Chapter 564: Last Will

  Professor Myril watched in consternation as the last of the crystal balls sparked with grey motes of lights before filling the entire orb in a storm cloud of grey, then finally deepening to dark charcoal.

  “...Her talent in chromatic grey runs deep, it seems,” Myril admitted begrudgingly. She scribbled a note down on her ledger.

  “Is that good?” Sandra asked, glancing between Myril and Loh.

  “It’s quite good,” Loh forced herself to smile.

  “A tri-manifold goblin mageborn,” Myril shook her head in disbelief.

  “Is there a problem?” Loh asked coldly.

  Myril sat up and shook her head, “Not at all, my lady! I will inform the counselors of her arrival. I’m sure they’ll have her academic schedule set up soon.”

  “I believe they will.” Loh smiled at Sandra, this time it was genuine. “Tri-manifold mages of your talents are quite rare. Especially when she is an early bloomer like you.”

  “Early bloomer?” Sandra asked.

  “You are 16, yes?”

  “I am,” Sandra nodded hesitantly. “Is that bad?”

  “Depends how you look at it. People will expect a lot more from you because you will be considered ‘advanced’ for your age. Some will be envious, others hostile; hoping to prove themselves against you. I would know, I was just like you.”

  “Really?”

  “Lady Noir even possesses the same three colors as you,” Myril noted.

  “You do?” Sandra asked, wide-eyed.

  Loh glared at the old vampire. “...Yes, I do. Professor Myril, since you seem so inclined to share your opinions with dear Sandra, I will entrust you to make sure that her stay at our academy is quite comfortable. If I find out she has been harassed by any of the staff or the students the consequences will fall upon your head, do I make myself clear?”

  Myril paled. “Y-Yes, Principal Noir,” she whispered.

  “Good.” Loh placed a comforting hand on Sandra’s shoulder. “I will be keeping an eye on you. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know. And I do mean anything. I hope you enjoy your time here.”

  “Thank you, Lady Loh!” Sandra smiled brightly and bowed.

  “You're welcome.” Loh nodded once then strode out of the room.

  The gods were cruel. Or perhaps fate was? To have placed her in the same room as a girl who was so much like her. Was this a third chance? To have a protege that she could truly impart all her skills to? One last chance to do better? No.

  Loh had failed Aizel, she had gotten him killed. Even if the Monster in the Dark had taken his life, even if she knew she couldn’t have stopped the Monster, it didn’t alleviate her guilt.

  Loh had failed Stryg. If she hadn’t let her guilt and need for redemption and revenge blind her, she would have saved Clypeus and Stryg at Widow’s Crag. It wouldn’t have mattered if she’d died in the process. Her death would have had meaning.

  Instead, Loh had failed everyone she was meant to protect. She wasn’t fit to be anyone’s master. She wasn’t fit to be anyone’s friend. Or anyone’s lover. Even now Louise waited for her at the Noir manor, hoping she’d return.

  But Loh couldn’t find it in her to return to the manor after she had brought Elzri’s body back the night of the siege. Every time she thought of Louise’s pained expression she was reminded of that night in Dullwater. Stryg had murdered her uncle and Loh had helped him hide the secret. Before she hadn’t cared, it was just another commoner, but now guilt wracked her chest at the very thought.

  Before long, Loh found herself in front of the principal’s chambers. Her grandfather’s secretary, Lily, sat at her desk, working through a stack of papers. The redheaded vampiress glanced up at her arrival. “My lady, welcome back.”

  Loh ignored her words. Lily always seemed devoted, almost eager to please, her grandfather. And in front of those with power, like Ismene, she seemed flustered, unsure of what to say. But ever since Elzri’s passing, ever since Loh found herself for the first time alone with the beautiful vampire, Lily showed little emotion beyond politeness. It felt almost as if Lily was judging her silently in her own way. It felt as if everyone was judging the failure that was Loh of House Noir.

  Walking past Lily’s desk, Loh opened the doors to the principal’s office and walked inside. Even now, it smelled like Elzri. She sighed to herself and sat down at his desk. It was strange to be back here, without him.

  She stared at the small black chest atop the desk. It was lined with gold and the sides were all covered in small magestones and heavily enchanted sigils. The chest was sealed shut with a golden locked clasp. Loh reached into her pocket and pulled out a small key.

  Her grandfather’s last will had been simple. He had left everything to her; the Noir throne, the manor in the city, their lands in Dusk Valley, the family’s trade businesses, the Noir armies, everything. There were only two noted additions in the will. Number one, Lily was to serve Loh as her seneschal and personal assistant just as she had with Elzri; Loh could not fire her under any reason.

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  Number two, Loh was to be directly handed the black chest and key. For what reason, no one knew. Not even Lily seemed to know what was inside or at the very least, she pretended not to when Loh asked.

  Loh slumped in her chair and hung her head. She didn’t want to be here, in this office, in this academy. She didn’t want to be principal, even an interim one. But her grandfather had left several tasks unfinished at the academy before the start of the new school year. She had sworn over Elzri’s body to be the lord that her House needed and right now that meant wrapping up his final tasks at the academy. As for the nobles’ desires and expectations that she take over as principal, Loh had no intention of such a thing.

