The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 128. Uncovering Truth

Chapter 128: 128. Uncovering Truth

With his shiny boots clicking loudly on the polished marble floor, Duke Selen Threx hurried toward the guest room in the grand halls of Threx Manor in the Zarethune Kingdom.

Selen’s face was stormy, his jaw tight, his green eyes flashing with barely held-back annoyance. He reached the heavy oak door of the guest room and pushed it open with a force that showed his mood.

Inside, a woman sat serenely, her posture as elegant as a queen’s, her delicate fingers holding a cup of tea. Behind her were two Caulem soldiers.

After glancing at her and observing her quiet confidence, Selen sat down in the padded chair across from her and awkwardly extended his hand. "Duke Selen Threx, lord of this land," he said in a brief, formal, but irritated tone.

The woman shook his hand smoothly and smiled warmly, relieving tension. She answered calmly, unfazed by his obvious annoyance, "Mirenya, Caulem Envoy to the Zarethune Kingdom."

With patience waning, Selen leaned back and tapped the armrest. He said sharply, "I’ve made it clear I’m not receiving visitors. But I had to give in to your perseverance. What are you looking for?"

Mirenya’s smile stayed as she slid an envelope across the polished wood table, its wax seal showing the Caulem crest. "In four days, House Caulem hosts a birthday banquet for Duke Alric’s second son, Lucian," she said, voice steady but purposeful. "I’m here on behalf of the Duke to extend an invitation to you and your house."

Selen’s frown deepened, annoyance flaring as he pushed the envelope back, the move quick. "We’re in no mood for celebrations," he said, voice cold, final. He stood, turning toward the door, cloak swirling. "You may leave."

Mirenya’s smile grew, a knowing spark in her eyes, her voice cutting through his dismissal. "I have news that might change your mind, Lord Threx."

Selen stopped mid-step, body stiff, a hint of curiosity fighting his frustration. He glanced back, tone sharp. "We’re drowning in troubles, envoy. Your news can wait."

She leaned forward, gaze steady, voice softer but heavy, holding him in place. "Recently, House Caulem’s heir, Young Master Leonhardt, rescued a girl from a dangerous place. She’s under our protection now." Selen froze, his dull eyes lighting up, a fragile hope growing.

"That little girl wishes to see her family, Lord Threx. Will you deny her?"

Selen’s breath caught, hands trembling as he turned fully, scowl gone, replaced by raw, desperate longing. "Lysa..." he whispered.

In the Duke’s office at Caulem Manor, morning light spilled through glass windows, painting the scattered papers on Alric’s oak desk.

Serion Helcrast’s hidden letter coded words now written on a fresh sheet before Leo and Alric. Their eyes were glued to the text. The head butler, Alberk, stood by the door, his usually calm face showing confusion at seeing father and son so focused, heads bent over the paper.

He coughed loudly, breaking the quiet.

Leo and Alric snapped up, startled, eyes darting to Alberk.

Alric blinked, voice surprised. "Alberk? When did you get here?"

Alberk bowed slightly, tone formal but warm. "My apologies, my lord. You summoned me?"

Leo nodded, voice casual but firm. "Yeah, Alberk. Could you ask Liana to bring Lysa to the office?"

Alberk bowed again, quick and neat. "At once, Young Master." He left, the door closing softly, leaving the room heavy with silence again.

Leo and Alric turned back to the letter, focus sharp. Serion’s hidden message was: four spies in the Royal Academy, their identities hidden—maybe a professor, a worker, or students. Serion had narrowed it down, pointing to one suspect, a cleaner who vanished after the hunting cage incident, but the student spy was still unknown, with only a list of possible names among professors left.

Alric’s voice was low, grim, reading them aloud. "Meliora... Avoor... Isilode... Vaelem... Gidon... Grell... Kellin."

Leo leaned back with a furrowed brow and obvious frustration. "All of the academy’s best professors," he said sharply, breaking the silence. "How on earth does a spy get into that kind of position?"

With a low growl, Alric’s eyes narrowed and his fingers tightened on the letter. "The academy’s screening process is unbreakable. Professors are carefully selected; their backgrounds and allegiances are examined. A spy among them..." He stopped, looking off into space, trying to comprehend the extent of the betrayal. "It indicates that the cult has a wider reach than we initially thought."

Leo continued the remaining part of the letter.

The hunting cage was just the start. There are more serious dangers. Neither the king nor the royals is someone I trust. Cults already own the majority of noble houses. Alric, if you’re reading this, I was right, and I was betrayed. I’m not going to live through it. But perhaps you will.

Alric’s fists slammed the desk, the wood shaking under the force, his snarl breaking the quiet like a wild beast. "Serion, damn you!" His eyes blazed with a hurt that aged him instantly, and his voice was raw, full of grief and rage. "You obstinate bastard, why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

He spoke in a regretful, broken whisper. "I had the chance to save you."

Leo looked at Alric, seeing the deep pain for a lost friend carved into his Duke’s face. He leaned forward. "Sir Serion was a hell of a man, Father. But he left us a fight to finish. We owe him that."

Alric let out a sharp breath, fists loosening, the storm in his eyes settling into grim determination. He nodded, voice low and heavy. "The noble houses... so many are already under their control."

Leo’s gaze sharpened, tone cold and clear. "Including the royal family. We know who’s that."

Alric’s voice was a mutter, sure and heavy. "Prince Cassain."

Leo leaned closer. "They tried to sink their roots into our house, too, through the Duchess. But it failed."

Alric’s face hardened, tone strong, like a leader ready for battle. "Then the other two great houses must already be compromised."

A glimmer of confidence broke the tension as Leo shook his head. "House Dranemount is probably clean." He paused, Erin on his mind. She would never allow them to be touched by the cult. His fingers tapping the desk as he leaned back, frustration seeping into his voice. "But what’s their plan? Why plant spies in every noble house? Control the kingdom’s power... for what?"

A soft knock broke the heavy silence, the big oak door creaking open as Liana stepped in, Lysa followed close, her small hand gripping the maid’s skirt.