THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR-Chapter 377: BENEATH THE NOBLE FACADE

As she assisted the attendants in loading Sylindra's blanket-wrapped form, Vivian's gaze tracked David's every movement, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly when he extended his hand to help Elara into the carriage. The reflexive possessiveness in her expression vanished almost immediately behind professional composure, though not before she wondered silently how many others shared the connection she treasured. How many women had fallen under his spell as completely as she had?

David nodded, acknowledging her report with a subtle smile that was reserved only for his closest confidantes. The interior had been meticulously prepared, cushioned benches arranged to accommodate both comfort and defense, with strategic positioning that would allow rapid response to any threat. A padded platform had been secured in the center, surrounded by stabilization wards that would minimize the impact of road vibrations on their injured passenger.

Once Sylindra was secured, the attendants withdrew with professional discretion, melting into the city's awakening streets under Seraphina's guidance. They would return to the inn, maintain the appearance of normal service for several hours, then disperse through separate routes to await further instructions.

Vivian took her position at the driver's seat, the picture of an ordinary merchant's servant preparing for daily deliveries. Only David noticed the subtle hand signals she exchanged with shadows lurking in nearby alleyways, positioned operatives who would track their progress through the city, ensuring no unwelcome attention followed their departure.

As the carriage lurched into motion, David felt the familiar weight of tactical awareness settling across his shoulders. His gaze swept the interior, cataloging positions and vulnerabilities with practiced efficiency. Luna had dissolved into shadow form, spreading herself across the floorboards to maximize sensory coverage. Elara sat opposite him, her posture betraying the soldier's vigilance beneath her merchant's wife disguise. Between them, Sylindra lay motionless, her breathing synchronized with the carriage's gentle rocking.

They moved through Valemir's awakening streets in careful formation. The carriage itself represented merely the visible component of their procession. Ahead, Draven moved like a shadow despite his imposing size, clearing their path of potential complications with invisible efficiency. Flanking them at discreet distances, additional operatives maintained a mobile perimeter, their seemingly random movements forming a coordinated net of surveillance that would detect any pursuit long before it became dangerous.

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The journey through Valemir's increasingly crowded thoroughfares proceeded with remarkable smoothness, a testament to Seraphina's meticulous planning rather than fortunate coincidence. They passed through three checkpoints between districts, each transition eased by carefully prepared documentation and the universal understanding that wine merchants required freedom of movement to conduct business with noble houses.

As they approached the eastern district, where ancient family estates maintained careful distance from the city's commercial hustle, the buildings grew more widely spaced. Gardens appeared behind high walls, glimpses of cultivated beauty visible through ornate gates. The De Gror manor stood among these noble residences, neither the most ostentatious nor the most modest, its elegant architecture designed to suggest old wealth rather than nouveau riche extravagance.

The estate's gates swung open as they approached, no visible signal exchanged yet perfect timing evident in the synchronized movement. The carriage rolled smoothly up the crushed-stone driveway, wheels crunching softly as they approached the manor's imposing entrance.

What awaited them surpassed even Elara's expectations. A double line of staff stood arranged on the manor steps, household servants in immaculate De Gror livery of midnight blue with silver accents, their posture reflecting professional training that bordered on military precision. Among them stood women whose bearing suggested capabilities far beyond domestic service, their eyes carrying awareness that ordinary maids simply didn't possess.

"Your household is... extensive," Elara observed, one eyebrow raised in surprise as the carriage came to a halt.

David's lips curved in a slight smile. "The manor requires proper staffing, particularly when entertaining guests of significance."

As they descended from the carriage, the assembled staff bowed in perfect unison. The household butler stepped forward, a dignified woman whose silver-streaked hair and impeccable posture spoke of decades of service.

"Welcome home, Young Master," she intoned with formal precision. "The eastern wing has been prepared as instructed, and the greenhouse laboratory equipped according to specifications. Refreshments await in the drawing room whenever you and your guests wish to partake."

David acknowledged this with a nod as attendants moved efficiently to transfer Sylindra from the carriage to a waiting stretcher. The practiced coordination of their movements suggested this was hardly the first unusual arrival they had managed.

As the formal greetings proceeded, David noticed a subtle ripple passing through the assembled staff, particularly among those positioned toward the end of the formation. Two women in particular, one with striking azure hair and golden eyes, the other with copper hair and the unmistakable bearing of a warrior, exchanged glances of poorly concealed surprise as they studied him.

Rina Celestade's expression flickered between curiosity and assessment, her celestial-touched features betraying momentary disbelief as she matched the master she had heard so much about with the relatively young man standing before her. Beside her, Valeria Crimsonhelm maintained a more disciplined facade, though her amber eyes widened fractionally as she took in David's appearance.

"He's younger than I expected," Rina whispered, her voice pitched for Valeria's ears alone.

"Age means little where power is concerned," the former Crimson Knight responded, her military training evident in her ability to speak without moving her lips. A note of disappointment tinged her words despite her disciplined facade. "Though I confess, after all Seraphina's tales, I expected someone more... imposing. Not this pretty noble boy playing at command."

Their exchange might have continued, but discipline prevailed as David progressed along the welcoming line. When he passed their position, both women bowed with perfect formality, though their gazes followed him with undisguised fascination.

Just as they were entering the manor, a second carriage arrived, this one bearing the distinct markings of the Alchemist Guild. Yue descended first, her childlike form belying the ancient power she commanded. Litty followed close behind, her half-elven grace evident in her fluid movements as she surveyed the manor with professional assessment.

"This will do nicely," Yue announced, her voice carrying the imperious tone of someone accustomed to far grander accommodations yet willing to make concessions for practical purposes. "Though I expect that greenhouse to be exactly as promised, David."

As they entered the manor's grand foyer, marble floors gleaming beneath crystal chandeliers, Elara leaned closer to David, her voice carrying more tension than humor despite her attempt at casual conversation. The set of her jaw and the tightness around her eyes betrayed her true mood, the strain of Salomonis's detention weighing heavily on her composure.

"You've been quite busy building your little network," she observed, her tone slightly sharper than intended. "I count at least six combat-trained operatives among your 'household staff.' How long have you been preparing for... whatever this is?"

"Seven, actually," David corrected with a hint of amusement that only seemed to heighten Elara's tension. "The head gardener is a former imperial assassin who found refuge here after refusing certain... distasteful assignments. Her botanical knowledge proves quite useful for both defensive measures and medicinal preparations."

Elara's laugh carried a brittle edge, the sound hollow against the manor's vaulted ceiling. "Of course. Another deadly beauty in your collection. Should I even ask how many there are in total?"

As the massive doors closed behind them, sealing their group within the manor's protective embrace, David felt the weight of multiple gazes upon him, from Elara's wary assessment to the barely concealed curiosity of his newest recruits, from Vivian's possessive attention to Luna's silent vigilance as she rematerialized from shadow form. Yue's calculating stare and Litty's professional appraisal added yet more layers to the complex dynamic.

All of them expected different things from him, their needs and hopes layered upon his shoulders like the accumulated weight of misaligned worlds. Yet in this moment, as they gathered in the ancestral home of a family that had never truly been his, David found himself strangely at peace with these contradictory responsibilities.

The real work was about to begin.