Chapter 224: Pressure

Words : 1344 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 224: Pressure It could have turned out for the worst. But a calm voice finally cut through the chaos before Head Maid Gloria could fully commit to her murderous intent. "Gloria." "That won’t be necessary." said the missing Butler, who finally decided to grace them with his presence. His arrival was timely, and his voice practically attracted the attention of the Head Maid, who was looking for an outlet. However, to anyone who’d belatedly notice, his arrival was timely, as though he had been expecting this precise reaction. Which he really was, for the reaction was warranted. Gloria, who was normally prim and kept, tilted her head in a fashion that was slightly (definitely) eerie. "And what, pray tell, are we supposed to serve, Butler?!" "Outside of these halls, we’ve got the Young Lord, his friends, and all those vassals?! Should we just serve hope on these damned plates?!" The Head Maid’s voice cracked as she gestured wildly towards the elegantly set table. Actually, yes. Thought the Butler, who was pretty sure they were about to serve hope in these gilded plates. But it was no use riling her up even more as, technically, she was not in the wrong. Butler Gary didn’t even blink. "The meal will be served when it is time." "Time?! TIME?!" Gloria was on the verge of combusting. "We are one crisis away from serving nutrient solutions to the future ruler of the Duchy! I’ve seen more comforting last meals on a prisoner’s tray!" "That’s enough, Head Maid Gloria." Butler Gary’s voice was firm, though it carried no trace of reprimand. He understood her concerns—after all, this was no ordinary welcome. It was the long-awaited return of the Young Lord. A homecoming steeped in years of separation, expectation, and even whispered regret. But there was something else. Something that Gary, unlike the frantic maid, understood. "We are not serving food just yet for a reason." "And what reason could possibly justify an empty dining hall?" He gave her a pointed look. "Because the moment the food is served, it will become a problem." Gloria blinked, utterly confused. "A...problem?" "Exactly." Gary adjusted his pristine white gloves as though preparing for war. "The scent alone will be enough to attract attention. It won’t stay within these walls, no matter how reinforced the manor’s dome is." "But..." "And if the entire planet gets a whiff of what’s about to be served?" Gary’s lips curled into a wry smile as if preparing for an impending blood bath. "Nutrient solution would be the last of your worries, as you might just have to bring out your trusty hammer." This stunned the Head Maid. "You mean...?" "Yes," Confirmed the Butler, who looked extremely serious. "What we’ll serve is something else entirely, and for this, really, we’ll need a different kind of preparation. You understand, right?" And she did. It was rhetorical. Gloria’s face drained of color as she recalled the absurd and utterly glorious delights they had tasted before. From the tales of food so fragrant, they could calm a storm to the description of fried chicken that could make a grown warrior weep—the stories had spread like wildfire. And that was only for the poor souls who didn’t get to taste the miracle. But to them, especially those who were willing to fight tooth and nail, the tales were a reality. So if they were dealing with something like that again... "Oh, stars," Gloria whispered. "Exactly." Butler Gary’s eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "So, I suggest you save your energy, Head Maid Gloria. After all—" He stepped forward, adjusting the silver utensils with a precision only a seasoned butler could possess. "We may need a lockdown before the feast is even served." But back at the grand entrance hall, a different atmosphere was created. Luca and the others followed his father through the manor even as he struggled to process the grandeur. "Papa...has it always been like this?" Luca finally managed to ask, his voice quiet. "Of course not," Duke Leander scoffed, though his grin suggested otherwise. "This is all for you, my son." But it was true. Because Amelia, his dear darling wife, would gut him if he had lived like this back then. However, Duke Leander thought that his wife would likely have a different view now. For what was money when it couldn’t even bring back their son after throwing almost all their wealth into their efforts? So, the Duke spared no expense. Not when it was Luca’s first glimpse of the Duchy in ages. And not when the son even handed him funds for the Duchy! That was like a challenge, and if the others were doubtful about spending, the moment the Butler learned of the money the heir had handed over, he also agreed to the spending. Because their Young Lord was clearly hoping for good facilities. And they realized this plan without touching a single Star Coin sent over by his precious son. Luca’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. The skittish boy obviously heard it, but only now was he starting to understand the gravity of his father’s words. "Well," the Duke added, as though remembering something important. "And for your business ventures, naturally. The additional buildings are new. Those are the buildings we’ve erected for your enterprise." "My...enterprise?" Luca wasn’t sure what enterprise this was as someone who still didn’t count himself as a big name. "Mm." The Duke nodded proudly. "Of course! I fully believe it would succeed, my son. We just have to work harder." Luca could only blink. Was that why so many additional buildings flanked the manor like a miniature city? Workshops, offices, research facilities—each one gleaming with cutting-edge technology that was in contrast with the manor that looked like it came straight out of the fairytales. Yes. For from the moment the Duke got cornered by the Marshal, it was obviously impossible to pretend without going all out. And it was not just buildings. For with these structures came calling back the Duke’s most trusted people. "You have free rein, naturally," Leander continued, waving a hand as though gifting him entire galaxies. "This is your birthright, my son. "And even if they argue about achievements, right now, there is no one more fit for the role but you." The Duke flashed a gentle smile. It was all true, and he hoped that one day, his son would see just how magnificent he was. The words struck something within Luca’s chest. It was overwhelming. As of now, he was only in charge of a handful of entities, and many of them couldn’t even talk. And yet he almost succumbed to the pressure, had it not been for Xavier. So, was he really capable of living up to these expectations? Would he ever be as good as Xavier? Luca’s brows furrowed, and the Duke, who was sensitive to the changes in his son’s expression, saw this. "Son." "Your Papa apologizes." He said sheepishly. "I may have scared you with that too soon. Honestly, you can opt not to succeed if you find something else that you want to do." Grinned the Duke, who wasn’t even kidding. "After all, the Emperor would likely find out that I’m healthy now and sic me with this duty for at least a hundred more years," sighed the same father, whose mood fluctuated like the worst weather forecast. "And if you even decide you’d just like to be a fisherman or something like that, I think even your Mom would be okay with it." "Provided you’re happy." The Duke patted his son’s head before adding. "Also, you kind of did too much already, so really, son. You should be fine with early retirement." It was a whisper. But everyone with enhanced hearing could hear the shocking words left by the Duke, who was practically dissuading the next heir! "!!!" However, soon, they would understand what it meant to qualify for early retirement. Like a really early one—for the banquet was soon upon them.

Chapter 224: Pressure

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