Felix's uncle and aunt watched on with growing trepidation as the summer passed and the boy's time to takeover drew near. On the last day of Summer change would take hold of the Family. Though both loved him they knew also his tempestuous character. They knew he sought new avenues different to those which had served the family for so well and so long.

Alexander was Felix’s uncle. He had been the Head of the Family since the death of his own brother eighteen years previous. Wholeheartedly he had thrust himself into the family’s business affairs, stabilising the Balduin influence over the alcohol industry and even branching out into other fields less associated with the Family name. That experience of his own early ambition and overreaching likely heightened any fears for Felix’s.

In the world of the Bloodlines, such branching out as Alexander had attempted was not looked upon favourably. Each Family had their own sphere and there they were to stay. The Concilium Azure, a governing body of sorts for the Bloodlines, was quite adamant on that point and Alexander had been forced to pull back. As powerful as each Family was, a balance needed to be maintained to ensure global control. Should any infighting occur then it threatened to topple the entire fortune and wealth of all of the Bloodline Houses. Such infighting was rare, but always disastrous. The Fall of Constantinople, the Thirty Years War, the Seven Years War, the Franco-Prussian Wars, World War I. All had all been the result of Bloodline Families seeking to break away from the norm. On every occasion the world suffered and on every occasion the Concilium Azure was left standing, the unruly Family consigned to history, both publicly and more importantly privately.

Such actions then were often fatal. Alexander had experienced just a little of that severe pushback with his overreaching, no doubt why he feared so much for Felix and his intentions.

He was a large man, he was forty seven years old when his nephew graduated and returned home to us. His years spent silently controlling the Balduin empire from his desk had played on his looks by this stage. His athletic physique had long since been replaced by a stomach overly fond of drink and fine food but he carried it well, his large frame hiding the weight somewhat. He had the same jet black hair as Felix though without the green streak running up through the middle of it. That was Felix’s own signature. Alexander’s hair was short and carefully combed, his beard well trimmed and tidy. His appearance perfectly correlating to the man’s persona, that of an organised and prudent businessman.

His wife, Avelina, was the Matron of the Family, where Alexander was all stoic, she was all glamorous. Immaculately dressed at all times nowhere was a sense of Royalty more keenly felt than in her presence. A Habsburg by ancestry, she was the one who carefully cultivated and preserved the Family’s outward appearance. That is, an extremely wealthy one that had procured its riches from years of shrewd investments and a long banking tradition. She gave off a distant air, it was not hard to feel inferior in her presence, a remnant of her own Family’s once lofty positions. She was forty five herself when Felix returned but the years had not yet managed to take the gleam off of her looks. Changed perhaps, she was no longer the young Princess of Beauty who had first arrived to the Balduin home sixteen years previously, now she was more a Queen of elegance. I was not alone in being quite enraptured with her. Most were.

Together Alexander and Avelina had led and managed the Family well for almost two decades before Felix’s return. The stability and prosperity they had cultivated would be sorely tested by his arrival, a fact that both knew. Knew and reluctantly accepted. Protocol and etiquette came above everything within the Bloodlines. Whether they agreed with it or not they would respect it. Felix was destined to become Head after the death of his Father, on the last day of Summer he would finally have that destiny fulfilled.

Three more attended that same meeting, they will be described in good time, for now Felix and the two he would replace shall suffice.

Felix was quite clearly delighted with how the night was proceeding thus far. The moment was one he had long awaited. Now it had finally arrived. He could not wait to divulge his plans, nor to see the reactions of the Family to those plans. That most of all.

He had enjoyed his few months of freedom. Released from the bonds of military school, it was nice to relax, to drink, smoke and sleep his way around the world. But the few months was enough. Now it was time to shape his legacy, forge a new path and new identity.

The handover ceremony had taken over an hour, for him no doubt an annoying custom, but one necessary to formally acknowledge his Uncle’s relinquishing of the Family Principality. It was important that all of the Balduins, both close and distantly related, were there to witness his ascension.

He called all five of his closest Family into his chambers once the congratulations had concluded. Alexander and Avelina were there naturally, officially or not they both remained essential to the Family’s fortunes, Karina was there, his sister would have reproached him terribly if she’d been left out, and the two elders of the Balduin dynasty, Grandfather Eustace and his wife Elizabeth.

