The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 314: Obsessive Lord Eude

Then his gaze swept over the mansion’s opulent facade, taking in every detail of Tekkora’s transformation. ”Impressive work, my lovely Cleora had done. She has built something truly remarkable from nothing.”

His voice carried genuine appreciation, though it was the admiration of a collector appraising a valuable acquisition. ”Now, Gales, shall we proceed to the next phase?”

Gales nodded, and he turned to Preeyonka. She raised her hand towards the men, signalling them.

One of this member took out a small shaft and lit the thread at the base. It was a signal flare.

It shot up in the sky, and a huge colour exploded in the midair.

At the city gates, the one with grey-coloured attire from earlier saw the signal and moved towards the guard.

The guard at the gates frowned as he saw the man approaching. He held up his spear, warning him, but the man moved so fast that the guard couldn’t quite catch his movements, and that man struck him in his chest. Likewise, he killed the other guards swiftly and stood at the gates.

He looked out towards the path, and he could see men riding horses, heading towards the gates.

Within a few minutes, those riders reached the gates, and that man let them inside.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, the other man dressed in grey attire moved towards the barracks and set it on fire. The guards who were inside all screamed as he left the place.

Amid the distant echoes of growing unrest, inside the mansion, Eude and his group of adventurers commenced the talks with the baroness.

-

Eude strode toward the mansion’s entrance, his bearing shifting from mysterious merchant lord to visiting dignitary. The steward who had welcomed Gales now approached with considerably more nervousness, clearly unsettled by the dramatic arrival.

”I am Eude,” he announced, his voice carrying an authority that brooked no argument.

”I have come to speak with Baroness Cleora on matters of utmost importance to her barony’s future.”

Within minutes, he was ushered into the study where Cleora waited with Nora and Roblan.

The family’s confusion was evident—first the merchants, now this dramatic arrival.

And seeing Eude here, Cleora was startled.

Cleora’s instincts, honed by years of leadership, immediately sensed danger in this man’s presence.

”My dear Cleora,” Eude began, his tone respectful yet commanding.

”We meet again.”

”Your achievements here are remarkable. In mere months, you have transformed a simple barony into a thriving centre of commerce and industry. Such vision deserves recognition... and reward.”

She was too stunned to speak; so were her children.

Nora was the first to recover. ”What are you doing here? Who let you in?”

Eude turned to her and said, ”Oh, little Nora, is that the way you speak to your guests?”

Roblan stepped forward, shielding his sister. ”Nora!”

Cleora came out of her shock and calmed herself.

Nora was angry, obviously. She didn’t like the man and her his intentions. She unleashed her verbal curses as Roblan was trying to stop her.

”Enough!”

Cleora remained seated behind her desk, her posture straight and alert. ”Thank you for your words, Mr.Eude.” Keeping her neutral expression, she added, ”Though I confess I’m uncertain what brings you to Tekkora with such... dramatic flair.”

Eude feigned a fake hurtful expression. ”Am I not allowed to be here?”

”I was waiting for the day to meet you, dear Cleora.”

Eude’s smile widened.

”And the thing with the barony, I am very impressed with what you have done here. And I come here today with an offer that could elevate your barony beyond anything you’ve yet imagined. Resources, trade networks, protection from threats you cannot yet foresee. All of this I can provide.”

”And in return?” Roblan interjected, his soldier’s instincts picking up on the underlying tension.

”It’s simple. I will take over this barony,” Eude replied simply. ”Your barony would join a greater confederation of holdings under my guidance. I will make this barony prosper tenfold and increase its influence across the empire.”

Cleora’s eyes narrowed. ”We have prospered through our own efforts, guided by principles of honour and loyalty. I see no need for such arrangements.”

”Ah, but you speak of loyalty to whom exactly?” Eude’s voice carried a note of knowing mockery.

”The empire has concerns regarding your barony. The mysterious death of your late husband and this young man, evidently from one of the strongest families rooted here. They think that this barony might fall into the hands of the Kaezhlar clan.”

”He is no longer part of the Kaezhlar clan.”

”The young Jolthar, is it not? The one who had left this place months ago?”

The mention of Jolthar sent a chill through the room.

Cleora’s expression hardened, while Nora and Roblan exchanged worried glances. Cleora had spread the word that Jolthar had left for a business matter and he would return soon.

How could this stranger know so much about their family’s private matters?

”My commitments are my own concern,” Cleora replied with steel in her voice. ”As are those of my family.”

Eude circled the room slowly, his presence seeming to fill the space with oppressive weight. ”Come now, Cleora. You have given your heart, your loyalty, perhaps even your future to one who couldn’t even stand beside you. He is a brat who doesn’t know how to treat women.”

Eude’s roamed over Cleora, his desire clear to everyone in the room, ”There is still time, my beautiful Cleora. I can change your life, and I can make you happy and feel alive.”

”You speak of things you do not understand,” Cleora said, rising from her chair.

”My answer is no. Tekkora will remain independent.”

”And I have already told you, I belong to Jolthar.”

Eude winced at her words; behind him, Gales and Preeyonka remained stoic.

He cleared his throat.

”Even if refusal means the destruction of everything you have built?” Eude’s mask of civility began to slip, revealing the wickedness beneath.

”I have offered you prosperity beyond measure. Do not mistake my generosity for weakness.”