Chapter 151: Chapter 151- Threadseer
Beatrix let out a long sigh of relief, her shoulders easing as the tension finally slipped away.
"I never expected you to become so cold, Julian," she murmured to herself, her voice carrying both disappointment and resignation. "Even if I was once your teacher... you could have shown a little more kindness."
Beatrix leaned her back against the cold stone wall, staring blankly into the shadows where Julian had disappeared.
’Should I really put my trust in him?’ she wondered, biting down gently on her lip as doubt coiled in her chest.
Her fingers brushed unconsciously over the faint outline of the tattoo hidden beneath her clothes, the mark of the scales that chained her fate.
’And yet... maybe this is my only chance.’
Her breath trembled as she exhaled, a bitter laugh escaping her throat. "Unlucky, again. Always unlucky..."
Julian continued his walk through the quiet night streets, his footsteps steady, his mind still heavy with thoughts of Beatrix. Yet before long, his instincts pricked, there was someone trailing behind him.
Without hesitation, he quickened his pace, then abruptly slipped into the shadows. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind the pursuer. His voice was low, cold, carrying a sharp edge.
"Following someone at night like this... not exactly a polite habit, don’t you think?"
The figure stiffened, startled, and whipped around in alarm. Under the faint glow of the streetlamps, Julian’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the face. Soft features, almost delicate, enough to be mistaken for a woman’s, but Julian knew better.
It was Noah. The man who was always seen at Rafael’s side.
Noah quickly raised his hands in a placating gesture, his expression apologetic.
"My apologies, Sir Julian," he said softly, his voice carrying that strangely gentle tone that often made others forget he was a man. "I didn’t mean to alarm you. I only wished to speak with you, about something important."
Julian exhaled through his nose, his gaze cool and unreadable. "I’ve already spoken more than enough for one day. Whatever it is, bring it to me tomorrow. Tonight, I need rest."
But Noah stepped forward, determination flashing in his eyes despite his polite demeanor. His voice, though still soft, carried an unshakable weight.
"I understand... but I can’t wait until tomorrow. This matter cannot be delayed. Please, allow me to say it now."
The air between them grew taut, silence stretching in the narrow street. Julian studied him carefully, the shadows wrapping around them as though even the night itself was waiting for his answer.
Julian let out a low sigh, his breath visible in the cool night air. "If you really wish to discuss something, then let’s do it somewhere more private. It’s too cold to linger out here."
Noah’s expression brightened with relief. "Thank you, Sir Julian. I’m grateful. I know a place where we won’t be disturbed, please, follow me."
Julian gave a short nod and fell into step behind him. Their footsteps echoed faintly against the stone path as they moved deeper into the quiet streets.
After a few moments, Julian’s voice cut through the silence, calm yet edged with disapproval. "You should have approached me directly instead of tailing me. If I hadn’t recognized you, I might have mistaken you for an enemy."
Noah lowered his gaze slightly, his tone still polite but tinged with justification. "I considered that, but... I anticipated that you would pass through here. I only sought the right moment to approach. Timing, I believed, was important if I wished to truly speak with you."
Julian’s eyes narrowed, studying Noah’s composed yet strangely earnest demeanor.
Julian arched a brow, his voice low and measured. "What exactly do you mean by predicting? Did you simply wait here until I happened to pass by?"
Noah, still walking ahead with a steady pace, glanced back briefly and replied with composure, "That’s something I will explain once we arrive at Lord Rafael’s quarters."
Julian exhaled slowly through his nose. "Very well." He followed without another word, though his mind did not rest. ’Was he already trailing me during my talk with Beatrix... or did he only begin after?’ The thought pressed against him like an unwelcome shadow.
Almost as if plucking the suspicion straight from his mind, Noah’s voice came soft but clear, carrying an almost disarming calm. "Do not worry, Sir Julian. I did not eavesdrop on your earlier conversation. That is precisely why I waited at a distance, so I could invite you for a discussion without intruding."
Julian’s steps slowed slightly, his tone edged with suspicion as his gaze drilled into Noah’s back. "You seem to know more than you should. Perhaps you possess a rather useful skill."
