CHAPTER 400: THE MEETING

"It’s a pleasure to meet you," Xion tilted his head in their direction and nodded politely.

Although his voice was calm, the twinge of fatigue was evident.

"I apologize for not being able to get up and greet you properly, but as circumstances have it, I..."

He gave the sleeping boy in his lap a gentle pat on the head, smiling in that helpless way of his.

"I can’t get up for now."

[Host, just cut the crap. You’re their lord. Why would you need to stand up and greet them?]

The system’s dry voice rang in his mind, as blunt as ever.

Apparently, Lady Bianca — already a shameless admirer of Xion — and Lady Rubina Claude — knight of the grand order, famed for fending off every one of Silas Valari’s unwanted advances — seemed to share the sentiment.

The sentiment of being an admirer of Xion.

"Oh, no, Your Grace, please don’t trouble yourself," Bianca said quickly, her voice as warm and smooth as sunlight and silk.

"We’re just glad you thought of us."

Xion couldn’t see her face, but he didn’t need to. The system’s constant whispering commentary was enough.

[She’s practically glowing at you, Host. Be careful, or she’ll start composing poetry about your hair next.]

"Yes, Your Grace," Rubina added. Her tone was cooler than Bianca’s soft, syrupy warmth, but there was a trace of genuine respect in it.

"In fact, I admire your knowledge and mastery of such profound things. If you don’t mind my asking... did you not get poisoned earlier?"

[Rubina’s definitely on our side. Especially after that school and healing house project. You’ve won her loyalty with full marks.]

Xion simply smiled. Rubina’s straightforwardness was almost refreshing.

"Yes, I did. And that," he said calmly, "is something I wanted to discuss with you both. Please — sit, wherever you find comfortable."

Truthfully, he had called them here on short notice.

It was to do something regarding the plan forming rapidly in his mind.

In his urgency, he had forgotten it was already late at night. A terrible breach of etiquette on his side.

But to his mild surprise, neither lady had protested. In fact, they had arrived with what felt like eagerness.

"You look so handsome, Your Grace," Bianca said in that dreamy, almost singsong voice. Even without the system’s teasing, Xion could tell she was beaming at him.

"I am sure you look lovely as well," Xion replied, his smile widening, "though I would have much preferred to be able to look at you."

The room went dead silent.

[Host... you suck at small talk.]

Xion: "..." Yes. I know. Thank you very much.

The system sighed, a few of its codes dissolving in the air.

[Now they’re both worrying that they might’ve offended you by reminding you of your blindness. Just skip the fluff and get to the point. I am sure, Rubina will appreciate it.]

His smile thinned. He coughed once and then went on.

"The thing is... Lady Bianca, if I’m not mistaken, you know of Zen, yes?"

Bianca’s expression became solemn. "Yes, Your Grace. I’m aware of its effect on orcs... that it can drive them to madness."

Ah. So that was the official story. But Zen’s influence was far more dangerous than they could ever imagine.

"And who instructed you to give it to me?" Xion asked gently.

Bianca frowned, searching her memory. "It was... someone from the guild. White robe... or was it white hair? Forgive me, Your Grace, I can’t quite remember."

That was enough for Xion. The description had confirmed his suspicions.

He shifted slightly, careful not to wake the boy on his lap. "Lady Rubina... how was Silas?"

The question landed abruptly, a sudden change of subject that even left the system momentarily speechless.

[Getting to the point doesn’t mean jumping into their deepest trauma, Host. You should have explained the reason first.]

But Xion didn’t have the time or the brain to use flowery language.

Rubina’s eyes narrowed slightly. "If you mean physically... he’s somewhat like Prince Nikolai in stature."

"What if I mean as a human? As a lover? As a king?" Xion pressed on. "Don’t worry — nothing leaves these walls. So please, speak freely. I would much appreciate it if you would tell me what you really feel."

