Chapter 46: The Council’s Summons
Malrik’s gaze drifted toward Lily.
She stood quietly behind Eliza, wearing the same gentle smile as before, as though nothing at all had happened. The moment their eyes met, she casually looked away, suddenly finding one of the marble pillars along the corridor far more interesting than him.
...Something definitely happened.
Cedric noticed the exchange and allowed himself the faintest smile—the kind worn by a man who had spent decades keeping House Vesperion from descending into chaos.
"...What happened?"
"The matter has already been resolved, Young Master. There’s no need for concern."
He delivered the report with the same calm tone he used for everything, whether discussing tax records or assassination attempts.
"Earlier today, Lady Lily assaulted four maids."
Malrik slowly turned back toward Lily.
She was still staring at the pillar with remarkable concentration, as though the conversation taking place only a few steps away had absolutely nothing to do with her.
Four maids.
Somehow, that made it even worse.
"...Lily."
She looked at him without the slightest trace of guilt.
"They were flirting with you."
The answer came so naturally it sounded less like a defense and more like a simple statement of fact.
"They kept praising you."
"They wouldn’t stop talking about how handsome and dependable you were."
A small pout appeared on her face.
"It was annoying."
Silence settled over the corridor.
Malrik looked at her for a long moment before turning back to Cedric.
"...And that’s why she attacked them?"
Cedric gave a measured nod.
"According to Lady Lily, they were attempting to seduce Young Master."
The corridor fell silent once more.
Malrik looked back at Lily.
She met his gaze without the slightest embarrassment, as though she had merely corrected someone’s mistake instead of knocking four maids unconscious.
"They were."
"One of them even said your future wife would become the envy of every noble lady in the Empire."
She paused for a moment.
"So I warned them."
Malrik remained silent for several seconds.
"...You call that a warning?"
"It was."
"They’re still alive."
Cedric cleared his throat quietly.
"I can confirm Lady Lily did, in fact, exercise restraint."
"The physicians examined all four maids shortly afterward. None of them suffered any lasting injuries, though they will require several days of rest before returning to their duties."
Malrik let out a slow breath, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I’m sorry, Cedric."
"I should have explained a few things before letting her wander around the palace."
"It won’t happen again."
Cedric smiled reassuringly—the smile of a man who had heard similar promises more than once throughout his years of service.
"Young Master needn’t blame himself. Lady Lily has only recently arrived at House Vesperion. Certain... misunderstandings are to be expected."
Lily frowned immediately.
"I didn’t misunderstand anything."
"They kept looking at you."
"They kept talking about you."
She gave a small shrug.
"So I ended the conversation."
Malrik closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"...By knocking all four of them unconscious."
"They woke up."
"..."
For the first time in quite a while, Malrik found himself completely at a loss for words.
Cedric politely pretended not to notice.
"The physicians have already completed their treatment," he continued calmly. "They expect all four to make a full recovery."
He paused.
"The medical expenses, however, have been deducted from Young Master’s monthly allowance."
Malrik blinked.
"...My allowance?"
Cedric inclined his head.
"It seemed appropriate."
A brief silence followed.
Eventually, Malrik gave a helpless smile.
"...That’s fair."
House Vesperion had paid the physicians without a second thought, just as it quietly dealt with most of the trouble that somehow found its way to him.
Paying for the damages himself was the least he could do.
He looked at Lily once more.
"When those four recover, you’re going to apologize."
Her brows immediately knitted together.
"They should apologize first."
"They were talking about another woman’s contractor."
Malrik looked at her for several long seconds.
"...Lily."
She stubbornly turned her eyes toward another completely innocent pillar.
After a long moment, she let out a quiet sigh.
"...Very well."
"If Young Master wishes it..."
"I’ll apologize."
Cedric allowed the small victory to settle before speaking again.
"Now then."
"I’m afraid that isn’t the reason I came to see Young Master."
Malrik’s expression immediately turned serious.
"I assumed as much."
Cedric nodded once.
"The Council of Elders has reached a decision regarding the Banner Bearer Trial."
The Standard-Bearer Trial has been assigned.
Malrik frowned slightly.
"There is still a week before the trial begins..."
"That is correct, Young Master. However, we should head to the Council Hall immediately."
"All of the elders have already gathered there. They are waiting for your arrival."
"Do you have any idea what kind of trial it is?" Malrik asked curiously.
"I’m afraid that decision is beyond my authority, Young Master."
Cedric lowered his head respectfully before continuing.
"The responsibility for determining the type of Standard-Bearer Trial does not rest with me. Only His Grace, the Grand Duke, and the Grand Elder are authorized to disclose such information."
He gestured toward the Council Hall.
"You will receive your answer once you meet them."
A brief pause followed.
"The Grand Elder himself is waiting."
The relaxed atmosphere disappeared in an instant.
Malrik straightened unconsciously, every thought of the earlier incident slipping from his mind.
So it’s finally time.
Cedric bowed slightly before turning down the corridor.
"If Young Master would follow me."
Without another word, he began walking.
Malrik followed close behind, while Eliza and Lily remained several steps back, neither of them disturbing the heavy silence that had settled over the group.
The deeper they ventured into the palace, the more the surroundings changed.
Servants became scarce.
The lavish decorations gradually gave way to ancient stone walls lined with portraits of former Dukes. Every painted face carried a quiet dignity that seemed untouched by time, their presence lingering despite the centuries that separated them from the living.
Even the knights stationed throughout the halls lowered their heads the moment Cedric passed, their backs straightening instinctively.
Malrik remained silent.
Outwardly, nothing showed on his face.
Inside, however, his thoughts had already begun turning over every possibility behind the Banner Bearer Trial, discarding the optimistic ones first.
Nothing about House Vesperion was ever simple.
Several minutes later, Cedric finally came to a stop.
Before them stood a pair of enormous obsidian doors, nearly three times the height of a grown man. The crest of House Vesperion had been carved into the black surface with such precision that the serpent seemed almost alive, patiently coiled as though waiting for the right moment to strike.
Two elderly knights in black armor stood guard before the entrance.
The moment Cedric approached, both men bowed.
"The Council is waiting."
Cedric acknowledged them with the smallest nod, then pushed the massive doors open and stepped inside.
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