Ch-16: Lukas and Commander Scott

As Adam relished his long-awaited reunion with his parents, a palpable gloom settled within the confines of a luxurious abode, a smaller mansion that paled in comparison to the grandeur of the count's estates.

In the dimly lit room, a middle-aged man with short black hair and faint wrinkles etched upon his face occupied a chair. Crossing his legs, he leaned forward, his cheek cradled in the palm of his left hand. Restless fingers tapped rhythmically against the table's surface, a clear display of his inner turmoil. His countenance exuded an aura of simmering anger, intensifying as his gaze fixed upon the knights depicted before him.

The room itself carried a sense of history, evident in the aged wallpaper adorned with intricate floral patterns. Soft sunlight filtered through faded curtains, casting a nostalgic glow across the worn but well-maintained furniture. Antique trinkets and family portraits adorned the walls, sharing the tales of generations past.

A worn, but beloved, Persian rug lay gracefully on the wooden floor, its vibrant hues bringing a touch of warmth to the otherwise subdued space. The scent of old books mingled with that of freshly brewed tea, emanating from a small porcelain teapot placed delicately on a matching tray

He wore a soft cotton shirt with modest embellishments and decorative buttons, paired with loose-fitting wool breeches. A simple leather belt cinched his waist, adding a touch of refinement. Comfortable leather slippers adorned his feet, while a knee-length robe draped over his shoulders exuded relaxed sophistication.

"How the hell is Adam still alive?" the man questioned the knight, his voice seething with fury.

"We have no idea, Sir Lukas," the knight responded, panic lacing his voice.

"Don't give me that answer," Lukas, Liam's father and Adam's uncle, retorted. Upon hearing the news of Adam's arrival, Lukas had been taken aback and filled with panic, fearing that Adam would expose him to his parents. However, to Lukas's surprise, Adam had remained silent, and out of his own fear of exposure, Lukas had avoided him for the time being.

"Scott, didn't you send some of your men to eliminate the bandits' hideout? Any news from them?" Lukas inquired of Scott.

"Lord Lukas, according to their report, the bandits we hired to eliminate Adam in the forest have not yet returned, so they decided to come back," Scott calmly replied.

"Useless! Did they chicken out upon hearing they were assigned to kill the son of a count, or did they catch wind of our plan to dispose of them after they completed the task?" Lukas pondered, frustration evident in his voice.

"It's unlikely, they have carried out assassination missions against the heirs of other counts before. However, there is a possibility they might have discovered our plan to eliminate them. I also have a separate suspicion..." Scott trailed off, leaving his thought unfinished.

"What do you assume happened, then?" Lukas asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

"Well, there's a possibility that they were killed by Adam himself. I caught a glimpse of his newfound physique, and it seemed to radiate with power from afar," Scott informed.

"Impossible! There's no way that weak brat could accomplish such a feat. Even veterans would struggle," Lukas dismissed the thought with frustration.

"Commander Scott, do you think it's possible to launch a coup against my brother, Alvin? After all, you are the commander of the Count's army," Lukas suggested, though he knew the answer. In this moment of frustration, having missed the chance to eliminate Adam, Lukas yearned for the opportunity to inherit the county.

"Not possible, Lord Lukas. While I control half of the army, the other half is completely devoted to Count Alvin," Scott informed.

"What if we use that bitch Ruby Flameheart's father's army to assassinate those loyal to my brother?" Lukas said venomously, fully aware of Ruby's nature and the torment she had inflicted upon his son, Liam.

"My Lord, do not forget that Lady Amber's brother is a Duke who will retaliate if we were to take such actions and he discovers his nephew was targeted," Scott reminded him. Amber, Adam's mother, was the sister of a Duke, and this alliance made it risky for them to openly target the family.

"Damn it, I forgot about that woman's connection," Lukas cursed in frustration, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"What do you suggest I do, Scott?" Lukas asked, his tone indicating his desperation for a solution.

"Firstly, let's put aside our schemes against Adam for now. We should focus on assessing his swordsmanship skills and how much he has improved with his recent training," Scott suggested.

"Oh, you're right. That little bastard must have improved at least a bit," Lukas responded, venom lacing his voice.

"I propose we have young Lord Liam openly challenge him in front of the other knights. If Liam defeats him, even with Adam's newfound physique, it will be a blow to his reputation. We may gain the support of some other knights as well," Scott suggested, a cunning grin forming on his face.

Before Lukas could reply, the hurried sound of footsteps grew closer, causing Scott to instinctively tighten his grip on the hilt of his sword.

Knock, knock.

Someone urgently knocked on the door, interrupting their conversation.

"Who is it?" Lukas inquired, his voice filled with curiosity.

"Lord Lukas, it's a maid," came the panting voice of a woman from the other side. Scott eased his grip on his sword upon hearing the feminine voice.

"Come in," Lukas invited, and a maid dressed in a French-style outfit entered the room

" Don't you know that I am in a meeting with Knight Scott, why are you sweating this much" Lukas based while looking at the maid with a lustful look making the maid uncomfortable, he already had forced himself upon many women and kile them silently without any one knowing a few times

" Lord Lukas, a carriage belonging to the Flameheart Dutchy has been spotted" the maid informed

" Shit" Lukas cursed as he knew who was coming