CHAPTER 48: MONEY TREE

Lord Heidz’s Manor.

Four days since the council meeting.

Aric walked into the lord’s manor after traversing a long expanse of land, like a sea of well-cut green grass adorned with multiple statues and fountains of white stone. The manor itself was vast and complexly beautiful, its design speaking of unmatched architecture and even more profound costs.

It didn’t take a second look to know this was the home of the extremely wealthy, and upon entering inside, it was an even greater sight to behold. The entire interior gleamed with gold and marble furnishings, and there was nowhere to look that didn’t echo wealth.

"Please, this way," one of the servants beckoned as Aric followed.

He was led through a grand hallway and eventually up the breathtaking curve of stairs before traveling down another hall, only stopping once they reached the door at its far end.

Though made of wood, the door seemed regal. Artistic carvings adorned it, and it was dense and weighty. The servant pushed it open before stepping aside and gesturing for Aric to enter.

"Please, this way," the servant repeated.

Aric glanced at him before turning back to the door’s entrance, proceeding with slight hesitation. As he looked around, trying to discern where he was, he quickly noticed numerous bookshelves in the depths of the room—it felt like a library of sorts.

In the far right corner, near a window, was a large desk and an occupied chair. A man, perhaps in his fifties, sat down, carefully reading a book. His failure to acknowledge the prince made Aric assume he had yet to be noticed.

However, it seemed otherwise, as the man greeted, "Welcome, Your Highness... I had begun to worry my invitation would not be honored."

The lord spoke while his eyes still trailed from one side of the book to the other, reading with concentration.

"I am very grateful for your gift; coming was the least I could do."

"You honor me." The man rose from the chair, pushing it back and closing the book before placing it on the desk. "That was but a small token, not worth your presence in my humble abode."

"I disagree," the prince smiled, walking slowly closer to the wide window at the far end of the room. "I assume there is a reason you invited me here."

The lord sighed, stepping away from the desk as he walked to a cabinet. He held its two handles gently, parting it open, and Aric watched as he took out a bottle of wine, twirling it slightly before retrieving another, his mind unsettled. The prince then turned his gaze to the window.

Below sprawled the vast land of the manor, with several servants attending to menial tasks, whether trimming the grass or cleaning the pathways. Yet Aric quickly realized these were not ordinary men.

They reeked of Ki, though it was carefully concealed.

Razid Heidz settled on a wine, moved it along with two brass goblets, and placed it on the desk. He then raised the bottle, tipping it gently as velvet liquid streamed into both cups.

"Please, have a drink with me," the lord offered.

Aric first turned his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on the supposed servants below, before fully turning back. He walked over and took one of the filled cups with a nod of appreciation.

"It’s quite stupefying for an imperial prince to be meeting the council and king at a time like this... it makes one think the worst," the lord said, walking back to the chair behind his desk.

Aric chuckled dryly. "And what is the worst?"

Razid shook his head.

"May the gods not allow me to speak against the imperial prince."

Aric smiled, staying silent as he gazed at the lord before raising the cup and sipping the wine. He nodded his head in compliment.

"For someone far removed from the affairs of the king, you seem very aware of them."

Aric turned, walking away from the desk as he spoke.

"In a position like mine, information becomes the most valuable."

Aric walked closer to the window again as he gazed down at the servants.

"Speak freely, your lordship. Why do you let Aszer keep his life until now... you seem more than capable... ready even."

The lord hesitated at the question, silence settling between them before he finally spoke.

"I... don’t want to be king, nor do I want the chaos that would ensue from taking that throne, and even worse, the wrath of Valeria."

Aric smiled before turning back to the lord.

"...but you don’t want Aszer to remain king either?"

"No," Heidz answered sharply. "That bastard will be the doom of Byzeth... it only saddens me that it seems you have colluded with him on his... well, rather foolish ambition."

"Oh?" Aric’s tone laced with intrigue. "Then perhaps you have called me here in an attempt to sway me from my intentions."

"No, if you have truly decided on aiding the king, then I shall not convince you otherwise. However, I can’t seem to shake the thought that you have a deeper interest, and I only invited you to confirm or disabuse this notion."

Aric looked into the lord’s eyes sternly, as if searching for something in their depths. He then threw his head back and drank the remaining wine before letting out a strong exhale.

"The king will die for his treason," Aric declared as his eyes narrowed, and he slowly approached the lord. "But you may die before him."

The lord shot up from his chair, panic evident as modestly sized golden spears began to materialize behind the prince, their sharp and deadly points aimed straight at him as Aric approached.

"Don’t bother, no one will come. My Ki cannot be sensed... you can only live by answering my questions truthfully."