Chapter 139: Home

I was walking toward Gerald and Uncle Thompson when I saw Leila coming toward me; leaving her mother with her trusted butler and the man I didn’t recognize.

He seemed to be quite familiar with Leila, seeing the way they were talking.

Soon, she was in front of me, with her face expressionless as always.

“I am sorry for my mother’s behavior. Edwin’s death had affected her a lot.” She said, showing only a small bit of emotion.

“I understand,” I replied.

After what Reed had told me, I didn’t want to talk to her, even a single word, but I have a job to do, and I will do it.

“I have some things to talk to you about. Can we talk in my office?” she asked. “Sure,” I agreed, even when I want to get away from her, and walked with her toward the office.

Soon, we were in the office; it looked just like I had seen it last time. There is even the addition of a few paintings. All of them are Edwin’s, standing in regal poses, including one standing over the body of a monster.

He was really an idiot; even with the great work of a painter, one could tell how big of a poser he is.

I really wanted to laugh, but I controlled myself and turned to Leila, who was staring at me.

For a whole minute, we didn’t talk.

“You have done quite well yourself here. It is truly hard to believe the heights you have reached in just a couple of months,” she said finally, with a hint of wonder in her voice.

“Thank you,” I replied politely.

I really wanted to say something snarky and nearly said it, but controlled myself at the last time.

There is no need to show my emotions; I am here as a presentative of Lancel and I will act as such.

She looked at me for a few seconds before finally sighing. “You must be angry, at Edwin. At Reed and Landen, for what they have done to you and, in some way, at me.”

“Even when I don’t want to accept it; I am also responsible for what happened to you,” she said, showing a lot more emotions than she had ever in my life.

It is kind of surprising. Growing up, she was always impassive, never showing any emotions to me.

“It is past,” I replied with a small smile. Inside my heart, a volcano of rage waiting to burst out.

These fucking bastards have upended my life. They had not only stolen my inheritance but also bound me to a brothel that affected my class and sent me to this city.

If old Remus had been in my place; he might have died by suicide.

“I am sure Reed must have told you. The ritual spell had come from me,” she said and the guilt in her eyes deepened further.

“As I said, it is all past,” I said while gripping the armrest tightly to control my emotions.

Hearing me, a mirthless smile appeared on her face. “You might not believe me, but Edwin had taken that ritual spell with an excuse of trying to bind himself with his store,”

“He wanted to gain favorable skills with the help of bond. I didn’t suspect anything, till I come to know about your class during the will read,” she said with guilt all over her face.

I really wanted to laugh right now; loudly till tears started to come out of my eyes, but once again controlled myself.

Though not as perfect as before, a small smile cracked on my face.

I don’t know whether this woman is telling the truth or not, nor did it change anything. It could be said, I am even more angry, after hearing what she had said.

If she truly didn’t know the reason Edwin took the ritual and only come to realize it during the will read, then she should have helped me.

She had the power to do so.

There are stipulations in the will that gave her special powers, but she didn’t use them. I remember that day in my father’s office well, and how she remained silent, during the whole will read.

Even when they stole my inheritance and handed me a brothel. Even when I raged and cried, she remained silent.

The thing that makes me angry the most is how old Remus was desperate for her affection and acceptance, especially after his mother disappeared, but she had not reciprocated it, even the slightest.

“It is all the past. I didn’t want to dwell on it,” I said a few seconds later after I calmed myself.

“I know. It is hard for you to believe me, but I truly hope you do. Together, we could accomplish many things here,” she said, and I kept looking at her expressionlessly.

There were a few seconds of silence before she opened her mouth again, and this time, her expressions were quite serious.

“Why didn’t you accept it when Grandfather offered you the barony?” she asked, and a smile appeared on my face, a genuine one since I had walked into this office.

“Why should I? I have everything I need in the city, a business I had built, a life I had achieved. It is mine, nobody could take it away from me,” I said, looking directly into her eyes; it is the truth.

I like the power and if I had not suffered, what I did, where everything is taken away; I would have accepted the barony.

She seemed surprised by my answer and guilt appeared in her eyes for a moment before disappearing.“If there is nothing else, I am leaving,” I said and got up. “Are you staying?” she asked in surprise.

“No, I have a few engagements that I want to finish today,” I replied.

