Chapter 216: Marquis Easten

“This is quite the place,” he commented to nobody in particular. More just appreciating the beauty of the estate.

“How are you able to be distracted by the architecture at a time like this?” Reinera asked. She was calmly following Lady Rebecca, it was like she knew that they didn’t have a choice and was just going along with it.

In fact, Julius suspected that she was feeling pretty comfortable considering that she had always been around high-ranking nobles her entire life. She didn’t look uneasy at all.

“What? Would you rather me spend time planning how to escape?”

“No, that’s silly. We wouldn’t even make it out of the front door,” she said absolutely. “Lady Rebecca is a well-known fighter. We will probably get about two feet before she stops us.”

“Want to bet that I can make it to three?” Julius asked.

He did see Lady Rebecca give him a glance. There was no way she didn’t hear him and he gave her a smile in return.

Instead of replying to him, she ignored it and continued on walking.

Julius looked at the noble lady who was escorting them inside the mansion. She certainly didn’t look like a fighter. She was wearing a very elegant and beautiful dress along with high heels that accentuated her already long legs. Her hair was all done up and was the picture-perfect example of a noblewoman.

He mentally chuckled as he thought about what kind of surprise these people got when they realized how strong this woman really was.

Frank who was still alongside them, interjected as well. “You shouldn’t have to worry about anything. Lady Rebecca is an honorable woman, she won’t harm you guys or anything. She is just a bit overprotective of her family.”

Julius wasn’t that worried. He didn’t think she was going to hurt them. If Cory felt as comfortable around her as he displayed, then it was safe to say that she was at least a pretty good mother. That was a green flag in Julius’s books.

Eventually, they arrived at a room. This room was a bit different as it had several retainers all standing outside. They weren’t exactly guards, but Julius noted that every one of them could have been easily mistaken for one. They were all stern and serious people. Even the lone woman who was standing beside them was scary-looking with her black hair and blood-red eyes.

When they approached, all of their eyes focused on the three newcomers. However, when they noticed who Lady Rebecca was carrying in her arms, they all noticeably reacted. The scary woman even gasped in surprise and headed straight for Cory.

“Young master is safe?” She asked as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.

Lady Rebecca smiled widely. “Yes, it would appear so. Is my father inside?”

The woman nodded. “He is, there is a small meeting going on, though,” she warned.

“Do you know who?”

“Just a couple of elders, your husband, as well as a man from the Adventurer’s Guild. They are trying to find out more about the group that took young Cory and organized a mission. Should I let them know you are here, my lady?”

“No need, Astrid, I will let myself in.”

She then turned to look at Julius and Reinera. “You two come with me. Frank, you can show Mr. Hollins out.”

“You’re letting him go?” Julius asked genuinely confused.

“I know Mr. Hollins’s deal, he is just a middle man, I am not in the mood to try and pry answers from what is most likely protected by his oath skill. And if I decide I need to, then I know where to find him and his family. There are more pressing matters right now.”

Oath skill? What is that? Is is some kind of skill that acted like a contractual vow did?

Julius noted to himself that he should ask Danny what she meant the next he saw him. If they ever did.

Julius observed as Lady Rebecca pushed open the doors to the room, looking back to ensure that the two of them followed her into the room.

The room in question was a large gorgeous room. Tall glass windows inlaid with gold finishings that spanned from the floor to the massive white stone ceilings. There was a large rectangular table where half a dozen people were sitting, stacks of paper and other items sprawled across it.

They were all deep in conversation but stopped when the door opened.

One man, who looked like he was the same age as Rebecca, around his early twenties spoke up first. “Darling, perfect timing. We need to ask you something…” he paused as he finally noted who was with her. “I see you brought guests,” he finished, his face questioning but his eyes panned over to his wife and realized who she was carrying in her arms.

He quickly got up out of his chair, the chair tumbling down and onto its side from his sudden action. He then moved to Rebecca who offered Cory to him and reunited with his son with a tearful hug.

“What is this?” Another older man called out.

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The man at the head of the table spoke up. “I would like to know that too. Becca, please explain to me what is going on.”

Julius watched as Rebecca turned to the older man sitting with his hands folded under his chin. This man himself was quite distinguished. He had sharp and strong facial features. Julius would approximate his age to be around thirty years old, but considering that this man was putting off quite a dangerous aura, he knew that was unlikely.

This is most likely Marquis Easten in the flesh, Julius quickly realized.

Lady Rebecca gave a brief but thorough report of what had happened.

“Daniel was with them?” The older man asked with a furrowed brow.

“Yeah, I told him we would talk with him later, but I wish I could say I am surprised.”