Isabella watched him for a few breaths.
Her expression shifted, as though she had expected this answer from the start. In the end, the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.
"I knew it." She raised her teacup toward Lu Yuan. "Klaus said you were stubborn as hell. Looks like he wasn't wrong."
As soon as Isabella finished speaking, she clapped her hands.
Several heavy metallic clanks came from outside the courtyard gate, and a group of people entered.
Armored knights.
There were three of them, wrapped in silver-and-red armor. The interlocking plates gave off crisp metallic sounds with every step. Greatswords hung at their waists, their hilts longer than Lu Yuan's forearms, their scabbards nearly reaching the backs of their knees.
The leader walked to Isabella's side and gave a slight bow.
"Everything is ready."
Lu Yuan's body tensed instantly.
His gaze swept between the knights and Isabella. The presence radiating from those knights was powerful. He was no match for them.
Isabella saw his reaction, laughed, and waved her hand.
"Don't be nervous."
She held her teacup, her tone relaxed, but the weight of her words changed the moment she spoke.
"Klaus gave orders. I have to hold you here for at least two days. I'm afraid you won't be leaving today."
Lu Yuan stared at her face.
"Klaus's orders?"
"His exact words were, 'After Lu Yuan reaches Oak Forest City, find a way to keep him there for two days before letting him leave.'" Isabella set down her teacup and spread her hands. "I'm only following orders."
Lu Yuan did not answer immediately.
He lowered his head and stared at the half-finished cup of tea on the table, his mind racing.
Four days to leave the city.
Two days held here, making six.
Even without