Chapter Nine: The Price of Loyalty and the River's Cold
Before leaving the casino, Tula turned to Silas with a gaze that pierced his soul and spoke in a low voice: "Silas... the name of House Ferguson must remain hidden from prying eyes. You are the owner and the leader before the world, but in truth, you know exactly who your master is. I want you to establish an intelligence network to gather the most precise information from London's alleys while you expand your business as commanded. Is that clear?"
Silas nodded obediently and summoned a private carriage to transport Edward. Well before reaching the Ferguson mansion, Edward ordered the driver to stop and got out to finish the journey on foot, careful that no one should link the "masked man" from the casino to the heir of House Ferguson.
The moment the mansion door closed behind them, Edward exploded in rage. He shouted at Tula: "Why did you kill that man?! The situation did not call for such bloodshed! And not only that, you dared to freeze my movement with your magic!"
Tula's eyes flickered with a dark crimson glow, but Edward did not back down. Instead, he stepped forward and roared: "I am your master, Tula! Know your place and never repeat your actions again!"
A heavy silence followed, then Tula bowed with a suspicious calmness and said: "My apologies, Master... I did not intend to overstep." But Edward wasn't satisfied: "I don't want hollow apologies. Why did you paralyze me?" Tula replied coldly: "I did it for your protection. Had I not killed that man, and had you not appeared with such terrifying steadfastness before them, your corpse would now be food for London's rats. I have crafted an unbreakable prestige for you."
Edward felt a hint of regret for his harshness after hearing Tula's explanation. His tone softened: "I apologize for my outburst... perhaps I was too quick to judge you."
At that, Tula's eye gleamed with a mocking light. He said with a wicked smile: "Do you truly wish to apologize, Master? Very well... the river is before us now. Go and swim in its cold waters."
Edward froze, staring at the dark river outside. He realized at that moment that Tula was not a servant who forgave easily, and that he never forgets a grudge—even if it comes from his own master.