Chapter 3: Unraveling the Family's Downfall
By a twist of fate or perhaps a curse, other heirs and close relatives perished in a series of accidents and murders. Ultimately, Alicia became the sole heiress, inheriting the vast lands and the grand castle. She sensed that her family’s tragic end was part of a larger, more sinister conspiracy. Determined to uncover the truth, she began her investigations while striving to manage her territory and expand her dominion.
Within the ancient walls of Eisha Castle, portraits of ancestors adorned the stone surfaces, each figure exuding a somber dignity. The grand hall was vast and shadowy, with sunlight streaming through stained glass windows, casting a mosaic of colors onto the cold stone floor. At the far end, a massive fireplace roared, its flames dancing, adding a touch of warmth and solemnity to the grand atmosphere.
Alicia stood before the hearth, her black robe flowing elegantly around her. Her gaze was steady and icy, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, and her deep blue eyes glinted with determined fire. Beside her stood her faithful butler, Wilfred, one of the few she trusted since her rebirth.
“Just before that tragic event, the lord had privately met with some individuals on multiple occasions,” Wilfred spoke softly, his voice blending with the crackling fire.
“It is said that after their conversations, these individuals returned to the nearby Seren territory. They were likely from one of Seren’s prominent families. This detail was known only to the few servants responsible for preparing their carriages for the journey back to Seren,” Wilfred continued, his tone laced with the gravity of the revelation. “The lord had strictly ordered them to keep this matter confidential. We learned about this only after visiting the relatives of those servants.”
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Alicia’s eyes narrowed, her thoughts racing. The name Seren was not unfamiliar to her. The Seren territory was known for its strategic location and industrial prowess. It was a land rich in resources and a crucial part of the kingdom of Aisha’s economic network. She listened intently, the flames reflecting in her deep blue eyes.
"Also, we have heard that over the past two years, a very remarkable person has appeared by the side of the Seren Lord," Wilfred continued. "This individual is young, yet acts with caution and possesses extraordinary wisdom, seemingly earning the trust and favor of the Seren Lord and became one of the youngest distinguished strategists in their core team."
Alicia felt a surge of curiosity at this. "What kind of person can achieve such a position at such a young age?" she murmured to herself, her brow furrowing slightly. "This might mean they are extremely cunning, but it may not be a good thing." As she pondered this information, memories of the past flooded her mind. She recalled the days of her family’s prosperity, the grand banquets held in the castle’s halls, and the bustling markets of Aisha. The kingdom was a beacon of wealth and power, its fertile lands yielding abundant harvests year after year. It was this prosperity that, Alicia thought, could have drawn the covetous eyes of the Shadow Kingdom.
The Shadow Kingdom, a dark and foreboding realm to the north, had long sought to expand its dominion. Its rulers were known for their ruthless tactics and insatiable greed. Alicia often pondered whether the Shadow Kingdom had played a part in her family’s massacre. Her family had controlled Aisha’s lifeline, and any disruption within her family would have provided the perfect opportunity for the Shadow Kingdom to exploit. However, this very notion also led her to question the theory. Three years had passed, and she stood here, unharmed and firmly in place as Aisha’s leader. If the Shadow Kingdom were truly behind it, her current situation made little sense. Unless their plans had changed midway? But that didn’t align with their known strategies. Hence, Alicia kept her suspicions to herself.
Alicia's brow furrowed, and she felt a chill run down her spine, despite the warmth of the fire. She wrapped her black robe tighter around her, as if to shield herself from the unsettling news. Her gaze shifted to the portraits of her ancestors, their eyes seeming to watch over her, their solemn expressions echoing the weight of her responsibility. The room seemed to close in, the shadows cast by the flickering flames dancing ominously on the stone walls. The heavy atmosphere weighed on her, a reminder of the mysteries she had yet to unravel and the dangers lurking in the shadows.