THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

"Indeed," the Earl confirmed, his voice steady, his gaze fixed on David. The words carried the weight of an unspoken acknowledgement, a subtle yet powerful recognition of the young man's wisdom. Lord Hilton had intended to test both of his sons in this moment of conflict, and David had emerged the wiser.

A quiet thought crossed the Earl's mind:

Did Katrina tell him about the pact between our families?

He found it hard to believe. Katrina was known for her discretion, for keeping such critical information to herself, never exploiting the merit granted to her through her grandfather's sacrifice.

"Katrina," Lord Hilton's voice cut through the chamber, commanding the attention of all present. "Step forward."

Katrina, startled by the sudden summons, quickly composed herself. She took a deep breath and made her way to the centre of the chamber, her steps measured and deliberate. As she was about to kneel in deference, the Earl raised a hand, stopping her mid-motion. "No need," he said, his tone gentler now, "you may stand in my presence."

Katrina bowed respectfully, a gesture of gratitude and acknowledgement. "Thank you, my Lord," she responded, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The Earl's eyes softened slightly as he regarded her. "Now, is it true that my son laid a hand on you?" he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper, yet it echoed throughout the chamber, its gravity unmistakable.

"Yes, my Lord," Katrina answered, her voice unwavering, yet the simple truth in her words sent a shiver through Eric's spine. He felt the ground beneath him shift as if the very foundation of his world was crumbling.

"I won't ask for witnesses," Lord Hilton continued, his tone firm. "You have three standing beside you." The Earl's words held a finality that left no room for doubt or debate.

Katrina nodded, accepting the truth of the situation.

"Very well," Lord Hilton began, his voice taking on a solemn tone that commanded the attention of everyone in the chamber. "On behalf of the De Gor family, we extend our deepest apologies for my son's ignorance." His declaration shocked those present, a ripple of surprise sweeping through the chamber. But Elder Scroll, ever perceptive, simply nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in the Earl's words.

The Earl continued, his gaze never leaving Katrina. "Your grandfather lost his life for the Late Lady, a debt I have carried with me to this day, a debt that remains until an heir properly ascends to Patriarch." He paused, silencing Katrina with a glance as she opened her mouth to speak. He knew her well enough to anticipate her humility, her tendency to downplay her own worth.

"Hence," Lord Hilton said, his voice growing even more solemn, "I will grant you any wish you desire. But in return, I would ask that you spare my son's life." The offer hung in the air, a stunning proposition that left the chamber in stunned silence. All eyes turned to Katrina, waiting for her response.

"My Lord," Katrina began, her voice calm but resolute, "please forgive this servant, but I seek nothing but to serve the De Gor family." The words were spoken with such sincerity that they left Lord Hilton momentarily speechless. But before he could respond, she added, "However, since the Young Master defended the honour of my family, I would ask to be placed under his service, to serve him as my Lord."

Both Elder Scroll and Lord Hilton were taken aback by Katrina's wish. The elder's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind racing as he tried to decipher what David had done to earn such unwavering loyalty from her.

What had David done to gain her favour?

the question lingered in the air, unanswered.

Lord Hilton, recovering from his initial surprise, nodded slowly. "If that is all, I shall allow it," he accepted her request with a measured tone, though the decision carried a weight he had not anticipated. Katrina bowed deeply in gratitude before gracefully moving to stand beside David and Seraphina, her presence solidifying her choice.

The Earl's attention then shifted, his gaze settling on his other son, who stood apart, his face a mixture of confusion and fear. "Eric," Lord Hilton's voice was firm, leaving no room for resistance. "Step forward."

The room held its breath as Eric hesitated, the weight of his father's command pressing down on him. His steps were slow and heavy as he moved forward, the air thick with the tension of impending judgment.

"Your actions have not only tarnished the family but also my name," Lord Hilton declared, his voice cold and unforgiving as he fixed Eric with a gaze that pierced through him like a blade.

The weight of the Earl's words hung in the air, a palpable tension that pressed down on everyone in the chamber.

"Hence, I hereby strip you of my name until the dawn of the Queen's Era," he continued harshly, his tone devoid of any trace of mercy.

The declaration sent shockwaves through the chamber, leaving Eric and his companions stunned, their faces drained of colour as the gravity of the situation set in.

"Father—" Eric began to plead, his voice trembling, but Lord Hilton cut him off with a sharp gesture, silencing him instantly.

"Furthermore," the Earl continued, his voice growing even colder, "you are hereby banished from this house until you have regained the family's honour. The Elarionne house will take you in, since you seem so fond of that vile family."

The words were a death sentence to Eric's world, his existence shattered as he faced the reality of his exile.

Stripped of his name for two hundred days, exiled from the only home he had ever known, Eric felt his world collapse around him. The way his father dismissed him, as if he were nothing more than a stain to be removed, crushed what little hope he had left.

"Please, Father!"

Eric cried out, his voice breaking as he fell to his knees, desperation overtaking him.

But before Lord Hilton could respond, Elder Scroll, his anger barely contained, intervened.

"Guards!" Elder Scroll's voice boomed through the chamber, and within moments, two armoured men entered, their presence commanding and unyielding. They grabbed Eric by the arms, their grip firm and unrelenting.

"Take responsibility for your mistakes before I cut you down myself," Elder Scroll growled, his eyes blazing with fury as Eric was dragged away, his pleas ignored.

The guards moved with cold efficiency, hauling Eric out of the chamber as his noble companions followed, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. They had all been swept up in the consequences of Eric's folly, and now they, too, would face the repercussions of his actions.

As Eric was led away, the chamber fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the events still lingering in the air. Lord Hilton remained composed, but beneath the surface, a storm of thoughts raged.

It would be a hassle to settle the matter with the other houses, given that David had beaten up their sons without cause. Yet, in the empire, strength commanded respect, and those who proved their worth at the top could expect certain transgressions to be overlooked—so long as the matter wasn't too great.

"Now, David," Lord Hilton's voice cut through the silence, summoning the young man who had set these events into motion.

The Earl's eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and anticipation as he called for the last, and most pivotal, figure in this unfolding drama. A small, almost imperceptible grin tugged at the corners of Lord Hilton's lips, though it carried an edge of something darker, something more profound.

David could feel his heart pounding in his chest, each beat heavy and echoing in his ears.

Is it just me, or has the Lord's presence grown more intense since he called me?

David wondered, his breath catching as he stepped forward. The air around him seemed to thicken, charged with an energy that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

He had faced many challenges before, but standing before Lord Hilton now, David felt the full weight of his position in the De Gor family.

Every step he took toward the Earl felt like a step deeper into a treacherous game, one where the stakes were higher than ever. Yet, despite the tension that gripped him, David's eyes remained steady, and focused. He had already proven himself wiser than his brother, but now, as the Earl's gaze bore into him, he knew that another test awaited—one that could determine his future in ways he had yet to fully comprehend.

****

A/N: for anyone wondering,

the dawn of the queen's era

is next year in David's world.

I would like to say a big thank you to the following outstanding readers:

Sil3nt_1

Hawkeye_07

Lexis_cooper_9575

Thexan

RobertJay

satish_yadav_7415

for the rest of my shadow readers, you are as important to me as my top fan, thank you.

Volume 1 is almost coming to a conclusion, comment below on what you think or want to see during the coming-of-age ceremony.

Happy Reading pirate crew!