For a brief moment, Noah’s shoulders stiffened, but he quickly covered it with a polite bow of the head. "It was nothing like that, Sir Julian. I was merely fortunate."
’Fortunate...’ Julian’s eyes narrowed. He could almost taste the half-truths in Noah’s words.
Meanwhile, Noah’s thoughts tightened like a knot. ’As expected... Sir Julian has already seen through me.’ He kept his expression carefully composed, masking the unease that pressed at the edges of his mind.
At last, the two men arrived at their destination. Noah stopped, turned with his usual polite smile, and gestured toward the entrance.
"We have arrived," he said smoothly, as though nothing had been amiss on their walk.
Julian’s gaze lingered on him a heartbeat longer, cold and unreadable, before he finally stepped forward.
Julian entered the room, his eyes sweeping over the surroundings with a sharp, habitual caution. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a single lantern on the desk. Something felt off, too still, too quiet. His gaze flicked to the empty chair that should have been occupied.
"Rafael isn’t here," Julian muttered.
Noah closed the door behind them with deliberate calm. "Lord Rafael has already gone to rest. It will only be us tonight, Sir Julian."
Julian folded his arms, his tone flat and edged with impatience. "Then make it quick. If you pressed so hard to speak now, it must be important."
Noah inclined his head respectfully, his expression composed yet earnest. "You are correct. What I want is simple. I ask you to trust Lord Rafael."
Julian’s brows knit faintly, his confusion showing for the first time. "Trust him? What do you mean by that?"
Noah met his eyes, his voice steady but carrying an unusual weight. "That is all I wish to ask. Trust him. No matter what happens."
Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice calm but edged with skepticism. "I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me."
Noah clasped his hands in front of him, his tone soft but unshaken. "I know, Sir Julian. You don’t easily place your trust in others, especially not here. And that’s fine. All I ask is that you place your trust in my lord."
Julian tilted his head, studying him. "And this insistence... is it because of your skill?"
A brief silence followed, before Noah gave a single, honest nod. "Yes. My skill is called [Threadseer] It allows me to glimpse strands of what is to come, not entire futures, but sequences, patterns, fragments of events as they might unfold."
Julian’s expression hardened, unreadable. "So you’ve seen something."
"Yes." Noah’s voice grew firmer. "In the coming battle, there will be a moment when you cannot stand alone. A moment when only Lord Rafael’s hand can reach you. If you reject him then... the threads collapse, and what follows will not end well. That is why you must accept his support when the time comes. That is all I ask."
Julian paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered Noah’s words. "Did you see anything else besides that?" he asked cautiously.
Noah shook his head gently. "No, Sir Julian. My skill only allows me to perceive what I can see through Threadseer. I cannot control it, nor can I predict anything outside its reach."
Julian remained silent for a moment, doubt still flickering in his eyes. Yet, the way Noah had just known about his private discussion with Beatrix, the subtle awareness of something Julian had not even mentioned, lent the young man a measure of credibility. Slowly, Julian said, "Alright... I’ll keep an eye on it."
Noah gave a faint, approving smile. "That is enough, Sir Julian."
Julian studied him briefly, then added, "And you’re saying this... not for yourself, but for Rafael?"
Noah’s expression grew slightly softer. "You are perceptive, Sir Julian. Yes, that is correct. I do this so that Lord Rafael does not face a tragic fate."
Julian’s gaze lingered on him a moment longer. "I’ll remember that."
Noah inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you, Sir Julian. And I apologize for taking your time."
Julian glanced back over his shoulder as he began walking away. "Next time you follow me like this, Noah... I’ll kill you on the spot," he said in a tone sharp enough to make the words sting.
Noah’s eyes widened slightly, and he quickly raised his hands in surrender. "I won’t do it again, Sir Julian, I promise."
Julian paused for a moment, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Relax... I was only joking," he said, his voice softer now. Then, without another word, he continued walking home, his footsteps echoing in the quiet night.
Noah watched him go, a mixture of relief and lingering tension in his gaze, realizing just how dangerous and unpredictable Sir Julian could be.