Lady Alyse’s Caution

Upon hearing the maid's announcement, Austin exhaled a long, heavy sigh of relief, the residual tension completely evaporating from his frame.

Beside him, Mauri and Jauri traded a swift, playful glance and winked at one another, making zero effort to hide their sudden excitement.

Their brother's patience had paid off, and the crucial deal that had brought them across the continent was finally back on track.

"Mauri, Jauri, follow me," Austin ordered smoothly, straightening his tailored coat.

Without a moment's hesitation, the three brothers left the tranquility of the emerald pavilion, their boots clicking in rhythmic unison against the polished gravel path as they made their way toward the grand entrance of the castle.

It didn't take long for them to reach the front carriage porch.

Parked directly before the main stone steps sat a sleek, extravagant carriage crafted from dark ironwood and accented with burnished gold trim.