Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 230: Meeting at House Ambrose

The Ambrose manor’s formal meeting room had been prepared with meticulous care, though the atmosphere remained tense despite Chen Xing’s diplomatic efforts.

Julius Luminaris arrived precisely on time, his usually immaculate appearance showing subtle signs of the strain his family had endured over the past week.

"Lord Luminaris," Grim said with formal courtesy as Julius was escorted into the room. "Thank you for accepting my invitation."

"Lord Ambrose," Julius replied with a bow that contained the precise amount of respect required by protocol, though his eyes carried wariness that suggested he expected this meeting to be another form of attack.

Grim gestured to the chair across from his desk, noting how Julius’s movements lacked their usual confident authority.

"I trust your family is adjusting to recent circumstances well." Grim asked with apparent concern.

"We are managing," Julius replied carefully. "Though I admit the past week has been eventual if nothing else."

"I’m certain it has," Grim agreed. "Which brings me to the purpose of this meeting. I believe enough lessons have been learned, and perhaps it’s time to discuss more constructive arrangements."

Julius’s eyebrows rose with obvious surprise. "What kind of arrangements?"

"The kind that might help House Luminaris recover from its recent misfortunes," Grim replied, settling back in his chair with the expression of someone making a generous offer. "I’m prepared to publicly announce House Ambrose’s support for your family’s continued prosperity."

The silence that followed was electric with tension and disbelief.

"You would... support us?" Julius asked slowly. "After everything that’s happened?"

"I would support the principle that noble houses should be judged by their future actions rather than their past mistakes," Grim said diplomatically. "A public statement from House Ambrose could go a long way toward restoring confidence in your family’s business relationships."

"And what would you require in return?" Julius asked, his political instincts clearly warning him that such generosity came with a price.

"Several things," Grim replied, his tone becoming more businesslike. "First, I need your assurance that the rumor campaign against House Ambrose has ended permanently. No more whispered implications, no more manufactured scandals, no more attempts to undermine my reputation through indirect means."

"Of course," Julius agreed immediately. freewёbnoνel-com

"Second," Grim continued, his voice taking on subtle harmonics that marked the dark mana’s influence, "I need your daughter to understand that her future conduct will be carefully observed. Lady Mira’s previous activities have demonstrated poor judgment that could prove costly if repeated."

Julius’s face flushed slightly at the implied threat to his daughter, but he nodded reluctantly. "I’ll ensure that Mira understands the importance of appropriate behavior."

"I’m certain you will," Grim said with cold satisfaction. "Because if she steps out of line again, the consequences will be considerably more severe than what your family has recently experienced."

The threat was unmistakable, and Julius’s expression showed he understood exactly what was being promised.

"Is there anything else?" he asked quietly.

"One final matter," Grim said, leaning forward slightly. "I’m aware that during my absence in the South, you made certain inquiries about my activities and plans. Inquiries that involved visits to my estate and conversations with various sources of information."

Julius’s face went pale. "I... that is to say..."

"I understand the temptation to gather intelligence about potential rivals," Grim continued inexorably. "But I want to be absolutely clear about boundaries going forward. Any future attempts to investigate House Ambrose affairs, any unauthorized visits to my properties, any efforts to gather information about my plans or activities will be considered acts of aggression."

"Lord Ambrose, I assure you—"

"And acts of aggression against House Ambrose," Grim interrupted, "will result in the complete destruction of your bloodline. Not just your political position, not just your financial resources, but your family’s existence."

The promise of annihilation hung in the air like a blade, and Julius sat in stunned silence as he processed the implications.

"Do we understand each other?" Grim asked quietly.

"Perfectly," Julius replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Excellent," Grim said, his tone returning to diplomatic pleasantness. "Then I believe we can move forward on more positive terms. I’ll have Chen Xing draft a public statement of support for House Luminaris, emphasizing our confidence in your family’s continued contributions to imperial prosperity."

"That’s... very generous," Julius managed.

