Ulysses returned to the Ginehart manor with a sour mood after the meeting. Those people were only after his downfall and wanted to see him suffer. They even dared to relate the identity of the World Breaker to his son. He already knew that it was a possibility but he still couldn't accept that there were other people speculating about it.
He alighted from the carriage and strode inside the manor without greeting anyone. Cygnus was nowhere to be found so he went straight to his study and locked himself in. Inside his study was a glass cabinet dedicated to his collection of wines. His eyes immediately landed on it after he locked the door.
The duke strode towards it and opened the cabinet. He eyed the different bottles then he casually picked up a bottle of Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru. He held the bottle and placed it on the glass table situated in the middle of the couches meant for visitors.
He then went to the cupboard beside the glass cabinet and picked out a wine glass and a cork screw on his other hand. Ulysses sat on the couch and stared at the bottle of the wine for a while before he decided to take and open it. The wine revealed the scent of mesmerizing allspice, mocha, and coconut aromas that were enhanced by the eighteen months of oak barrel aging technique.????????????????????????????????.????????????
The duke closed his eyes and slowly inhaled the aroma that filled the room. He felt a bit relaxed because of the soothing smell. He then poured out a generous amount from the wine into the wine glass and slowly swirled it around.
After a few circles, he took a sip and sighed at the flavor. The intense raspberry taste tickled his tongue followed by the cherry flavor that made the wine even more flavorful. He liked how the wine tasted in his mouth as he savored every bit of it.
Ulysses hummed after taking a few more sips from his glass. He leaned on the couch and inhaled before slowly exhaling. The anger he was feeling at that moment slowly subsided as he relaxed his body. He tried not to think about what happened during the meeting as he focused on his own breathing.
Cygnus returned home after he went on a walk and was informed that the duke had already returned. The manor's butler led him to the duke's study. The butler knocked and informed the duke of the young master's arrival. They were immediately given permission to enter so the butler used his set of keys to open the door.
The door clicked and opened so the duke placed down the wine glass on the table. He slightly looked back and saw that Cygnus was closing the door behind him. He waited for the young man to turn around before he gestured for him to sit down.
Cygnus sat down as he couldn't help but raise a brow at the opened bottle of wine. He looked at the duke and saw that he was staring at him. He sighed since the duke was not drunk and whatever they were going to talk about that night would be about the meeting.
"Do you want to drink?" Ulysses asked as he stood up and went to the cupboard to get another wine glass. "That is one of the best wines I have in my collection so I suggest that you take a sip."
He handed the win glass to Cygnus and the young man accepted it. Before he could pour out some for himself, Ulysses was faster than him. He took the bottle and poured it for the young man. Cygnus chuckled as he took a sip of the wine. It was indeed delicious and worthy of being in a collection.
"May I know why you are drinking such fine wine after a meeting?" Cygnus finally asked after his third sip.
"Nothing really. I was only overreacting for a moment maybe because of my position as a father." Ulysses answered.
Cygnus chuckled and shook his head. He did not ask any of his spies about what happened in the meeting because he knew that the duke would tell him. He placed the wine glass on the table and looked at the duke.
"They must have said something related to me then since I don't see you reacting like this when General Linius is on the front line." Cygnus guessed and based on the duke's frown that he was correct.
Ulysses sighed. "I already had the idea that you are the World Breaker people were talking about. Your existence in itself is a mystery and your way of doing things doesn't suit the people of this place. You also have these abilities that are out of this world."
This made Cygnus stop and stare at the duke. "If that is the case, then why are you still tolerating me? I mean I can destroy this world anytime I want."I think you should take a look at
The duke laughed and stared at the ceiling instead. "I also don't know. Ever since I met you, I and my family experienced so many things that we didn't expect to happen in this lifetime. I guess I am just an open-minded person and accepted this truth."
"What does your wife think about this then and your acceptance of this so-called truth?" Cygnus tilted his head to the side. He picked up the glass of wine and twirled it a couple of times.
"She's fine with it. Honestly, my wife has not been in a good condition for the past months now. She looks strong and resilient but she gets tired too. After the scandal that our duchy faced, her health worsened and her longing for our youngest child keeps him awake in the night." The duke narrated with a low voice.
It was rare for the duke to be talking about these personal matters with the master and it made the master silent. He had nothing to offer him as advice because he himself hasn't experienced these kinds of things. His relationship with his family was vague due to his incomplete memories and all he could remember was the painful part of his past.
"It's rare for someone to suddenly talk about these kinds of things to a complete stranger. Are you really that eager to die?" Cygnus stretched out the hand that was holding the wine glass towards the duke.
"Of course, I am not. I enjoy living and these are just my thoughts after that meeting because too many things are happening at the same time. This must be my way of accepting what is about to happen." Ulysses raised his head and stared straight ahead at the young man that he considered a part of his family.
If he was truly the World Breaker then this world was about to end. Although he knew that sooner or later, this world would come to its end because of the considerable changes that already happened. The damages were only minute but it would eventually stack up. He had been reading ancient books since he was a teenager and compared to that time, the present was not awe-inspiring at all.
"Then should I let you and your family live in exchange for your help?" Cygnus took another sip and observed the wine in his glass.
Ulysses could only look at the young man and at his serious face. He was not smiling like he always did and he felt that he was sincerely offering him that possibility. It was tempting and if time would permit it, he would definitely accept the offer.
"I will accept your offer but it will be for my son Linius," Ulysses answered. "He is already in your control so why not let him join your gang?"
Cygnus laughed and drank the remaining wine in his wine glass with one gulp. "If that's what you want then I will gladly take him in. Besides, I also like his attitude and his mind."
"Ah, I can't believe that I am entrusting him to you instead of making sure that my people will be okay," Ulysses laughed. He was shaking his head while pouring himself another drink. "I guess at the end of the day, I am still a father."
Cygnus has no comment regarding his statement and just joined him in finishing the bottle of wine. They drank in silence and enjoyed the rare treat before Ulysses finally spoke about the contents of the meeting.
"The Justice of Light is given a month to establish and prepare their network of information. The investigation with the holy knight already started and they will start to look at people who fit the description of the World Breaker. Your name is included even though I already expressed my displeasure regarding it." The duke informed Cygnus without holding back any information.
"I thought you were not my spy?" Cygnus raised a brow. He could acquire all of this information even without the duke's help though.
"I just can't help but say it." Ulysses grinned and offered the young man a toast which Cygnus gladly accepted as he clinked his glass to the dukes.
