5 Revelation

Back in his room, Kael pondered the day's events.

He had clearly offended both Duke of Duskmere and Damon, the dissolute knight.

For now, everyone was too preoccupied with the Duke's sudden collapse to cause him trouble.

But once they recovered from the shock, they might seek retribution.

Kael wasn't afraid. If he were, he wouldn't have spoken so boldly at the banquet in front of so many people.

The chaos brewing in Duskmere was undeniable.

With the Duke's days numbered and no designated heir, every claimant to the throne was eyeing the position like vulture.

When the Duke finally fell, a bloody succession war would erupt, turning Duskmere into a meat grinder from which only the victor would emerge.

None of this concerned Kael. He was about to flee!

Having secured the Pioneer's Edict, he had no reason to remain in this whirlpool. If not now, when?

"I don't think I've forgotten anything."

After packing his meager belongings, Kael stood before the mirror, adjusting his attire.

The person in the mirror looked to be in his late teens, with long shoulder length platinum hair and a pair of blue eyes that shone like shooting stars.

His tall, well-proportioned physique was clad in meticulously maintained leather armor, cinched at the waist by a broad bull-hide belt.

Fine deerskin hunting boots and an exquisitely crafted longsword hanging at his hip completed his sharp appearance, radiating vigor and vitality.

"Not bad. Truly worthy of being the most handsome man in existence," Kael muttered as he glide his fingers in his hair, admiring himself for a moment before tugging up his belt and striding out of the room.

Lingering here was unwise; leaving was the best course of action.

So much had already happened just from staying for a single meal. If he remained any longer, Kael feared he would waste too much time and get caught in this whirlpool of events.

Though he wasn't afraid, he had no desire to waste his time here.

But as he stepped out of the room and faced the maze of corridors stretching in all directions, he paused, deep in thought.

"I think I came from... the right?"

Faced with three identical paths, Kael gritted his teeth, trusting his intuition, and confidently strode toward the right... the left.

***

Outside the Duke of Duskmere's bedroom, only his wife and daughters remained, their faces etched with anxiety, though a flicker of anticipation lurked deep in their eyes.

For them, the Duke's death would trigger a reshuffling of power within Duskmere. If they seized the opportunity, they might rise to unprecedented heights.

Lia paced anxiously outside the door, desperate to know her grandfather's condition. But two White-Robed Iron Guard stood sentinel, their unwavering loyalty to their master barring anyone from crossing the threshold.

Everyone was kept at bay; only Grand Physician Panno remained inside, tending to the Duke.

"Mother, will Grandfather be alright?" Lia turned to her mother for reassurance.

Lady Olivia Martell, Lia's mother, stood out among the blonde-haired crowd with her striking auburn hair—a hallmark of the Northern Martell Family. Though her face betrayed her own anxiety, she knew she had to be the pillar of strength for her daughter.

She reached out to stroke Lia's head, murmuring softly, "Lia, your grandfather will be fine. Even if he... passes, your claim as the heir to Duskmere remains unchanged."

To spare her daughter's feelings, she refrained from stating the matter too bluntly.

Despite her outward composure, Olivia harbored deep unease about the volatile situation.

Duke of Duskmere's sudden illness, especially at the very moment Lia was declared his heir, was deeply unsettling.

Even though the Duke was too weak to wield a sword, as long as he lived, he remained the iron-fisted ruler whose word was law. His growing irritability from the illness only made him more fearsome.

Even if Lia, a woman, inherited the title—an absurd notion—his iron will would ensure such an unprecedented order would be forcefully enforced for all.

But now, at this critical juncture, he had fallen ill.

Olivia couldn't help but worry that this sudden shift would embolden opportunistic wolves to pounce, tearing at the power vacuum to seize their own gains.

Her anxiety sharpened when she glanced ahead at a blonde woman cradling a boy of seven or eight.

Olivia knew she had to act. She leaned in to whisper instructions to a burly, middle-aged man in leather armor beside her.

"Knight Kevin, I need you to summon twenty castle guards to the old fortress. Have them wait there, ready to appear at my command."

"As you wish, Lady Olivia," Kevin replied with a slight bow, before discreetly slipping away.

Olivia watched his figure disappear down the corridor, letting out a small sigh of relief.

Kevin was the knight Olivia had brought with her from her family. He had served as her personal guard since childhood and was one of the few people in Duskmere she truly trusted.

The old fortress was the closest strategic point. No matter what happened, he could rush here to take control of the situation.

"Martell dog, watch where you're going!"

A harsh shout suddenly echoed from the end of the corridor. Olivia sighed. The very scenario she had dreaded had come to pass.

Damon charged forward, his face flushed with urgency, shoving through the crowded corridor. Though the onlookers glared at him, none dared confront the reckless knight.

"Lord Damon, halt!"

As Damon lunged toward the door to check on his brother, two White-Robed Iron Guards blocked his path.

Damon paused, his anger simmering in his eyes, but ultimately refrained from forcing his way through. He waited outside.

Time trickled by in tense silence. Just as Damon was about to snap under the strain of waiting, the door creaked open.

An elderly man with snow-white hair emerged. His corpulent frame strained the loose white robes, and his plump face radiated an air of benevolence.

The atmosphere instantly froze. Everyone held their breath, dreading the news that could shake Duskmere to its core.

"Grand Physician Panno..."

Olivia couldn't resist stepping forward, but Panno merely glanced at her before fixing his gaze on the blonde woman in the front row, who was holding a young boy's hand.

"Miss Penny, I need you to come inside."

Penny's face lit up with joy as she hurriedly led her son into the room, leaving the others outside with mixed expressions.

When she saw Duke Silon lying on the bed, his breath barely audible, Penny asked anxiously, "Grand Physician Panno, my father..."

Panno cut her off, his expression grave. "Miss Penny, I've served Lord Silon for thirty years. I've watched you grow up since you were a child, and I've always treated you like my own daughter."

"What I must tell you is that Lord Silon won't survive the night. You need to prepare yourself."

Tears welled up in Penny's eyes. Though she resented her father the Duke's refusal to name her his heir, he was still her only father.

"Thank you, Grand Physician Panno."

"There's no need for gratitude. Although Lord Silon intended to pass the title to Miss Lia, after thirty years of service to House Tulvarein, I can't stand by and watch Duskmere fall into the hands of someone with half Martell blood."

"The succession isn't settled yet. You still have a chance."

Panno sighed.

"All I can do for you, Miss Penny, is buy you as much time as possible. The rest is up to you."

"Thank you, Grand Physician Panno," Penny said again, her voice sincere.

"It was nothing," Panno replied with a slight bow.

As Penny emerged from the room, all eyes turned to her. Ignoring the stares, she stepped directly in front of Damon.

This time, Panno didn't intervene. Olivia cast an uneasy glance at Penny before urgently pulling Lia forward and leading the way inside. The rest of the group quickly followed.

The corridor was now empty except for Penny and Damon.

Damon looked at his niece, about to ask why she had blocked his path.

But then Penny raised her head, her eyes rimmed with red, like a young deer searching for its home.

"Uncle Damon, I need your help," she pleaded. "Without you, Karson Tulvarein, your son, will have no chance to inherit the title."