Sylvester was always aware of threats around him as he smelled them. But, in this case, to his utter shock, she appeared normal and didn't send off any threatening scents. But all of a sudden, now she smelled of death.
'What is this? Is my life in danger of ending, or does she smell of death in general? Who is she?' He asked himself, albeit keeping a stoic face.
Just then, the Duke came forward and wrapped his hand around her waist. "This is my Duchess. A few years ago, when I was on a hunt alone, I was attacked by a pack of Great Lions. She saved me and healed my minor wounds. I offered her a job at the castle later, and slowly, you have us standing here."
"That's so romantic! Why didn't you invite me to the wedding?"
Sylvester and the rest parted aside and let the speaker come forward. A short-haired, blonde woman in Bright Mother's robes.
"Isabella? Is that you?"
"Hmph! You don't even recognise your little sister anymore?" Isabella pouted and ran forward to hug the Duke.
Sylvester kept a firm eye on them this time and noticed what the Duke was feeling. And to his satisfaction, there was nothing but love and warm feelings of siblings.
The Duke hugged her, then pushed her back to look at her face and caressed it. "Why are you here? And why did you cut your hair? Now you look like a pretty boy."
"She looks fine to me." Felix blurted.
The Duke instantly glared at Felix and asked. "Who might you be, young man?"
Felix respectfully replied. "I am God's Favoured Candidate, Felix Sandwall, your grace."
Duke's eyes shined. "Aha! Count Sandwall's lad? Are you going to stay in the clergy forever?"
Felix blurted instantly. "Not the plan. I will settle down when I feel connected with a certain someone."
The Duke's eyes shone. "What do you thi-"
Isabella punched the Duke's stomach lightly. "Why don't you show me the castle? It's so pretty and big. I remember the maps for this place… is there an indoor lake as written? Please show it to me!"
"Calm down. I will show you all that after dinner. Come now, let your big brother spoil you like always. By the way, how is mother? She does not answer my letters anymore."
Isabella shrugged. "She barely leaves her tower anymore. I have not seen her in months. Harold does not bother with her either."
"Well, he does have six wives—and a useless willy, so he must be too busy." Duke indirectly mocked his elder brother while dragging Isabella along.
Then, Duchess Artemis walked to Felix and held his arm with her hand while holding herself a bit too close to him, letting her sides touch him. It was undoubtedly a killer move for Felix with her extra-revealing dress.
"I shall guide you, Lord Felix." She spoke in a seducing voice and walked with him.
Gabriel, Sylvester, Lady Aurora and Bishop Lazark were left standing as if they didn't matter. Sylvester sensed a hint of jealousy from Gabriel and Bishop, but it was understandable. She was attractive enough that he felt something too. But the scent of death was enough to think logically.
"Why is she drooling over him? I thought I was the most important person here." Sylvester muttered.
Lady Aurora chuckled. "He's valued because he's a rogue cannon that will fire someday. But you are a cannon supposed to stay dormant for eternity, for you are a challenger for the top seat. Anyway, let's go in."
Sylvester was flabbergasted. "Did she just…?"
"Yes, Max." Gabriel also followed up. "She just mocked your prick."
"That's new," Bishop added and moved as well.
Sylvester sighed and entered the castle as well. He didn't mind the jokes, as he felt they meant Lady Aurora was now getting close to them, getting comfortable enough. This meant she was coming close to turning into a loyal ally.
"This is madness!"
Sylvester heard Gabriel's astounded tone as they entered. They all looked up and noticed the high ceiling covered with shining white marble. Going against the usual architecture, the castle from the inside appeared not as green, at least not in terms of walls and furniture.
It was mainly made of bright components. For example, white marble, gold chandeliers, golden candles and torch holders, even the floor was shining with pale-grey marble. However, there was still a lot of greenery throughout in the form of plants.
Heck, there were even butterflies flying around everywhere, near the plants. It felt like they were in some heaven.
"This is real wealth," Sylvester muttered.
"The Holy Land is richer, though," Gabriel argued.
Of course, everyone knew that was true. But there was a reason why the church didn't show it openly.
"True, but we can only spend money on outer structures to make them beautiful. Inside them, we must stay modest unless we're making something important. Our wealth is also spent to manage many things." He said while looking around.
In time, they were led into a large hall that was used to host guests at dinners. It was huge, enough to have seating for at least a thousand people. But, at the moment, there was only one long table in the middle, entirely made of steel with a silver coating. While the chairs were well cushioned with red cloth, and their frame was gold coated.
'This is the life of a true Crown Prince, I guess. Unfortunately, Crown Prince Conrad was not supported by his father, King Riveria, or else, he would have had such a lifestyle too.' Sylvester thought while taking seats.
Then, in time, a hundred servants entered in long lines and started to place the plates full of food on the table like machines. They made no noise while walking, putting the dishes around, or even serving. They were undoubtedly trained to be like this.
