Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 39: No Apologies Necessary

The imperial guards led Grim and the others through a series of corridors, away from the main ballroom.

They arrived at a small chamber with a round table at its center. The room was clearly designed for private discussions, with thick walls and no windows. The Empress was already seated when they entered, Princess Liona standing dutifully behind her mother's chair.

"I see the evening has taken an unexpected turn," the Empress said as they filed in. Her tone was neutral, but her eyes sparkled with interest as they settled on Grim. "Please, be seated."

Grim sat between his father and General Yongrun. The elderly man positioned himself directly across from the Empress.

"Your Majesty," Rowan began, "I must apologize for—"

The Empress waved her hand dismissively. "No apologies necessary, Lord Ambrose. In fact, I find myself rather... pleased with the development."

"Pleased?" Rowan's confusion was evident.

"Indeed." The Empress turned her attention to Grim. "You've been learning Caius's techniques. The Aurora Flash and Sundering Slash. Both techniques executed with remarkable skill for one so young."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Grim replied, maintaining his usual bluntness even in imperial company.

"Tell me, how much of Caius's scroll have you mastered?"

Before Grim could answer, General Yongrun spoke. "He has begun the basics of two techniques. Mastery is still distant."

"Even basic competence is impressive," the Empress countered. "To think, the light affinity has truly returned to House Ambrose after three generations."

The elderly man leaned forward, his weathered hands flat on the table. "He may have learned the techniques, and his display was indeed impressive, but there's a problem. He released aurora energy. In a very public manner."

"And?" the Empress prompted.

"Malaxis would have felt it," the old man said gravely.

A tense silence fell over the room. Grim looked between the adults, noting how even the Empress seemed disturbed by this statement.

"Malaxis is dead," The Empress said firmly. "Caius killed him decades ago."

"Caius believed he killed him," the elderly man corrected. "But in his final letter, he expressed doubts. Something escaped that day.... some essence that could not be tracked."

"You think the Demon King lives?" the Empress asked, her voice carefully controlled.

"I think something of him persists," the old man replied. "Caius and Malaxis were like oil and water—exact opposites in every way. One embodied light, the other darkness. Such fundamental forces don't simply disappear, even in death."

Grim remembered lines from his great-grandfather's letter: When I fought Malaxis, I thought I'd killed the bastard. But in his final moments, I felt something... transfer from him. A sliver of darkness that disappeared before I could track it.

"There's another immediate concern," Lady Renara interjected. "Lord Terras is allied with the Luminaris faction. This incident won't end with a lost ear and a forfeited business."

"Julius will handle Terras," the elderly man said with a dismissive wave. "That pompous merchant doesn't understand the game he's playing."

"And what game is that?" Rowan asked, clearly frustrated at being kept in the dark.

The Empress and the elderly man exchanged a glance, some unspoken communication passing between them.

"The same one that's been played since Caius's time," the Empress finally said. "Forces moving in shadow, working to weaken the empire's defenses against what's coming."

"What's coming?" Grim asked directly.

"That," the old man said, "is what we need to determine. But whatever it is, your display tonight has likely accelerated their plans."

"So what happens now?" Grim's question cut through the tension.

The Empress sat back in her chair. "Now, we adapt. General Yongrun will continue your training, but openly, as a diplomatic courtesy between our nations. Your father will return to the southern border to investigate the disturbances there."

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"The boy will continue with his training," the elderly man said. "His path is just beginning."

The meeting concluded shortly after, with the Empress rising to her feet. "We should return to the ball before our absence causes additional speculation. Young Lord Ambrose, do try to avoid maiming any more noble sons tonight."

Grim couldn't tell if she was joking.

As they filed out of the chamber, the elderly man fell into step beside him. "We'll talk more later," he said quietly. "There's much you need to learn about your family's history and about that voice in your head."

Before Grim could respond, the old man moved ahead to speak with D, leaving him with questions that would have to wait.

They returned to the ballroom separately to avoid drawing attention. Grim slipped in through a side entrance, hoping to avoid notice for a while. He had barely taken ten steps when Lianna appeared at his side.

"Well, if it isn't the infamous ear-slicer," she said with a smirk. "I have to say, Water Boy, you certainly know how to make an entrance."

Grim rolled his eyes. "What do you want, Lianna?"

"Is that any way to greet the daughter of the Chancellor?" She circled him like a predator, examining him from head to toe. "You know, for someone who just publicly maimed a nobleman's son, you look surprisingly unconcerned."

"Should I be concerned?" Grim replied flatly.

"Probably." Lianna shrugged, then suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him toward a quieter corner of the ballroom. "So tell me, how did you do that thing with the colorful light? That wasn't water mana."

"None of your business," Grim said, pulling his arm free.

"Oh, come on," she pressed, her tone somewhere between teasing and genuinely curious. "We've known each other for years. You can tell me."

"We've known each other for years, and you've been a pain in my ass the entire time," Grim countered.

Lianna placed a hand over her heart in mock offense. "Me? A pain? I'm wounded, Water Boy."

Grim just stared at her, unimpressed.

"Fine, be mysterious," she said with an exaggerated sigh. "But I will figure it out eventually. I always do." Her expression suddenly shifted to something more mischievous. "So... who do you like?"

"What?" Grim blinked at the sudden change of topic.

"You know," she pressed. "Which girl do you like? There are lots of noble daughters here tonight. Including me, of course, though I know I'm far too good for you."

Grim snorted. "If you're wondering about my plans, I intend to spread my seed far and wide when I'm older. I need to revive my clan."

Lianna's eyes widened, and for a moment she seemed genuinely shocked. Then she burst into laughter. "By the gods, you actually said that with a straight face! You're unbelievable, Water Boy."

"I'm not like other noble boys," Grim replied with a shrug.

"No," Lianna agreed, her laughter subsiding. "You're really not." For just a moment, there was something almost like genuine admiration in her eyes before her usual mocking expression returned. "Though your manners could use some work."

The musicians began playing a new song, and Lianna's smile turned predatory.

"I think you owe me a dance," she declared. "After all, I've had to watch you stumble around with the princess. It's only fair I get to experience your legendary dance skills for myself."

"I don't owe you anything," Grim retorted.

"True," Lianna agreed. "But you're going to dance with me anyway." She grabbed his hand. "Consider it practice for when you're trying to woo all those women for your seed-spreading plan."

Before Grim could form a suitable retort, she was already pulling him toward the dance floor, where other couples were gathering. Despite his protests, he found himself following her lead.