Chapter 270: The Headmaid (1) The Request
Lyan stood over the corpse of Count Havton, his expression a mixture of disgust and resolve. Arnold the Commander, Borton, and Crown Prince Erich shared his sentiment as they surveyed the opulent chambers, now tainted by the evidence of Havton’s depravity. The air was heavy with the stench of stale wine and unwashed bodies, a testament to the Count’s indulgent and abusive lifestyle. The sight of the women in the room, some of them barely more than children, filled Lyan with a burning anger.
"We need to get them out of here," Lyan said, his voice tight with controlled fury. "They don’t deserve to be in this place any longer."
Prince Erich nodded. "You’re right. We’ll make sure they’re taken care of. But first, we need to address the immediate concerns of the city and the castle."
As they exited the room, Lyan couldn’t help but glance back at the victims, his resolve hardening. These women, and the city as a whole, deserved better.
___
Several days passed since the fall of Count Havton. The city of Grafen had begun to settle into an uneasy calm. The streets, once filled with the chaos of battle, were now eerily quiet as the citizens took stock of their new reality. Lyan used this period to assess the situation within the castle. He wanted to understand the extent of the damage, both physical and moral, left by Havton’s rule.
It was early evening when Lyan decided to visit the maids and the head maid, now considered his property by right of conquest. He found them in a modest room, far removed from the opulence that characterized Havton’s chambers. The maids, some visibly nervous, others hopeful, looked up as he entered. The head maid, a woman in her early thirties with a hardened yet composed demeanor, stood at the forefront.
"Baron Lyan," she greeted him, her voice steady but tinged with an underlying weariness.
Lyan nodded in acknowledgment. "I’ve come to understand your situation better. You have all endured more than anyone should. Please, share your fears and hopes with me."
The maids exchanged glances before one of them, a young girl with wide, fearful eyes, stepped forward. "We... we were afraid we’d be cast out with nowhere to go. This castle, despite everything, has been our home. We have nowhere else."
Another maid, older and more composed, added, "We want to stay, if you’ll allow us. We know the work, and we want to make a fresh start. We don’t have families to return to. Count Havton saw to that." Her voice broke slightly, but she held her head high.