen carefully.

Marquis Hale started the conversation, his voice low but clear, filling the silence that had enveloped the dining room. "I heard that the empire successfully summoned the Guardian."

"Guardian? Do you mean the knight summoned from another world?" Julian asked, his voice sounding full of curiosity, though slightly condescending towards the topic. He looked at his father with half-closed eyes, as if trying to connect the information with something larger.

"Indeed," Marquis Hale replied briefly, his eyes remaining on the dish before him, although his tone suggested that this was a serious conversation.

"But father, why is the empire summoning the Guardian at this time? Is there a suspected problem on the horizon?" Julian asked again, his voice now filled with tension, as if he sensed something hidden behind this occurrence. He tilted his head, trying to assess whether there was a threat to be wary of.

"Well, everything is still a mystery," replied Marquis Hale with a hint of confusion. "However, one thing is certain... The Emperor is hosting a welcoming party in two days and has also invited all the nobles to the event."

Lucian ate calmly, his spoon skillfully moving between the dishes served. His sharp eyes continued to observe the atmosphere around him, as if trying to capture every detail of the ongoing conversation. In his heart, he thought, "I see, it seems I have truly entered the story of the game now. What the Marquis said aligns with what Alpha reported. The Guardian is already in this world."

A moment of silence ensued until Julian's voice broke the stillness. "But father, you previously stated that all nobles in the empire are expected to attend, correct? That means you will also be inviting Lucian?"

"That person, why is he suddenly talking about me?" Lucian glared at Julian sharply while holding a glass of wine in his hand at that moment.

Marquis Hale looked at his son with a flat expression, then replied without hesitation, "There is no other choice; he also bears the name Hale." His voice sounded full of certainty, as if it were an undeniable fact.

Lucian felt the tension between them, even though he tried to stay calm. He continued eating, but this time a bit slower, realizing that the role he was playing in this game was tying him down more and more.

Meanwhile, Julian still didn't seem satisfied with the explanation. "Dad, what if—" Julian paused, as if hesitating to say the next sentence. His sharp eyes glanced at Lucian for a moment, then back to Marquis Hale.

"There is nothing to worry about," interrupted Marquis Hale in a firm tone. "If he wishes to attend, then he will attend. No more, no less."

There was no response from Lucian; he wiped his mouth with a napkin and then placed his cutlery in the center of the plate, indicating that he had finished eating at that moment.

"Is that so... I suspected as much, this is not an ordinary family dinner," Lucian said in a flat tone, concluding the meal he had just finished. With a calm motion, he wiped his mouth with a napkin, then carefully placed his cutlery in the center of the plate, indicating that he had finished eating.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense with that statement, as if revealing an unspoken truth—that this dinner was more than just an ordinary meal. It was more like an arena where every word and movement counted.

"Young master..." Pavel, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally spoke up. He looked at Lucian with a worried expression.

"Thank you for the meal," Lucian said in a cold tone, rising from his seat with an elegant yet confident movement. His eyes briefly glanced at Marquis Hale, but no other expression appeared. Without waiting for further response, he began to walk towards the door, intending to leave the tense room.

However, Julian's firm voice halted his steps. "Lucian, you are being rude. Even father has not yet left his place...!" his voice sounded sharper, trying to give a warning that could not be ignored.

Lucian paused for a moment, then slowly turned, his gaze directly meeting Julian's with a sharp look sufficient to make anyone feel pressured. However, this time he merely smiled faintly, a smile that did not convey respect, but rather seemed more like a challenge.

"Isn't the purpose already conveyed? I have also finished my meal, so it shouldn't be a problem for me to leave here?" Lucian said calmly, his voice barely audible and devoid of emotion, as if what had just happened was nothing more than a routine for him.

However, there was a tension that could be felt in the air—a tension that was growing thicker. Julian glared at Lucian in anger, his face flushed with humiliation in front of his father. Julian's hands were clenched tightly under the table, as if he wanted to unleash his anger, but he held it back. Pavel, sitting beside Marquis Hale, observed carefully, his expression more serious, yet he remained silent, waiting to see if this tension would escalate.