“The time is here. A new day for the Balduin line.” Felix began the meeting with a raised glass. The drink, a redbreast forty seven year old was a favourite of the Balduins, rare was a meeting it did not make an appearance.

“I only hope I can live up to and go beyond the example and legacy of all those who have gone before me.” Felix raised his glass and bade the others do the same. “Great men, just like my dear uncle and Grandfather. Men who have always loved and put our family first, above all else.”

Alexander nodded formally but Eustace beamed down at his grandchild, unlike Alexander he had no suspicion or forewarning regarding Felix’s new ideas. He was already on his second glass of whiskey and was well prepared to celebrate the evening with several more.

“This day is one that I have long prepared for. One which has consumed me in its significance.” Felix stopped, he closed his eyes slowly and pressed two fingers to his forehead, a curious occurrence that often happened when he spoke. No one rushed him, they were all familiar with his tendencies. They just waited for the moment to pass.

“I have known that I would be made Head of our great Family for a long time now. Since I was a boy in truth. For many years I thought nothing of that fact. I would continue to lead our Family as it has always been led. With precision and ruthless efficiency. But things change, the world changes and so too must we.”

Felix stopped again but this time with a clear purpose. He stared around the room and smiled at each one of them in turn. First to Karina, who was frowning back at him, in many ways she knew her brother better than anyone. Though he had not disclosed any of the details of his plan to her she knew that they would be contentious, and more than likely dangerous. Felix paid no mind to the frown, Karina often frowned at her Brother’s proposals. Though younger than Felix by three years she rarely acted like it. She saw herself as a counter to her older Brother’s impulsive nature, unaware that most considered her to be his equal in that regard, if not worse.

Eustace had heard something in the boy’s tone that had removed his smile, he looked at Felix with a wrinkled brow, change was not something the old Balduin appreciated. Not when it came to Family and tradition.

Beside him Elizabeth kept the same neutral expression, showing no reaction or even care for what was being said. She never did react, Elizabeth was the constant for all of them, while Eustace might rage and quarrel she was always the peacemaker. More than any of them she maintained the Family balance and sense of belonging.

Alexander followed his mother’s lead, though he lacked the conviction in his neutrality. The interest in his eyes was clear, so too his growing anticipation for the reveal. He smiled still but only in the professional sense.

Avelina smiled also, but hers was genuine. She appeared amused by Felix’s dramatics, intrigued more than anything else. She, like her husband, suspected enough to know that their nephew had something consequential planned. She however did not seem to have any apprehension of the fact. There was precious little she could not influence and she was always confident in her ability to sway Felix to whatever decision it was her and Alexander thought best for him, and for the Family. She looked as if she had that same confidence now.

Felix’s eyes lingered a little on Avelina as he glanced around the room. He had always been close to his aunt, since returning that closeness had transformed itself into something different however, though Avelina did her best to try ignore it.

“The Internet has changed things irrevocably, what was once safely hidden now quickly becomes common knowledge. Those who work unseen are being revealed. Blackrock and Vanguard facing increasing exposure, the Rockefellers and Rothschilds have already dealt with half a hundred different conspiracy theories. People are slowly awaking to what goes on around them. How long then before our Family and our ownership of the world’s alcohol trade is revealed?”

“People are slowly awaking to what exactly Felix?” Eustace stared hard at him, he’d put down his whiskey glass which was a sure sign of the seriousness of the situation.

“As you rightly said, the Rockefellers and Rothschilds, though at one time exposed, have managed to contain whatever information people do have on them, what then have we to fear when none know of our role? Balduin is far more rooted than most the other Families, our trail nonexistent and are ties indistinguishable.”

“Nothing is entirely hidden. It is true that none know of our Family yet. But they will, and when they do we and all of the other Bluebloods will fall. One by one. For should one of us be uncovered then the others will surely follow. The last few years have convinced me of that. Covid was a disaster, a rushed and disorganised attempt to test the people. It more than anything has hastened our way of life’s demise. Try as they might to dampen the common man’s curiosity, too many now question where the true power lies, too many probe into affairs long left forgotten. Rebellion is coming, I see that clearly.

