Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 195: Social Season

Chapter 195: Social Season

News of Lord Ambrose’s dramatic return spread through the capital’s noble circles with the speed that only truly scandalous gossip could achieve.

By the time the sun had fully set, half the aristocracy had heard some version of the story: how the newly appointed Imperial Defender had threatened to remove a guard’s ears for disrespect, how his mere presence had cowed the man into submission, and how he had ridden through the Noble’s Gate like he owned the city itself.

The tale grew with each telling, as such stories always did. Some claimed Grim had drawn his sword. Others insisted he had used magic to intimidate the guard.

A few of the more creative storytellers suggested he had arrived with an escort of mysterious warriors who melted away into the shadows once he was safely inside the gates.

In the imperial palace, word reached the Empress as she sat in her private study, reviewing reports from across the empire. A discreet knock at her door announced the Chancellor.

"Your Majesty," the Chancellor Levenheart said with a bow, "Lord Ambrose has returned to the capital."

Empress Alexia looked up from her papers, a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Has he indeed? And how exactly did he announce his return?"

"Rather dramatically, Your Majesty. There was an incident at the Noble’s Gate involving a guard who failed to recognize him. Lord Ambrose apparently threatened to have the man’s ears removed for showing disrespect to an Imperial Commander."

"Interesting," Alexia mused. "The young lord seems to have developed quite the presence during his time away. Any word on where he’s been these past weeks?"

"Port Velmira, according to his statements to the guard. He claimed to be returning from his duties in the Southern Shores."

"Claimed?" Alexia raised an eyebrow.

"The timeline is... unusual, Your Majesty. He departed for his new position barely a month ago, yet he speaks as if he’s been established there for some time. There may be more to his absence than simple administrative duties."

Alexia nodded thoughtfully. "Keep me informed of his activities. And send word that I expect a formal report on the situation in the Southern Shores at his earliest convenience."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

After Chancellor Levenheart departed, Alexia returned to her papers, but her mind remained focused on Grim van Ambrose.

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In another wing of the palace, Princess Liona sat in her private chambers, supposedly reviewing correspondence but actually staring out the window at the lights of the city below. A soft knock interrupted her reverie.

"Enter," she called, expecting her lady-in-waiting.

Instead, Empress Alexia stepped into the room, her expression amused. "You look troubled. Something on your mind?"

Liona straightened in her chair. "Your Majesty. I was just... thinking about the upcoming social season."

"Were you indeed?" Alexia settled into the chair across from her daughter, clearly in no hurry to leave. "And here I thought you might be contemplating news of Lord Ambrose’s return."

A faint blush colored Liona’s cheeks. "I heard he was back in the capital."

"Oh, you heard, did you?" Alexia’s smile widened. "From whom, might I ask? Your sources of information are remarkably swift."

"Palace gossip travels quickly," Liona replied, trying to maintain her composure.

"It does indeed. Particularly when it concerns handsome young lords making dramatic entrances and threatening guards who fail to show proper respect." Alexia leaned forward slightly. "Tell me, sister, what do you think of Lord Ambrose’s transformation?"

"Transformation?"

"Come now, Liona. The man who returned today is not the same one who left weeks ago. The gossip going around the capital clearly makes it that Lord Ambrose is even more terrifying than before."

Liona’s blush deepened. "I’m sure I wouldn’t know."

"Of course not," Alexia said with obvious amusement. "Just as I’m sure you have no particular interest in seeing him again."

"The social season will begin soon," Liona said, changing the subject. "There will be many opportunities for social interaction with various members of the nobility."

"Including Lord Ambrose, now that he’s returned," Alexia observed. "How convenient that his timing aligns so perfectly with the season’s opening events."

"Convenient for whom?"

"Oh, for anyone who might have developed an interest in his company," Alexia replied innocently. "Though I suppose such interests would be purely academic, given your usual preference for scholarly pursuits over romantic entanglements."

"Your Majesty..." Liona began, but Alexia held up a hand.

"You know, it’s fascinating how quickly the political landscape can shift," the Empress continued.

"Just months ago, House Ambrose was considered a declining power, hardly worth serious consideration. Now, with Lord Ambrose’s appointment and his dramatic return, suddenly everyone is reassessing their positions."

