I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 374: Negotiations Part I

"Why would you do this? Why don’t you hate me? I challenged you because you ignored me when we first met. I brought up Aurora to try to provoke you. I lost and you still..."

Jack’s laugh cut through the growing outburst. "You challenged me because I was rude when we first met? That’s adorable. And yes, that was my fault. I tend to dismiss people because I have too much on my mind."

He waved his hand dismissively, as if erasing Rhys’s concerns from existence. "As for Aurora. You only want her because it would be an accomplishment." He shrugged with complete indifference. "Nice enough, I suppose. But if you think I’m going to harbor grudges over a marriage arrangement neither of us actually cares about, you’re being childish."

"Childish," Rhys repeated, his voice cracking slightly with anger and confusion.

"Very," Jack confirmed without an apology. "You’re young, desperate, and emotional. That’s fine. Most people are. But here’s what matters. You will be strong in the future. The spirit contract, the royal bloodline, the motivation to prove yourself against impossible odds. All of that breeds strength. And I like fighting strong opponents. So helping you become king isn’t charity. It’s an investment in having someone interesting to spar with twenty years from now."

He leaned back in his chair, his red eyes assessing Rhys with an astute gaze. "Everything else is trivial. Your heritage, my arrangement with Aurora, your challenge in the garrison. All of it is just noise. What matters is the question I’m asking you right now."

Jack’s hand remained extended, unwavering.

"Do you want to be king, Rhys Luffiel?"

The study fell into absolute silence. Rhys stared at that offered hand, his mind churning through implications, consequences, and opportunities that seemed too vast to be real. Sylph’s tiny form trembled on his shoulder, her own shock evident.

Clyde had stopped breathing entirely, his hooded head fixed on his lord as if witnessing something that would reshape history.

Alaric watched with the expression of someone evaluating a business transaction, measuring whether this investment would benefit his house.

Father Caelen and S remained motionless behind Jack. Silent witnesses to a moment that would shape the world.

Rhys’s hand began to rise, trembling slightly as it moved toward Jack’s offered palm.

The moment when his future would be decided.

Then, a sudden knock echoed through the study.

The moment shattered. Every head in the room turned toward the door as Seraphina appeared once more.

She opened the door without requesting permission.

King Eric entered the study.

The ruler of Elysium stepped into the room. Behind him in the hallway, Aurelius and Lyra waited just beyond the threshold, neither entering but both clearly visible.

Eric’s eyes swept across the unusual assembly. Jack, behind his desk, Alaric standing beside him, Rhys with his hand still half-extended toward an offer that would reshape kingdoms, Father Caelen and S standing behind Jack like silent sentinels, a hooded bodyguard with his mouth slack, and a six-inch wind spirit perched on the bastard prince’s shoulder.

The palpable tension in the room became almost tangible.

Then King Eric smiled warmly, though his eyes did not entirely reflect the sentiment. "Well, this is quite the gathering. When Seraphina said you were in a meeting, Jack, I assumed it would be with your family. Not..."

His gaze lingered on Rhys with undisguised curiosity, "...international guests."

The lightness of his tone broke through the tension like a blade through silk. Several people in the room released breaths they’d been holding.

"Your Majesty," Jack said with casual respect that somehow managed to avoid being disrespectful.

"Am I interrupting?" Eric asked playfully.

"The meeting is still happening," Jack confirmed, then his red eyes shifted back to Rhys. His hand remained extended across the desk, the offer still hanging in the air like an unresolved chord.

"But first, Rhys Luffiel. I asked you a question. Yes or no. What do you want?"

Every eye in the room fixed on the bastard prince.

Rhys’s gaze met Jack’s one final time. The weight of the moment pressed down on him. His father’s throne, his stepmother’s hatred. If what Jack promised was real, he would be accepted by his own people.

"Yes," Rhys said without hesitation.

His hand closed around Jack’s offered palm, sealing the agreement with a grip that trembled slightly but held firm.

Jack’s grin widened with satisfaction. "Excellent. We’ll discuss specifics later. For now..." he released Rhys’s hand and gestured toward the door, "...Seraphina will show you to quarters where you can rest properly. You look like death warmed over, and having you collapse during my meeting with His Majesty would be poor hospitality."

Rhys blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden dismissal. "But I..."

"Later," Jack repeated firmly. "You just agreed to work for me. First lesson: I don’t repeat myself. Seraphina?"

The attendant materialized at Rhys’s side. "This way, Lord Rhys. Your bodyguard as well."

Clyde moved to support his lord, and together they followed Seraphina from the study. Sylph remained on Rhys’s shoulder, uncharacteristically silent as they departed.

The moment Seraphina closed the door behind them, Jack’s attention shifted completely to King Eric. "Your Majesty. Please, sit."

Eric moved to one of the comfortable chairs positioned in front of Jack’s desk, settling into it with the ease of someone entirely comfortable in any environment. Alaric remained standing beside his son, his presence a silent statement of unified authority.

"So," Eric said, his diplomatic pleasantness fading to something more businesslike, "before we begin. Are you familiar with the current state of the surrounding kingdoms? The political situation beyond Elysium’s borders?"

Jack pondered with his hand over his chin. "I know we have neighbors. I know some of them are friendly, while others are less so. Beyond that?" He shrugged. "I’ve been focused on the internal matters. International politics hasn’t been a priority."

"That’s what I suspected," Eric replied, leaning forward slightly. "Which means I need to provide context before making my requests. And yes, requests, plural. I’m here to ask you for three things, Jack Kaiser. Three favors that I cannot accomplish through normal channels. I need a chosen one and a powerful one at that."

Alaric’s expression sharpened with interest. Three favors from a king were no small matter.

Jack leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling beneath his chin. "Three favors. That’s... ambitious, Your Majesty. What makes you think I’ll agree to even one, let alone three?"

"Because I’m prepared to compensate you appropriately," Eric said bluntly. "And because at least one of these favors aligns with interests you’ve already demonstrated. But before we discuss terms, do you want to hear what I’m asking for, or should we negotiate compensation first?"

Jack’s grin returned, sharp and calculating. "Let’s be clear about something first, Your Majesty. If you’re asking for three favors, I’ll need three things in compensation."

"Fair enough," Eric agreed without hesitation.

Eric’s demeanor became more serious as he paused to collect his thoughts. "The first favor is relatively straightforward. I need you to escort my chosen one, Lyra, to the Moonwell Shrine. Approximately two weeks’ travel from here. She makes this pilgrimage once per year to commune with her patron goddess."

Jack’s red eyes narrowed fractionally. "Why does she need an escort? She’s a chosen one. Presumably capable of defending herself."

"Aurelius has other commitments in the capital that I cannot postpone," Eric replied.