I have spent my time with them, in the real world and the online. Once ridiculed, groups made up of reclusive failures eager to shift the blame of their miserable lives onto others, now they are rampant communities of prying people. There are still the fools of old with them of course, but now there are plenty more besides. Smart people, all with the same goal, to uncover what truly goes on behind their government and company doors. I have spoken with them, interacted with them, they are no fools, and they will not relent. There are entire groups of these people now, thousands strong, and they will continue to grow. Believe me when I say the time is coming when society will change completely. I intend for us to be ready to embrace whatever that change will bring. For is that not our core principle? We, who are always ahead of those beneath? Who forestall any and all impediments which might stand in our way, in the way of House Balduin?”

“How can you be so sure of this change Felix?” Alexander asked, “The internet only allows so much. Perhaps we should be more cautious, yes, but I do not believe our position is so precariously balanced as you think. Change will come, as it always does, but never so dramatically as rebellion.”

“Precisely,” Eustace nodded eagerly at his son’s words, “Your uncle has the right of it Felix, you give the people too much credit, they do not care enough to rebel or delve so deep into our affairs. On the surface perhaps, but no more. Give them some new entertainment and they will relent, believe me. Mistakes have been made recently, that much is clear. But to alter what has worked for so long would be madness. The Families hold too much to allow any changing of power now. You worry without reason.”

Felix nodded slowly, neither of the responses brought any hint of a reaction from him. The meeting was one he’d long prepared for, such questions would have been expected and anticipated then. From his uncle and grandfather most of all.

“I am not trying to argue with you, I know what I say might appear strange, sensational even. But I swear it is coming. As Head of the Family I intend to do something about it. I will do something about it.”

As Felix stated the fact of his new found position and power there was a notable change in the room. Alexander was not totally blindsided by his nephew’s forcefulness, he knew it would go hand in hand with his new found power. However he had not expected him to be so assertive so soon. It unnerved him slightly.

Eustace had certainly not seen this coming, or anything of the sort. He still looked on Felix as the small boy they had helped raise, not the young and ambitious man he had become. The old man shook his head. He most of all would suffer with Felix’s style of leadership. Though Alexander had been Head of the Family for the past eighteen years there was hardly a decision made or plan enacted that Eustace had not first been consulted on. While Alexander may have exaggerated his Father’s influence over him as a way of appeasement, Eustace had certainly not been removed from any of Balduin’s power plays. He had assumed a similar understanding with his grandson, yet the meeting was already serving to show him why that would not be the case.

“We work together Felix, Head or not what we decide we decide as one.”

Felix turned his head slowly, “Head or not? There is no or not, I am the Head. That is all. You held the position, so too did my Father and so did Alexander. A position of complete power. Every one of you made decisions which were your own. I only wish to replicate that which I learned from you.”

“Learned from us? What exactly did you learn? How did you learn it? When you left us you were a boy, an idle bystander in what few meetings you did attend. Now your return and on your first night as Head think to lecture us on what is best? I won’t have it.”

“I was not idle. I know what is required.”

“Enough of this, Alexander, enlighten the boy. I have not the will to lecture such brashness.”

Elizabeth placed a hand on her husband’s knee, the action instantly calming the man.

“All of this and we have not even heard what it is the boy plans.” Elizabeth played the role of mediator in the Family so well that her interjections were always well placed and timely.

“Felix is a smart boy, let us hear what he must say. We will listen to him. Just as he will then listen to us.”

“Thank you Grandmother.” Felix almost looked a child again, she was the only person the boy ever felt truly open with, the only one he trusted enough to completely lower his guard and bravado.

“I do not mean to be brash, perhaps my passion gives way to insolence. For that I apologise. What I do, I do because I believe it will be to our Families great benefit, survival even.” Felix nodded his head and smiled his political smile again. He tapped at his breast pocket.

“I intend to make our Family Royalty once more.”

“You…..” Alexander choked on hearing the words, the exact words he had once heard before, eighteen years ago in fact. Said in the same order and the same way. They were words he’d never thought to hear again.

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“Surprised Uncle?

“Where did you hear that?”

“Do not worry about the where. Nor on pointless defences. Worry only on this. I know. I know what you did. You my dear uncle, and my loving grandfather along with you. I imagine Grandfather arranged it all, but you gained from it. You gained a lot in fact. Tell me please good uncle, was it worth it? Did it satisfy you? Did you keep the Family strong and proud by killing your own brother?”

“What? Felix, what are you doing? What are you talking about? Killing?” Karina rushed to her feet, eyes wide she looked imploringly to first her uncle and then her grandfather, “What does he mean? Grandfather? Grandad?”

None made any sign of answering.

