The Return of An Ally

The sun began to set after the Goldings' trial concluded. Onlookers exited the arena giddy with excitement, like they had just seen the most exciting sports match of the century. They quickly returned to their homes. To get the best seats tomorrow, they would have to wake up extremely early!

The remaining trials were set for the next day. Less than thirty core conspirators remained, but their trials could easily last a week or more. These cases would be much more complicated. The most powerful and villainous remained. Many of them were current nobility. Entire families would be implicated.

Justice had been served today in front of their very eyes. Even two nobles had been sentenced to death! They had been cast out of their aristocratic family, but their deaths were nevertheless extremely telling of the court's stance. None would be spared.

While the commoners and lower class felt joy, the noble and powerful felt fear. The City Lord and the courts were determined to purge the city this time. After the True Order had been dealt with, other long time trouble makers would be next.

Many families had been rocked to their core due to the siege. Guards had been slain. Supplies dwindled. Allies extinguished. The families that had well known ties to suspected traitors were particularly desperate.

"Madam! Could I please have a few minutes of your time to –"

"No. Please submit an official meeting request through the City Lord's Office."

"One moment, Lady Forolan! I have a message for the City Lord, so could you –"

"Just have it sent to the City Lord's Office or the Forolan estate."

"Oh! My dear precious cousin! How are –"

"Scram."

"Lady Forolan!" "Madam Rebecca!" "Lady!" "Lady!" "Lady –"

SLAM!

The door to the carriage drowned out the cries of the nobles swarming the group. The Halcyon Guards held back the representatives of the surviving noble families as the carriage started down the street. Rebecca rubbed her temples.

Her husband strived to remain neutral and fair in the best of times. She had no idea why those opportunistic snakes would think that his principles would change now. If they were innocent, then they wouldn't need his help. And if they were guilty, Innello would never help them.

Those hyenas were quick to clutch any lifesaving straw. They didn't even notice that an extra young lady stayed next to Daren today. Or rather, Daren had stayed next to the young lady.

"Dinner should be ready as soon as we get back. Tregario, Edwina, both of you will head straight to bed after that."

"But mother! It's summer break."

"Indeed. But you still have homework and extra tutoring until school starts again~. I've arranged for your etiquette tutor to come again early tomorrow morning."

"What about the trials?! Things are just getting interesting. We did just sweep the city free lots of disgusting trash today." Tregario glanced at Daren. "Too bad we couldn't get rid of all the evil roots in this city."

Rebecca's face hardened. First Edwina insulted their guest, and Tregario continues to antagonize his cousin. That judge was extremely suspicious as well. Her eyes narrowed. She must consult with her husband when he returns for the night. The cleanup needs to be pushed forward.

Fortunately, Daren didn't notice. He was too busy pointing out buildings to Aayla as they passed by. Tregario clicked his tongue at his stupid, lovestruck cousin and the commoner girl.

"We already learned everything. Why do we need to see that stuffy old woman again? If anything, a certain someone needs to learn who he can properly associate with."

The atmosphere of the carriage became frigid. That madam was only hired to teach for a couple of weeks, but Rebecca was sure that she won't mind staying for the summer. After all, her cute little students had forgotten her teachings. A firm reminder was necessary.

"That's simple." Rebecca's smile twitched. "It's because your own manners and attitudes are trash. Strict retraining is necessary. The tutor will come by everyday until school starts. I suggest that you all prepare yourselves."

"EEEH?! ALL SUMMER?!"

"You two enjoy listening to nonsense from others in your spare time, so I made sure to bring in an outside expert that you would listen to~."

Edwina and Tregario paled in fright. Just remembering that strict devil gave them the chills. They couldn't be trapped with that woman all summer! At least, not all by themselves.

"But – but Mother! What about Daren? Doesn't he need a refresher, too? Being holed up studying all the time isn't good for his social skills?

