The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 151: Amidst the elites

Chapter 151: Amidst the elites

’Grand and regal.’

Hex described the governor’s palace with those two words in his mind.

He exited his coach at the entrance of the palace, mesmerized by its grandeur. In his estimate, the palace was at least twice the size of the baron’s castle.

Two rows of sentries stood at both sides of the entries. Their black armor and gold fringes contrasted with the metallic luster of their drawn-out swords.

At the end of the row, right in the door opening, stood two figures. One was an elderly man with neatly-combed white hair and a well-trimmed white beard. He was of average build and stood upright, exuding class and nobility.

The other was a young woman with beautiful features, high cheekbones, and light brown hair, tied in a bun and a golden pin inserted in it.

’Refined Knights?’

Both people hid their energies but Hex’s heightened senses still picked up the wisps of energy fluctuations coming from them.

Hex acted like he didn’t discover their actual strength. He stepped forward. Hestia didn’t come with him because he talked her out of it. If things went awry, he would have an easier time escaping alone.

Althea didn’t like him coming alone. If it were up to her, she would have forced her way to the palace. But her identity as an officer of the Hawks shackled her. Her actions could implicate the others.

Seeing Hex walk up to them, the young woman bowed slightly. With a warm smile on her face, she welcomed him.

"Good evening, lord. Can we see your invitation?" She spoke politely but she glanced briefly at Hex’s black hair. It was subtle but didn’t escape Hex’s senses.

’She already knows,’ Hex sighed. His hair was too conspicuous. But he couldn’t mask it before the world if he wished to fight for his rights.

He handed her the invitation. She glanced briefly at it.

"Young lord Hex from the north. Welcome to the governor’s feast and we hope you will have a good time."

She gestured for Hex to follow the corridor. The elderly man didn’t show any change in his expression but Hex refused to think he didn’t examine him.

He felt like entering the maws of a beast but he didn’t have any other choice. Following the corridor, he soon reached a grand hall. The ceiling was high with a dome.

The massive columns stood upright with statues carved in them. The statues depicted a line of warriors.

Hex didn’t spend too much time on these things. His attention went to the people already mingling with each other inside the hall.

His arrival drew a few gazes of people, a few of whom recognized him. They whispered to others, directing more gazes toward him. Soon, more than half of the people stared at him.

"You are the stray taken in by the baron?" Most people eyed him with interest but one middle-aged man clad in a brown and pink robe stepped forward and asked.

"Hex Darkenmane," Hex said with a nod. "Can’t say it’s a pleasure meeting you but that’s life. We are often forced to do things we don’t enjoy."

His brazenness, combined with his sweet smile, threw everyone off. They didn’t expect a boy, barely a man, to speak in this manner.

"Y-You...," the middle-aged man pointed his finger at Hex and tried to rebuke him but words eluded him. It took a while of pointing and shaking before more words fell out of his mouth.

"You are truly a barbarian. No manners. I am the chief of the governor’s staff, GunIan Xerox. I decide whose pleas are put on His Grace’s table and which are thrown in the bin. You better watch your tone, boy!"

It didn’t escape Hex’s sharp senses that some people shuddered and some scoffed at the man. Hex didn’t care either way. If he ever pleaded, he knew where he would end up. A few sweet words wouldn’t change a thing.

Hex shrugged and walked past him. Gunlan tried to grab hold of Hex’s luxurious robe but when he looked into the boy’s eyes, an inexplicable fear overwhelmed him. He retracted his hands hurriedly and took a step back. Hex ignored him and walked past him.

"You are gutsy," another figure approached him with a laugh. He wore blue and silver and looked in his late twenties. The color of his robe made Hex pause.

"Silver Serpents?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Yes. And no, Sterling hasn’t sent me," the man said with a laugh. "I am just the elder, good-for-nothing cousin, Quid Poundersire, who is in charge of the Serpent’s business in Notrelune."

"You can’t be that bad if you oversee such a large city," Hex said, not feeling as irritated by Quid as he did with Sterling.

"Or I just happened to have a mighty parent who set me for life," laughed Quid. His self-deprecating laugh caused Hex to grin too.

"So, are you like the rest? Hoping to get a bite of our land and resources?" He asked Quid directly.

"No."

Quid’s reply surprised Hex. He didn’t expect such a direct reply from a merchant.

"The reason is simple. No other group here will give us a chance to acquire riches with low risks and costs. We prefer you naive people there instead of these nasty vultures."

Hex fell in thought. He realized he might not be without helpers. Quid and others like him might not care about him, but the current system benefited the people. They would help his case...probably.

Just as he was mulling over these things, a clear sound echoed, drawing his and everyone else’s attention.

Ding!

"His grace, the warrior of North, the Commander of the Hawks, is entering."

Hex didn’t see who shouted, but soon the door opened, and the Commander entered. He looked like always. His presence made many uncomfortable. Hex noticed them shuffling away, hiding in the shadows of the columns. A young woman escorted the Commander to his seat on the raised platform.

Ding!

"The Head Priest arrived. Please welcome Her Grace."

The priestess looked like a middle-aged woman who radiated warmth. The guests bowed politely. She was quite revered.

Ding!

A few more highly-placed nobles and officials entered. The voice introduced them all. But besides their name and title, Hex didn’t learn much about them from his descriptions. Hex didn’t recognize any of these people.

Ding!

"His Grace, the Duke of North, Lord Theonin Tauriel is entering, accompanied by his son Tarquin Tauriel."

A lot of people bowed and some even went up to the Duke to kiss his hands, bowing almost to the ground. Hex remained in his place.

He saw Tarquin, but tonight, his presence was overshadowed by the towering figure beside him. The Duke resembled a half-giant. His face was clean-shaven, showing his massive jaws and thick neck. His eyes were like burning embers. Hex couldn’t feel his energy but his presence was domineering.

But again. There was a sound. Hex looked immediately at the door. He knew the final person was about to enter.

Ding!

"Please welcome, his Excellency, his Grace, the Lord and interim Governor, his Highness, Prince Rayos Asterio."