“Wait Karina. Just….wait.” Felix never took his eyes off Eustace.

Karina sat back down, something in her brother’s tone brokered no room for argument now. She opened her mouth but said nothing.

There was a long silence.

Eustace must have been surprised by the revelation, there was no way in which he could have suspected Felix knowing. The look in his grandson’s eyes left little room for doubt however. He nodded almost to himself.

Eustace’s face took on a stony expression, whatever was going through his mind at that moment he repressed it, he held everything in.

“I see by the petulant look on your face that you are convinced. What then? What do you know? Come Felix, do not be childish. You are the new Head of the Family. Be rational, logical. Your father’s idea was a mad one. One he refused to be swayed from. What we did we did out of love. For the family yes, but for him also. I don’t know who or what has led you to this, but believe me boy. Had we not done it then the others would have. They would not have allowed us carry out such a drastic action. They would have made your Father suffer. Though not before having you and your Mother suffer in front of him first. I have been on the other side for such occurrences Felix. If you knew what they did then you would understand that we acted out of love.”

Felix pursed his lips, tears began to fall from his face.

“How? Your own son. Your Brother.”

“Do not ask.” Alexander laid down his glass, “Felix, you might know what we did. But you cannot understand why unless you allow us to explain.”

“What is there to explain Alexander?” Eustace slammed his fist down the table in front of him, yet his face remained the same.

“Don’t think you are smart ambushing us like this Felix. Your Father left us no choice. It was the Family or him, he made that clear when he tried to push forward with his plans. The Balduin bloodline is above such foolhardy ideas as your Father had. He killed himself. We had no wish to carry it out, no wish or choice. Blame him if you must, I and your uncle cannot be reprimanded for being responsible.”

“Responsible? You killed your own son.”

“Listen Felix. Please listen.” Alexander came to stand before him, “I…we loved your Father. But he was not well towards the end. He had become distracted, his mind always far off. He was unhinged, a danger to himself and to all of us. You have to listen.”

Silence fell over them again, complete and heavy. They stood almost motionless until the silence was broken by a sudden outbreak of coughing from Eustace.

Felix wiped the tears from his face, as he removed his arm they saw that he was smiling.

“I have to listen? No I think not, there is nothing left for me to listen to.” He glanced down at his watch. “Nor in fact, is there time.”

Eustace’s coughing began to grow louder and more violent, Elizabeth screamed out as she watched on helpless in horror. Alexander’s glass crashed to the floor as he made to rush over but was forced to stop halfway, he felt his own throat constricting. He coughed, “What have you done? FELIX. YOU….. WHAT HA-

Alexander grabbed at his chest, Eustace had collapsed onto the ground and his son was not long joining him, he fought to stay upright but the same coughing began to take a hold of him just as it had the old man. Elizabeth was openly weeping and crying out now.

No matter what they heard, no one outside would be coming to their aid. Felix had made sure of that. I nor anyone of the Balduin household were to disturb him. On that point the boy had been abundantly clear.

Karina had curled up on her chair, she stared unblinking as the life drained out of her Grandfather and uncle’s eyes before her.

Avelina had not moved, she stood motionless watching everything unfold. Her usual composed expression replaced instead by a look of complete terror.

“What have you done?” Elizabeth asked long after both bodies had stopped moving. She didn’t raise her head off of Eustace’s chest.

“What was necessary. Tell me Grandmother did you know? Did you know they would kill him? Your own son?”

Felix crouched down beside her. Elizabeth gave no response nor indication that she heard her Grandson’s pleas.

Avelina did not dare breathe. She had known Felix was ambitious, ruthless even. But this….she could not have imagined this. Alexander ... .dead. She still had her own glass in her hand. The thought of smashing it off Felix’s head came to her, but she immediately abandoned it. She could hardly breathe, such an action would have shattered what strength remained in her. Her mind whirred, she tried desperately to think of when she’d been given the glass just as they’d entered the room. Had it been from the one bottle? Was that same death now coursing through her veins as had taken Alexander? She watched with horrible curiosity as Felix crouched down beside Elizabeth.

“Grandmother….please. Tell me….you didn’t know. You couldn’t have. Your eldest son. My Father. I need you to say it…”

There was only the sound of crying in response.

“Please Grandma, you didn’t know. Say it. Say you didn’t know.” Felix had tears in his eyes once more, Avelina realised how little she truly understood her nephew, she could not say if his tears were real or not. She thought them genuine, but….what he’d done. She did not know anymore.