Rubina’s jaw tightened before she sighed. "Not a wise ruler. Not a good man, either. I understand power requires dirty hands, but—"

"But what?" Bianca leaned toward her, curiosity lighting up her pretty features.

"But it doesn’t excuse killing children with the potential to awaken abilities... just to push Talia to the forefront," Rubina finished with a sigh. "It was royal minister Georgie Maximus who had secretly done everything under Silas’s command."

The words hung in the air like frost.

Killing the blessed was one of the gravest crimes imaginable — the same accusation that loomed over Xion like a sword’s edge.

If not for that, Darius wouldn’t have been so intent on removing the king from the throne.

However, Xion highly doubted that it was Silas’ plan. Georgie seemed like the mastermind behind all of it.

He wanted to serve the most powerful king, and to create him, he had pushed Talia into the church just so they could harvest the religious support.

Xion hummed softly in thought.

"Can I ask the two of you for a favor?"

"Of course!" Bianca said instantly.

"Yes, Your Grace. Please, give your orders," Rubina added. Her voice was more formal but no less sincere.

The contrast between them was comical.

Bianca, bold enough to harbor open admiration for him despite knowing who his husband was, while Rubina was disciplined, carrying her battles like armor over her heart.

"I want you to travel to the royal capital, Myrthiana, and meet the king."

[... Host, try to maybe... explain the reason first before slamming them with the hammer, will you?]

The system’s tone had the weary patience of a long-suffering parent.

From that, Xion realized he’d... once again... handled the approach poorly.

Why was the conversation so exhausting?

It was probably Darius’ fault.

The Archduke had taken care of so much for him that he’d grown unused to dealing with people himself.

It had been a long time since he had last held a proper conversation with anyone other than Darius.

"What I mean is," Xion closed his eyes before speaking, "I want you to personally deliver Zen to the king. I need to be certain it reaches his hands. And with all the chaos Luna stirred up, I can’t trust this task to just anyone."

He took his time explaining Zen’s real nature, of how its effects extended beyond orcs, warping minds, bending wills, and why extreme caution was necessary.

As for why he trusted them... it wasn’t just instinct.

In his previous life, Bianca had been the one to help him escape Michael’s grasp once before that damned priest actually caught him.

At that time, Rubina had been waiting on the outskirts of the forest, the one who took him in when he had nowhere else to go.

These two, he knew, were as dependable as Raymond or Allen.

"And I must ask something more delicate," Xion had an embarrassed smile on his face. "Please, do not let Darius know of this. Not even that you’re going to meet the king."

Bianca blinked in surprise, but nodded along with Rubina.

"Thank you for your help. I will make sure to reward both of you handsomely when you return."

Xion hadn’t just chosen them on whim.

Lady Bianca Nocturne was the daughter of Duke Nocturne.

Her contacts in Myrthiana would be useful for them.

She could use them to conceal their movements, while Lady Rubina would slip inside the castle.

After all, if they requested a formal audience with the king, it would be recorded, and the secrecy would be gone.

Both women were silent for a beat, exchanging a glance. Then Bianca smiled brightly. "If this is what you wish, Your Grace, then I will make it happen."

Although Rubina stayed silent, the system was quick to inform that she had a slight smile on her face.

Perhaps, she was thinking of ways in which Silas would suffer after getting his hands on Zen.

[Well, look at that. They actually like you enough to risk their necks.] System tsked jokingly.

[I bet if your husband knew that you were spending your hours with the two beauties while he was out there cleaning your bedroom, he would sure be a sight to behold, no?]

Xion almost chuckled at that.

It was inevitable that Darius would know about their visit. However, he wasn’t going to explain it to him.

Let him simmer in rage if he must.

It was just a little payback for how he had terrified him earlier.

Because of that, Xion had almost lost his mind to those terrible memories once again.

And Darius would disapprove about approaching Silas, of course. But sometimes, the less the Archduke knew, the better.