Chapter 23

What She Sees Fit

Elara Bordroward P.O.V

I didn't get enough sleep, and I still have more work ahead. At least the castle won't open today for some peace of mind, but I'll be the one dealing with that later.

I wonder what the enthusiasts reaction will be to the change in schedule?... It certainly won't be pleasant.

The presence of the imperial knights and the expected arrival of the specialist have greatly altered the festival program. The castle was supposed to open to the public on the third day of the festival for a week, allowing people to participate in the events organized by the Bordroward family to connect with their subjects. But with the changes, that date has been pushed to the last week of the month-long festival. This news hasn't been announced yet, but it will be available this morning from the news announcers in Frostwell town.

Another potential change is the possible cancellation of the noble gathering that was scheduled after the castle closure. Three days of constructive and critical communication, networking, and relationship evaluations. Of course, such an event can't just be postponed, only canceled. That's how nobles operate; personal value always takes precedence.

If I end up having to cancel the event, it will just mean more work for me. How many apology letters will I have to write? I don't even have a suitable excuse.

I've been warned that what happens around the boy stays within the castle walls. So, goodbye to that excuse...

Well, I'll think of something later. For now, to work.

The first thing on Lady Elara's agenda is to deliver the results and the punishment she decided for Eyolian concerning the balcony incident. And of course, her small family will be there with her.

What kind of punishment should I give her? One that doesn't humiliate any party, we greatly benefit from Rune Master Edric's work economically... Should I just take Noah's suggestion?

I'll try and see. And I was right about the girl; she has no business with a noble title.

Lady Elara, in her warm black clothes, arrived at the large double doors guarded by two knights. Upon seeing the red-haired woman, they brought their right hands to their hearts in salute. The woman nodded to them calmly and professionally, passing through the double doors without a word.

The small family was seated on couches on one side of the room, with Garret and Seraphina, the daughter. Elara didn't address them yet, waiting for the knights to close the doors leading to the council chamber—the lord's main office.

As the door closed with a knock, the group was already standing and heading towards her.

No Elowen, huh? Good. I don't want her to see me punish her sister either.

"Good morning." Elara nodded a morning greeting to the group to ease the tension choking the room. "Sorry for keeping your daughter in the castle, this will end today."

Elara watched the heavy tension on Edric and Aileen's shoulders ease, though it didn't completely disappear.

That's better.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Aileen glaring sharply at her husband as if he were the reason for whatever they had been discussing before her entrance. Lady Elara met Seraphina's gaze for more context, but the latter only responded with an amused smile.

Elara moved to the large wooden desk in the middle of the room, circling it but not sitting in the elaborately designed chair, only standing behind it with her hands resting on it.

She clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Why doesn't everyone take a seat before we begin?"

No one did that. Eyolian and her parents remained standing, somehow growing more tense. Opposite them, Garret went behind Elara and leaned against the window glass. Seraphina stood beside her father.

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Aileen stepped forward in front of Eyolian, as if protecting her from the red-haired woman, protesting, "We will take our daughter with us. She did nothing wrong. She told us."

She knows I can see through her fake facade, yet she never abandons it. Has she lost her true self?.. Certainly, it's not my concern.

Elara closed her eyes and opened them again. She looked at Aileen's angry expression and said, "You will take your daughter with you, as I said before. And she indeed did nothing wrong, but she also didn't do everything right. That's what I want to discuss."

Aileen nodded strongly. Before anyone else could speak, Elara began. "First of all, the trainee knightess is fine now. She was severely injured but is recovering well. For me to make a decision on the matter, I had to hear from all parties. And I did. I won't take much of your time and will tell you the results and decisions I've made regarding the matter."

"The trainee knightess admitted her fault and will be punished for it, but not by me. I will be responsible for punishing both Noah and Eyolian because both made mistakes to some extent...

Edric raised his hand, requesting to ask a question. So Elara had to pause her words.

