The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 90:The Support

As they reached Altross Town, Kael immediately felt the strange, heavy atmosphere.

The streets were quiet, and the air carried a tense stillness. He glanced at the carriage where Ramos was sitting with the demon girl a few inches away from him and narrowed his eyes.

"Old man, I’m warning you. Don’t molest that woman," Kael muttered, his tone laced with annoyance.

Ramos nearly choked on air. "What did you just say, you little shit?!" His face turned red with anger as he glared at Kael. "Do I look like that kind of guy to you?"

Kael smirked, scoffing as he got off his horse. "A lustful geezer," he said casually before walking off, leaving Ramos fuming in the carriage.

Ignoring the knights, Kael stepped inside Altross Mansion. Ariana had already been informed of his arrival, and the place was spotless. The servants were lined up properly, all under control. Kael looked around, nodding in approval.

Soon, they moved to temporary office and began the discussion.

"You have a knack for management," he said, crossing his arms. "Also, your swordsmanship is impressive. Your movements are way too refined for someone with that body of yours."

Ariana, who had been calm until now, suddenly turned pink. She quickly lowered her head. "Thank you for the praise, My Lord. But without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything."

Kael waved it off. "Anything noteworthy to report?"

Ariana’s expression turned serious. "I imprisoned Albert and Baroness Hela, but..."

Kael raised a brow. "But?"

"Albert escaped, and Baroness Hela is dead," she said flatly.

Kael’s face darkened. He clenched his jaw but stopped himself from saying something harsh. "How?"

"The Altross knights still don’t fully obey me. A few loyal servants were guarding them, but as per survivors someone sneaked in and helped Albert escape. However, we don’t know why he killed Hela instead of freeing her."

Kael frowned. Was it Marconi’s doing? Or was another force involved? If there was another player in this, things could get troublesome.

"Anything else?" he asked.

Ariana nodded and handed him a stack of documents. "I’ve gathered proof of my father’s involvement with the Dark Mages. I’m prepared to submit it to the authorities and accept my punishment."

Kael glanced at the papers. "You realize you’ll lose your noble status?"

"So be it," Ariana said without hesitation. Her voice was firm, her eyes calm. "I don’t want this title anymore."

Kael looked into her eyes, studying her. They weren’t the eyes of a naïve young girl. They were the eyes of a hardened veteran, someone who had seen too much and endured worse. Despite her short and plump frame, her presence carried a weight far beyond her years.

Without breaking eye contact, Kael took the documents and, without warning, tore them apart. The paper shredded into pieces, scattering to the floor.

Ariana blinked, her shock evident. "What—?"

"There’s no proof," Kael said, his voice firm. "The Baron wasn’t working with the Dark Mages. This was all their doing. No evidence exists against him. Got it?"

Ariana stood frozen for a moment before nodding slowly. Even though she had braced herself for punishment, a part of her couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Kael leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he watched Ariana closely. The tension in the room was thick, and for good reason. This wasn’t just about titles or power—it was about survival. He could see it in Ariana’s eyes. She knew that too.

"..."

A brief pause lingered.Ariana wanted to say something but she couldn’t.

She looked at Kael and wondered if she should reveal something about Adele which might help but on second note they weren’t that close.

As for the favour, there are many ways to help him.

Also, she needed to assure the man before her was worthy and strong unlike the past life.

"You’re smart, I’ll give you that," Kael said, tapping his fingers on the wooden table. "You cleaned up this mess, kept the servants in check, and even dug up all the dirt on your father. But let’s be honest, Ariana—you have no real authority."

Ariana’s eyes flickered, but she remained composed. "And you do?"

Kael grinned. "I have what you don’t—fear. The knights obey me. The people whisper my name. You might have Altross blood, but power isn’t inherited, it’s taken."

Ariana’s lips pressed into a thin line understanding Kael words. "And how exactly do you plan to take power here?"

"Simple. We spin the story. Your father was tricked, manipulated by dark mages. You’re the righteous heir cleaning up his mess. And me? I’m the ’hero’ who helped restore order. The people don’t need the truth—they need a reason to follow."

Ariana narrowed her eyes. "And what do you gain from this?"

Kael smirked. "A loyal ally. One who knows how to handle politics while I handle the battlefield. You get the title, I get the influence. We both win."

Ariana exhaled through her nose, considering his words. "And if I refuse?"

Kael shrugged. "Then someone else will take the position, and I’ll have to deal with them instead. But I’d rather work with someone who’s competent than waste time crushing an idiot."

Ariana was silent for a long moment. Then, her voice dropped, cold and sharp. "What if you betray me?"

Kael sat back in the chair, tapping his fingers on the table, his sharp gaze locked onto Ariana. The flickering candle light cast long shadows over the dimly lit study, adding to the tense atmosphere.

’Unlike the Duke mansion, there isn’’t electricity here.It is poor and backward without any presence but this lass....’

Kael lips widened playfully.

The room was silent except for the occasional crackle of the fireplace, the air thick with an unspoken challenge.

Ariana crossed her arms, her expression calm but calculating. "You want my support, My Lord? I’m not against it, but tell me—what do I gain from this? What if you betray me?"

Kael leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes darkened. "Betray you?" He scoffed. "You think I have time for that kind of bullshit?"

Kael ignored it as joke but paused seeing those weird gazes of Ariana.