Marquis Caltheron waited in front of the gate with a complicated expression on his face.
Several nobles stood behind him, their expressions equally somber.
"Marquis Caltheron has arrived. Shouldn't Duke Malvain open the gate?" a viscount asked.
"He should, but I can't guarantee that he actually will," a count replied helplessly.
The others nodded in agreement.
They would wait and see whether Duke Malvain would open the gate.
If he refused, they would become even more convinced that Duke Malvain was deliberately allowing chaos to unfold at the border, and they would report him to the imperial court.
Minute after minute passed. Then, suddenly, a red-haired man appeared.
Several servants followed behind him.
"Marquis Caltheron," the man greeted him with a respectful nod.
Orlan frowned.
"Who are you?"
"I am Sergan, Duke Jason's advisor," Sergan replied casually. "The Duke is waiting for you inside."
Orlan said nothing. The gate opened, and he stepped inside.
