Chapter 11: Consequences and Revelations

Scene 1: Confronting the Servant

The aftermath of the duel left a lingering tension in the air. As the crowd dispersed, murmuring about the unexpected display of Alistair's strength, he remained in the arena, his gaze locked onto the servant who had accompanied Sir Garrick earlier. The servant, a scrawny man with shifty eyes and a perpetual smirk, tried to blend into the crowd, but Alistair's sharp gaze pinned him in place.

Alistair approached the servant with a deliberate pace, each step sending a shiver down the man's spine. He glanced around nervously, realizing that escape was impossible. Alistair's voice was cold, carrying a weight that made the servant flinch.

"You thought you could walk away from what you did? "Alistair's words cut through the air like a blade. "You joined in the abuse, mocked the Agarest name, and now you think you can slink back without consequence? "

The servant's confidence crumbled, and he stammered, "Y-young master Alistair, I didn't mean any harm! It was Sir Garrick's idea, not mine! "

But Alistair's expression remained unmoved, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "It seems you've forgotten the price of disrespecting this family." With a swift movement, Alistair grabbed the servant by the collar, hoisting him off the ground effortlessly.

Scene 2: Delivering Justice

The servant's pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as Alistair dragged him to the edge of the arena, away from prying eyes. There, Alistair's grip tightened, and he leaned in closer, his voice a chilling whisper. "When you chose to mock the Agarest, you chose your fate."

With a sudden twist, Alistair struck at the servant's leg, a calculated blow that sent a sharp crack reverberating through the air. The man crumpled to the ground, clutching his leg in agony, his screams muffled by the surrounding stone walls.

"You should be grateful," Alistair said, his tone unyielding. "I could have done worse. Consider this a reminder—there are consequences for your actions."

The servant whimpered, writhing in pain, but Alistair turned away, his expression cold and unyielding. He had no pity for those who preyed on the weak, especially those who disgraced his family's name. As he walked away, the realization sank in for those who witnessed the scene from afar—Alistair was no longer the boy they once knew. He had become a force to be reckoned with, willing to uphold the honor of the Agarest at any cost.

Scene 3: A Family Divided

As Alistair left the servant writhing in pain, his gaze met the eyes of some of his siblings who had witnessed the event from a distance. Vincent and Leopold stood apart from the rest, their expressions twisted with anger and disdain. Alistair could almost hear their thoughts—resentment simmering beneath the surface, their hatred toward him deepening.

Vincent stepped forward, his voice laced with scorn. "You think you're proving something, Alistair? This display of yours—it's nothing more than a desperate attempt to gain Father's favor."

Alistair's expression remained stoic, but there was a sharpness in his tone as he replied, "I don't need to prove anything to you, Vincent. And I certainly don't need your approval."

Leopold joined his brother's side, his arms crossed as he regarded Alistair with a sneer. "You'll regret making enemies within your own family, Alistair. One day, Father's shadow won't protect you."

Alistair's eyes blazed with defiance. "I don't fear you or the allies you've gathered. When the time comes, I'll face you all."

Their tense exchange drew the attention of Duke Varen, who observed from a distance with an inscrutable expression. The Duke's wives, standing beside him, whispered among themselves, concern etched on their faces as they watched the growing rift among their children. Alistair could sense their disapproval, but he refused to back down. He knew that to survive in this family, he had to assert his strength.

As Alistair turned his back on his brothers, he couldn't shake the feeling that this confrontation was just the beginning. The tension between him and his siblings had reached a boiling point, and he knew that the real battles—both within the family and beyond—were yet to come.

Scene 4: A Father's Pride

Alistair made his way back to the center of the arena, where Duke Varen awaited. The two generals, Kael and Rowan, stood nearby, their expressions softened with admiration as they watched Alistair's approach.

"It's like watching the Duke when he was young," General Kael murmured to Rowan, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Rowan nodded, his eyes fixed on Alistair with newfound respect. "He has the potential to become even greater."

Duke Varen, though maintaining his stoic facade, couldn't help but feel a swell of pride within him. He saw the same fire in Alistair that had driven him in his youth—a determination to forge his own path, regardless of the obstacles. It was a trait he respected, even if he would never say it aloud.

As Alistair reached his father, he offered a slight bow, acknowledging the Duke's authority. "Father," he said, his tone respectful but firm. "I have upheld the honor of our family."

Duke Varen regarded him with a critical eye, yet a faint glimmer of approval shone in his gaze. "You have done well, Alistair. But remember—strength alone is not enough. The true test lies in the battles yet to come."

Alistair met his father's gaze, his resolve unyielding. "I am ready, Father. For whatever comes."

The Duke nodded, a rare smile ghosting across his lips, visible only to those who knew him well. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he found solace in the knowledge that his son was becoming a force capable of shaping the future of the Agarest family.