"Forgive me, Lady Tenth and Lord Bard," Duke spoke from his chair at the smaller edge of the table. The thing to note was that his wife was sitting beside him on another chair instead of on another edge. This was not typical behaviour.
"My servants could only prepare this small feast on short notice. If I had known of your arrival beforehand, I would have been able to welcome you better."
'This is a small feast? I can feed a small village with this.' Sylvester thought, as did most others.
"This is more than enough, your grace. We are honoured that you give such importance to us." Sylvester spoke politically and started eating.
"The honour is all mine, Lord Bard."
Duke was constantly putting food on Isabella's plate, who sat the closest to Duke's right.
From the look and scent, Sylvester was more inclined to feel strange about the Duchess as he watched her every move. He noticed her eyes would look at him every now and then and maintain eye contact until she took another bite of food.
'Is she trying to subdue me?' Sylvester wondered.
The same thing transpired until the end of the dinner. Sylvester and Duchess were in a sort of silent war.
"Come, Bella. I will show you the entire castle. As for the remaining, the servants will show you your rooms. I'm sure whatever you wish to discuss can wait, but for now, I want to be a child again with my little sister." the Duke humbly spoke. But he was not asking, just telling them his decision.
Sylvester could feel that the man was not as simple and kind as he seemed. Instead, he saw the true intelligence and demeanour of someone with power and control in the Duke's eyes.
But, there was one thing that rubbed him the wrong way—the Duchess.
"Please, let the servants guide you to your rooms." The Duchess soon dismissed the gathering, and they all headed their way.
'I need to memorise all the pathways in this giant castle.' Sylvester focused on all the turns he took. But what irked him was that they all head rooms in different places, especially Felix being sent the farthest for some reason.
Considering his friend may be in danger, he whispered to the fluffy boy on his shoulder. "Chonky, follow Felix and stay with him until the morning. If someone tries to kill him, as long as the attacker is weak—eat them."
Miraj always gets pumped for missions about killing. "Maxy, I shall lay down the skulls of your enemies by your feet! I promise!"
"..."
"Good boy." Sylvester didn't stop him.
'Felix, I hope you don't do anything stupid. Don't lose focus… or there will be no difference between you and Zeke.' He could only silently hope.
…
"Good, good, this room is bigger than my family castle's great hall," Felix exclaimed once he entered his room and made himself comfortable.
He quickly removed his armour and put on a comfortable tunic and pants. Then he started looking around. The golden engraving on the ceiling, the chandeliers, the curtains, the bed, and the table. All were luxurious.
"I should tell my elder brother to make relations with the Duke. The king is a buffoon from the looks of it."
Knock! Knock!
"Who is it now?" He went to open the door, thinking it was Sylvester. "What do y—"
His jaw fell as he was pushed back into the room and the room subsequently closed with a thud. "Are you finding yourself comfortable, my lord?"
Felix gulped his saliva, seeing the form of gorgeous Lady Artemis, the Duchess. She appeared in a different dress, too revealing, as it was nothing but a long, sleeveless negligee made of nets-like thin cloth. It allowed one to see everything beneath, and it appeared she wore nothing, for he could notice twin dots on the peaks and something down there.
"Y-Your Grace… I am comfortable… how may I help you?" He asked, obviously tempted and aroused.
"Ah, I see you have not found the water jug and the glass. Those lazy servants." She moved in, letting the negligee flutter and revealing her back legs and back.
Felix felt cloudy in his mind all of a sudden. "I-Its okay… You smell amazing, your grace."
"Oh you, thank you. And how can it be okay? What if you feel thirsty in the middle of the night?" She poured him a glass of water and moved back to hand it. But she stood too close, allowing a view straight down as Felix was taller.
Pat!
She started touching his chest and sides. "Your clothes appear dirty too. Why don't I get the servants to clean them? Can you please take them off?"
But, after a moment of silence. She stepped back a little. "If you're feeling ashamed, then don't. Here, I will first take mine off."
Thud!
With a soft sound, her entire negligee fell around her feet and revealed her extremely pale-white nude body. Her black eyes stared into his eyes while she acted shy and played with her long silky dark hair. "Go on now, my lord. Or should I help you?"
Felix appeared as if turned into a statue. His eyes were hazy, and he didn't move. So she quickly untied the knot over his tunic and slid it off. "I think the pants need washing as well."
She knelt right there and started to untie them. "My god, it seems your body can use some stretching as well—as it appears you deeply desire one right now. But, of course, it shall remain our little secret—from all—including the bard."
Still, Felix didn't even flinch as she touched him where no woman should touch a clergyman, for it was a crime punishable by death.
"Hmm…" Only a faint hum resounded from him.
Why was he not speaking? Why didn't he move? A certain furry was very curious.
750 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.
1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.
APE TOGETHER STRONG!
