The Fourth Son
My name is Ellio Barthory, fourth son of House Barthory, a family that once stood as a proud bastion of nobility within the Anduin Empire. My father, Count Barthory, loved to remind us of our lineage—the victories our ancestors claimed in the Empire's wars, the magical prowess that had once made Barthory synonymous with power and glory.
But all that was in the past.
By the time I was born, the house had fallen into mediocrity. Our lands were poor, our coffers thin, and my father's pride rested solely on the shoulders of my three older brothers. Lucas, the eldest, was the heir—a charismatic swordsman destined to lead the family. Davion, the second, was a celebrated knight, decorated for valor in the Empire's eastern campaigns. Adrien, the third, was a scholar and magician, hailed as the epitome of Barthory's magical heritage.
And then, there was me.
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As far as my parents were concerned, I was a disappointment. "The weakest," they called me. An afterthought. They claimed my magic was insignificant, my ambitions nonexistent. It wasn't worth investing in the fourth son when the others were so much more promising.
The truth, however, was far more complicated.
I had been born with extraordinary magical talent, but I chose to hide it. I had no interest in the life of nobility—one of duty, politics, and endless expectations. I dreamed of something simpler. I longed for freedom, for adventure, for a life unburdened by titles and responsibilities. I wanted to travel the world, experience its myriad cultures, and live life on my own terms.
So I allowed my family to believe what they wanted. I let them overlook me while I worked quietly in the shadows, using my magic to keep our struggling lands afloat. After all, I don't want the realm to suffer from my family's inept. If I ever get to leave this place, I don't want it to in ruin as soon as I am gone. I repaired tools, reinforced bridges, shielded crops from storms, and protected the villagers from bandits.
The people praised my father and brothers for the stability of Barthory lands. I never corrected them.
It was a small life, but it was mine. At least, until she came. Until the day Princess Mirellia Anduin arrived.