Chapter 57 - End of the first part [5]

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"What?" I managed to stammer, my voice trembling more from shock than fear.

"Baronet Violeta sent an official letter to your father" He paused, eyes locked on mine. "He accuses you of dishonoring his daughter, Victoria. Claims you forced yourself on her and ruined her reputation"

I felt the air leave me for a moment, as if the world had turned upside down.

"And more" he continued, his voice firm. "He gave the baron two choices: marry his daughter... or face the consequences. War"

The word sounded heavy, like a sentence. War. A word that carries death, betrayal, and the ruin of everything I knew.

At first, I was speechless. My mouth half open, my mind completely blank. I felt the heat rising to my face, not out of shame, but out of sheer disbelief. I expected Casa Primavera to do something, to act in some way. But Violeta? It made no sense.

I couldn't imagine a more absurd scene. I had to force my mind out of the fog. The world around me seemed to have stopped for a moment.

"What about my father?" I finally asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"He said he would wait for your arrival to discuss the matter in person" He stared at me seriously. "He wants to hear you out before making a decision"

I took a deep breath, trying to control the tension spreading through my shoulders. Before I could say anything, I heard Evelyn's voice. Firm, indignant.

"That's a lie!" she exclaimed. "Zaatar would never do such a thing! He seems tough on the outside, but he's kind!"

I turned my face toward her. Her eyes were fixed on Rammal, as if accusing him of something.

Rammal raised an eyebrow and then glanced briefly at me, as if watching a piece fall into place on a board.

"Hahaha... but he is a scoundrel" he muttered, with a smirk. "Look, she's already fallen for you, master" Then he turned to Evelyn, in a softer tone: "We know he didn't do any of that, miss. You can rest assured"

"Then why did everyone accept it?" she insisted, frustrated.

"Because it's the innocent word of a young noblewoman against that of a man of war" Rammal said bluntly. "And she's not just any young woman. She's the daughter of Baronet Violeta. She has relatives in sensitive positions on the Security Committee. If she were a girl of common birth, no one would lift a finger. But... Victoria has people pulling the right strings"

"What exactly have they accused me of?" I asked, my voice low but firm.

"Of forcing yourself on Miss Victoria. Of taking her virginity against her will and refusing to take responsibility. The baronet says she cried in her mother's arms, describing the 'savagery' with which she was treated." He spat out the words with restrained disgust. "I was there. You didn't lay a finger on her without consent. But... who, in the noble court, do you think they will listen to? A ruined maiden... or a warrior with a reputation for breaking the necks of bandits?"

I remained silent, feeling the blood pulsing in my ears.

"How is this usually resolved?"

"There are two ways out" He held up two fingers. "The first: the families negotiate. Marriage, compensation, public apologies. The second: war between houses of the same caste. But to avoid heavy losses, the Council may suggest a duel. The champion of each house, on sacred ground. Whoever wins takes the truth as their prize"

"In that case... my father..."

"He'll want to hear from you before making any moves" Rammal concluded. "But he has already convened the internal council. And... I wouldn't be surprised if Victoria showed up at the castle in the next few days. With a white veil and tears at the ready"

The metallic taste of irritation began to rise in my throat. I could feel my mood deteriorating inside me, like wine souring in the sun. Victoria. Blast Victoria.

I got involved with her, yes. I gave myself away, like a fool. I thought I had found something real, but all I got was betrayal. She traded me in like I was a pair of old boots, discarded without a second thought. And when I put an end to that charade, she started acting... strange. Always lurking, always trying to insinuate herself, as if the past meant nothing. As if I were her property.

If I could go back in time... If I could stop myself from getting into that carriage, from touching her body, from allowing her lips to lie in my ear — I would do so without hesitation. But the past is a blade already stuck in, impossible to pull out without opening deeper wounds.

The question that haunted me now was: why? Why now? Why this cowardly and orchestrated attack?

As the escort continued on its way, unaware of the storm inside me, I let my mind run wild. And then, a spark.

"Oh..." I murmured, my eyes narrowing. "I think I know why"

A scenario began to form in my mind, like pieces fitting together with cruel perfection. What if this wasn't about me? What if the real orchestration was coming from Casa Primavera?

Even though they were ruled by a count, their forces were mostly composed of combat masters. Formidable, yes, but not invincible. I knew that better than anyone. In the last conflict, even after declaring victory, they lost seventy-three men. That was because the remnants of Baron Violet's troops had not yet been completely eliminated.

A new war against the House of Violet would be possible, of course. The House of Spring would probably win... but at what cost? They were already worn down from the previous clash with Nora and Vera's family. And no one emerges unscathed from successive wars, not even the great ones.

They live in the capital. They are counts. And yet they still need to protect their own flanks. So what would they do? What kind of move would someone in their position make?

They would use a pawn. A scapegoat. Someone they could burn as a sacrifice... to prevent more of their own blood from being spilled. And who better than me? A bastard with a temperamental reputation, involved with the enemy's daughter?

Yes... it made perfect sense.

It was all because of the ring.

I looked at my hand, at the silver ring on my index finger. That cursed object that appeared in my life without explanation, like an omen.

If only I knew what it did...

In recent days, I had tried to decipher the symbols engraved on its surface. I recognized some of them, scattered letters from an archaic dialect... but together, they made no sense. It was as if the ring itself was mocking me.

I turned my finger carefully, looking at the inside. And there, with the same faint purple light that only I could see, were the words written in the Gothen language:

"Ring of entry to the University of Black Magic. Approved by the Wizard Council"

I stared at those words. Only I could see them — engraved with my life force. As if they were alive. As if they recognized me.

But what the heavens was the University of Black Magic? And who was this Wizard Council?

Those words... 'university', 'council', 'magic' — they stirred something deep in me. Like memories I'd never lived. Doors locked in a hallway I didn't know existed.

I didn't know what they meant, but one thing was certain.

I was only in this whole mess because of my foolishness... and that cursed ring.

End of part one.