Chapter 94: Doting godmother (2) (1/2)

Sol and Hermes made a happy deal. Of course, the deal itself was pretty vague. Sol never really stated how much support he would provide. But, this was something that could be discussed later.

After uttering his oath and getting back up, the Duke looked at Sol and hesitated for a short while before finally speaking,

”Your highness, there's someone I must present to you. Someone very important.”

”Oh?”

Sol raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The Duke was basically the highest rank, only below that of the king. For him to describe someone else as important was truly intriguing.

Still,

”Why should I meet this person?”

He was the prince. This was neither arrogance nor hubris. Why would the prince and future king of a whole kingdom move to meet some unknown person?

The Duke, having clearly expected this answer smiled, ”Her name is Theresa and she is the matriarch of one of the highest families in the council of Greed Dike. But, you might also know her as–one of your father's old companions.”

This brought Sol's attention. Not just because of the reveal about her being his dad's crewmate. But rather because of the obvious respect the Duke was showing.

”So your house still has connections with the dwarves kingdom?”

His tone wasn't particularly accusatory but The Duke shivered a little as the temperature in the room seemed to plummet very fast.

Sol wasn't surprised about the situation. It was very clear from the beginning that the first Duchess was basically a sort of open spy or a link between Lustburg and Greed Dike.

Still, this action of the Duke showed that the influence Greed Dike had was stronger and he did not particularly like that.

His eyes became a little colder as he thought about how another kingdom could basically obtain any information they wished about him.

'Perhaps I should lower the rank of the Duke and place another family in its stead? Or perhaps–should I simply put them on the target list?'

He briefly entertained the thoughts but brushed them aside. It was one thing to attack traitors, but it was another to do so to someone more or less loyal. As long as the Traver didn't threaten Lustburg, he would let them be.

'Though, something needs to be done about that.'

Hermes, as an experienced old merchant, didn't miss the slight killing intent that Sol leaked. Thankfully, it seemed that the prince wouldn't follow the style of his ancestors, the bloody queen. Otherwise, he might have had to flee with all his family fast.

Thinking so, he smiled bitterly before putting his hand on his heart.

”I swear on my life to the goddess Luxuria that I never did anything that could threaten Lustburg.”

Sol stared at the Duke for a short while before finally sighing then gave a hearty smile.

”I will believe you. I believe that this trust won't be betrayed.”

'As if. The very moment the light is out, I will search all around in your mansion.'

Keeping his smile, ”Then, since we have made everything clear. Why don't you introduce the matriarch, Theresa? I have heard her name from Camelia but aside from that I don't know much.”

He wondered what kind of woman she was.

”Little Sol~!”

---

[20 Minutes later.]

Sol sat with a bitter smile on his face as a young woman who could have passed for a pre-teen girl sat on his lap while she kept humming.

If he didn't know that this woman was even older than his own father, he would have petted her head by now.

He had wondered what kind of woman the so-called matriarch would be and was surprised by how bubbly she acted.

Currently, only three people were present in the office.

Sol, Theresa, and a silver-haired maid standing with an impassive expression as she eyed the scene.

The Duke decided to leave them alone for now.

Watching the back of this seemingly young girl that aroused his protective instinct, he spoke calmly,

”Miss Theresa,”

”Aunt.”

”...Yes?”

”Call me Aunt Theresa. Not miss. I am your godmother you know? Though I guess I had been absent most of your life.”

He could hear the sadness in her voice quite clearly. Either she was genuinely sorry or she was worthy of an Oscar.

”This is the first time I have heard about having a godmother.”

”What!?”

She seemed ready to jump in shock as she turned her head around and looked at him,