I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 347: Private Meeting

Her mind spun through damage control scenarios as fast as she could.

Could she intercept them? Redirect their attention? Claim Jack was conducting urgent business that couldn’t wait?

But even as she considered options, she knew the truth. Seraphina and S, standing guard outside a closed door, sent one very clear message. And the Sunblade family was too politically experienced not to understand exactly what that message was.

Cassius’s eyes found the closed door, tracked to the guards, then moved to Octavia with the knowing expression of someone who’d seen this scenario play out a thousand times in a thousand different contexts.

"Lady Octavia," he said pleasantly. "What a lovely celebration your brother has arranged. We apologize for arriving late; the roads from our territory were more congested than anticipated."

"Lord Sunblade," Octavia managed, her voice steadier than she felt. "Welcome. We’re honored by your presence."

’What do I do?’ her internal voice screamed while her external composure remained flawless. ’Do I acknowledge the situation? Ignore it? Pretend this is normal?’

Lady Sunblade’s gaze moved to the closed door with the same calculating assessment. But her expression remained pleasant, almost serene. "Is Jack available? We’d hoped to congratulate him personally on his victory."

The question hung in the air like a thrown knife. Octavia’s mouth opened, closed, opened again.

Before she could formulate a response that wouldn’t make everything worse, Aurora’s hands moved in quick, precise gestures. Her fingers danced in the air. Octavia couldn’t interpret.

Lady Sunblade watched her daughter’s hands, then translated with the same serene composure. "Aurora says he’s conducting business. We can wait."

The statement carried layers of meaning that Octavia’s political training immediately recognized. Not ’private business’ or ’personal matters,’ just ’business.’ As if what was happening behind that closed door was merely another political transaction rather than a potential scandal.

And the calm acceptance in both Aurora’s gestures and Lady Sunblade’s tone suggested they weren’t surprised, weren’t upset, and weren’t going to make this into the dramatic confrontation Octavia had feared.

’She knew,’ Octavia realized with dawning comprehension. ’She expected this. Planned for it. She’s...’

Young Violet, bless her innocent heart, looked confused. "Why do we have to wait? Can’t we knock?"

"Violet," Lady Sunblade said gently, her hand finding her daughter’s shoulder, "when conducting important business, interruptions are considered rude. We’ll wait until your future brother-in-law is finished with his current matters."

The emphasis on ’business’ was stark, Octavia realized. They were all participating in the same polite fiction, that what was happening behind that door was political negotiation.

’But what is it actually?’ Octavia wondered, her confusion only deepening. ’Jack posted guards. He planned this. But if he was actually... with Starfell... why would he be so obvious about it? That’s not strategic, that’s just reckless.’

She looked at Seraphina, hoping for some hint, some clue about what was really happening. However, the stoic expression remained perfectly neutral, revealing nothing.

Aurora’s hands moved again, quick gestures that Lady Sunblade watched with maternal attention.

"Aurora asks if there’s somewhere comfortable we might wait," Lady Sunblade translated. "She says standing in hallways is beneath our dignity."

The subtle rebuke was clear; this situation was awkward, and Aurora was gracefully providing an exit that preserved everyone’s face.

But Octavia barely heard it. She was still trying to process the fact that Aurora, Jack’s betrothed, the woman he was supposed to marry, was calmly accepting that he was currently in a private room with another woman.

The hallway settled into an uncomfortable silence. The Sunblade family standing on one side, Octavia frozen in social paralysis, and two guards flanking a closed door that held secrets no one was willing to acknowledge explicitly.

Minutes crawled past like wounded animals.

From behind the door, no sounds emerged. Nothing that would give any indication of what was transpiring inside.

Octavia’s mind continued spinning through possibilities, each one more confusing than the last. ’He showed interest in Seraphina. Now he’s in there with Starfell. His betrothed is standing in the hallway, and she’s... calm? Accepting? What kind of arrangement did my father make with the Sunblades that makes this normal?’

