398 A Question That Keeps One Intrigued
“I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how you interact with those nobles. I can’t help but be reminded of myself back when I was a bit younger, although it doesn’t seem quite apparent.” Viscount Felldan continued with a smile.
Once again, Lucius was pointed out to the Viscount’s gift of Flash of Youth. He didn’t have many words he wished to say to the Viscount, but that did give him a certain idea.
“It does not seem quite apparent, does it not, Viscount Felldan? But have you ever thought what your gift would be like if it were of a higher rank?” Lucius asked.
Viscount Felldan blinked and the smile on his face slipped for a moment. His brows furrowed together and he stared at Young Lord Asher.
“That is… that is quite a provoking thought, Young Lord Asher. It’s not something that I’ve thought of myself, but it certainly does get a person off their footing,” Viscount Felldan said with a smile. “Would you mind if I use that question too? I’d like to catch some people offguard as you have done so for me.”
‘Ah, once again Viscount Felldan assumes that it’s merely a ploy or tactic to get people surprised. And while it certainly does get the reaction that I’m hoping for, it’s not merely for that purpose alone.’ Lucius thought and wore a smile on his face.
“Feel free to use it to your heart’s content, Viscount Felldan, but I wish to reassure you that I did not simply ask it just to provoke your thoughts. I would like to discuss something interesting in regard to that topic. It’s something I’ve discovered while I was undergoing through my studies as of late, which you may be of interest in,” Lucius said.
“… Is that so?” Viscount Felldan asked.
“Yes. I have immersed myself in studies after my recovery from the Gisir War. You could say that I’ve taken an interest in researching things since I was given a second chance at living,” Lucius said. “One ends up discovering a lot of interesting things.”
The smile on the Viscount’s face remained on his face, but it was now a little more careful and cautious, almost as if he had encountered something strange instead of a familiar figure.
He looked almost unsure, but Viscount Felldan was someone smart enough to have caught the hint and bait that Asher had given him. The only question that remained now was what he was going to do about it?
‘This… does Count Gabriel know what his son is doing?’ Viscount Felldan thought. He tried to gather his wits and remembered what he knew about the young lord Asher and then relaxed slightly.
“Something just occurred to me, Young Lord Asher. You mentioned imagining what it’s like for someone’s gift to be elevated in rank, but have you considered what it’s like for someone to have no gift to suddenly receive one?” Viscount Felldan asked. “How do you feel about those things? Forgive me if it’s mildly offputting, but it’s something that struck me based on your statement too.”
Lucius wanted to acknowledge that the man worked fast enough to recover from such a question and even turn it around.
‘He’s already trying to see and weigh if Asher now has some sort of gift based on how I said things. Not bad. But whether I’ll answer that or not is entirely up to me.’ Lucius thought and then glanced at the approaching figure. ‘Fate is a bit on my side today too.’
“Ah, Asher and Viscount Felldan! I did not expect to see the two of you together, but I am certainly happy to see it either way.” Count Gabriel Inanis approached them with a smile.
He had a bottle of Humble Blaze in hand and looked far more relaxed than when he had first arrived with them in Etara’s Cross.
“Father, good evening. You seem to be enjoying yourself quite well,” Lucius said with a smile.
“Count Gabriel, you’ve caught us at a good time.” Viscount Felldan added.
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“Yes, father. I think Viscount Felldan mentioned it earlier.” Lucius said.
“Why would I not support someone who simply wishes to discover the truth about what happened? It strikes me even more cumbersome that the others were unwilling to cooperate. The blood on their hands is because of their actions and not the other way around, Count Gabriel,” Viscount Felldan said.
“You certainly always have a way with words, Felldan. Even when I need support in the royal court, Viscount Felldan has always lent me aid and used that very silver tongue of his to help sway the court to our side whenever it is needed,” Count Gabriel said to Asher.
“It is incredible that this friendship of yours is this strong. We are fortunate to have a good ally in our midst,” Lucius said.
“I simply stand by what I believe in. Count Gabriel is worth supporting, and so I do.” Viscount Felldan said.
“You say that almost as if we’re not friends.”
“Of course we are, Count Gabriel. But there will come a time where I will also speak to you when there is something that we disagree upon,” Viscount Felldan chuckled. “It’s just that the two of us get along, hence why we’re friends and support each other.”
“And I will appreciate it when the time comes that we have something to disagree upon. For now, there is a matter that I wish to discuss with you, but I do not wish to bore Asher with the details.” Count Gabriel said. “Would you like to head elsewhere, Asher?”
“Of course, father. I’ve enjoyed my time with Viscount Felldan, but I also intended to speak with others as well. A good evening to the two of you, I shall be off,” Lucius said before he left the two of them.
He did his best to hide it, but the suspicion remained.