The sound of bitter laughing broke into the soft sobbing, Elizabeth finally lifted up her face, she turned to glare at Felix.

“Yes I knew. I knew and I weeped for him. You think we wanted to do it? You are still a boy, you have no idea how this world works. Your Grandfather, your uncle. What they did saved us all. It was your selfish Father who brought pain on us. You have his blood.”

“I do. Just as I have yours, and Grandfather’s and Alexander’s along with it. No doubt why I feel so little now. I know that I am leading the Family onto a greater path, one full of success and triumph. In much the same way you all did. I learned of their involvement, but you…. I refused to believe you would do such a thing. Not you. Not my Grandma.”

Elizabeth coughed. The sound seemed to awake Felix, shaking his head he stood up abruptly

He sniffled and wiped his nose, “You know maybe I am just a young fool.” Felix pulled out a vial from his pocket. “I kept this vial for you Grandmother. I did not want to believe it, refused to in fact. I refused to believe you knew about my Father.”

He seemed to suddenly remember Karina and Avelina were in the room with them. Karina wouldn’t look at him, she had her head hidden in her arms but Avelina appeared unable to look anywhere else but him in her terror.

“I gave her a less powerful dose. I wanted to give her more time, you see. Deep down I already knew she was just as much a part of it as them. Yet, if she had convinced me of her innocence I would have given her this. I would have you know. Even if I didn’t truly believe it, all she had to do was try and convince me. Just trying would have been enough.”

He turned when Elizabeth, on her knees, clutched at his side. He looked down at the vial for a moment, he glanced down at his Grandmother and back to the vial again. Elizabeth began to cough more and more violently. Tears streamed down her face.

“You should have cried more for Father.”

He flung the vial across the room to smash against the wall.

He turned away, releasing himself from Elizabeth’s grip as she fell silently now to the floor.

Combing back his hair he made his way around before sitting back at his desk. He picked up his glass of whiskey and drank deeply, he didn’t mind that some trickled from his mouth down to his chest.

Karina finally looked up at him. She glanced at her own glass still lying half drunk beside her. For a horrible moment she thought she too had been getting that same treatment. A terrible thought ran through her mind. The boy she called Brother was a complete stranger to her. If he could kill his Uncle, grandmother, grandfather in such cold blood then why not his sister?

“Relax,” Felix raised his hands seeing his sister’s face and breathed in deeply, “you two are both safe, don’t worry.” Felix frowned and looked down at his own glass and back at Karina’s and Avelina’s. “Unless…” He rushed to his feet. Karina screamed and Avelina finally awakened, she flung her own glass down and grabbed at her chest.

They were both stopped in their panicking by the sound of Felix’s laughter.

“Forgive me, I was trying to lighten the mood. Truly you two have nothing to fear. The glasses given to the others were given quite specifically I assure you. You are safe.”

“Lighten the mood?” Karina spoke the words through gritted teeth, her tears momentarily halted by the force of her anger.

“FELIX. You killed them. And now you make jest of that? Even….even if they deserved it ....it is not right. It is not right Felix. None of this is okay. What you said….did they really kill…him. Uncle Alex, Grandad Eustace….our Grandmother. They….they raised us, looked after us.”

“They did. They looked after us well, sister. Cry, scream, rage. I did when I found out. This will take time, just as it did for me. Four years now I have battled with the knowledge of our Father’s demise. Four years of rejecting and battling with the idea. But when I accepted the fact it made sense. It all makes sense. And it will to you too sister. We will talk, we will grieve. For now though, you must go and rest. You have seen too much already. Perhaps I should not have allowed you here today. But…..I feel somehow you needed to be. Forgive me if I was wrong.”

Karina didn’t respond, she only looked down at the three bodies in front of her. Felix went and opened up the door. Moments later Arisan and Renal entered. Twins, they were distant cousins of him and Karina and younger than Felix by two years. They idolised him and all he did.

Like all Balduin Bloodline membersArisan and Renal had grown up within the family home but had not been close to Felix in his youth. It was only after his eighteenth birthday when he appeared to take an interest in them. Eustace had commented often on that fact, believing it showed the boy’s growing leadership. It was important he said, ‘for the future Head of the Balduins to have family around him he could trust.’ Felix had taken that to heart.

The twins entered the room and hardly paid any attention to the scene in front of them.

