色戒无删除版

Aside from Aberleign, there were also some other families who tried to go and talk to the master but they were all turned away. They were only there to get some news or information that they could share with the other nobles. Now that he was ready to come out, Cygnus would at least meet one of them.

"I'll meet him tomorrow then. It's time to stretch out my hands and feet after resting for a couple of months." Cygnus stood up and stretched out his limbs with a grin. "Now that I have control of those families, shall I plan a banquet to celebrate my birthday?"

"What shall we prepare for the occasion?" Mr. C immediately asked without asking why the master was suddenly planning a birthday party when he didn't even celebrate his birthday.

"Most importantly are invitations. I want you to distribute them accordingly. I trust that you already know all the people I am going to invite." Cygnus left his study and walked out after leaving those commands.

Mr. C followed behind his master until the manor's lobby where he stopped for a second. He was thinking of a place that he could visit after his months of no appearance performance. Ever since the assassinations stopped, even the rumors disappeared. The mastermind behind those attempts must be wondering why the other families were not moving like how he wanted to.

"I'll visit my dear cousin," Cygnus declared out of the blue. He walked towards the main door and it was opened for him. A carriage was already waiting for him too.

The carriage left the manor and created quite a stir as it passed through the streets towards the direction of the crown prince's adviser's home. The black carriage bearing the Ginehart crest stood out and incited murmurs from the citizens who saw it. Cygnus could all hear what they were saying and he knew what they were thinking.

"Ginehart hasn't fallen yet and yet they are talking like the family doesn't exist anymore. If the duke knows what they are thinking, he will surely be disappointed." Cygnus murmured with his chin resting on his palms as he looked outside through a small gap on the curtains of the carriage's windows.

"I heard that the duke already fixed the issue but I wonder why he hasn't made any statements yet," the butler suddenly spoke.

"He must be biding his time," the master answered.

They finally reached Lindon's residence in the capital. Although the guard was already aware of his identity, they were still made to wait outside of the mansion's gate. Mr. C was displeased with the arrangement so he alighted from the carriage to confront the guards.

"Is this how you treat your master's family?" He asked with his voice raised a bit. He couldn't believe that they would dare treat his master this way.

Cygnus parted the curtains of the carriage and looked out the window. "Mr. C, please come back. Let's just wait for them to open the gate. You don't need to make a fuss because it would be a bit embarrassing for them if we cause a commotion here."

With the master's orders, the butler returned inside the carriage but not before giving the guards a glare. He closed the door to the carriage and returned his expression to his normal one, relaxed and cold. Mr. C and the master silently waited for them to let them in without complaints.

Their carriage stayed outside of the mansion for an hour before they were finally allowed to go in. They were led to one of the mansion's drawing rooms where they waited for another thirty minutes before the man finally met them. He walked towards them with his haughty and frowning look.

"I apologize for letting you wait. I didn't know that my guards did not even let you enter. I will punish them accordingly and remind them that they should be mindful next time." Lindon immediately apologized even before Cygnus could say anything.

"No need to worry. You must have been busy?" Cygnus asked. It appeared to be an innocent question but it was enough to let Lindon's guard down a bit.

"Yes. This talk about the 'World Breaker' is keeping me busy," Lindon answered. Because the prince was interested in the man, Lindon was obliged to find any information about him.

Cygnus was surprised. "Are you looking for information regarding the man too?" He couldn't help but wonder because the issue was hot right now.

Lindon gave him a look before he answered. "Not me exactly but the crown prince. He wants to know who this 'World Breaker' person is."

"Are you sure that you should be sharing this information with me?" Cygnus was not sure why his cousin was being generous and telling him all of this.

"This is not a secret. Since the notice was given even to the public, there is no problem even if the aristocrats participate." Lindon raised his brows before he sighed and relaxed his posture. "Are you interested in the man too?"

Cygnus shook his head. Why would he be interested in his own self? "I don't have any interest in joining the fray. I'd rather stay at home and enjoy being alone right now."

Lindon was not sure if his cousin was telling the truth. There was nothing much to learn from him especially because the information regarding him was limited. After those assassination attempts, he suddenly went low and didn't appear for a few months. Even his uncle was not saying anything even though the problem in Ginehart was resolved.

The people he sent after General Linius haven't been reporting to him. After their third report, their communication was cut off and he had no way of knowing if his people were still alive. What was more surprising was the lack of response or letter from the general too.

"Do you have any news regarding General Linius?" He asked as he started to try and get something from him.

Cygnus shook his head and his face saddened at the mention of his brother. "Nothing yet. I'm actually worried because I haven't received anything from him yet. I told him to write to me immediately when they reach their destination but there is no letter yet." The frown on his face deepened after he said those words which made Lindon squint a little bit before his expression eased.

"I have dispatched some people to go and look for them but even I lost contact with them. I'm going to send another team to investigate what happened so you don't have to worry. I will inform you if we find anything." Lindon covered up his intention.

Cygnus could say that he was expert at these kinds of conversations. He could lead a person to believe him but this would not work on Linius. He calmly nodded as he picked up the cup of coffee that was served for them. He raised it towards his mouth but he suddenly stopped before taking a sip.

His expression changed as a grin appeared on his face. He returned the cup of coffee on the table. Cygnus crossed his legs and stared at his dear cousin who was looking at him with knitted brows and a frown.

"Is the coffee not to your liking?" Lindon downplayed it and shrugged at the sudden change in the air around his cousin.

"Can you stop playing already? Honestly, this is getting boring." Instead of answering Cygnus said those words out of the blue which caught Lindon by surprise.

"What are you talking about?" He was trying to avoid the statement and figured out that Rigel might only be bluffing.

"All of this farce, I'm getting tired of it." He waved his hands in the air. "I know that you used those noble families to send assassins to kill me. You even went through all of that trouble to spread false rumors against me and I lost customers. Aren't you tired?" Cygnus leaned forward and looked at his cousin's eyes.

Lindon's fists clenched tightly but the expression on his face didn't change. "Your accusations don't even have any proof, why are you doing this?"

Cygnus chuckled and shook his head. "You are really good at this. I bet that you are the person who killed the general's younger brother and you brushed it off like nothing happened."

Lindon's eyes widened at the man's statement. He was about to brush off the statement but a certain word caught his attention. "What-what are you talking about?" He stammered as he stared at the person who was in front of him.

"The younger brother of General Linius and the youngest son of Duke Ulysses died because of a fire that ate the house where he was being cared for. The family suspects that it was planned so I was commissioned to look for the mastermind and bring him to the family." Cygnus's grin widened as he watched Lindon's contorting face. It was really amusing to see them getting uncomfortable under the scrutiny of a truth they tried so hard to hide.