Chapter 157: 157: I need a bath
Leo had both hands behind him as he looked around. "What a grand way to announce your arrival."
He stared at Lysander, who had his staff firmly beside him. "And you even came with your little sidekick."
"I’m flattered," Eden smiled. "Mostly by the warm welcome I got for my arrival. Aren’t you going to apologise for it, Grand Duke?"
Leo hesitated, staring firmly at Eden as though he was studying him. He took his time before he slowly smiled. "Sure. My apologies for the welcome. I guess they acted out of impulse."
Eden smiled. "Don’t worry. I understand barbaric impulses very well and won’t hold it against you. Just make sure to teach them better. Because this time I didn’t do much with my powers, but next time it might not be such a pretty sight either."
Eden had a broad mocking smile while staring at Leo.
Leo, on the other hand, frowned. Pissed off by Eden’s offensive comments, he knew he couldn’t do anything but fake a smile.
"Why don’t we go inside then? I have everything ready," Leo offered.
Eden had gotten down from the horse as he casually cast Felix a smile. "You can go out and have fun. I’ll signal you when I’m done."
Felix stared at him, confused. "Won’t I be coming with you? I believe I should be better."
Felix looked around, his eyes meeting Leo. "Besides, I believe that should also be safer considering how unpredictable this environment can be."
Eden scoffed. "Don’t worry about me. I can handle it. So just go have some fun."
Felix hesitated. Staring at him, he didn’t want to leave because he was curious to know what Eden was going in there to do with the Grand Duke of Enor.
"It’s not like I’m having his head," Leo said. "So you don’t have to be protective."
Felix hesitated and then nodded. "Okay. I’ll be around. Signal me if you need me."
Felix mounted the horse and took off. Soon he was out of sight.
"Now let’s get going in. I’ve prepared everything that is needed," Leo offered.
Eden smiled. "Sure. Lead the way."
Leo turned and walked into the mansion. Eden followed behind as Damian, Leo’s right-hand man, followed them into the Grand Duke’s main mansion.
---
Eden was soon walking beside Leo through the corridors of the mansion. It was Eden’s first time there, so he took his time looking through the exquisite designs around.
Leo was a lover of knowledge, one who enjoyed drowning himself in the arts of all spheres of knowledge. So the walls of his corridor were designed with exquisite paintings.
Paintings of historical figures and designs of concepts lined the corridor. Some antiques were placed at the sides to complement the feel of the atmosphere.
Eden didn’t know anything about whatever was placed there. All he thought about while looking through the hallway was how he was going to stall talking to Leo about what he had found out.
The silence between them as they strolled was loud before Leo finally spoke up.
"I’ve already arranged the meal at the dining. Let’s go there and eat while discussing. I don’t think we should waste more time—"
"Before that, I think there’s something I need to do," Eden cut him off.
Leo paused, staring at him. "Something you need to do? And what could that be?"
Eden stared straight into his confused expression. "You might be one of culture, but I feel your ethics in hospitality are lacking. Is this how you treat a guest? Not making them feel at home first?"
Leo raised an eyebrow. "And since when are you a guest that should be treated well? I’m not here to accept guests and treat them well. We’re here for business, and I believe you should know that."
Eden blinked at him. "Still the same. I’m a guest. So you should at least treat me with warmth. I just arrived, so you should treat me to something other than jumping to discussion."
Leo’s expression was pale and unreadable as he stared at Eden. He stared at him for a while before he said, "Are you kidding right now?"
"I’m not. I’m serious."
"You know I can just cut off your head right now?" Leo reminded.
Eden swallowed and said, "Try it. And you won’t be getting the exclusive information I got for you." He smiled.
Leo’s expression was cold as he glared at Eden. He hesitated and then sighed. "What do you want?"
Eden smiled. "Now you’re talking."
He had both hands behind him as he said, "I want a bath. A warm bath."
"A bath?" Damian chipped in. "How dare you demand a bath in front of the Lord when you’re just a nobody! Don’t you have any respect?"
"What did I say wrong? I just said what I wanted." Eden folded his arms.
"You should learn to hold your mouth before we cut it off for your tongue," Damian snapped.
"Enough," Leo interrupted. He had a hand behind his back as he stopped Damian from talking, his eyes on Eden. "You want a bath?"
"Yeah. My ride here wasn’t so easy. I’m already stressed and tired. So I need a warm night bath to calm down. Don’t you think I should get that?"
It was Eden’s way of stalling time.
Leo hesitated, staring at Eden as though he was trying to read through him.
Eden simply smiled back at him.
"Go tell the maids to get the bath ready for him," Leo said to Damian.
"Huh? My Lord? Why are you—"
"Do as I’ve said. No questions asked," Leo said, his deadly eyes on Eden, who was still smiling.
"Yes, My Lord," Damian nodded and left.
"Satisfied?" he asked Eden.
"Sure. I’m more than satisfied. It’s good to have someone like you around who listens," Eden smiled. "I surely will enjoy the bath you’ve prepared for me."
"Sure. Do well to enjoy it and prepare for the dinner later tonight."