"It’s practical," Grim corrected. "Stable noble houses serve the Empire’s interests better than constantly feuding factions. Your family’s recovery benefits everyone."

"Also, I’ll have workers ready to return to your house to help you clean your property and get you ready to conduct business again."

As Julius prepared to leave, he turned back with obvious reluctance. "Lord Ambrose, may I ask... how did you know about my inquiries regarding your southern activities?"

Grim smiled with predatory satisfaction. "I make it my business to know when people take interest in my affairs, Lord Luminaris. Just as I make it my business to respond appropriately when those interests become intrusive."

After Julius departed, Chen Xing entered the meeting room with obvious relief.

"How did he respond to your... generous offer?" his aide asked.

"Exactly as expected," Grim replied with satisfaction. "Fear makes people remarkably cooperative when combined with the prospect of relief."

"And you believe he’ll honor the arrangement?"

"I believe he understands the alternatives," Grim said confidently. "House Luminaris will know their place. And soon enough i’ll end this feud between our houses for good."

[You’re rebuilding them so you can control them,] Caius observed with what sounded like approval. [Better to have former enemies as dependent allies than as potential future threats.]

"Exactly," Grim agreed silently. "Destroyed enemies can become martyrs. Defeated enemies who are then shown mercy become the most loyal supporters."

Chen Xing spoke again. "And the staff you mentioned returning to their service?"

"Ah yes," Grim said with quiet satisfaction. "I want you to carefully select the personnel who will be ’graciously’ returning to House Luminaris. Choose individuals who understand their true loyalties."

"I’ll have people ready." Chen Xing said with understanding.

"People who can provide us with regular updates about the family’s activities, visitors, correspondence, and private conversations. After all, trust must be verified through careful observation."

"How many positions should we fill?"

"Enough to ensure comprehensive coverage," Grim replied thoughtfully. "A housekeeper who can access private areas, a secretary who handles correspondence, perhaps a groundskeeper who observes comings and goings. Standard household staff who become invisible after a few weeks of reliable service."

Chen Xing nodded approvingly. "And their reporting structure?"

"Weekly summaries," Grim said. "Nothing that would appear suspicious if discovered, but detailed enough to identify any potential problems before they develop."

"What about the children? Lord Max and Lady Mira?"

"Especially the children," Grim emphasized. "Max has his father’s political instincts but lacks experience in managing his reactions. Mira has proven herself capable of remarkably poor judgment when she believes she’s acting secretly."

"You suspect they might attempt some form of retaliation?"

"I suspect they’re young, angry, and convinced that their recent humiliation demands a response," Grim replied with a stern tone. "The staff will help us identify any such plans before they can be implemented."

Chen Xing pulled out a small notebook and began making notes. "I’ll have suitable candidates identified by tomorrow. People with the right combination of competence and loyalty."

"Make sure they understand the importance of appearing genuinely helpful," Grim emphasized. "The goal is to be seen as House Ambrose’s generous gesture of reconciliation, not as an occupation force."

"The public statement of support—when should we release it?"

"Tomorrow morning," Grim decided. "Let word spread that House Ambrose believes in House Luminaris’s capacity for redemption. It will make their cooperation appear voluntary rather than coerced."

Chen Xing started to leave, then paused at the door. "Lord Ambrose, if I may ask—do you believe this approach will permanently resolve the conflict between your houses?"

Grim considered the question with careful honesty. "It will resolve the immediate threat they represented while establishing a framework for long-term control. Whether it prevents future conflicts depends entirely on whether they learn to appreciate their new position."

"And if they don’t?"

"Then the framework already exists to address that problem," Grim replied with quiet confidence.

As Chen Xing departed to arrange the details of their surveillance network, Grim felt a deep satisfaction with how the situation had developed.

[A rather elegant solution,] Caius observed with approval. [Better to have them as controlled allies than as unpredictable enemies.]

"Control is always preferable to destruction," Grim agreed silently. "Especially when the control appears to be magnanimous generosity rather than continued oppression."

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