Chapter 187: 187: Marquis’s Meeting
SILVANA CITY
The city of Silvana was a march close to Avalon—the home of the Grand Marquis Adrian.
It was a bustling city of riches and endless activities. The night view was always bustling and beautiful, and tonight was no different.
Across the streets of the march was a bustling market square filled with people moving around and enjoying the night market. There was a lot to see, buy, and even sell.
And close to this market square was a grand building built in the name of the marquis that manned the march—Marquis Dean.
That was the venue of the meeting that was being held on that day: the meeting of the marquises around the kingdom. A meeting where they would discuss and stay overnight after having fun.
It was a grand event. And soon Grand Marquis Adrian had arrived at the spot.
He got down from his carriage as Mr. Hugo followed behind, inside the grand building.
The others were already there, seated down before their solo tables that formed a huge circle around the room. The once bustling room was now calm as soon as Adrian walked in.
They all stared at him as he made his way to his seat, which was the highest—the one reserved for the Grand Marquis of the event.
"Greetings, Grand Marquis Adrian, you weren’t as punctual as we expected you to be. Don’t you think we deserve an explanation or apology? Or are we too little for that?" one asked.
The atmosphere had grown cold as they stared at Adrian, who now sat down. His cold aura was felt across the grand room.
Decorated with gold and silver across the room, the glittering hall held a grand aura that was meant for nobles like them.
"I guess he doesn’t see us as worthy of anything. He’s the Grand Marquis after all, and we’re just marquises," one said, drinking from his cup.
"I don’t think I owe much of an explanation of the important stuff I’ve been busy with. So you don’t have to make much noise about it," Adrian said, glaring at them.
He was the youngest amongst the middle-aged and older-looking men around the room. But he had the highest rank amongst them, so he spoke with them as he pleased. Not necessarily because he didn’t respect them but because he already knew them.
Adrian already knew that everyone here in the room hated him. They wanted him gone and wanted his position. They hated everything about him, even though they never explicitly said it.
And he didn’t need them to tell him for him to know.
One of the marquises scoffed. "Why do we even bother asking then? Let’s just celebrate and have fun. Cheers!"
They drank and laughed off their worries while music played in the background. Adrian didn’t drink.
He had a cold expression while he stared at them without saying anything. He didn’t bother joining in whatever fun they were having.
"Aren’t you going to drink?" one of them asked him.
"Don’t worry about me. I don’t think I’m in the mood," Adrian said.
They scoffed. "He must think he’s better than us," another said.
They decided to proceed with one of the main agenda items of the meeting: discussing the official matters at hand.
Having discussed some of them, they decided to get to the one that directly involved Adrian.
"I heard the Grand Marquis couldn’t even capture the wild Wizard of El. He slipped away from his hands even before he could do anything."
Another smiled. "What could he have done? Someone as young and inexperienced as him can’t possibly handle such difficult tasks. So it’s understandable that he can’t handle it."
Adrian casually scoffed while listening to them speak. He didn’t even bother saying anything for the meantime.
"The Wizard of El is already running wild, living in the royal palace and with the royalties without much happening. So sad. I wonder what this world is turning into," he shook his head.
"The Grand Marquis position is usually known as the position of valor. One that could even go against all odds to make sure that the peace of the nation is kept. One that leads to bringing all evil to justice..."
He sighed, shaking his head. "But what has it even come to now? I fear that nothing is going the way it should."
Adrian listened to them speak... he listened as they talked down on him and his position while condemning him as unworthy of where he sat.
"And what do you recommend to be done, Marquis of Silvana?" Adrian asked one of the marquises who was sitting close to him.
One who didn’t say anything but who he was sure was happy with the conversation going on.
The middle-aged man looked up at him. "Me? I don’t even think I dare have a say in this conversation. I will just have to listen to whatever wise words you have to spill."
Adrian hated how hypocritical everyone there was. He smiled as he said, "Is that so? Then I’ll pass on my wise saying and hope all listen attentively to it."
They all looked at him, eager to hear what he had to say and to judge whatever decisions he brought forth.
But Adrian casually said, "I hope everyone will shut up and mind their business in whatever area they’re in. They should first take care of their lands instead of deciding what another man should do in his lands. Isn’t that more noble?"
He smiled.
"....."
They all blinked, speechless.
They cleared their throats and began eating the meals before them. Their talks didn’t work because Adrian wasn’t even bothered by it. They guessed they’d have to try another means.
And just then a guard walked up to the Marquis of Silvana—Marquis Dean.
And the guard whispered something into his ears. He listened and after got up to his feet and left the meeting hall.
Adrian sat there as he watched him leave.