I had come here with the intention of staying the night. As a family, I have to do it, but what I had experienced and things I had come to know, I don’t want to stay here, more than I need to.

Hun!

I walked toward the door and was about to step out of it when I suddenly stopped and turned to Leila.

“I would appreciate it if you could give me the ritual spell,” I said to her. She seemed surprised by it, but put her hand into her iles bag and took out an old-looking scroll.

It is faded blue, with coppery rods.

“Even if you break this spell, your class will remain unchanged,” she stated, and a scroll floated toward me.

“I do not remove my class. I like it now,” I said with a smile and picked up the old-looking scroll from the air.

“Thank you,” I said and walked out.

Soon, I walked into the parlor, which is decorated extravagantly. There are a lot of people sitting here, all family members aside from one; the unknown man I didn’t recognize.

I didn’t see Reed among them. He must be busy breaking the vases.

“Uncle Thompson, Gerald,” I greeted. I didn’t even look at Uncle Raymond or Madam.

“Remus, have you finished talking to your sister?” asked Uncle Thompson. “Yes, and I will be leaving now,” I replied, and they didn’t seem surprised by that.

“Travel safely then. If you are in Greltheaven tomorrow, I will meet you there,” He said. “I will be,” I replied with a smile and turn to Gerald. “Contact me when you leave the blain,” I said to him.

“Don’t worry, I won’t leave without meeting you,” said Gerald, and I smiled and walked toward the room, before stopping and turning to Madam.

“Madam, I am sorry for your loss,” I said to the woman, who is still looking at me angrily, before leaving the parlor.

Soon, I was in the carriage, moving out of the castle blain.

“Contact Major Jarvis; tell him I am coming there and will need some of his men for my security,” I said to Zela.

“Are we leaving for Greltheaven tonight?” asked Zela. “Yes,” I said with a smile on my face. I want to return home as soon as possible and wouldn’t go anywhere, at least for a month.

There are too many things for me to do in this month. The most important of them all, ready the girls for their debut.

I only have around two weeks for that.

…

“What did the bastard say?” asked Grace to her daughter.

“Nothing. He was polite. Other than asking for a ritual spell. he didn’t say much of anything,” replied Leila, and Grace’s eyes flashed in anger.

“Why do you give that to him?” asked Grace and saw her daughter glaring at her.

“You know, Mother. I truly regret ever listening to you,” said Leila, as she looked at her mother accusingly. “I should have listened to father more and treated Remus, like a brother,”

“From childhood, he looked for love from me, and I have barely spoken to him.”

“I should have at least done something at will read,” said Leila, with a voice full of regret.

“He is not your brother, but a bastard of your father. Son of that despicable whore, she should have taken her spawn with her when she disappeared,” said Grace, with her voice reaching high.

“He is better than my real brothers, who are plotting against me since I accepted to be Lord of Blain,” she said, looking at her mother accusingly, and her mother laughed.

“It is barony on the line; you can’t blame them for trying. It is natural that they want to be lord,” Grace defended.

Leila laughed at hearing that.

“Do you know, Grandfather asked Remus before me for the lord of Blain,” said Leila and deep shock appeared on Grace’s face.

“This can’t be! How can father-in-law offer the barony to Remus? He is a bastard,” asked Grace.

Clearly, she was unwilling to believe it. “He did, but Remus declined it,” said Leila, smiling mirthlessly.

“Then, he is an even bigger idiot than I thought,” said Grace with relief flooding her veins.

She can’t even imagine the bastard having a barony; only her children deserve it.

“He is a smart mother, and we have to act smart too,” said Leila and turned her eyes warningly to her mother. “I will forgive you for today, but the next time, be respectful when you see Remus,”

“He had become powerful and had an ear of Count Darrow; he could make things difficult for us if he wishes and we don’t want to give him more reasons than he needs to do that,” she said.

Grace opened her mouth to refute it, but no words came out. In the end, she just nodded.

…

“Greltheaven,” I said as I looked out the window.

I could see the outline of the city, which is getting closer and closer every second. In a few minutes, the carriage will reach the river and I will only need to travel across it to reach the city.

It is about two in the night; I would have reached a little earlier, if not staying for dinner at Major Jarvis’s insistence.

It is fine, as I will be home within an hour.