After a few hours, Norax arrived at the mansion.
It was far bigger than his own base in the underworld.
From the carriage window, he saw knights everywhere. Their blue armor shone under the light, standing in perfect formation. Servants moved quietly between them, disciplined and calm.
Norax narrowed his eyes slightly.
House Noctis took in orphans, abandoned children, and people with no place to go, even some underworld people. They raised them, protected them, and acted as patrons.
"Loyalty bought with life and purpose."
Norax stepped out of the carriage.
Several knights and servants bowed at once.
A maid stepped forward and lowered her head politely.
"Sir Norax," she said. "Madam Kyra and Lord Garron have not yet arrived. Lady Selindra asks that you rest for a while."
She gestured toward the inner garden.
"She wishes to meet you there and share some tea, if you don't mind."
Norax didn't respond immediately. He simply nodded and followed her.
They entered the garden.
Norax paused for a moment.
Blue flowers bloomed everywhere, lining the stone paths and small fountains. The air was calm, far too calm for a place in the underworld.
"Even if this mansion exists only to show power in the underworld…"
"It's still huge. And well-maintained."
Norax took an empty seat at the table placed beneath a tree.
The maid bowed again.
"I will inform Lady Selindra. Please wait here, sir."
She left quietly.
Norax leaned back slightly and looked around the garden.
No noise.
No tension.
Only the soft sound of water and wind.
He tapped his finger lightly on the table.
As he waited, the calm only made him more alert.
Norax sat quietly, his gaze resting on the garden.
The blue flowers swayed gently in the wind.
Then—footsteps.
He looked up.
Selindra Noctis entered the garden.
Her long midnight-blue hair was tied into a braided crown.
Deep violet eyes that seemed calm, yet sharp.
Porcelain skin and elegant, refined features. Glossy rose lips curved into a faint smile.
She stopped a few steps away.
"So, you are the youngest."
Norax froze.
He stood up immediately and bowed.
"It is an honor to meet you, Duchess Selindra Noctis."
She studied him closely, her gaze slow and deliberate.
"Yes, nice to meet you, Norax Duskgale," she said. "Quite handsome for your age… youngest."
Norax straightened.
"It is an honor to hear such words from you, Duchess."
Selindra took a seat across from him.
Norax forced himself to focus, but his eyes betrayed him for a brief moment.
Even with age, no one could deny it.
Not just beauty—her presence is sharp.
A maid stepped forward with a tea set.
Norax raised his hand.
"Please stop," he said calmly. "I don't drink tea. I hope you understand."
Selindra smiled softly.
"Oh? That is rare."
She gestured to the maid, who stepped back.
"So," Selindra said, folding her hands, "what would you like to serve, please say?"
"We cannot leave our guests uncomfortable, after all."
Norax met her eyes.
"I appreciate your hospitality," he replied. "But please get to the point, Lady Selindra."
Selindra laughed lightly.
"You're right, youngest."
Her eyes gleamed with interest.
"I simply wished to see the rising star of the underworld… the one my husband speaks of so often."
"And you were a kid, and you know I have a daughter and she is 17 right now, but next three months her birthday. And you know she doesn't act like a lady," she continued talking like a young lady and talked about her family, then paused and looked at Norax.
The garden fell silent again.
And this time, the calm felt heavy.
Norax sighed and looked at her calmly.
Norax's eye twitched.
He rubbed his temple slowly.
"I see," Norax said. "I'm glad Duke Therion Noctis speaks of me. But I'm just a new boss in the underworld."
"I'm nothing special. I never think about myself in that way."
Selindra smiled faintly and tilted her head.
"Youngest, do you know what makes you special?"
Norax frowned slightly.
"Special?"
"You changed the underworld in just a short time. And you know, no one thought someone could ever turn this wasteland with people and merchants… everyone knows what happened and what you did."
Selindra said softly, "That alone was enough for the Empress to notice you—"
Norax coughed lightly.
"I'm sorry… what do you mean by that?"
Selindra covered her lips and acted innocent.
"Ah, I said something I shouldn't have."
She paused, then continued calmly.
"To be clear, people think the Empress is focusing on the underworld because of the neighboring kingdoms, but—"
Norax raised his hand.
"Please stop. If it's a royal secret, I'm not interested," he said. "And if this is a new way to threaten someone, I don't want to hear it. Please try on someone else."
Selindra laughed quietly.
"If you understand, then that's enough."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I hope you choose your words carefully in the meeting. My husband and the Empress are not here today… you understand what that means."
Norax met her gaze.
