Chapter 179 –

Henry followed Dolce with his mind disturbed. The rifle he was holding felt heavy. He felt like he wanted to vomit and run away from the madness he saw. He heard Don and Dolce discuss the cleansing. They have planned to kill the siblings and monopolized the fiefs.

The relatives that hold the power over the assets of Alva were threatened. All of them are now loyal to Don. They were only loyal the Head of Alva through the world. Their allegiance was now with Don.

Henry didn’t like seeing such heartless scenes. But he understood that he has accepted this duty out of his own will. No one forced him. He stayed for the money that was given to him. He was loyal to Dolce. But out of principles, he hated what he has witnessed.

“I will be resting,” Dolce said. Elesia followed inside. She nodded at Henry before going inside the room. Henry turned around and walked out of the compound. He faced the grounds were the man in a fur coat covered the grave. There was personnel of Don around the compound. The ‘loyal’ servants of the siblings were convinced to join them. They preferred to live. They didn’t want to die so they changed their allegiance.

“What the hell is this?” Henry chanted inwards. He thought that the Alva was abnormal but he didn’t expect this kind of heinous display. He thought that Dolce was insane. But Don, Dolce’s brother was a lunatic. He is a heartless monster that could kill his siblings so easily in order to gain control.

Don did all of it because of his goal to rid of his father. If Dolce didn’t owe the Templars and the Demesne, Henry was sure that Dolce would be part of the people that would be killed. Dolce was enough to know Don. She didn’t end up buried at that disgraceful grave.

Don didn’t care about those that he didn’t respect. Henry understood that deeply. He was able to grasp how insane the two siblings were. They looked normal but their hearts were twisted to the core. Henry didn’t know what to think about them anymore.

The snow from the sky fell. Henry counted the snowflakes that drifted near him. He looked at the man in a fur coat carrying his shovel out of the snowfall. He gazed at the sky. He thought, “Looks like winter is here,” and sling his rifle behind his back. He rubbed his palms and blew hot air on it. He viewed the snow rain as he found himself lost in thought.

His mind drifted. He shook his head and looked over his shoulder. He saw one of Don’s subordinate walking. He passed by Don. Don observed the soldier before looking back at the snowfall. Things have been insane. Yet he was here standing firmly. He wondered how long he can endure this insanity. His view of the world was changed. He didn’t know what to do other than follow Dolce.

...

Elesia took Dolce’s clothes and carried them out of her room. She closed the door and called out to Henry. Henry marched towards her and joined her as they walked.

“Want to get out of this mess?” Elesia said.

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“No,” Henry replied. “I don’t think I can. I have no idea what will happen. I can only follow the lady as long as I can. But still, what happened a while ago sickens me. Are you used to it?”

Elesia shook her head. “I am not. I’ll never be used to this killing. I’ve witnessed death before and still, the scene that I witnessed will bring me nightmares.”

“Are they always like this?” asked Henry

.

“No, the lady has never been part of this bloodshed. She only agreed out of spite. You know that.”

“I know,” Henry nodded. “Still, the lady was undisturbed by it. She was watching the whole thing as if nothing mattered. Her apathy was disturbing. She did not care about them at all.”

“The lady has always been distant to her family. The siblings fell apart when the madam died,” Elesia said.

“This madam,” Henry worded. “It seems like she’s quite the enigma. Without her, this family became twisted. Was she really so wonderful?”

“She was,” Elesia commented with admiration. “The late madam had it all. She was powerful, she was beautiful and she was someone with many admirers. She led a warband once. She was eccentric and every path she took was fortunate. But misfortune happened and the late madam was taken away from this world.” She paused. “This family would have been wonderful it the late madam didn’t pass away. The Master would not have become what he is and the siblings might have gotten along. They were deprived of that happiness. Sir Don and Lady Dolce were affected the most. But their siblings have moved on. Do you know why they didn’t show them any mercy?”

Henry shook his head in response.

“Because the two think that they didn’t love the madam. So why would they love them? The Alva’s are people who loved too much. Their love is suffocating and yearning. Even Sir Don couldn’t let go of the person he fell in love years ago. And now the Lady is obsessed with him.”

“Really,” he patted his forehead.

“Yes, they are like that. They are trying to find to project that love. Lady Dolce and Sir Don could only do so. Without the madam, and without anything to do, how could they continue on? I doubt we can understand them.” Elesia paused. “Henry, if you want to get away from all of this. I can ask the lady. She will listen to me. I think she would easily let you off. How about it? Do you want to get out this mess?”

Henry thought for a while. He pondered on what he would do. He would go back to the Holy Midland. He would then spend his time loitering around aimlessly. He felt that he would be a husk again. “I don’t think so. I know that this is insane. But I will not back down. I’ve already witnessed all of this. I plan to stay.”

Elesia looked at Henry for a second. She nodded and continued walking forward. Henry took a good look at Elesia. He didn’t know what she was thinking. But alas he followed her. He was someone who didn’t have any worth doing. He would rather trek this hell he stepped in.