I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 378: She’s a Mess

"One week for Lyra’s escort," Jack confirmed. "After that, I’ll handle the dungeon before it breaks. Then Caeloria, once the immediate threats are managed. That should give you enough time to coordinate with both kingdoms and prepare whatever diplomatic groundwork is needed."

Eric nodded once, then turned toward the door. He paused at the threshold, glancing back at Jack with a smile.

"You’re playing a dangerous game, Jack Kaiser. Three favors of this magnitude create enemies among people who think you’re accumulating too much influence. Be careful that your confidence doesn’t become arrogance that gets you killed."

"I appreciate the concern, Your Majesty," Jack replied with a smirk. He wasn’t concerned at all. "But I’ve been careful my entire life. Haven’t died yet."

Eric’s expression showed he had thoughts about that statement, but he didn’t voice them. Instead, he departed with the same regal bearing he’d arrived with.

The moment the door closed behind Eric, the atmosphere in the study shifted. The formality of negotiating with royalty gave way to a more comfortable dynamic of family and trusted allies.

Alaric turned to look at his son, his expression carrying layers of assessment. "That was well done. Risky, but well done. Eric will remember that you demanded written contracts and open-ended political backing. He’ll be observing you from now on." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Good," Jack said. "Doesn’t change the terms we agreed to."

"No," Alaric agreed. "But it does mean you’ve painted a target on yourself for anyone who sees you as a threat to the existing power structure. A favor from the king, ownership of a potentially valuable dungeon, and a blank check of royal political support. That’s the kind of resume that makes ambitious nobles nervous."

"They can be nervous from a distance," Jack replied dismissively. He turned his attention to S, who had returned to standing silently behind his chair. "S, I need you to prepare a contract for Father Caelen to deliver to Rhys. Have Caelen bring it to him in the guest quarters."

S nodded once.

Father Caelen, who had remained silent throughout the entire negotiation with Eric, finally spoke. "The young elf is still recovering from his encounter with Duke Alaric. Should I wait until tomorrow to present the contract, or...?"

"Tonight," Jack said firmly. "He agreed to work for me in front of witnesses. Now we make it official. Once he signs, you can answer whatever questions he has about what he’s gotten himself into."

"As you wish," Father Caelen said with his characteristic serenity, bowing slightly before departing to await S’s return with the contract.

The study fell quiet with only Jack and Alaric remaining. The Duke moved to stand beside the window, looking out over the manor grounds with the contemplative expression of someone processing everything that had just occurred.

"Chiron Stormblood has extended an invitation," Alaric said finally, breaking the silence. "He wants you to visit Draconia."

Jack’s eyes shifted from the rolled contract in his jacket to his father’s reflection in the window. "Is this because of Charlotte?"

Alaric’s lips twitched with amusement, though concern lingered beneath. "You noticed?"

"She stood at the observation platform for the entire fight, she was practically salivating." Jack leaned back in his chair. "Then there was the way her lightning responded whenever I used mine. She’s a mess."

"A mess with the strongest man alive as her father," Alaric pointed out.

"Which is why it’s better she stays far away." Jack’s fingers drummed against the desk. "But I’ll have to go to Draconia eventually. The resources there would be useful."

"For what end?"

"For everything." Jack stood, moving to join his father at the window. "Dragon scales, hearts, cores. All of it fetches absurd prices because most people can’t kill the damn things. But if I’m going to hunt them, I need information."

Alaric studied his son’s face. "The invitation is open-ended. Chiron said you could come whenever you wanted. The offer stands."

"After Caeloria," Jack decided. "Once I’ve handled Eric’s mess and figured out what’s happening with the demons, I’ll make the trip. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. Gather dragon intelligence and deal with whatever Chiron actually wants."

"You think the invitation has an ulterior motive?"

"Chiron wouldn’t do anything without a hidden agenda." Jack’s grin returned. "He wants to see what I can do. Test me. Maybe spar. The marriage proposal to Charlotte is secondary to his curiosity about white lightning. I’m interesting enough to invite, which means I’m valuable enough to observe."

"And Charlotte?"

"Is a problem for future Jack." He turned from the window.

Alaric’s golden eyes showed he approved, but he was still a bit worried. "Just remember. Chiron’s interest can be as dangerous as his hostility. The strongest man alive doesn’t extend invitations lightly."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

--------

The guest quarters were immaculate. Rich tapestries lined the walls, thick carpets muffled footsteps, and furniture carved from dark wood.

The Kaiser family didn’t believe in substandard accommodations, even for defeated opponents.

Rhys sat on the edge of an absurdly comfortable bed, his winter-ice eyes still carrying the haunted quality of someone who’d nearly died twice in one day.

His hands trembled slightly. Residual effects from oxygen deprivation and an adrenaline crash.

Sylph floated near the window. She’d been silent since leaving Jack’s study, her usual mischievous commentary absent.

A knock at the door broke the quiet.

"Enter," Rhys called, his voice still rough.

Father Caelen stepped inside with the warmth of someone visiting an old friend. His staff tapped softly against carpet as he approached, and his serene smile carried genuine kindness.

"Lord Rhys. I hope you’re feeling better."

"Better than dead," Rhys managed. "Which is more than I expected after Duke Alaric finished with me."

"The Duke has strong feelings about elves." Father Caelen moved to stand beside the bed. "But his son values you enough to heal you and extend an offer. That should tell you something about your worth."

"Or about how useful I am as a tool."

"Perhaps both." Father Caelen produced a rolled parchment from his robes. "The young master sent me with this. It’s a contract formalizing the agreement you made in his study."

Rhys stared at the parchment. "What kind of contract?"

"The kind that binds service to compensation. You work for Master Jack. He supports your claim to Caeloria’s throne. Standard terms, really, considering the stakes involved."

Sylph drifted closer, her black-and-green eyes narrowing at the parchment. "Rhys, you should..."

"Sign this," Father Caelen continued, extending the parchment toward Rhys, "and any questions you have can be answered."

Rhys took the offered document, unrolling it enough to see elegant script detailing terms and conditions. His eyes skimmed the first few lines, ervice, loyalty, compensation, authority...

"Wait," Sylph flew directly in front of his face. "Read it first. Read the whole thing before you...."

His hand moved without thinking. He had already made his choice in Jack’s study and saw no point delaying the inevitable. The quill scratched across parchment, his signature appearing in dark ink.

Sylph slapped both tiny hands against her face and dragged them down slowly. She was screaming internally.

’THIS IDIOT WHY WOULDN’T YOU READ THE CONTRACT FIRST!!!’