In the heavy, quiet dimness of the Duke's private office, Matthias stared at the document in his hands, his brow furrowed.
"It seems Cedric is highly suspicious of my sudden presence in the guard. He has been digging into my movements with unsettling precision. I used that pseudonym to throw him off, but he isn't a fool."
Leon let out a soft, sharp snort, trying to break the sudden tension. "Your pseudonym is absolutely ridiculous, just so you know. Ambus Seraph? Seriously?"
"I picked it without thinking under a time constraint, that is not the point," Matthias snapped, his jaw clenching so hard the bone looked ready to break. "The point is that the bastard is demanding a face-to-face meeting. A mere royal guard cannot simply reject a formal, written request from a high Duke. And..."
"And what exactly are you going to do?"