Marquis Hale, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke in a deep voice full of authority. "Lucian," he said in a threatening tone, "you must remember your position here." His gaze was sharp, as if to emphasize who held power in this house.

Lucian turned his body slightly, but the thin, inscrutable smile remained on his face. "My position? I am just someone who wants to leave this dinner, that's all," he replied casually, as if unafraid of the authority being challenged before him.

Marquis Hale emitted such a powerful aura, as if the entire room was filled with a gripping pressure. He swung his right hand with great force, hitting the dining table until it shook violently. The boom shook the entire room, leaving the waiters and those around the table speechless, flabbergasted with the power shown.

In an instant, the dining knife on the table lifted with unexpected force, hovering in the air towards Lucian. Mercilessly, the knife shot swiftly, almost hitting his face. Lucian moved quickly to dodge, but the knife still missed, causing the rope of the mask he was wearing to be cut and scratched on his cheek. Thin red wounds began to appear on his cheeks, blood flowing slowly.

"It seems you have lost your manners while I was not here, Lucian Hale," Marquis Hale's voice sounded deep, filled with pressure and anger that was clearly felt.

Lucian rubbed his wounded cheek, staring at the dripping blood with an unperturbed gaze. Slowly, he lifted his head, locking his eyes with Marquis Hale's hateful gaze. However, his expression remained calm and sharp, unaffected by the violence he had just experienced.

"It seems you have been fighting for too long, Father. Even now, you dare to do that to your own child," Lucian said, his voice sounding firm yet full of sarcasm. His eyes remained sharp, staring at Marquis Hale without fear.

"This child....!" Marquis Hale snorted in anger, his lips pressed tightly together. His face flushed with a barely contained rage. He could hardly believe the assertiveness Lucian displayed in such a situation.

Pavel, standing beside Marquis Hale, felt the tension rising. He looked at Lucian with concern. "Young master, I beg you, please leave this place now," Pavel said in a rather anxious tone. He knew that the longer Lucian stayed in this room, the greater the chance that the situation would explode.

Lucian slightly shrugged his shoulders, with an expression that almost seemed indifferent. "Oh, and also, I am fully aware of my position, do not worry I will not tarnish this family name," he replied in a casual tone. "I will also be attending that party. Wouldn't there be great rumors if I were not there?" he added, with a slight smile painted on his face, although there was no admiration behind his gaze.

Without waiting for further response, Lucian turned and began to walk out of the room. His steps were steady and full of confidence. The atmosphere was silent for a moment after he stepped out, but soon, the voice of Marquis Hale echoed again.

"Lucian Hale.....!" shouted Marquis Hale, his voice filled with unrestrained threat and anger, yet Lucian paid him no mind as he walked away, gently closing the door and leaving the tension that gripped the room.

"Huh," Marquis Hale let out a heavy sigh, feeling the tension still enveloping him. He massaged his temples, calming himself after the emotionally charged meeting.

"Julian, you may also leave now," Marquis Hale continued, his voice softer, though fatigue was clearly audible. He then leaned back in his chair, his eyes staring blankly at the table, pondering, as if searching for answers to the tension that had just occurred.

"Alright, Father. In that case, I take my leave," Julian replied with a hint of hesitation, then immediately stood up from his chair and stepped out of the room, not wanting to escalate the tension further.

"Great Master..." Pavel said in a low voice, halting the steps of Marquis Hale, who was leaning against his body. Mr. Hale appeared to be lost in thought, but Pavel knew that there were many things yet to be revealed behind his stern demeanor towards Lucian.

"This is why I don't like going back to the mansion," Marquis Hale sighed deeply, his gaze empty, but there was clearly anger simmering beneath. "The longer I look at that kid, the more he reminds me of Celestia, I can't control my emotions." The Marquis's voice grew heavier, as if there was an increasing weight on his shoulders. Celestia, his long-deceased wife, always loomed over his feelings, and now Lucian was starting to remind him of the woman who once was in his life.