Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 222: Heartfelt Conversation

Chapter 222: Heartfelt Conversation

The sunset cast hues of amber, gold, and purple across the Ambrose garden as Grim waited for Lianna’s arrival.

He had chosen this location deliberately—the peaceful setting might help keep their conversation civil, and the open space would prevent any accusations of impropriety that his enemies might try to manufacture.

Lianna appeared at the garden’s entrance precisely on time, bearing the same vulnerability he had noticed the previous evening.

She wore a simple dark green dress that complemented her eyes, and her usual confident demeanor seemed tempered by genuine uncertainty.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet," she said as she approached, her voice softer than normal.

"Of course," Grim replied, gesturing toward a stone bench beneath the largest oak. "I must admit, I’m curious what matters of mutual interest you wanted to discuss."

They settled onto the bench with a careful distance between them, though the space felt charged with unspoken emotions and unresolved tension.

"I wanted to apologize properly," Lianna began, her hands clasped in her lap. "Not just for the other night, but for everything that’s happened between us recently."

"You don’t need to apologize for being concerned about a friend," Grim said gently.

"Don’t I?" she asked, turning to face him fully. "Grim, I’ve been thinking about what you said—about me not understanding the realities of power, about living a comfortable life where violence is theoretical."

She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "You were right. I have been fortunate enough to live in a world where my biggest concerns were social obligations and family expectations. I’ve never had to make the kinds of choices you face."

The admission surprised him. Lianna had always been proud, sometimes to a fault, and hearing her acknowledge his perspective with such honesty touched something deep in his chest.

"That doesn’t make your concerns invalid," he replied. "If anything, it makes them more valuable. Sometimes those of us in the thick of things need perspective from people who can see clearly."

"But I wasn’t seeing clearly," Lianna said with painful honesty. "I was seeing the boy I grew up with and trying to protect him from becoming someone I didn’t recognize. I wasn’t seeing the man you’ve become or respecting the burdens you’re carrying."

Grim felt something shift in his chest—a warmth that meant being understood by someone who mattered to him.

"You were protecting someone you love," he said quietly. "There’s nothing wrong with that."

"Isn’t there?" Lianna asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "When does that protection become control? When did it become me thinking I know better than you do about your own life?"

The vulnerability in her voice reached past all his defenses, past the corruption’s whispers, past the political games that had begun to dominate his thoughts.

For a moment, he felt like himself again—not Lord Ambrose with his growing power and dark reputation, but simply Grim, talking to his oldest friend.

"Lianna," he said, reaching out to take her hand, "you’re one of the few people in this world whose opinion actually matters to me. I don’t want to lose that."

She squeezed his hand, and for several heartbeats they sat in comfortable silence, surrounded by the gentle sounds of the garden and the warmth of genuine connection.

"I’m scared for you," she admitted finally. "Not just because of the rumors or the political games, but because I can see how much pain you’re carrying. The weight of rebuilding your family, the pressure of everyone’s expectations, the isolation that comes with power—I’m afraid it’s changing you in ways that can’t be undone."

"What if those changes are necessary?" Grim asked, though his voice lacked the conviction it had carried in recent conversations. "What if becoming someone harder, more decisive, is what’s required to protect what matters?"

"Then I’ll try to understand," Lianna said with quiet determination. "But I also want you to promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me that no matter how much you change, no matter how hard you have to become, you won’t forget the person you are underneath all of it. Don’t let the weight of your responsibilities crush the parts of you that make you worth protecting."

The request struck him harder than any sword, not because it was unreasonable, but because he realized how close he had already come to losing sight of exactly what she was asking him to remember.

"I promise," he said, and for the first time in weeks, the words felt entirely his own. "Though I may need you to remind me sometimes."

"I will," she said with a smile that reached his eyes. "Even if it makes me a nuisance."

"Especially if it makes you a nuisance," Grim replied, returning her smile with genuine warmth.

