Gon's Harem System
Chapter 21: The duke’s office

Chapter 21: The duke’s office

"You’re serious?" Lord Thane asked after a long pause, his voice low and steady, though there was a noticeable shift in its tone.

His gaze remained fixed on the boy, who stood before him, eyes wide and still holding the weight of his revelation.

Lord Thane’s expression didn’t change at first, but his brows furrowed ever so slightly, a sign that his mind was already working, processing the information.

The boy, nervously holding his breath, nodded earnestly, meeting the lord’s steady gaze. "Yes, my lord," he replied, his voice quieter now but filled with conviction.

Lord Thane rubbed his beard thoughtfully, his fingers brushing against the ponytails in a rhythmic motion, a habit he often had when deep in thought.

His thumb traced the edges of the beard as he stared ahead, not really looking at anything in particular, but seemingly lost in his thoughts.

Lord Thane’s gaze never wavered, and though the boy could not see his lord’s eyes, he could feel the intensity of the moment—the quiet calculation that followed the surprise.

Lord Thane’s mind raced, running through possible scenarios, his thoughts flickering like shadows in the corners of his mind.

The Duke’s son... discovering mana. It was an occurrence not many could claim, and certainly not something the boy had expected to come across so soon.

His fingers tightened around the edges of his cloak, but his face remained as steady as ever.

There was something about the boy’s delivery, the quiet certainty in his voice, that made it impossible for Thane to dismiss.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lord Thane let out a deep sigh, his hand dropping from his beard as he straightened up.

The boy remained still, watching the lord with a mix of fear and curiosity.

Lord Thane let out another deep breath, his fingers once again brushing over the edge of his beard, the movement almost automatic now. "Very well," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else.

He straightened his back and looked once more at the boy, this time with a colder, more focused expression.

"Go and wait for me in my office". He said to him. "I’ll come see you after I meet the Duke".

The boy nodded quickly, his chest tight as he tried to gather his thoughts.

The boy, sensing the sharp edge to Lord Thane’s tone, quickly dropped into a hasty bow, his back slightly hunched as he tried to show proper respect.

Without waiting for any further words, he scurried away down the hallway, his footsteps echoing lightly on the polished stone floors.

He moved with a kind of nervous haste, darting around corners and disappearing into the shadows as if eager to distance himself from the weight of the conversation.

His movements were quick, almost frantic, much like a rat trying to escape an unseen predator, and Lord Thane couldn’t help but watch with a trace of distaste.

Lord Thane, who was a man of pride—unshaken, unwavering, and fully convinced that strength, both physical and mental, was the hallmark of true worth—kissed his teeth in displeasure.

It was a sound of quiet frustration, a sharp exhale through clenched teeth, as if the boy’s behavior had struck a nerve that ran deeper than expected.

In Thane’s eyes, every man should be strong, both in body and spirit.

A man should stand tall, proud, and unflinching, commanding respect with every step he took.

The boy, with his quick, scurrying exit, had shown none of that.

There was no strength in his posture, no conviction in the way he moved, only the desperate need to escape and retreat.

It irritated Lord Thane—he was the kind of man who valued resilience above all, and the boy’s cowardly flight only served to remind him of how far some still had to go.

Lord Thane shook his head slightly, his lips curling back in a faint sneer, his fingers twitching at his side as if to contain the growing annoyance.

To him, the boy was an example of the weakness that plagued the world. A true man should not cower under pressure, nor should he shrink away in fear.

A true man would stand his ground, face the challenge head-on, and meet adversity with unwavering strength.

Lord Thane straightened himself, brushing any lingering irritation from his thoughts as he made his way toward the Duke’s office.

His boots echoed softly in the corridor, each step a reminder of his purpose. The hallway, once alive with the murmur of servants and courtiers, grew quieter as he approached the door.

His expression remained steady, betraying none of the unrest he felt as he pushed the door open, the hinges creaking slightly with the motion.

Inside, the Duke stood with his back to the door, leaning casually on the edge of his heavy oak table.

The room was richly appointed, with dark wood panels lining the walls and thick velvet curtains hanging in the windows, casting the room in a soft, shadowed light.

A large, intricately carved chair sat behind the table, but the Duke had opted to stand, one arm resting on the edge as he looked over some papers strewn across the surface.

The Duke, a man of considerable influence and standing, exuded an air of relaxed authority. His tall frame, though not as imposing as Lord Thane’s, was solid and broad, and his face, framed by neatly groomed dark hair, held the kind of calm that came with years of ruling and dealing with delicate matters.

Lord Thane stepped inside with a firm stride, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

He stood frozen, his posture as rigid as ever, watching the Duke unfold and read the letter in his hand.

The Duke’s face was a mask of impassivity, his features unreadable, save for the tightness around his lips.

Thane couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance. The Duke, always so composed, always so detached, seemed to take everything in stride, even the most urgent matters.

Meanwhile, Lord Thane found himself standing there, waiting, his patience slowly fraying.

It was a curious thing, the way the Duke’s calm seemed to sap Thane of his usual confidence.

Here he was, towering over the Duke’s desk, feeling as if he were nothing more than a silent observer.