“Come sister, go with your cousins, they will see you to your room. I will call upon you later. We will talk then. Just you and me.”

Gently but firmly Felix guided his sister towards the door and the twins. She just stared blankly ahead, giving no indication that she heard her Brother’s directions.

Closing the door behind her Felix slammed his head back against the door.

He shook himself down and sighed deeply. He smiled at his aunt.

“Did I surprise you?”

Avelina had still not moved, she stood directly opposite him.

“We should move them.”

Felix shrugged, “They will be moved. And you? Will you need to be moved?”

“We should move them.” She repeated.

“You aren’t crying. Is it because of the shock? Will you cry later then? Is that it?”

“What have you done? Felix you… you should have said, we could have dealt with this together and-”

“And what? And went on as before?” Felix laughed, “This day is four years in the making auntie. Four years spent planning, and hoping. That too. Hoping that something would appear, something that would convince me I was wrong. But nothing came, quite the opposite in fact, the more I sought the more I found. Did you know that Alexander …..well no matter. They killed my Father because he dared to strive for something different. Was it not then my destiny to avenge him? I only did what I had to.”

“And now?”

“Now? Now I will do as I said, I meant everything Avelin.

This is no idle fancy of mine. Long now have I sought this perfect region, a land we could make uniquely our own. You will be pleased to know that I have found that region, an island in fact. Well, I say I found it. In truth my Father did. Syrnat, you won’t have heard of it, most haven’t. It is a god forsaken land crying out for our help. A land in need of saviours. Which is why I have been in contact with and aiding the rebels there. For the past 50 years since independence they have been ruled by a fat malevolent dictator. Through the rebels we can help to make the final push, disposing the corrupt government in place of ourselves.

My Father acted not out of selfishness, he knew as I now know that this life of ours, this world we have created. Is it not a simulation just like the own we created for the people below us? Are we not restricted and limited just as they are restricted? Oh we have money, land, property whatever. We have all that which does make our simulation a far greater one than theirs. But a simulation nonetheless. I want to live in a world without those boundaries. And I believe I can create such a world for us. I will be king. And you, dear Auntie. You shall be my Queen.”

“What are you talking about Felix? Simulations? Queens?”

“Not Queens. Queen. My Queen. You understand that I desire you, your eyes are expressive Avelina. I understand that you desire me too.”

“Felix, this is not the time or place for such things, your Grandmother and Grandfather lie dead on the ground in front of you. And my husband along with them for God’s sake.”

“Oh yes, yes, yes but……can we please forget about them for the moment. I mean, they are not even breathing Avelin. Please, let us just focus on us for one moment.”

He took a step towards her. “This is no passing feeling, this is no feigned love. I have wanted you. For some time now. Perhaps you thought it amusing at first, yes? An innocent child like crush. But now? What do you see before you?”

Avelina could not have imagined being anymore shocked than she already felt. Yet she was. She said nothing as he took another step to her.

“I see my nephew.”

Felix took another step forward, “I see how you look at me. It is not so different to how I look at you in truth.” He took one hand in his and brushed his other across her cheek. His eyes flowed down and over her body.

Avelina had to will herself not to pull away. Whatever control she thought she had over him had been proved inconsequential tonight. In none of their many discussions over the past few months had she ever suspected him of planning anything so outrageous and horrifying as this. She wished now she had not been so frivolous with him.

“Felix…. Stop. This is not right.”

Felix pursed his lips. He reluctantly followed Avelina’s gaze back down to the three bodies.

“Perhaps you are right. Such conversation is a little inappropriate.” He smiled and pulled away, “We will discuss it later.”

“For now I think we all deserve some rest. And yes that includes me auntie, do not worry.”

Turning around to glance down at the bodies Felix shook his head and scratched at the back of his neck. He took a deep breath, his lust had almost got the better of him, he needed to steady himself once more. It is not the time, he thought, a little surprised at his own desires.

“Right, well you might as well head to your rooms Avelina, I shall clean up here. Do not worry on anything, we will discuss all soon enough.”

Avelina managed to keep herself from rushing out of the room. With as much propriety as she could muster she made her exit. Only once outside and with the door shut behind her did she finally breathe somewhat easily.

In a muddled daze she headed towards her wing of the Family Home. Stunned by everything she had seen and heard, she did not know what else to do. Neither did it seem like there was anything she could do.