"That's a great idea, Eddi! Hey Daren, do you want to join us?! You can spend some time with that fierce old lady again. Let's invite some more students to join. To give Daren more social experience, of course."

For some reason, Daren and their parents liked her. There's no way that he would refuse.

"Pardon? She's coming back?" Daren's eyes brightened before becoming hesitant as they turned towards Aayla. "There are some things that I want to do though…"

"Ara~? There's no need to worry about that, Daren. Your manners are fine. Besides, she'll be staying in the manor to teach twenty-four hours a day. Isn't it wonderful?"

Daren's shoulders relaxed as he happily nodded. Looking like the figure from Munch's 'The Scream', Edwina and Tregario desperately clung to their mother's skirt.

"Twenty-four hours a day?! Isn't that a bit much?!"

"Is it? One must always be on their best behavior. Don't worry, you'll both have the tutor mostly to yourselves."

The siblings begged and pleaded with their mother while Daren leaned closer to Aayla. She chuckled as she watched the family bicker.

"Your aunt and cousins seem very close."

"Mmhmm." Annoyance flashed across Daren's face. He didn't want Aayla anywhere near those two. They had some serious issues. "Do you want to go watch the trials tomorrow? The city will be completely focused on it. There won't be much else to do."

Aayla hesitated. Honestly, the crowd's enthusiasm for death shocked her. The trials could become extremely dangerous with emotions running that high.

"Don't worry. We can use my family's box. And the military will maintain order, so it should be perfectly safe. Today was a bit different since… those two… had been hated by the citizens for a long time. Much of their anger has been vented already."

"Well, I suppose that a day out would be nice for once. As long as Jacki comes along, too."

"Great! Then I'll have Chris make the arrangements."

The carriage ride continued to be loud as Daren's cousins pleaded with their mother. Rebecca kept a warm smile on her face and resolutely refused to bargain. The begging continued until they reached the Forolan estates. Servants busily ran about when they arrived.

Familiar faces greeted them at the door.

"Grandfather! Please, make mother stop!"

Edwina cried and ran into her grandfather's arms while Tregario anxiously grasped his grandfather's sleeve with tears in his eyes.

"Oh? What has my daughter-in-law done to make my grandchildren so sad?"

"The etiquette teacher is coming back for the summer!"

"She's bringing back our old etiquette tutor. That's a complete waste of time! We've already mastered the subject!"

"Nonsense. One can always improve their manners and temperament. Especially if two grandchildren are only excited to see their grandfather because he can do something for them."

Stallesso snorted and smacked the top of Edwina's head.

"Ouch! What was that for?!"

"Tch. Your grandmother liked that teacher, you know. Chose her personally. Maybe the tutor should stay for longer than the summer if you think that all your grandfather is good for is making life easy for you."

"Please don't tease my children, father. They've already hit their limits after I teased them in the carriage on the way back."

"I'm being serious though. These two fools have been listening to others' nonsense too much ever since Daren was placed under your care. They need to make their own opinions as well as learn some common sense."

"Of course. Fortunately, after the city is cleaned up there will be less people speaking such nonsense."

"The horrors of war, eh? I'll make a round with the guards as well to check on any survivors."

Aayla shivered. The knowing smiles of Stallesso and Rebecca scared her. For some reason, she had the distinct feeling that something bad would happen to the survivors that the Halcyon Guards checked on. The butler coughed behind Stallesso.

"Now, how is my other grandchild doing? I heard that you testified at the trial for… those people."

Daren nodded. "I did. I couldn't run away from them forever. OW!"

Two strong hands suddenly pinched his cheeks. With a slightly angry face, Stallesso stared at his eldest grandson.

"So, your brain still works. I was wondering if it did since you snuck into the middle of a war zone controlled by the True Order. How could you bring Aayla and Jacki with you?! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"OW! OW! OW! Pweash shtop gwandfather!"

"Huh?! You little punk, are you trying to make me angry?! Don't you ever do something so foolish again!"