Elyane House (2)

“Well, the late Void Esper did himself—”

“Oh… so he didn’t die on the land where he fought against the Demon King?” Valencia asked, tightening her jaw.

Kael froze, darting his gaze to her. Die? Does she know something?

Lucentis let out a laugh.

“Where did you hear that he died there? He’s too powerful and amazing that we honored his bravery—”

Valencia laughed, stopping Lucentis from finishing his sentence. She held back her tears and glared at Lucentis.

“Honored? Why do people talk about his powers like they’re afraid of him instead?”

Kael bit his lower lip, clutching her hand tightly.

“Valencia—”

“Afraid? That Void Esper was a hero!” a viscount yelled.

“Then what do you know about this Void Esper?” Valencia questioned softly.

The viscount laughed, slapping the air between them.

“Oh… that he saved us from the Demon King—”

“What was his name? Do you know by any chance?” she interrupted.

The noblemen tightened their lips, looking at each other.

Nuredus smirked. Don’t act like you know when you truly ignored the greatest Eureon Luvoise. The Late King erased everything about them… but they cannot erase the creation. She stared at Lucentis.

“Lady Elyane—”

“What’s wrong? Did you all forget the hero you all claim to honor?” Valencia wondered, her hands clenching.

“Valencia, that’s enough…” Kael whispered.

Valencia’s jaw tensed, her gaze moving to him with disappointment.

“Why? Was my father not worthy to remember?” A tear ran down her face, breaking Kael’s composure.

“I’ve never said that… I think this is something personal, and you must protect the only honor that’s left of him,” Kael warned her.

She slammed her hand on the table and stood. She turned to Lucentis.

“Fine… then I will tag along with my husband to the Black Forest.”

“What?!” Nuredus and Ezrael exclaimed. They looked at Kael and Valencia.

Gerald and Lucentis held their breath, frowning.

“That’s impossible… we can’t allow a lady—”

“A guide. I’m his guide!” Valencia argued.

“Still—”

“What? You expect me to stay like a wallflower in the dukedom to await my husband to come back?”

Kael bit his lower lip. He stood and grabbed her hand. He turned to Lucentis and glared at him.

“I’ll be bringing my wife with me to the Black Forest. All of my comrades that I once fought with will come along.”

“Kael, you haven’t even talked to us about this—”

“Mother, the Elyane House is stubborn… you knew this,” Kael interrupted her. Nuredus gulped. “My wife had already expressed her certainty to follow me to death as we made our vows yesterday.”

“Her mother’s maiden name is Elyane, but she’s a Luvoise,” a duke in the back called.

Everyone darted their gazes to him. Ezrael groaned.

“Oh, really? Duke Jeron Elyane…” Ezrael retorically asked.

Jeron glanced at Valencia.

“I didn’t expect you to wed my great-granddaughter to your son without telling me, Duke Ezrael… I mean, Grand Duke.”

Ezrael chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.

“She wanted to marry my incompetent son. So, I allowed it.”

Valencia gazed at Jeron, frowning. Who are you? Why did it seem like you didn’t exist?

“Wait… didn’t the late king execute Duke Jeron’s son and family because they allowed their daughter to escape?” a whisper rang through the table.

Valencia looked mortified, her composure trembling. They… killed Mother’s family? And left this old man alive? Her eyes moved and locked with Jeron’s.

“Yes… so what? You think you could steal my great-granddaughter without telling me?”

“Steal? She came at her own will,” Ezrael snickered.

Kael raised his hand and furrowed his brow.

“Please… let’s take this somewhere else. For now, conclude the meeting and adjourn. My wife will join me in the Black Forest.”

“I reject!” Jeron yelled.

Ezrael rolled his eyes and turned away.

“Your Majesty, ignore him. He’s just throwing a tantrum because his great-granddaughter chose us…”

Valencia exhaled in disbelief. She walked over to Jeron and bowed.

“Forgive me for being unable to recognize you, Duke—”

“Did they threaten you to marry their son?” Jeron asked.

Valencia froze, blinking her eyes. Well, Kael did at first…

“N-No?”

“Why did you hesitate? They did, didn’t they?!”

Lucentis took a deep breath and slammed his hand on the table.

“Meeting adjourned…”

“Tell me, what did they threaten you?! Grandpa, like me, will help!”

Valencia smiled awkwardly. Kael hid his smile and hugged her from behind.

“Duke, we didn’t—”

“Shut up, you incompetent child!”

They bickered until they walked out of the Royal Palace and headed to Izekiah’s dukedom to continue. Jeron slammed his cane on the floor.

“How dare they act like my stupid grandson-in-law wasn’t worthy to mention?” Jeron claimed.

Valencia paused, staring at him.

“You…”

“Of course, I know who he was! He was an idiot in love whenever he saw my sweet granddaughter,” Jeron huffed as he looked away.

Ezrael sighed and walked by.

“Your tantrum saved us time. Now leave—”

“I’m not leaving until I know what you guys threatened my great-granddaughter!”

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