Ashes, Ashes, You Fall Down

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Later that evening, Link Star returned to Bluewind Manor with Nedri in tow.

Arrogance, still unfit for the public eye, had been tucked away into an attachment and brought back discreetly. As soon as they stepped into the foyer, a butler appeared before them.

"Sir, the Lady has sent me to welcome you and your guest."

"Lead the way," Link said with a slight nod.

The butler guided them through the grand hall, past the banquet room, and down a long corridor before stopping at a door.

"The Lady is inside. Please, proceed at your leisure."

With a dignified stride, the butler departed. Link glanced at Nedri, who was still marveling at the opulence of House Ferros, and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Snap out of it. We're here."

"Huh? Oh, right…" Nedri quickly averted his gaze from the gilded picture frames and followed Link obediently.

Link knocked on the door, and Camille's cool voice echoed from within. "Enter."

"I found him," Link announced as he pushed the door open, leading Nedri inside. Camille stood by the fireplace, one hand resting on the back of a chair, her back turned to them.

Link glanced at the fire crackling in the hearth, then pulled out a stack of blueprints from his attachment. He selected one and held it up, comparing it to the figure before him.

The sketch depicted a younger Camille, her face radiant with a warm smile, her eyes curved into crescents like the moon. The drawing captured the youthful charm and innocence of a girl untouched by the harsh realities of life.

The Camille before them turned around, her silver hair tied into a neat bun, her piercing blue eyes glowing faintly. The black veins running down her cheeks added a razor-sharp edge to her icy demeanor. Her leg blades, curved and deadly, betrayed no hint of emotion. The aura she exuded was so commanding that Link couldn't help but feel the stark contrast between the woman in the sketch and the one standing before him.

"You've done well," Camille said, giving Link a slight nod after a brief glance at Nedri. She patted the back of the chair and moved to sit on the sofa by the window, crossing her leg blades in a manner reminiscent of a noblewoman casually crossing her legs.

"As for you…"

Camille paused, her gaze lingering on Nedri.

The young man bore an uncanny resemblance to someone from her past—not just in appearance, but in the lingering innocence in his eyes. It was a painful reminder.

"You're not Hakim," Camille concluded after a moment.

Nedri fidgeted before speaking. "I'm Hakim's nephew. Someone gave me travel expenses and a ticket to come here and find you. I thought… I thought I'd return the belongings my uncle left behind."

"Did he ever marry?"

Camille took the stack of blueprints from Link, flipping through them one by one. Link stood silently behind her, seizing the rare opportunity to overhear a piece of Camille's personal history. He wasn't about to leave, not when it involved the infamous Gray Lady herself.

"No, my uncle never married. He died alone in his home," Nedri replied, his voice tinged with sorrow. But he quickly added, "If he knew I'd seen you, that you're as beautiful as ever, he would've been overjoyed."

"Perhaps," Camille murmured, her fingers pausing on a sketch of Hakim. She set the blueprints down on the tea table, her expression unreadable.

Noticing the topmost drawing, Nedri spoke up eagerly. "That one… my uncle drew it from memory. He always carried it with him. He said it was from the first time he met you, when you were at your most beautiful."

"The first time…" Camille's gaze grew distant as memories flooded her mind. But just as quickly, she crushed them. The past was a weakness she couldn't afford.

"You must be tired from your journey, Nedri," Camille said, her voice as cold as ever. "The butler will show you to your room. Rest for now."

"But, Lady Camille…"

Nedri hesitated, but Link gestured for him to leave. Reluctantly, Nedri stepped out of the room, casting one last glance over his shoulder before following the butler down the hall.

"Is there anything else?" Camille asked once they were alone.

"After finding Nedri, I was attacked by a spy," Link said, placing a spy's insignia on the tea table.

Camille glanced at it and nodded. "I'll handle it. You may go."

Recognizing the dismissal, Link left the room. As the door closed behind him, Camille stood and picked up the stack of drawings. She walked to the fireplace and placed them atop the coal, blowing gently on the kindling.

The oil-soaked parchment caught fire instantly, the flames licking hungrily at the paper. Camille watched as the sketches curled and blackened, the images of her past twisting and crumbling into ash.

"Ashes, ashes, you fall down," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she stared into the dying embers.

The Study

The door creaked open, and Camille stepped inside. Dacia, who had been discussing future investments with her grandfather, looked up in confusion.

"Aunt Camille?"

"Wait outside, Dacia," Camille said, her tone sharp as a blade. Without hesitation, Dacia gathered her documents and hurried out, closing the door behind her.

"Sister, you're early today," Stevan said, his eyes darting nervously.

Camille's expression softened as she approached him. She knew that look—it was the same one he wore whenever he tried to hide his mistakes.

"I know everything, Stevan."

"What are you talking about?"

Stevan fumbled with the controls of his wheelchair, backing away from her. Camille closed the distance, cupping his face in her hands as if memorizing every detail.

"Thank you for reminding me of my purpose," she said, her voice calm but firm.

"Camille… sister… I…" Stevan's body trembled as fear gripped him.

Camille's fingers trailed down to the scarf around his neck. With a swift motion, she tightened it.

"You owe me this, just as you owed our father."

Stevan's hands clawed at the armrests of his wheelchair, his eyes bulging as he struggled for air.

"For my family, I will sacrifice," Camille whispered in his ear.

"Family above all. I will serve with loyalty, without deceit or selfishness.

For this oath, I will give everything—my spirit, my body, my heart."

"You were always my responsibility, brother."

Stevan's struggles ceased, his lifeless body slumping in the wheelchair. Camille gently brushed the hair from his forehead and closed his eyes, her touch as tender as it had always been.

"From beginning to end, nothing has changed."

"Dacia," Camille called out.

The door opened, and Dacia stepped in, her eyes immediately falling on Stevan's lifeless form. She bit her lip, her legs trembling as she fought to stay upright.

"Sound the bells. Announce his passing.

From today, you are the new head of House Ferros. Link will take my place as your advisor."

Camille walked past Dacia without another word. The two stood back-to-back, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air.

Tears welled in Dacia's eyes as she stared at Stevan's body.

"For my family… I will sacrifice," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"Do not falter," Camille said as she walked away, the sound of her leg blades scraping against the carpet fading into the distance.

Dacia collapsed to her knees, her sobs echoing through the study.

The Hallway

Camille turned the corner and found Link leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

"You scared her," he said quietly.

"Pain is a teacher, and crisis breeds growth. It was a necessary lesson," Camille replied, her tone unwavering.

"As for you," she continued, walking past him, "ensure the machine runs flawlessly. Not a single error can be tolerated."

Link nodded, watching as Camille disappeared down the hall.

"Whether it's House Ferros or the twin cities, I'll make sure they run with precision and perfection," he murmured to himself, turning in the opposite direction.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 125 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 440 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.