Theo began walking forward slowly, but after a moment, he slid his sword back into its hilt.
"It's great to meet you, my lord," Theo said calmly, showing proper etiquette by offering a proper bow, making the old man chuckle at his gesture.
"You have been quite daring, Theo. To go to the gate without permission," the old man said with a smile.
"If it had been anyone else, they would have long since been thrown into the prison, and not just any prison, but the royal one."
The old man paused but didn't stop at just that.
"But since I know His Majesty and Aldric go way back, I knew there wouldn't be any trouble."
"And I am glad about that," he added before rising to his feet. The tamer guards beside him stepped forward as well, as if ready to move at a moment's notice.
The old duke approached Theo and placed a hand on his shoulder. Theo had already directed the ants to go to the exterior of his pants and abdomen since he didn't want to spook any of these high nobles.
