Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 71: Hello, Grim

"Hello, Grim," Liona said softly. "It’s been a long time."

For a moment, neither spoke. Liona took in the changes twelve years had wrought on the boy she once knew. Shirtless. Grim’s body showed years of harsh discipline and conditioning. Lean muscle wrapped his frame like coiled steel. The boyish softness was gone, replaced by the hardened edges of a warrior.

[She’s studying you,] the voice noted.

Grim remained silent, acutely aware of the voice’s observation.

"I didn’t expect to find you cultivating so soon after your match," Liona said, breaking the silence as she moved further into the garden. "Most competitors would still be recovering."

"Most competitors aren’t trying to kill their father," Grim replied.

[Blunt as ever,] the voice commented, amusement evident in its tone. [Though her reaction suggests she wasn’t expecting such candor.]

Indeed, Liona had paused mid-step, surprise flashing briefly across her face.

"May I?" she asked, gesturing to a stone bench nearby.

Grim nodded, remaining standing. "What brings you to my door Liona? I doubt it’s mere nostalgia."

A smile touched her lips at his use of her name rather than her title. "Perhaps a bit of nostalgia," she admitted. "But also concern. You made quite a statement in the arena today."

"The blood marking," Grim said.

"Mother recognized it immediately. Few others understood its significance." Liona watched him carefully. "A formal blood debt against Julius Luminaris is... escalatory."

"He tried to have me poisoned," Grim stated flatly. "Ghost Veil. An underhanded tactic meant to rob me of a fair fight."

"And taking his life outside the tournament is your answer?"

[She’s probing for your intentions,] the voice warned. [Political considerations will drive her response.]

Grim moved to the edge of the meditation area, his bare feet silent on the stone path. "Would you prefer I let such an act go unanswered? That would send its own message to the noble houses."

"I’m not here to censure you, Grim," Liona said. "I want to understand."

For a brief moment, he saw a flash of the girl who had once shared secrets with him.

"Why did you disappear?" she asked suddenly, her voice softer. "Everyone thought you were dead."

Grim felt a strange tightness in his chest at the question. "I was almost dead. Malaxis took control of my father’s body and tried to kill me because of who I am. What I am." He paused, the memories still raw despite the passage of years. "Yongrun hid me until I was ready to defend myself."

"Malaxis," Liona repeated the name. "Your father’s... possessed?"

"His body is. My father is gone." Grim’s voice was hard, brooking no room for false hope. "The creature wearing his skin hates my family for some reason."

Liona rose from the bench, moving closer to where Grim stood. The proximity sent an unexpected jolt through him.

[Interesting,] the voice mused. [Your heart rate just increased significantly.]

Their eyes met, and for a heartbeat, the years between them seemed to vanish. Grim felt something stir within him. Not quite the childish admiration he’d once held for the princess, but something deeper, more complex. He didn’t have words for it.

[This feeling confuses you,] the voice noted. [Perhaps because you haven’t allowed yourself to feel much beyond anger and determination for years.]

Liona stepped closer still, close enough that Grim could detect the subtle scent of perfume.

"I’ve missed this," she said quietly.

"What?"

"You speaking to me like a person, not a princess." Her golden eyes held his. "Everyone else weighs every word, calculating the advantages. You just... say what you mean."

[She values authenticity,] the voice observed.

Something shifted in Grim’s chest. An unfamiliar sensation that wasn’t quite comfortable but wasn’t discomfort either. It had been so long since he’d allowed himself to think of anything beyond vengeance and survival.

"I should go," Liona said, though she made no move to leave. "I’ve taken enough of your training time."

"It can wait," Grim found himself saying, surprising both of them.

A smile bloomed across her face, genuine and warm. "Then perhaps we could talk a while longer. I have something for you, actually. Something I was given that belongs to you."

[Curious,] the voice whispered in Grim’s mind. [Very curious indeed.]

The sound of Sera clearing her throat broke the moment between them. The elderly housekeeper stood at the garden entrance, a tray of tea and light refreshments in her hands, her stern gaze fixed on Grim.

"Master Grim," she said with pointed disapproval, "I would think you’d know better than to entertain royalty while half-dressed. Put on a shirt at once. What would your father say about such impropriety?"

Grim felt an unexpected warmth creep up his neck. He wasn’t embarrassed exactly, but a sudden awareness of his attire. Liona’s barely suppressed smile didn’t help matters.

[She’s enjoying your discomfort,] the voice observed, clearly amused. [The princess hasn’t changed entirely, it seems.]

"I’ll just..." Grim gestured vaguely toward the house.

"Please do," Sera said firmly. "I’ve prepared refreshments in the drawing room for you and Princess Liona. I expect you to be there in five minutes, properly attired."

As Sera bustled away with the tray, Liona finally allowed her laughter to escape. "I see Sera hasn’t changed a bit. She used to scold you all the time."

"Some things remain constant," Grim agreed, finding himself oddly comforted by the thought.

When they reconvened in the drawing room. Grim now wearing a black shirt. Sera poured tea before discreetly withdrawing. The atmosphere had shifted somewhat, becoming more formal within the confines of the house.

"You mentioned having something for me," Grim said, not touching his tea.

Liona nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Yes, but before that..." She hesitated, setting down her cup. "There’s something I should tell you, especially given your return and... whatever still exists between us."

[She’s choosing her words carefully now,] the voice noted. [This matters to her.]

"I’m to be married," Liona said, her eyes meeting his directly. "The announcement will be made public after the tournament. A political alliance to strengthen the kingdom."

Grim’s face remained impassive, but internally he felt a strange hollowness spread through his chest. An unexpected reaction to news that should have been irrelevant to his purpose.

[Fascinating,] the voice whispered. [Your mana flow just faltered. You care more than you realized.]

"Who?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

Liona held his gaze steadily. "Max Luminaris."

The name hit Grim like a physical blow. For a moment, he forgot to breathe. Max Luminaris. Son of the man he had marked for death, brother to the woman who had kissed him earlier in the day.

[Control yourself,] the voice cautioned urgently. [Your mana is becoming visible.]

Grim looked down to see a faint blue glow emanating from his clenched fists. With effort, he forced his mana to settle, but the storm inside him only intensified. His cup cracked between his fingers, spilling tea across the table.

"I see," he said, his voice dangerously quiet. "Julius Luminaris’s son."

"It’s been arranged for months," Liona explained, watching his reaction carefully. "Long before your return."

A bitter laugh escaped him before he could stop it. "How convenient for House Luminaris. First they try to poison me, then I discover they’ve secured the princess as well."

"This isn’t about you, Grim," Liona said, a flash of anger in her eyes. "Or your vendetta. The kingdom needs stability..."

"And marrying into the family that helped destroy mine will provide that?" Grim rose from his seat, unable to remain still. "Does he know you’re here? Does Julius?"

"What I do is still my decision," she replied, her chin lifting slightly. "Whatever politics dictate my marriage, I remain my own person."

Grim rose from his seat, unable to remain still. He turned away from her, his hand instinctively finding Echo’s hilt. His fingers wrapped turning white-knuckled. The emotion inside of Grim was far different from anything he had dealt with. Rage and betrayal was all he could feel.

[Remember why you returned,] the voice reminded him. [This changes nothing about your purpose.]

But it did change something. He just wasn’t sure what.

"You mentioned having something for me," he said finally, his back still to her, unwilling to let her see whatever might be visible in his eyes.