"Lady Selindra," Norax said calmly, "your advice is appreciated."
"But I think we are overlooking one thing."
He leaned back slightly.
"I am the victim here. The peace agreement was broken by someone else—not me."
Selindra's smile faded for a moment.
She straightened her posture.
"That is exactly why we are holding this council," she said. "This is not something you can ignore. For peace, we must talk and end this rivalry."
Norax smiled.
"Yes, Lady Selindra."
He paused, then added casually,
"You were right about one thing. I am special."
He stood up.
"I'm the final boss."
Selindra blinked.
"…Final boss?"
Norax laughed lightly.
"Nothing important. Just a way of speaking. After all, I'm just twenty."
He turned toward the maid.
"Could you please guide me to the restroom?"
The maid hesitated and looked at Selindra.
Selindra was deep in thought, then nodded.
"Go ahead."
Norax left the garden.
Selindra sighed softly.
"My husband was right," she murmured. "In the underworld, age doesn't matter."
"He noticed my pressure and didn't even shake."
Meanwhile, in the hallway—Norax let out a long breath.
"I'm doomed," he muttered.
"No… not doomed."
"Royalty doomed."
He clenched his fist.
<@Applepie… this is scary.>
Inside the restroom, walls lined with pale cream or ivory panels, gilded edges glinting in candlelight.
Norax let out a quiet sigh.
"If not… we'd both be dead."
He returned to the garden path.
Selindra Noctis glanced at him briefly.
"Let's talk later," she said calmly. "Madam Kyra has arrived at the mansion."
She turned and left without another word.
A maid stepped forward.
"Sir Norax, I will guide you to the meeting hall."
Norax nodded and followed her.
They arrived at a large room.
Four desks were arranged neatly inside.
The maid pointed ahead.
"Please take the front desk. It faces Lady Selindra's seat."
Norax walked forward and sat down.
The door opened again.
Selindra entered first, followed closely by Madam Kyra.
Norax stood up slightly and bowed.
"Madam Kyra."
Madam Kyra smiled faintly.
"It's been a while since we last met, Sir Norax. I hear what happened with your comrades. I hope we both solve this in one meeting."
She took her seat calmly.
Behind her stood her assistant, silent and alert.
Norax leaned back slightly.
The gate opened once more.
This time, the air in the room changed.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
A massive man walked in first.
Broad shoulders. Thick muscles. Scars crossing his face.
Brown hair and sharp brown eyes filled with hostility.
Garron Steeljaw.
Behind him followed a slender figure.
Gloves on his hands. A white cane in one hand.
Neat posture. Cold eyes hidden behind calm movements.
Elwood Steeljaw.
The two brothers entered together.
Norax narrowed his eyes.
Garron cracked his neck and looked around the room.
"Tch. So this is the council."
Elwood tapped his cane lightly on the floor.
"Please behave, brother," he said calmly. "We're guests today, and this is House Noctis."
Garron snorted.
"Guests, my ass. They send notice for baseless things, that the kid was crying—so why did we need to come here?"
Norax stayed silent.
Garron Steeljaw's eyes slowly shifted.
They locked onto Norax.
The massive man stepped forward, each step heavy and threatening.
Elwood immediately raised his cane slightly.
"Brother," Elwood said calmly, "please don't do anything here. We talk about this."
Garron didn't listen.
He stopped right in front of Norax.
The difference was obvious.
Garron was huge. Towering. His body was built like a war beast.
The scar across his face made him look even more terrifying.
Norax straightened his posture.
He met Garron's gaze without flinching.
"Garron Steeljaw," Norax said calmly. "It's an honor."
Garron scoffed.
"Yeah, whatever," he said. "I don't greet people, especially kids like you."
Then his eyes narrowed.
"But a kid like you needs to understand something."
"This isn't a place for you to play games."
Norax smiled faintly.
"Maybe," he replied. "But I hold the same power and position as you, sir."
"And whatever happens here," Norax continued, voice steady,
"you also need to follow the rules. I bet Lady Selindra doesn't like that."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Unless you want to make Duke Noctis your enemy."
The air went cold.
Garron clenched his fists.
The floor creaked under the pressure.
Before Garron could speak—
Elwood stepped in.
"Brother. Stop."
His voice was calm, but firm.
"We'll deal with him during the meeting," Elwood said quietly.
"Just follow the plan."
Garron clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
Elwood turned slightly toward Norax.
"You should apologize next time," he said politely.
Norax blinked once.
"Oh," he said lightly.
"Scary. I will hide under my bed after this meeting."
Garron glared at him.
Norax only smiled.