The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 355: Eldest Prince Andrion

Raayani’s voice cut through before Cleora could respond, cold as winter steel.

”Careful, boy. Insults spoken in public have a way of following people throughout their lives. I suggest you consider whether making enemies today is worth the consequences tomorrow.”

Something in her tone made Varnik hesitate. Everyone in the empire knew the Blue Rose Matriarch’s reputation. She was not someone to cross lightly.

The group continued to the carriages without further interruption. Milan’s personal carriage was larger and more ornate, marked with the imperial crest.

He gestured to it.

”We’ll all go to my villa in the nobles’ sector. We can speak more freely there, and it’s safer than trying to find accommodations with half the city watching your every move.”

They loaded into the carriages, and soon the wheels were rolling across the cobblestones of Cahns’ar.

Jolthar sat back, watching the city pass by through the window.

The capital was massive, sprawling in all directions with buildings that ranged from ancient stone structures to newer constructions. People filled the streets in numbers that dwarfed even Tekkora’s busiest market days.

”Don’t let Varnik get to you,” Milan said from across the carriage.

”He’s a fool who trades on his father’s name. No real power of his own.”

”I’m not concerned about him,” Jolthar replied.

And he wasn’t.

Varnik was a minor irritation at best. The real threats were Hernais and Richardus, operating from positions of actual authority.

”Still,” Milan continued, ”he represents a problem. The Rothgard family has sympathizers among the nobility. They’ll use this to paint you as dangerous, someone who threatens the established order. That plays well with conservatives who fear change.”

Jolthar nodded. He had already considered this angle. ”Let them. The inquiry will reveal what Rothgard actually was. Sometimes you need to drag corruption into the light before you can eliminate it.”

Milan studied him with interest. ”You’re remarkably calm for someone whose life hangs in the balance.”

”Because my life doesn’t hang in the balance,” Jolthar said simply.

”This is politics, not justice. If it were justice, there would be no case. So I treat it as politics, and politics can be won through strategy and truth.”

Cleora reached over and squeezed his hand.

”I wish I had your confidence.”

”You should,” he told her.

”We haven’t done anything wrong. Tekkora is thriving because we made good decisions. Rothgard died because he was a monster. The truth is on our side. We just need to make sure it’s heard.”

The carriage rolled through the nobles’ sector, where estates sprawled behind high walls and manicured gardens.

Eventually, they arrived at Milan’s villa, a beautiful property with classical architecture and grounds that spoke of both wealth and taste.

*

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the vast expanse of the imperial palace, in a section that represented the absolute peak of luxury and power, a very different scene was unfolding.

The hall was spacious and opulent, every surface decorated with artistic mastery. Silk cushions were scattered across raised platforms where people reclined in various states of relaxation.

The air was thick with the sweet smoke of expensive incense and other substances that cost more than most commoners earned in a year. Crystal decanters held liquors that had been aged longer than some of the people drinking them.

This was not a formal court setting.

This was private, intimate, and exclusive—a place where a certain kind of power gathered to enjoy the privileges of its position.

A knight in formal armor entered the hall, his steps measured and respectful. He navigated around the lounging figures until he reached one man in particular, then dropped to one knee.

”Your Highness, I have news regarding Prince Milan.”

The man he addressed turned from his conversation.

He was extraordinarily handsome: the kind of beauty that seemed almost unreal. Sharp features, perfect symmetry, and eyes that captured attention and held it. But more than physical appearance, he radiated an aura of confidence and power that filled the space around him. This was someone accustomed to being the center of any room he entered.

Prince Andrion smiled at the knight.

”Oh? What has my dear brother been up to now?”

The knight delivered his report efficiently, describing the arrest of Jolthar Kaezhlar, the charges, Milan’s intervention, and the subsequent release. He detailed the confrontation with Varnik Rothgard and the presence of both Lady Cleora and Matriarch Raayani.

When he finished, one of the people lounging nearby sat up with interest. ”Jolthar Kaezhlar? I’ve heard that name. Some rising star from one of the border baronies, isn’t he?”

”Tekkora,” another supplied.

”Used to be nothing. Now they’re making waves with all sorts of unusual policies. Trade agreements, infrastructure development, treating commoners like actual people.”

The last part was said with amused mockery.

”And he’s involved with Lady Cleora Aravain?” asked a woman draped in silk that barely qualified as clothing.

”Isn’t she significantly older than him?”

”She is,” the knight confirmed.

”He’s also apparently the lover of Matriarch Raayani.”

The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in surprised reactions.

”Both of them?” someone exclaimed.

”Impossible.”

”Lady Cleora is legendary. Men have bankrupted themselves trying to win her favor.”

”And Raayani is the Blue Rose Matriarch. She’s turned down dukes and princes. No one gets close to her.”

Andrion’s smile widened, genuine interest sparking in his eyes. ”Now this is fascinating. A young man, apparently exceptional enough to win the hearts of two of the empire’s most desired women.”

He leaned forward slightly. ”What do we know about him?”

”And why is my brother so invested in him?”

Various people around the hall began offering information, piecing together what they’d heard. Jolthar’s role in transforming Tekkora. His relationship with the Kaezhlar family. The execution of Rothgard. His arrival in the capital and immediate arrest.

”And both women came to his defense?” Andrion asked.

”Cleora and Raayani together?”

”They arrived with him,” the knight confirmed.

”And both were present when Prince Milan secured his release.”

Andrion laughed, the sound rich and genuinely amused.

”Oh, this is delightful. My brother actually did something interesting for once.”