Beginning of the end

Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Picked It Up (1)

Late at night.

Deputy butler Hans had to stand in front of Count Deruth. He started to make his report while Deruth quietly listened until he was finished.

“He is currently sleeping in his room.”

Hans finally finished his report and Deruth started to speak.

“The driver reported that he went to the Flynn Merchant Guild’s illegitimate sons tea shop. Today, he brought a young man whose identity we cannot verify. In terms of drinking, he only drank a little bit and kept a clear head.”

Hans’s report was short, but Deruth found that short report interesting.

“Should we put a tail on him?”

Once everyone realised that the topic of conversation here was Cale, a lot of raised eyebrows were aimed at Deruth.

Sending an apologetic look towards Cale* and Rok Soo, he explained. "I wanted to make sure that Cale wasn't hurt in any way when he went out of the estate. None of us nobles are strangers to the fact that any moment a member of a noble family can be targetted by other rival families. Since Cale* wouldn't allow any servants to stay by his side when he went out, I had to make sure he was secretly followed."

The nobles present in the audience had understanding looks. People died in their own estates and no one was arrested most of the time as large amounts of resources were put into such attacks. Even the royal family wasn't safe from such attacks and planning.

Glancing at Cale*, Rok Soo shrugged. "Well it's not like I was unaware of the fact that I was being followed."

"Young master, you knew I was there?" Hans* was shocked. He hadn't expected someone who had never trained would be able to find out that Hans was following them.

"Hans* how many people in Henituse territory have orange hair? And you shouldn't get distracted by cats if you are tailing someone." Rok Soo deadpanned.

He waved his hand to oppose Hans’s question. He didn’t want to know what his son was doing on the outside to the point he would put a tail on him.

“No need. As long as he is in the city, anything he does is under my authority to handle.”

Deruth cherished Hans the most out of all the young deputy butlers. It was because he fulfilled orders well and was a good person.

“Do what you have been doing in terms of observing Cale inside the house and reporting what you see.”

“I understand.”

Hans did not say anything else as he bowed his head.

Deruth. He was someone who did not have any special abilities nor any solid networks. However, just like the previous Count, he was able to rule over the Henituse territory and grow his wealth by selling marble and wine. He was someone who was able to protect his territory properly.

"The Henituse territory has remained under the radar because they don't get involved in the politics in the centre but once I started looking into it, it's obvious that without it, Roan's situation would be dire. Duke Deruth is an excellent commander and lord." Alberu complimented.

"I am just doing what anyone in my position would do, Your Imperial Highness."

Hearing this exchange, Alberu* again looked at Deruth* in a new light. He needed reliable allies soon and this hall will be the place where the first steps to forming alliances will be taken.