At least he's reasonable.

She nodded for him to speak, and he did. "Why would both my daughter and Noah be punished if they were the victims?"

Good question! But how will I answer this?

"Do you want Eyolian to be known as someone who tarnished the reputation of an imperial knight?" Elara answered with a question herself, remembering Noah's words from the previous night.

Edric nodded in refusal, but confusion didn't leave his expression.

"The main victim relinquished his right to compensation and forgave the offending party to stay out of sight, or neutral?" Elara explained, herself struggling to understand Noah's reasons for conceding.

He could have demanded compensation off the record, but he didn't. I wonder what he's gaining from all this?

She looked at the three silently for a few moments. When no one spoke, she continued her words. "This concession makes the matter easier to handle. The three parties will receive punishment equal to their mistakes. Noah, for insulting an imperial knight as per his confession. And Eyolian, for attacking an imperial knight, but under circumstances of self-defense and preserving Noah's life, will also receive punishment for insulting an imperial knight... Are there any objections or additions?"

Elara hoped there wouldn't be objections, but the world wasn't perfect. Just the angry glare from Mrs. Aileen made Elara sigh for the imperfect world.

But this time, the question came from Eyolian herself. "I have no objections, and I will accept any punishment I deem suitable. But I have a question. Do you know the real reason for Noah's choice to back down now?"

Arrogant way to phrase your sentence, but nothing new.

Elara shook her head in refusal and added, "I don't know his reasons, or if there is one. But from a neutral point of view, his decision was wise. You gain nothing from antagonizing a great power just for some gold."

Eyolian nodded quietly and said nothing more. Elara shifted in her place, and her expression turned more serious than it had been. "Now, I will announce the punishment I decided to apply to you," she declared.

Edric raised his hand again, this time asking without waiting for permission. "Isn't Noah supposed to be here for his punishment?"

Lady Elara nodded calmly and announced. "His punishment is the same as your daughter's, and I will inform him later. I didn't include him with you because I heard you dismissed him from his job for the troubles he was blamed for..."

"Hmph, of course, he did," Aileen snorted from the side.

She really doesn't like him.

"He is now arranging his belongings brought by the porters from his previous residence. As you know, his circumstances don't allow him to leave," Elara continued, ignoring Aileen's comment.

Edric nodded with a sad expression and gestured for her to continue.

He must have really liked the boy... Well, you can't win against your wife.

Elara closed her eyes with Eyolian and announced professionally. "By my authority and name, I declare that Eyolian of Frostwell, under the jurisdiction of the Bordroward domain, from this day until her last days, will be stripped of any right to acquire a noble title and banned from marrying within the noble class. She has no right to refuse, no right to reconciliation. She has the right to seek forgiveness only after ten years from the start of the punishment."

Elara looked calmly at the small family, each carrying a different expression. Edric, one of quiet and perhaps gratitude, Aileen, one of confusion, and Eyolian's expression was unreadable, but something in her eyes hinted at hesitation.

But in the end, she bowed her head slightly in respect and said, "I will accept my punishment."

Lady Elara nodded to the group and announced the end of the session. The family didn't stay a second longer. Only Edric nodded to Garret, and they went their way.

As the doors closed again behind them, Edric stepped away from his spot by the window and said sympathetically, "That was a very harsh punishment for the girl. You know how talented she is."

Elara closed her eyes to the person she married to protect what remained of her family and name from the hungry dogs and said calmly, "You know I am aware."

He shrugged indifferently and said nothing more. But Seraphina spoke from the side, her voice one of amusement and joy. "Do you also know that my dear brother likes her? He won't be happy."

Elara looked at her daughter, wondering where her personality came from.

Certainly not from me.

Elara smiled at her daughter and announced, "In that case, I'll make sure you won't be the one to deliver the news to him."

Seraphina's expression sank into one of injustice and suffering, but before she could express her thoughts, Elara spoke again. "Go and bring the boy Noah."