Chapter 49: An Incitement

Chapter 49: An Incitement"Marquis Orlan Caltheron?" Nolan was stunned upon hearing the name. He certainly recognized the man. The Caltheron family was one of the twelve marquis households of the Great Velmora Empire. Each of the twelve marquises governed their own autonomous territory, despite remaining under the authority of the four dukes. Each duke oversaw three marquises, who controlled parts of their lands. Marquis Caltheron’s family served under the jurisdiction of the Duke of Malvain. Nolan had never expected a marquis who was supposedly aligned with Aldric to come looking for him. That made things interesting—he needed to find out why. "I see. Thank you for the information. Please tell Marquis Orlan to wait in the parlor," Nolan said casually. "As you wish, Prince," the servant replied from the doorway. Nolan stood, holding a stack of documents in his right hand. They contained classified information—there was no way he could let anyone else see them. He walked over to his desk, opened a drawer, and placed the documents inside. Then he shut it firmly and locked it. "Alright." He gave a faint smile as he tossed aside the cloth draped over his robe. "Let’s see what he’s here for." *** The parlor of the main palace was grand and spacious. The walls were adorned with exquisite paintings of immense value, and in each corner stood towering statues of humans or dragons, serving as lavish decorations. Naturally, the price of these statues was beyond what ordinary people could afford in a lifetime. Each one was crafted from gold and other precious materials. As an exclusive chamber, this parlor was reserved only for high-ranking guests—marquises, dukes, or dignitaries from other kingdoms or empires. At that moment, a man sat on the sofa inside, leisurely sipping the tea prepared for him. He appeared to be in his early thirties, with a calm yet stern expression. His tall frame was slightly slender, and he wore square-framed glasses that rested neatly on his face. Dressed in a white robe, he exuded a commanding aura, the kind only seen in those who held significant power or status. This man was none other than Orlan Caltheron, head of the Marquis Caltheron family. With his legs crossed, he waited in silence for the one he had come to meet—Nolan. Tap! Tap! Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from behind. Orlan opened his eyes and turned toward the source, only to find that it wasn’t Nolan but a rotund man in a blue robe—Zarak. "Hahaha! Welcome to the palace, Marquis Caltheron," Zarak greeted warmly, his tone polite and his smile broad. Orlan was slightly surprised to see Zarak in person but stayed composed and respectful. He stood up, placed his left hand over his chest, and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for the welcome, Prince Zarak," he replied with calm courtesy. "Hahaha! No need to be so formal, Marquis Caltheron," Zarak said with a friendly tone. He walked over and took a seat on the sofa across from Orlan, his eyes gleaming with interest. "So, what brings you here, Marquis Caltheron? Have you come to see one of us?" Despite his cheerful tone, anyone perceptive enough could detect the suspicion and caution beneath his words. Marquis Caltheron remained silent for a moment, not responding right away. In truth, he wasn’t obligated to answer. After all, his purpose lay with Nolan, not Zarak. And his status as a marquis placed him among the highest ranks of nobility. While not equal to a prince, his position still commanded great respect—even Zarak couldn’t treat him lightly. Still, Orlan had no intention of provoking Zarak or making him an enemy. That would only create unnecessary trouble. "I did come to see one of the princes," he said calmly. "And that person is Prince Nolan." Zarak’s smile froze instantly. His hands clenched into fists as he struggled to contain the anger rising within him. Blue veins bulged on his temples as he asked through gritted teeth, "May I ask what business you have with Nolan, Marquis Caltheron? Are you planning to support Elina?" Orlan remained composed. He gave a slight shake of his head. "I’m sorry, Prince Zarak. I can’t share that. It’s a private matter between me and Prince Nolan." "You..." Zarak’s jaw tightened. He wanted to lash out—but he knew he couldn’t. Laying a hand on Orlan would bring severe consequences. Everyone knew the power behind the head of the Caltheron family. And such an act would stain his reputation—other noble families might turn against him or withdraw their support. Zarak took a deep breath and said, "Marquis Caltheron, I think you’d be wise to abandon your plans. It’s for your own good." Orlan, still sipping his tea, looked slightly surprised. He regarded Zarak with curiosity and asked, "What do you mean exactly, Prince Zarak?" Zarak smiled slyly but quickly hid it behind a mock look of annoyance. "You’ve heard the rumors about that bastard—ahem, I mean Nolan, right?" he asked. "Of course." Orlan gave a small nod. "His reputation is well known throughout the Empire. I’ve heard all about it." "Good!" Zarak’s eyes lit up instantly. "Since you know, you’d be wise to stay away from him. He’s foolish, incompetent, and worthless. If you plan to support his sister, Elina, it will be a wasted effort. My advice: abandon your intentions." Having said that, Zarak was breathing heavily. He picked up the teacup before him and drained it in one gulp. Orlan remained silent, not responding right away. The tea Zarak drank had actually been prepared for Nolan, yet the stout man drank it without hesitation. Orlan glanced up slightly and gave a faint, knowing smile. "I see," he said slowly, nodding. He took another sip of his tea and fixed Zarak with a quiet gaze. "But I don’t care about any of that. Rumors are just rumors—I’ve never met Prince Nolan in person." Zarak’s expression darkened with anger again. He had tried to warn Orlan, but the marquis remained unmoved. Still, he wasn’t ready to give up. If left unchecked, that woman—Elina—could win Marquis Caltheron’s favor, and that was something he absolutely couldn’t allow. "Marquis Caltheron, I’m trying to save you," Zarak said seriously. "I don’t want you to make a mistake that will ruin you and your family. Nolan is utterly useless. If you back his sister, it’ll only lead to disaster. He’s—" Zarak continued to spew harsh accusations about Nolan, feigning concern. But anyone paying attention could see the spite behind his words. "Enough, Prince Zarak," Orlan cut him off coldly. "I appreciate your concern, but it’s unnecessary. This is my matter with Prince Nolan. Please stay out of it." "Marquis Orlan!" Zarak snapped in fury, ready to respond, but his words died as a cold, mocking laugh echoed from behind him. "Heh... So you really are that cunning, Zarak. I didn’t expect it. If Father found out, what do you think he’d say?"