  Being head of House Noir was difficult enough. She’d leave the academy to someone else far more qualified and invested. Perhaps Ismene would appreciate the position? Or maybe not. She could never read the old woman. Either way, it would have to wait. Ismene was still recovering in the infirmary. The archmage had pushed herself too far in battle and her old body couldn’t take it.

  Just one more incident that could have been avoided had Loh been better, stronger, wiser. She stared at the black chest, anxiety filling her every moment. Images of the siege flashed through her mind. Elzri’s body in her arms as she cried out in a hoarse voice. He didn’t deserve this. Elzri had envisioned she would be the family leader he wanted. But she wasn’t. She was his greatest failure.

  Loh clenched the key in a white knuckle grip, its sharp edges sending pangs of pain up her arm. She had failed Elzri in life, but she would be damned if she failed him in death. Worthy or not, she wouldn’t let this family fall into ruin.

  A knock on the door broke her out of her thoughts. Lily stood in the doorway. “Am I interrupting, my lady?”

  “No.” She pocketed the key.

  Lily eyed the chest but said nothing. “You have bags under your eyes.”

  “I haven’t slept well. I doubt anyone has.”

  “You haven’t slept at all the last three nights.”

  Loh cocked an eyebrow. “You’re watching me now?”

  “I am sworn to you body and soul. I live to serve you.”

  “Are you a slave? An enemy captured by my grandfather? Bound to my family? If so, I set you free. I’ll give you a pouch full of gold, and you can go wherever you wish.”

  “I am not a slave. I serve you out of my own free will.”

  “Why? You do know I don’t want you, right?”

  “I do.”

  “Then why not just fuck off?”

  “Because I believe in you, I daresay more than your grandfather did.”

  Loh laughed. “That doesn’t amount to much. My grandfather lost all faith in me long ago.”

  “You’d be surprised.”

  She tapped her desk and stared daggers at the secretary but Lily was content to stare back with a serene, unperturbed expression.

  “What do you want?” Loh asked impatiently.

  “Might I suggest a sleeping tonic for this evening? It would do wonders for your ailing health.”

  “I’m fine. And I am not a child, I don’t need you hovering over me.”

  “You need your rest, my lady.”

  “What do you know of what I need? You don’t know me.”

  “I was Elzri’s confidante. He used to tell me many things, including stories about you. After spending the last few days with you, I can confidently say he was right about many things regarding you, my lady.”

  She couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. “Like what? What sort of stories did my dear old grandfather tell you? Did he tell you I was a talented mage? That I squandered all that talent? Or maybe he told you about how I fucking hated this family, oh, and especially his little vampire slut!”

  Loh didn’t know why she was talking. She didn’t want to say anything, she didn’t even want to have this damned conversation. But Lily’s words stirred something ugly within her and only bile poured out.

  Lily listened to her carefully, without giving away a hint of emotion. “He told me that you don’t love yourself.”

  Loh blinked. Whatever realtor she had left her in the dead silence that filled the room.

  “He also said that you blamed yourself for your brother’s death.”

  “He told you about that?” Loh tensed.

  “He told me that Aizel’s death was not your fault. It was his. Lord Elzri should have never left you with Aizel.”

  “STOP!” Loh jumped to her feet, the chair falling behind. Her shoulders were heaving and her face was flushed with anger. “You weren’t there. What do you know? Nothing! You know absolutely nothing of what happened! Don’t pretend like you're my friend or ally, we both know that you’re stuck with me because of my grandfather’s will. But I swear to all the gods that if you say one more damn word I will rip your heart out and feed it to the dogs!”

  Lily walked over without hesitation, tilted her head away, and pulled down her blouse, exposing her heart and ample pale breasts.

  “What are you doing?” Loh asked, stunned.

  “If you wish to rip out my heart I will not resist.”

  Loh stared at her breasts, her eyes lingering on the occasional freckle, before she forced herself to look away. “Pull your dress back up.”

  Lily nodded and did so as if it was the most natural of exchanges.

  Pulling the chair back up, Loh plopped down and sighed. “What are you after, Lily? Why did my grandfather have you at his side the last decade? And why did he insist that you stay with me?”

  “For all his power your grandfather was a lonely man. He was not the only one who felt that way. We kept each other company. As for why he insisted that I stay with you… He didn’t.”

  “What? But his last will said—”

  “I did.”

  Loh furrowed her brow. “You insisted on staying with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re serious…”

  “I am.”

  “You’re not even going to lie, avert the question?” She scoffed, “Fine, I’ll bite. Why?”

  “Because what Elzri and I had was a simple, but mutual understanding. You on the other hand,” she leaned forward, and despite the vampiress’ shorter stature, Loh found herself leaning back nervously. There was a primal hunger in Lily’s scarlet eyes, “I believe you and I have something far more— profound.”

  Loh cleared her throat. “What do you want?”

  Lily pulled back and was once more the simple demure secretary. “To stay by your side, my lady. But on a more pressing matter, I came to inform you that Lady Holo has sent a letter of invitation. She wishes you back to the manor tonight for a family gathering.”

  “I’m not interested.” It didn't matter if it was the legendary mage Holo or the damned Ebon Pantheon, she didn’t want to see her parents, not now, not after everything that had happened.

  “Lord Stryg Veres will be there.”

  Loh whipped around. “What?”