But looking at Aurora’s serene expression, communicated through the gentle relaxation of her posture rather than words, at Cassius’s knowing eyes, at Lady Sunblade’s complete lack of outrage... Octavia realized this wasn’t a scandal at all.

This was just Tuesday afternoon for high nobility.

And somehow, that realization was more disturbing than any dramatic confrontation would have been. Because she finally put two and two together, it was expected that Jack, being a chosen one, would have many children.

-------

Inside the study, Jack sauntered about. The room was tastefully appointed: dark wood furniture, leather-bound books lining the walls, and a comfortable couch positioned near a small fireplace where flames crackled.

He released Lady Starfell’s waist and gestured toward the seating area. "Please, make yourself comfortable. Wine?"

"Please," Starfell said, her voice trembling with an excitement she couldn’t quite hide.

Jack moved to the sidebar, selecting a bottle with care. He moved slowly, taking his time and drawing out as many emotions as possible.

The bracelet pulsed warmly on his wrist. Zephyros’s blessing amplified his awareness of her, the way her amber eyes tracked his every movement, the slight flush in her cheeks, the way she arranged herself on the couch seductively as she put one leg over the other.

She’d positioned herself at an angle that emphasized her curves, her petite frame somehow making those curves seem even more dramatic.

Her pale blue dress had shifted during their walk, and she made no effort to adjust it, allowing the neckline to remain dangerously low and the fabric to cling to her breasts.

’She thinks she’s hunting me,’ Jack thought, pouring two glasses with steady hands. ’Thinks her beauty is a weapon I’m defenseless against.’

The demon essence in his blood stirred with dark amusement. Since consuming that demonic heart over a year ago, something had changed. Violence excited him in ways it hadn’t before. Manipulation felt like art rather than a necessity. And the moment before springing a trap? That was pure euphoria.

He crossed the room and offered her a glass. Their fingers brushed during the exchange, a gentle contact that made her gasp, and her eyes brightened with triumph.

She took a sip, her lips touching the glass rim with unconscious sensuality. "Thank you, Lord Kaiser. This is... lovely."

Jack sat beside her, close, but not touching.

"Please," he said, his voice carrying warmth he didn’t feel, "call me Jack. We’re allies now, after all. Formality seems unnecessary."

"Jack," she repeated, his name on her lips sounding like victory. She shifted closer, her thigh nearly touching his. "I’m glad we finally have a moment alone. I’ve been wanting to speak with you privately for... quite some time."

"Have you?" Jack’s smile was sharp, their gaze met, and he looked completely taken aback by her. "I’m honored. Though I confess, I’ve been rather distracted by everything that’s happened recently. The battle, the rebuilding, the political negotiations..."

"Of course," Starfell set her wine glass down on the nearby table, then turned to face him more fully. Her hand found his arm, fingers tracing patterns through expensive fabric. "You’ve accomplished so much. It’s remarkable, really. Someone so young, displaying such... power."

The word ’power’ came out almost breathlessly. Her amber eyes locked onto him with intensity that would have been flattering if it wasn’t so transparently calculated.

"Strength is measured by the weakness of others," Jack replied, letting his gaze drop fractionally. His eyes were tracing down from her face to her curves and going back up, but held on her breasts. "What matters is knowing how to use it effectively."

"And do you?" Starfell leaned closer, her voice dropping to something more intimate. "Know how to use it effectively?"

Her free hand moved to his chest, palm flat against his shirt. Her amber eyes held challenge. But as she bit her lip, Jack knew she was challenging him.

Jack’s hand moved to cover hers, holding it against his chest. He leaned in slowly, his face moving closer to hers with the inexorable certainty of a judge pronouncing a sentence.

Starfell’s breath quickened. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes half-closing in anticipation. She thought he was about to kiss her, claim her, seal whatever seduction she believed she was orchestrating.

His other hand rose, fingers finding her chin with gentle firmness. He tilted her face up, their lips perhaps two inches apart. Close enough to feel each other’s breath. Close enough that she could taste victory.