Gon's Harem System
Chapter 20: There is a problem my lord

Chapter 20: There is a problem my lord

He didn’t mind doing such work, no matter how tedious or time-consuming it might be. In fact, he approached it with a quiet sense of satisfaction, knowing it served a greater purpose beyond the immediate task at hand.

Every effort, every gesture, and every moment he dedicated to such work seemed to ripple through the hearts of the people, weaving a stronger bond between him and those who looked up to him.

It wasn’t just about completing the task; it was about the way his actions resonated with others. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed—quite the opposite. It brought him closer to the people, earning him their admiration and trust.

The gratitude they showed, whether through words, warm smiles, or simply their presence, only strengthened his resolve.

He could feel their love grow with every deed he performed and he knew deep down that it would prove useful in the future.

The experience he gained, the connections he built, and the trust he nurtured with the people would all serve a purpose someday.

Lord Thane stepped into the grand hallway, his boots echoing softly against the polished stone floor.

The tall, arched ceilings seemed to draw the light from the flickering torches lining the walls, casting long, dancing shadows across the space.

He had barely taken a few steps when the sound of hurried footsteps broke the quiet.

A young boy, came rushing toward him, his face flushed with a mix of excitement and urgency.

His tousled hair and slightly dirt-streaked clothes suggested he had come in a hurry, perhaps from the stables or the training grounds.

As he approached, he slowed just enough to avoid colliding with the imposing figure of the lord, his wide eyes fixed on Thane as though carrying a message too important to delay.

"Welcome back my lord", The boy said and bent low.

"Oh, don’t be such a sniveling thing," Lord Thane replied, his deep voice carrying a hint of both amusement and authority.

He stopped in his stride and cast a steady gaze upon the boy, who now stood before him with his head slightly bowed and shoulders hunched.

With a firm but not unkind gesture, Lord Thane motioned for the boy to stand upright.

"Straighten yourself, lad," he added, his tone softening ever so slightly. "You’ll do no good groveling at my feet. Speak clearly, and let me hear what brings you here in such a rush."

The boy hesitated for a moment, his small frame trembling under the lord’s piercing gaze, but he quickly obeyed, drawing himself up as best he could.

His eyes darted upward, a mix of respect and fear flashing within them as he prepared to deliver whatever urgent message had sent him sprinting into the hallway.

Lord Thane snorted in mild irritation, the sound short and sharp, echoing faintly off the stone walls. His piercing eyes remained fixed on the boy, who flinched slightly at the noise but stood his ground, albeit nervously.

"I hope you’ve done exactly as I commanded?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying an edge that warned against disappointing him.

His tone held a measured authority, the kind that left no room for excuses or half-measures.

The boy swallowed hard, his throat dry as he nodded quickly, though his words faltered for a moment.

He clasped his hands tightly behind his back as though trying to steady himself, clearly aware that the lord expected nothing less than complete obedience—and a satisfactory report.

"Of course, my lord. I have," the boy replied quickly, his voice wavering just slightly as he spoke. He nodded to emphasize his words.

The boy shifted slightly on his feet, glancing up at the lord’s face for a brief moment to gauge his reaction.

He knew Lord Thane did not tolerate failure or half-hearted efforts, and the weight of the man’s gaze made his heart race.

"So, how is everything so far?" Lord Thane asked, his voice calm but authoritative, as he nodded a polite greeting toward a court lady who was making her way down the hallway.

She was the very picture of refinement, her posture graceful and poised, the soft rustle of her gown barely audible as she walked.

The dress, a deep shade of emerald green, hugged her figure modestly before cascading into elegant folds, each movement catching the light of the torches and accentuating the intricate embroidery at the hem.

Her dark hair was swept up neatly, adorned with delicate jewels that sparkled faintly with each turn of her head.

The lady returned his nod with a slight, practiced curtsy, her eyes lowering momentarily in deference before flicking upward to meet his briefly.

Lord Thane’s attention lingered on her only for a moment before he turned back to the boy, his expression unchanged, his focus fully returned to the conversation at hand.

"Well, everything is mostly fine, my lord," the boy replied, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of uncertainty. He shifted slightly, glancing up at Lord Thane’s face to gauge his reaction before quickly lowering his gaze again.

There was a slight hesitation in his tone, as though he wasn’t entirely sure if his answer would suffice.

His hands, still clasped tightly behind his back, fidgeted nervously, and his feet shuffled ever so slightly against the polished floor.

The boy’s demeanor suggested he was withholding something, though whether it was out of fear or a desire to choose his words carefully was unclear.

The hallway remained quiet except for the faint crackling of the torch flames, their flickering light casting dancing shadows on the stone walls.

It was not just what the boy said that made Lord Thane pause his walk, but the tone with which he said it as well.

There was something off in the way the boy spoke, a subtle wavering in his voice that didn’t escape the lord’s keen ears.

It wasn’t the usual eagerness or confidence that one might expect from someone delivering a report, but rather a cautious, almost guarded hesitation, as though he were measuring his words carefully, perhaps hiding something.

Lord Thane’s pace slowed, and he turned slightly, his eyes narrowing just enough to convey that the boy’s answer had caught his attention.

The silence between them stretched for a moment, thick with unspoken understanding, and the boy’s discomfort only grew under the weight of the lord’s gaze.

The flickering light cast shadows across Lord Thane’s face, making his expression unreadable, but there was no mistaking the sharpness in his posture—he was waiting, expecting, to hear more.