Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

Few people knew he had reclaimed the Ambrose estate, and fewer still would have reason to call so early in the morning.

He heard muffled voices from the entrance hall. Sera’s clipped, formal tone and another voice, smooth and feminine. Moments later, Sera reappeared at the drawing room doorway, her expression was neutral.

"Lady Mei Zhou of House Zhou requests an audience, Master Grim."

Before Grim could respond, a young woman appeared beside Sera. Lady Mei Zhou was a petite lady. Her dark hair was arranged in an elegant style adorned with jade pins, and her silk robes had a phoniex embroidered into the dress.

"Lord Van Ambrose," she said with a slight bow, her painted lips curving into a smile. "How fortunate to find you settled in already."

Grim made no move to return her bow. "I wasn’t aware we had an appointment, Lady Mei."

"We don’t," she admitted, seemingly unperturbed by his cold reception. "But some opportunities shouldn’t wait for formal invitations."

Sera glanced at Grim, who gave a slight nod. "I’ll bring more tea."

"Please," Grim said, gesturing to the chair opposite his with exaggerated courtesy. "Make yourself comfortable. And tell me how you knew I was here."

Mei settled into the seat. "Information is a valuable commodity, Lord Van Ambrose. I make it my business to stay well-informed."

"Spies, then," Grim said flatly.

She laughed lightly. "Such an ugly word for such a useful practice."

Grim leaned back, looking at her suspiciously. House Zhou was among the newer noble families, having risen to prominence only in the last two generations through a combination of shrewd business ventures and even shrewder marriages. They had no particular history with House Ambrose.

"What do you want?" he asked, dispensing with pretense.

"Direct, aren’t you?" Mei observed, seeming more amused than offended. "Very well. I heard about what you did to Lord Terras. Cutting off his ear was... inspiring."

"You came all this way to compliment my technique?"

"I came to congratulate you on putting Terras in his place," she corrected. "The old fool has needed someone to remind him of his mortality for years."

Grim laughed, the sound sharp and without genuine humor. "He’s not the only one."

"No," Mei agreed, her eyes gleaming with something that might have been admiration. "Many of the established houses have grown complacent in their power. They’ve forgotten that nobility requires more than just an ancient name."

Sera returned with fresh tea, setting it down between them before withdrawing once more.

"Why are you here, Lady Zhou?" Grim asked again, ignoring the tea. "I doubt you crossed half the city at dawn merely to praise my handiwork with Lord Terras’s ear."

Mei took a sip from her cup before answering. "I want to be on your side, Lord Ambrose."

"My side?" Grim repeated, his voice dripping with skepticism. "I wasn’t aware I had formed a faction." freewēbnoveℓ.com

"You have Caius’s strength," she said, leaning forward slightly. "For only being seventeen, it’s remarkable. It’s all my grandfather ever talked about. How strong Caius was, how he commanded respect through power rather than politicking." Her eyes traveled to Echo. "And after seeing you wipe the floor with Jin Tao, it’s clear you have the strength to be great. Perhaps even greater than your ancestors."

Grim’s expression remained unimpressed. "Pretty words. And what are you going to do to show me your loyalty? Besides empty flattery?"

"Information," she replied without hesitation. "I can tell you who was in the Luminaris faction when your family began to decline. Who profited most after your disappearance. Who whispered in the Emperor’s ear that House Ambrose was becoming too dangerous to tolerate."

That caught Grim’s attention, though he was careful not to show it too plainly. "And why would you betray these supposed allies to me?"

"Because they’re not my allies," Mei said with a dismissive wave. "They’re obstacles. House Zhou is young by imperial standards. The old families. Terras, Luminaris, and Draykar. They’ve blocked our advancement at every turn. They hoard power like misers and resist any change that might threaten their position."

"So you see me as... what? A battering ram to break their hold?"

Mei smiled, undeterred by his crudeness. "I see you as someone who could reshape the Empire. And I’d prefer to be standing alongside you when that happens rather than in your path."

"Or you’re trying to manipulate me into eliminating your rivals," Grim countered. "Using me as a weapon while keeping your own hands clean."

"Of course I am," she admitted readily, surprising him with her candor. "Just as you would use me for my information and connections. That’s how alliances work, Lord Van Ambrose. Mutual exploitation for mutual benefit."

Grim laughed again, but this time there was genuine amusement in it. "At least you’re honest about your dishonesty."

"I respect you too much to insult your intelligence with false pretenses of friendship or loyalty," Mei said. "Those can develop in time, if merited. For now, I offer pragmatic cooperation."

Grim considered her for a long moment. Lady Mei Zhou was clearly ambitious and calculating. Potentially dangerous qualities in an ally. But she was also right. He needed information about the political landscape and House Zhou’s position as outsiders among the nobility might make them privy to useful secrets.

"Tell me something worthwhile," he challenged. "Something I couldn’t learn elsewhere."

Mei set down her teacup, her expression shifting subtly. "Have you ever visited the Royal Archives, Lord Ambrose?"

Grim’s eyes narrowed. "No."

"Interesting place," she continued, tracing the rim of her cup with one finger. "Certain sections require... special permission to access. Records dating back centuries, some sealed with the personal sigils of past emperors."

"Get to the point," Grim said flatly.

Mei smiled, unruffled by his impatience. "There’s a particular vault, deep within the archives. The scrolls there are bound with silver thread and bear the imperial seal alongside another symbol." Her eyes flicked deliberately to the Ambrose crest visible on the far wall.

"What are you implying?"

"I’m not implying anything," she replied smoothly. "I’m simply sharing an observation. It’s curious, isn’t it? How the Empress has accommodated your return?"

Grim leaned forward. "And what exactly is in these scrolls?"

"That," Mei said with the slightest hint of satisfaction, "would be telling. But consider this. Why would documents bearing both the imperial seal and the Ambrose crest be kept in the most restricted section of the Royal Archives? What connection might exist that both families found necessary to conceal?"

She reached for her tea again. "Blood is a curious thing, Lord Van Ambrose. It carries memory. It carries power. And sometimes, it carries secrets that span generations."

Before Grim could respond, Sera appeared at the doorway once more. "Master Grim, forgive the interruption, but a messenger has arrived from the tournament officials. Your next match has been rescheduled for this afternoon."

Grim nodded, rising to his feet. Lady Mei stood as well, recognizing the unspoken dismissal.

Mei smiled, unruffled. "Timing is everything in politics. As is knowing which way the wind is blowing." She offered him a more formal courtesy than her initial greeting. "I look forward to watching your match today."

As Sera showed Lady Mei to the door, Grim remained in the drawing room, his mind turning over the unexpected information. House Zhou might be using him for their own purposes, but if even half of what Mei had said was true, his path forward had just become clearer.

And considerably more bloody.