CHAPTER 77: THE NEW HEIR [3]

Just then, a maid appeared and gave a crisp bow.

"Young master, Lady Selene has summoned you."

Alaric’s expression shifted, composed again. He turned toward the maid and gave a faint nod. "Understood. I’ll be there shortly."

The maid bowed again and hurried away down the corridor.

Alaric turned back to Iris, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well, I’ll see you soon."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away, his footsteps fading down the corridor.

Iris watched his retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner, then muttered under her breath, "Idiot."

She returned to her dusting with renewed focus, though a faint blush still lingered on her cheeks.

Tap! Tap!

The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor as Alaric made his way toward Selene’s study.

Upon reaching the ornate door, he gave two firm knocks.

Knock! Knock!

"Enter," came Selene’s voice from within.

He opened the door and found her seated behind her mahogany desk, quill in hand as she scribbled across various documents spread before her.

The late afternoon light filtered through tall windows, casting long shadows across the room.

She looked up from her work, gesturing toward the chair across from her. "Take a seat."

Alaric settled into the plush leather chair, waiting as she finished whatever she was writing.

After setting down her quill, Selene leaned back and looked at him with her calculating gaze.

She folded her hands on the desk, her expression growing serious.

"There will be a banquet in upcoming days, duke Garren is holding it to celebrate his daughter’s coming of age."

Her lips curved into a slight smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "You’ll need to make your debut as my heir among those... distinguished nobles."

She pulled out a leather-bound ledger from her desk drawer and placed it between them.

"Which means you need to learn about the major noble houses. Their histories, their alliances, their weaknesses."

Her finger tapped against the ledger’s cover. "More importantly, you need to understand their heirs, the ones you’ll be mingling with. Who to befriend, who to avoid, and who might prove... useful."

"But before you study the others," she leaned forward slightly, her voice taking on the tone of a teacher, "You need to understand where you stand."

She reached for a folded parchment on the desk and tapped it with a slender finger.

"We are seated in Blackthorn Hold. That’s the name of our territory."

Alaric listened in silence, his posture relaxed, but his eyes sharp.

"The name comes from the ancient black oak," she continued, glancing briefly toward the window, as if she could see the distant hills from here. "It still stands at the entrance to our territory, older than most bloodlines in this kingdom."

Alaric nodded faintly.

Her expression darkened slightly. "Originally, Blackthorn Hold ruled over three towns, Bramwell, Corwin, and Fenmere. Each prosperous in their own right."

She leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly.

"But thanks to a certain someone’s incompetence... we lost two. Now, only Bramwell remains under our banner."

Alaric absorbed the words without a shift in expression, though the implication was clear. She was referring to her husband, Ferick.

He gave a slow nod.

Then she began talking more about the barony, the trades, allies, enemies, and other things.

After that she folded her hands on her lap. "Know your ground before you walk into someone else’s court. Understood?"

"Understood," Alaric replied.

As they continued their discussion, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and amber, casting long shadows through the windows.

Selene glanced at the dusky sky, then rose from her seat with a quiet grace."It’s time for us to go," she said.

Alaric stood as well, giving a small nod before following her out of the room.

They collected Ferick from his quarters and made their way down the corridor, the distant clip of their boots echoing faintly against the floor. Outside, the carriage was already waiting at the base of the steps.

Without a word, the three of them stepped into the carriage.

Selene settled gracefully into the seat near the window, while Alaric took his place beside her. Ferick climbed in last, sitting across from them with stiff shoulders.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The carriage began rolling forward, wheels creaking softly against the evening air.

Selene leaned back, folding her hands neatly in her lap. Her eyes fluttered shut, her posture elegant even in rest.

Alaric, on the other hand, shifted slightly, crossed one leg over the other and casually draped his arm along the seat back behind her his fingers resting just behind Selene’s shoulders, the edge of his arm brushing against her. He didn’t move it. Didn’t need to.

He seemed entirely unbothered by the contact.

But, Ferick, sitting across from them, watched this casual intimacy with clenched knuckles.

[+20 DP]

Alaric smirked and leaned back, closing his eyes too.

After traveling for several minutes through the winding streets, the wagon rolled to a gentle halt as the clip-clop of horses ceased.

Alaric looked out.

They had arrived in front of a modest stone chapel nestled near the heart of Bramwell.

The building rose two stories high, its weathered gray walls bearing the marks of countless seasons.

Arched windows lined the sides, their stained glass catching the fading light. A simple bell tower crowned the structure, its bronze bell visible through an open archway.

Above the heavy oak doors, painted in fading gold and crimson, was the insignia, a stylized phoenix mid-flight, wings flared in a burst of fire. The Flame circled its body like a halo, and its sharp eyes gazed forward, eternal and unblinking.

It was sacred symbol of Ashurael, the Divine Phoenix, Guardian of Truth and Flames.

Its details still sharp despite years of exposure to the elements.

Though humble compared to the grand cathedrals of larger cities, the church possessed a quiet dignity that spoke of unwavering faith and community devotion.

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Chapter End

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