They talked for another hour about lighter topics—shared memories, mutual friends, plans for the upcoming social season. The conversation felt like a return to something precious that had been temporarily lost, a reminder of connections that existed beyond politics and power.

As they prepared to part ways, Lianna turned back with one final observation.

"For what it’s worth," she said, "I think you made the right choice with Ruxi. She understands the world you’re moving in better than I ever could. I just hope she also understands the person you are beneath all the rest."

After Lianna departed, Grim remained in the garden for several minutes, processing the conversation and its implications.

The warmth of genuine human connection still lingered, but it was gradually being replaced by the familiar pulse of dark mana that whispered in his ear.

[That was good for you,] Caius observed with approval. [It’s been too long since you spoke with someone who knew you before all of this began.]

"She sees things clearly," Grim agreed. "Sometimes more clearly than I do."

[Hold onto that clarity,] Caius advised. [The corruption tries to make you forget who you were before it took hold. Friends like Lianna are anchors to your true self.]

Before Grim could respond to his great-grandfather’s counsel, Chen Xing appeared at the garden’s entrance, his expression carrying the urgency that marked important news.

"My lord," he said with a respectful bow, "I apologize for interrupting, but I have the results of the investigation you requested."

"What did you discover?" Grim asked, noting how quickly the peaceful atmosphere of the garden seemed to dissipate.

"The rumor campaign is indeed sophisticated," Chen Xing began, consulting his notes. "Multiple sources, coordinated timing, consistent messaging across different social levels. However, I was able to trace several of the key distribution points."

"And?"

"The rumors appear to originate from various carrying people—servants, messengers, traders who move between different social circles," Chen Xing explained. "However, when I investigated further, I found that many of these individuals have received recent payments or favors from intermediaries connected to Lady Mira."

The revelation didn’t surprise Grim, but it crystallized his growing understanding of the campaign being waged against him.

"She’s using her family’s resources to orchestrate this," he observed.

"It appears so," Chen Xing agreed. "The payments are carefully disguised—small gifts, favorable business arrangements, promises of future consideration. Nothing that could be traced directly to malicious intent, but the pattern is clear once you know to look for it."

"And her father?"

"Julius Luminaris has maintained careful distance from the actual implementation," Chen Xing replied. "But the resources required for this kind of campaign suggest his approval, if not his direct involvement."

Grim felt the dark mana pulse with angry satisfaction. Having confirmation of his enemies’ identity made the whispered suggestions for retaliation feel less like corruption and more like justice.

"What about the content of the rumors themselves?" he asked. "Are they entirely fabricated, or are they twisting real events?"

"A mixture," Chen Xing said carefully. "The incident with Jin Wei is real, obviously, though they’re emphasizing the brutality while ignoring the context of his family connection. Your engagement to Lady Ruxi is factual, but they’re portraying it as impulsive rather than strategic."

"And the suggestions about my relationship with Lady Lianna?"

"Those appear to be entirely manufactured," Chen Xing replied with obvious distaste. "Implications based on nothing more than your long friendship and mutual respect."

The deliberate attempt to damage both his reputation and Lianna’s through a fabricated scandal sent a surge of cold anger through him.

The dark mana responded eagerly to his fury, whispering suggestions for how such insults might be answered.

"They’re making this personal," he said quietly.

"It would appear so," Chen Xing agreed. "The attack on your character is one thing, but involving Lady Lianna suggests they’re willing to damage innocent parties to achieve their goals."

[Be careful,] Caius warned, sensing the direction of Grim’s thoughts. [Anger is justified, but don’t let it drive you to actions you’ll regret.]

But as Grim contemplated the systematic campaign designed to destroy not just his reputation but also that of someone he cared about, his great-grandfather’s warnings felt increasingly inadequate.

"Chen Xing," he said finally, "I want you to prepare a comprehensive report on everything we’ve discovered. Documentation, evidence, patterns of payment—everything that might be useful."

"For what purpose, my lord?"

"For when the time comes to respond," Grim replied with a smile.