Chapter 124

Deric POV

The invitation came unexpectedly, an elegant card sealed with a deep crimson wax stamp, embossed with a regal crest I recognized immediately. Lord Mathias Vale. He’d been my father’s closest confidant once, but after my father’s fall from grace, Mathias had disappeared on us, or so I thought. Why now? Why summon me?

“Join me at my estate this Friday evening,” the card said, “for an exclusive gathering. There’s much to discuss.”

I stared at it for a long time, fingers curling around the edges, weighing the risks. The thought of sitting across from Mathias made my gut twist, not just because of his influence but because I’d be covering for my father, stepping into a world I only half understood.

Still, I couldn’t refuse.

….

The estate was a big