The quiet corridor seemed to shrink the moment Trafalgar's eyes met that familiar golden gaze. For a heartbeat, he froze.
'Caelum? What the hell is he doing here? Is this one of his clones he uses to keep watch, or is it actually him in the flesh? If he came in person… then something serious must've happened.'
He forced his feet to move, step by step toward his room. Caelum stood tall at the far end, his pale gray hair combed neatly back, his presence calm yet commanding.
The older man raised a gloved hand in a polite gesture. "Good evening, young master Trafalgar."
Trafalgar hesitated only a second before answering, his voice measured. "Good evening, Caelum… but I can't say your visit inspires confidence. I take it that something has happened at the main house?"