"What do you mean?"

"Julius... Well, he’s lost considerable influence since his son Max proved so ineffective against a supposedly ’weakened’ Ambrose heir. And then with House Draykar confirmed traitors to the Empire. We even called off your engagement to Max because of his loss of power."

Liona looked up with sudden interest. "Has Julius made any moves against House Ambrose?"

"Not yet, but I suspect that will change now that Lord Ambrose has returned. Julius is many things, but he’s not one to let a slight go unanswered. Especially when that slight has cost him political capital."

"Should we be concerned?"

"For Lord Ambrose?" Alexia laughed softly. "My dear daughter, something tells me that young man is quite capable of taking care of himself. In fact, I suspect anyone who underestimates him now will be in for quite a surprise."

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Across the city, in the opulent halls of the Luminaris family estate, Julius sat in his private study with two children. The atmosphere was tense, charged with the kind of barely controlled frustration that came from suffering unexpected setbacks.

Max sat slumped in one of the leather chairs, his usually immaculate appearance showing signs of strain. The humiliation he had suffered at Lord Ambrose’s hands had left him withdrawn and sullen, a shadow of his former arrogant self.

The third figure in the room was far more composed.

Mira Luminaris moved without a care in the world as she examined the various books displayed throughout the study, her fingers trailing along expensive sculptures and rare books with the casual confidence of someone accustomed to having whatever she desired.

"So," Mira said without looking up from the ancient tome she was perusing, "the prodigal lord returns."

"Indeed he does," Julius replied, his voice carrying an edge of barely contained anger. "And apparently he’s grown quite bold during his absence."

"Bold enough to threaten a guard with physical mutilation," Max added bitterly. "The entire city is talking about it."

"Good," Mira said, finally turning to face the two men. "Let them talk. The more dramatic his return, the more attention he draws to himself. And attention, gentlemen, can be a double-edged sword."

Julius leaned forward in his chair. "You have a plan."

"I always have a plan," Mira replied with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"After what he did to me..." Max began, but Julius cut him off with a gesture.

"What exactly are you proposing child."

Mira moved to the window, gazing out at the city lights as she spoke. "Lord Ambrose has returned with even more confidence. He’s also drawn the Empress’s favor and made quite an impression on many nobles."

"All of which makes him more dangerous than before," Julius observed.

"Precisely. Which means direct confrontation is no longer a viable option. We need to be more... subtle in our approach."

"Subtle how?"

Mira turned back to face them, her expression calculating. "The social season begins in earnest next week. Lord Ambrose will be expected to attend various functions, to rebuild his family’s social connections, to establish himself as a force in the capital’s political scene."

"And?"

"And social events provide so many opportunities for... unfortunate incidents. Misunderstandings between noble houses. Challenges to honor that cannot be ignored. Scandals that destroy reputations more effectively than any sword."

Max straightened in his chair, his interest finally aroused. "You’re talking about destroying him socially rather than physically."

"I’m talking about being smart," Mira corrected. "Lord Ambrose has proven he can handle physical threats. But can he navigate the complex web of noble politics while maintaining his newfound authority? Can he protect himself from subtle undermining while trying to restore his family’s position?"

Julius nodded slowly. "It’s certainly a more elegant approach than direct confrontation."

"More elegant and more permanent," Mira agreed. "Defeat a man in combat, and he may return stronger. Destroy his reputation, his standing, his credibility... and he becomes irrelevant."

Mira’s smile turned predatory. "Lord Ambrose may have returned with new power, but this is still our territory. He’s walking into a web that we’ve spent years weaving."

"And if he proves more resilient than expected?" Max asked.

"Then we adapt," Mira said simply. "But something tells me that Lord Ambrose, for all his newfound confidence, is about to discover that surviving in the capital’s political arena requires skills very different from whatever he learned during his absence."

As the three conspirators continued their planning, none of them noticed the small figure perched on the windowsill outside—a tiny bird with unusual eyes that had been listening to their entire conversation before disappearing silently into the night.

In the imperial palace, the bird flew to a perch. A young man began to pet his bird. He was skinny with long black hair. Nothing of note that separated him from anyone else.

"Good job my friend. It’s always nice knowing what the nobles have planned. The Empress will appreciate this knowledge moving forward.