The four old followers looked at each other, speechless. Only the hearth fire continued to burn in the silence.
...
「Late at night.」
The four old followers passed through the shadowy corridor of the castle’s west wing. When they reached a secluded parlor, the sight that greeted them made them all hold their breath.
Aurora stood before an arched window, her back to them. The deep blue riding habit was perfectly tailored to her statuesque figure.
Her long golden hair was neatly held back by a silver circlet, every strand ticulously in place.
Form-fitting white breeches outlined the long, powerful lines of her legs, and her knee-high black leather boots were polished to a mirror shine.
The Knight’s Sword at her waist was housed in an Ebony Sword Scabbard, where an Athyst wrapped in silver wire glead faintly in the dim light.
Lawrence trembled with excitent. He strode forward and dropped heavily to his right knee, his knee striking the flagstones with a heavy thud.
"Lady Aurora!" His voice trembled slightly with emotion. "You’ve finally co around! The Duval Territory is saved!"
Arthur followed suit, dropping to one knee. "This is the bearing of the heir we have longed to see! This is the dignity the blood of the Duval Clan should possess!"
Luca knelt slowly, placing his right hand over his chest in a salute. "My lady, this attire reminds of your father’s heroic bearing in his day. This is the presence a Lord should have!"
Gilbert was the last to kneel. He lowered his head, his voice firm. "I pledge my loyalty to you, Lady Aurora. The Duval Territory needs a true leader who can guide us through this crisis."
Aurora turned slowly. The high collar of her riding habit made her face seem even colder and more severe.
Her gaze swept over the four kneeling n, her voice calm yet filled with undeniable authority.
"Rise."
Lawrence was the first to look up, his eyes gleaming with a fanatical light. "My lady, when have you decided to take over the territory’s affairs? We have made every preparation..."
"Preparations?" Aurora arched an eyebrow, strolling toward the center of the hall. "What have you prepared?"
Arthur chid in hurriedly, "At your command, we can imdiately secure all the key positions in the castle. Luca has already contacted the officials within the territory..."
Luca nodded, adding, "Yes, most of the officials are dissatisfied with Lord Sylvan’s policies, especially the recent decision regarding the war tax..."
"So," Aurora stopped before the four n, her fingers lightly caressing the hilt of her sword, "you intend for to lead a group of disgruntled subjects on a cold winter’s night to overthrow my own brother?"
Her voice was still calm, but the chill in her words made the four n shudder in unison.
Lawrence hastily explained, "My lady, we are doing this for the territory..."
"For the territory?" Aurora’s voice suddenly rose, her right hand gripping the sword hilt. "Or is it for your so-called honor? For your wives’ and concubines’ silk clothes? For the fine wines in your cellars?"
SHING!
The Longsword flew from its scabbard, its tip tracing a silver arc through the air before stopping an inch from Lawrence’s throat.
Gilbert cried out in alarm, "My lady!"
Aurora’s gaze was as cold as ice. "Tell , Lawrence, when your uncle, the Roton Knight, taught you the art of combat, did he ever teach you how to betray the Lord you swore allegiance to?"
Lawrence’s face was deathly pale, but he forced himself to remain calm. "This isn’t betrayal. It is for the true lineage of the Duval Clan..."
"True lineage?" Aurora sneered. "My brother, Sylvan Duval, is the Baron, crowned through a formal ceremony. He is the legitimate Lord, recognized by both the Royal Family and the Church Court. And you," her gaze swept over them one by one, "are here, plotting a rebellion."
Arthur said hastily, "My lady, please calm yourself! We would never intend such a thing! It’s just..."
"Just what?" With a flick of her wrist, the blade once again flashed through the air, stopping before Arthur’s forehead. "Just that you think my brother is too rciful? That he shouldn’t have reduced taxes? That he shouldn’t let the common people live good lives?"
Lawrence jerked his head up, sweat trickling down his graying temples, but his voice was unusually firm. "Exactly! Lord Sylvan has indeed made a mistake! Reducing taxes may win the people’s hearts for a ti, but the border is in peril! Without sufficient military funds, what will we use to fend off foreign enemies? Those farrs whose taxes were reduced will be the very first to abandon their fields and flee when war cos! Are we supposed to rely on their gratitude to stop Rosenia’s iron cavalry?"
The tip of Aurora’s sword suddenly shifted, once again pointing directly at Lawrence’s throat. The icy Sword Qi pricked his skin, making it sting.
But Lawrence didn’t flinch. Instead, he straightened his back. "I have served the Duval Clan for fifty years, through two Lords. Every ti there has been a border crisis, it was sufficient preparation that allowed us to survive. Now, Lord Sylvan spends all day engrossed in those strange studies, neglecting even the most basic defenses. I would rather spill my blood here today than live to watch the Duval Territory be ravaged and its people slaughtered!"
Aurora’s gaze swept to the other followers, the tip of her sword still held steady at Lawrence’s throat. "And you?"
Arthur’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently, his voice hoarse. "Well... Lord Sylvan’s policies are indeed... a bit too idealistic. But as for the war tax, perhaps we could take a more gradual approach. There’s no need to rush..."
Luca imdiately chid in, his tone evasive. "Y-yes, that’s right. Perhaps we can find a compromise, one that doesn’t go against Lord Sylvan’s benevolent rule, but also allows us to properly strengthen our military..."
Only Gilbert kept his head bowed low, his lips pressed into a thin line, saying nothing.
With a flick of her wrist, Aurora sheathed her Longsword with a SHICK.
She looked around at them, her voice cool, but a flicker of relief shone in her azure eyes. "Alright. I understand your loyalty to the Duval Clan."
A look of ecstasy blood on Lawrence’s face. With tears welling in his eyes, he said excitedly, "My lady is wise! My lady is wise!"
Arthur and Luca exchanged a look of relief, which was quickly followed by a hint of apprehension.
Gilbert, however, frowned slightly, a flicker of nearly imperceptible regret in his eyes.
Aurora nodded slightly. "Good. Then swear your allegiance anew. Swear it to . Follow ."
"As you command, my lady!" Lawrence responded eagerly.
Arthur and Luca quickly bowed in agreent, and after a mont’s hesitation, Gilbert hurriedly agreed as well.
The four followers followed Aurora through the dark corridors, eventually arriving at the chapel on the other side of the castle.
Moonlight stread through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns of light and shadow in the empty hall.
In the center of the chapel stood a two-ter-tall oak high seat, its back intricately carved with the Duval Clan’s sigil of mountains and rivers.
Aurora slowly ascended the steps and gracefully took her seat on the high seat.
She sat upright in a halo of intermingling moonlight and candlelight. The silver-thread patterns on her deep blue riding habit shimred, and a few loose strands of golden hair fell to her shoulders, making her look both majestic and gentle.
Lawrence was the first to drop to one knee, his voice booming, "I, Lawrence..."
Arthur knelt right after, his tone firm. "I, Arthur..."
Luca followed. "I, Luca..."
Gilbert was the last to kneel, his voice low. "I, Gilbert..."
The mont the last word of the oath was spoken, a soft laugh ca from behind the high seat.
"Are these the n who claim to be loyal to the Duval Clan?"
Hearing that familiar voice, the faces of the four followers changed drastically.
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