Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 74: Julius’s Lapdog

Grim left the arena, his mind still buzzing from the confrontation with Max. The fool had no idea what forces were truly at play. His ignorance was almost pitiable. Almost.

[You’re heading to the palace now?] the voice asked, curiosity evident in its tone.

"Yes," Grim muttered, keeping his voice low enough that passersby wouldn’t notice him talking to himself. "The vault won’t wait any longer."

The palace loomed ahead, its white spires gleaming in the afternoon sun. Unlike most visitors, Grim didn’t approach the main entrance. Instead, he circled to a less conspicuous side entrance used primarily by staff and lower-ranking officials. The guards there recognized him immediately. With his reputation from the tournament, everyone knew who he was now.

"Lord Van Ambrose," one guard acknowledged with a respectful nod. "Your presence is... unexpected."

"I have business," Grim stated, offering no further explanation.

The guards exchanged glances but made no move to stop him. His noble status, however recently restored, granted him certain access rights that they couldn’t easily challenge. With a grunt, the senior guard stepped aside, allowing Grim to pass.

As he rounded a corner toward the eastern wing, a familiar voice stopped him cold.

"Well, well. The prodigal Ambrose, gracing us with his presence outside the arena."

Grim turned slowly, his posture relaxed despite the surge of hatred that coursed through him. Julius Luminaris stood in the entrance of a side corridor. Beside him was Lord Draykar, a portly noble whose family had been prosperous over the years.

"Luminaris," Grim acknowledged, his voice flat. "And Draykar. What an unfortunate coincidence."

Julius’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Hardly a coincidence. This is the palace, after all. Those of us who actually belong here spend quite a bit of time within these walls."

"And yet here you both are," Grim replied, "lurking in hallways like common servants. How the mighty have fallen."

Lord Draykar’s face flushed an ugly shade of purple. "You dare speak to us of falling, boy? When your house is nothing but ash and memory?"

Julius stepped forward. "My son mentioned an enlightening conversation with you earlier today. You seem determined to make enemies of the entire Luminaris line."

"Not the entire line," Grim responded with a cold smile. "Just the corrupt, murderous parts. So yes, the entire line."

"You should watch your tongue," Lord Draykar blustered. "You may have impressed the rabble with your performance in the arena, but here you are nothing."

Grim’s laugh was harsh. "And you, Draykar, aren’t even worth the breath it takes to insult you. Your house is a joke that everyone tolerates because you’re useful as Julius’s lapdog. At least he has the spine to do his own dirty work occasionally."

Draykar’s hand moved toward his sword, but Julius placed a restraining hand on his arm.

"You’ve made quite the spectacle of yourself since your return," Julius said, his voice deceptively mild. "The blood marking was particularly... theatrical. Did you learn such primitive customs during your exile among savages?"

"Fuck off, Luminaris," Grim spat, dropping any pretense of aristocratic restraint. "I’m not here for you today. I have other business."

"In the palace?" Julius raised an eyebrow. "How fascinating. What business could a half-feral remnant of House Ambrose possibly have in these hallowed halls?"

"None of your fucking business," Grim retorted. "Like father, like son. Both overestimating their importance while underestimating their enemies."

A flicker of genuine anger crossed Julius’s face. "My son will deal with you in due time."

"If he’s anything like his father, he’ll try poison first," Grim shot back. "How’s that working out for you so far?"

Lord Draykar huffed in outrage. "You dare accuse a noble house of such dishonorable tactics without proof?"

"I survived the proof," Grim said, his voice dropping dangerously. "And I marked the debt that came with it."

The tension in the hallway had become palpable, a dangerous energy that seemed to crackle between the three men. Julius’s hand had drifted casually toward a concealed pocket in his robes.

[He’s armed,] the voice warned unnecessarily. [And this location is isolated enough for an "accident" to occur.]

"Gentlemen." A new voice interrupted the standoff, cool and authoritative.

All three turned to see Archmage Marcus approaching.

"Lord Van Ambrose," he acknowledged with a nod to Grim. "Lord Luminaris, Lord Draykar. I trust this is a friendly conversation among peers?"

"Merely welcoming the young lord back to civilized society," Julius replied smoothly, his hand moving away from the hidden pocket. "After so many years in... wherever it was he’s been hiding."

"How thoughtful," Marcus replied dryly. "Though perhaps Lord Van Ambrose has appointments to keep?" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Grim inclined his head slightly, recognizing the deliberate intervention for what it was. "Indeed. If you’ll excuse me, my lords. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to continue this delightful exchange."

"Count on it," Lord Draykar muttered.

As Grim moved past them, Julius spoke again, his voice pitched for Grim’s ears alone. "The tournament protects you for now. Enjoy that protection while it lasts."

Grim paused, turning back with a razor-sharp smile. "The tournament protects you as well, Luminaris. Remember that when you feel the weight of my gaze on you in the arena."

With that, he continued down the corridor.

[That was risky,] the voice commented. [Both Luminaris and Draykar have considerable influence here.]

"Let them plot," Grim replied quietly. "It changes nothing."

The Archmage steoed beside him. "Your tendency to antagonize powerful enemies is concerning, Lord Van Ambrose."

"My enemies were made long before I antagonized them," Grim replied. "But I appreciate the timely intervention, Archmage."

"What is your business in the palace Grim?" Marcis asked.

Grim’s hand moved automatically to where the key rested beneath his shirt. "You know why I’m here."

"Yes," Marcus admitted. "Though I wondered how long it would take you to acquire the means of access."

Grim stopped before a wall and pressed the stone inward and the secret door opened. "Good bye Marcus."

Ehem Grim reached the door, he just stated at it for a minute. Grim drew the key from beneath his shirt.

[After all this time,] the voice murmured, [the Ambrose legacy awaits.]

Grim inserted the key into the lock. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a series of clicks echoed through the chamber, each louder than the last.

The door swung open.

Grim stepped through the threshold, into the heart of the Ambrose vault, where the true power of his family had been sealed away.