Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 116: Our lives are yours

From within his robes, he produced the sealed documents obtained from Blackwell the previous day. "The formal release of all debts and obligations to House Luminaris. You are legally free."

Korin accepted the documents with scaled hands that trembled slightly. "And my father’s forge?"

"Maintained as an Ambrose holding in the mining district," Grim informed him. "Two trusted guards have been assigned to protect the property. Your father’s legacy remains intact."

The half-dragon’s composure nearly broke at this news. He bowed deeply, his voice rough with emotion. "You honor my family, Lord Ambrose."

"There’s one more matter to address immediately," Grim said, turning to Mistress Linna. "Your preliminary assessment of Lady Silverscale’s condition?"

The healer stepped forward. "With your permission, my lady?" she asked Naia, who nodded consent.

"Lady Silverscale suffers from environmental toxicity compounded by elemental imbalance," Mistress Linna explained. "Her heritage requires regular immersion in properly balanced water to maintain health—something impossible in the mining district with its air and water contamination."

"Is the condition treatable?" Grim asked directly.

"Yes," Mistress Linna replied, causing both Silverscales to look up sharply. "Lady Mei’s preliminary analysis suggests a three-phase treatment approach. First, detoxification through specialized water immersion. Second, elemental rebalancing using water mana. Third, gradual exposure therapy to strengthen her body."

"And the prognosis?" Korin asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to hope too much.

"With proper treatment, Lady Silverscale could regain fifty to seventy-five percent of normal function within six months," Mistress Linna stated confidently. "Complete recovery might require longer, but the improvement should be noticeable within weeks."

Naia’s hand went to her throat, fingers tracing the nearly invisible gill lines that had struggled so much in the mining district’s harsh environment. "I had resigned myself to managed decline," she said softly. "The thought of recovery never seemed possible."

"Lady Mei anticipated your arrival," Mistress Linna continued. "She’s prepared a specialized treatment chamber in the medical wing. Once you’ve rested from your journey, we can begin the first phase as early as tomorrow."

"I’ll leave you to settle in," Grim said, sensing the couple needed time to absorb all that had happened. "Chen Xing will ensure you have everything required for your comfort. Tomorrow, after Mistress Linna’s initial treatment session, we can discuss your work arrangements, Master Silverscale."

"My lord," Korin said suddenly as Grim turned to leave. "The contract we discussed specified five years of service as master blacksmith for your sect."

"That remains our agreement," Grim confirmed.

Korin exchanged glances with his wife, who nodded encouragingly. "With your permission, I wish to amend those terms."

Grim raised an eyebrow, waiting. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"What you’ve done for us—freeing us from debt, preserving my father’s forge, and now offering healing for Naia that we never thought possible..." The half-dragon’s voice faltered momentarily. "Five years is insufficient to repay such generosity. I pledge my service to House Ambrose not for a term of years, but for life."

"Korin," Naia added, moving to stand beside her husband, "speaks for both of us. Our lives are yours, Lord Ambrose, for as long as they last."

Such declarations of lifetime service were rare in the Empire, typically reserved for the most sacred oaths between old families with generations of shared history. Coming from someone new, it represented an extraordinary commitment—one Grim understood the weight of immediately.

"House Ambrose accepts your pledge," he replied formally. "And offers its protection to you and your wife in return, from this day forward."

Grim had effectively recognized the Silverscales not merely as servants or employees, but as a family under Ambrose protection—a status that would be noted and respected throughout noble society.

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Julius Luminaris was reviewing quarterly financial reports when Soren Blackwell requested an urgent audience. The financial manager rarely sought unscheduled meetings, making the request itself a matter of concern.

"Enter," Julius commanded, setting aside the reports.

Blackwell appeared in the doorway, his usually impeccable appearance showing subtle signs of strain.

"My lord," he began, "I must inform you of a financial matter that required immediate attention yesterday."

"Proceed," Julius said, his tone was neutral.

"The Silverscale debt has been settled and the contract dissolved," Blackwell stated, apparently deciding that directness was the safest approach. "Lord Ambrose presented legal challenges that could have exposed us to imperial scrutiny if pursued through official channels."

Julius’s expression didn’t change, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. "You dissolved a contract of strategic importance without consulting me?"

"The legal vulnerabilities were significant," Blackwell explained hurriedly, placing a document on the desk. "Imperial Magistrate Holven’s analysis identified multiple irregulatory violations that could have triggered broader investigations if brought before the Commerce Tribunal."

Julius glanced at the document but didn’t touch it. "And you determined these risks outweighed the value of maintaining control over Silverscale’s services?"

"The settlement amount was fair—thirty-two thousand crowns against a principal of thirty thousand," Blackwell continued, his words coming faster now. "Proceeding to imperial adjudication would have risked audit of similar contracts."

"I see," Julius said, his voice perfectly controlled. "And did Lord Ambrose explain his interest in a half-dragon blacksmith operating in obscurity in the mining district?"

"He did not, my lord. He simply presented the settlement draft and the legal challenges simultaneously."

Julius leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled before him. "How interesting that Lord Ambrose, newly restored to his position, would develop specific interest in this particular asset."

Blackwell remained silent, sensing the dangerous undercurrents in Julius’s seemingly calm demeanor.

"You are dismissed, Soren," Julius said finally. "Prepare a complete report on all similar contracts by tomorrow."

"Of course, my lord," Blackwell replied, bowing as he backed toward the door.

"And Soren?" Julius added casually. "Your son’s academic difficulties and your wife’s unusual bedroom practices remain your private business, provided your judgment in financial matters improves immediately."

Blackwell froze, his face draining of color. "My lord, I never—"

"Dismissed," Julius repeated, his tone permitting no further discussion.

After the financial manager’s hasty departure, Julius retrieved a key from his desk drawer and unlocked a hidden compartment containing a small ledger. Inside were notations of special commissions fulfilled by Korin Silverscale over the years—items with unique properties not available elsewhere in the Empire. Items Julius had carefully kept secret from his own household.

The most recent entries detailed the mist-piercing lenses and fire-absorption gauntlets—specialized equipment designed specifically to counter Grim.

Julius closed the ledger with a sharp snap. Young Lord Ambrose had proven more perceptive than anticipated, identifying and removing a resource Julius had intentionally kept obscured. It suggested either remarkable intuition or he had a good source of information.

Either possibility was concerning.

He summoned his personal secretary with a small bell.

"Send a messenger to the mining district immediately," he instructed when the man appeared. "I want confirmation of Silverscale’s current location and activities."

"Yes, my lord."

"And arrange a meeting with Master Fennick. I believe it’s time to accelerate our plans."

As the secretary departed to implement these instructions, Julius returned to the window, looking out over the capital toward the distant Ambrose estate.