Chapter 273 A Completely Different Direction 5
The way back to Carmilla House was a blur to Lukas. One moment he had been present in the Durand House and then the next thing, he was already arriving at the Carmilla House with a multitude of people surrounding him.
But it wasn't his loved ones or friends, it was just the personnel of the Carmilla House. That should have already been enough of a sign for him, but then they grabbed him by his arms.
"It's him!" one of the guards said.
"This is the one we've been waiting for, haven't we?" another said.
"You've been asked for." Another personnel said. This time, it was one of the guys that Young Lord Aurelius had interacted with. Duncan.
"I know you, I just got here… can I get to my bed?" Lukas asked and shot him a dazzling smile.
It failed to hit its mark and on the contrary missed entirely. Duncan's face grew even more serious and less amused.
"I'm afraid not. You have been requested for and thus will prioritize that above all."
"… I'm not being kidnapped am I?" Lukas asked.
The two guards that clutched his arms were probably both from Durands, keeping their heads bowed and listening to others.
"No." Duncan said.
"I'm just being taken against my will then."
"…We are merely escorting you because it's an urgent matter. Rest assured that you are not going to be harmed." Duncan said.
"Then honestly, I don't know why I'm being brought there like some kind of criminal." Lukas sighed and would have shrugged off the two guards but didn't bother.
Right now, it was still better to hold back his strength and only use it when it was most important to do so.
"You are not," Duncan said.
"And now you're just kinda lying straight to my face." Lukas chuckled. "I mean, yeah, I don't have any shackles on my wrists but I am being detained and I'm not being allowed to see Chaerin and the others. Surely, someone from the Durand House gets it right?"
"… Please cooperate," Duncan said.
"I will. I will. Just making light conversation,"
Lukas soon didn't bother resisting until he was brought into the Carmilla House main office where the Matriarch awaited him with a calm look on her face.
"Lukas wasn't it?"
"Yes, that's me." Lukas said with a small nod.
"You two can release him. I didn't ask him to be brought here like some animal." Heloise Carmilla snapped at the guards and then shooed them away. Duncan hesitated and stayed at his spot. "You too, dear. Let the two of us talk alone, we'll be fine."
Once the three guards were gone, Lukas crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm so sorry about them. I asked you to be brought here quietly but I did not expect such treatment. Please have a seat. Would you like some refreshments? You must have had an exhausting day." Heloise Carmilla rose from her seat and puttered about with a teapot.
You could almost imagine her as some grandmotherly sort of woman, unless you knew that she had been satiating herself with other young men and was stark naked when she was first met by Stacy and the others.
Either way, Lukas didn't move an inch from where he stood. It could have been interpreted as respectful… if you didn't count the fact that he was already offered a seat, but it was just Lukas' way of keeping his distance.
"Ah, not a talkative one are you? A brooding one?" Heloise said with a twinkle in her eyes. "I'd love to have you open up, dear. But I suppose that you're exhausted after being out all day."
"Yes, I'd really like to retire now. I think my friends and girlfriend must be worried about where I am," Lukas said.
"Huh. They're not."
"What?"
"I mean, they're not worried about you." Heloise said as she poured two cups of blood red tea. "I've informed them beforehand that you went on to attend a seminar under the Durand House and those could take on a couple of days."
"…And why did you do that?" Lukas kept the edge out of his voice, but it was still there. Of course, it had to be there—she was giving replies for situations that wasn't supposed to be in her jurisdiction.
"Frankly. I'm not quite sure…" Heloise Carmilla sighed. "It must be age getting to me. If you had been killed during your little expedition to the forest, it would have broken the hearts of your companions so all I could think of was lie at that moment in order to save them from the heartbreak. I'd be bound to tell them, but they would get so distracted."
If Lukas had any reasons to dislike the Carmilla House before, it suddenly just rose up a little—especially because he somehow understood her way of thinking. Lukas needed to concentrate on other things first though.
"You knew that I attended a seminar?" Lukas said.
"Is that what you're taking from all of this?" Heloise tilted her head. "Yes, I was aware of it. Even though I've allowed you to go do as you see fit, it was still in the best interest that I've kept tabs on you, young man. It's your first time here in Nyx and though it may seem safe on the surface, there are instances where dangerous and unsavory individuals may try to harm you."
"… and so unlike individuals such as yourself?" Lukas muttered.
"A sharp tongue. I like that." Heloise chuckled as she offered him a cup of tea. "If I were to deny such claims then you'd simply think that I was trying to do so to have you trust me. However, actions speak louder than words, doesn't it?"
"Your point?" Lukas asked.
"… I'm not sure." Heloise shrugged her shoulders. "It's not often that I encounter someone so resistant to my words that it actually almost comes as a shock. I suppose it makes sense that Overlord Leonardo was fond of you."
"How long have you been observing me and the others?" Lukas asked.
"Only recently, but you know that we have technology that scans the entire city, you know? So, if I were completely honest, from the moment that all of you lined up to enter the city."
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