The Lord Of Blood Hill

After the ceremony, during the evening banquet, Henwell makes his rounds to speak briefly with each important guest.

Even when encountering more ordinary nobles, Henwell politely exchanges a few words out of courtesy.

The banquet naturally divides into several social circles.

Functionally, there are the military-political circle and the commercial-trade circle.

Guests from these two groups rarely mingle, though there are exceptions.

For example, the owner of the large Lumir mercantile consortium has the privilege to mix within the military-political circle.

Similarly, Lord Pacino of Waterhill enjoys chatting with merchants.

Between these two major circles, there’s also a smaller, more fluid group that moves freely, this could be called the minor politico-commercial circle.

Geographically, the guests are further divided into circles based on their respective states: the Kingdom of Ika, Kingdom of Kosen, Duchy of Lumir, Kingdom of Billie, and Kingdom of Ogiro.

At the national level, these circles form two clearly distinct factions.

At this level, it’s rare for nobles from other countries to get involved.

After all, at such occasions, rashly approaching political figures from other nations is hardly wise.

The only person without such concerns is Henwell, the host.

At this moment, Henwell approaches the Kingdom of Ika’s circle, led, of course, by the eldest princess, Dilina.

Beside her stand two men: Fred, the King of Mercenaries, and their sixteen-year-old son, Pikes.

Surrounding them are Ika’s top nobles, including Duke Kolen of the South Regions, Count Roderick, the Southwestern Commander, and Viscount Obian, lord of Mengluoso…

Henwell first greets the eldest princess. The ladies around Princess Dilina regard Henwell with curiosity.

Dilina smiles and says, “Congratulations on your marriage, Lord of Blood Hill. From now on, you must prioritize your family. Once you have a wife and children, you’ll realize how terrifying war truly is. For the sake of your own family, and for the wives and children of many others, you should uphold peace.”

Henwell responds calmly, “Your Highness speaks wisely. My purpose in governing Peace Haven is indeed to uphold peace, so that more people can enjoy it.”

Another noblewoman speaks up, “Lord Henwell, you’ve come a long way to where you are now. You must have endured quite a lot of hardships, haven’t you?”

Henwell smiles gently. “Not really. I’ve been lucky. My parents cared for me deeply when I was young. Although I faced setbacks later, I’ve always had benefactors helping me along the way. Somehow, I’ve just muddled through to where I am now.”

The crowd can’t help but laugh at his somewhat casual answer.

Most of them know Henwell’s story well enough to admire the sheer resilience it took to climb to his current position.

Henwell isn’t usually so modest, but the question comes from a different person this time.

It’s Lady Vanessa, wife of Viscount Obian and Henwell’s biological mother.

What others see as Vanessa's curiosity is interpreted by Henwell as a mother's worry for her son.

Henwell understands this and speaks to reassure her.

By now, he realizes Vanessa has recognized him.

Obian must have told her something, but Henwell also believes that if this were their first meeting, she would naturally doubt his identity.

It’s a mother’s instinct to sense her child.

After some conversation, Vanessa suddenly turns to Henwell and asks, “Lord Henwell, could you give me a badge from your domain? My daughter and son have heard your stories and see you as a hero. They couldn’t attend your wedding and are deeply regretful. They’d like a keepsake.”

Henwell smiles and plucks the Henwell emblem pinned to his chest. “It would be my honor. I hope your two children stay healthy and safe, unlike me, always running about.”

Vanessa carefully tucks away the exquisite emblem and continues, “I’ve heard Lord Henwell is an orphan. Now that you’re safe and powerful, have you thought about finding your parents?”

Henwell hesitates for a moment. “I have thought about it, but I don’t dare. I have power and strength now, but my enemies are many. “

”I only need to know they’re doing well. My enemies might not be able to harm me directly, but they could hurt my parents. So I can’t seek them out. I won’t bring danger to them. Instead, I’ll protect them from the shadows.”

Eldest Princess Dilina catches the implication. “So, Lord Henwell has already found his parents?”

“Of course. Although Henwell calls me uncle, I am his family and his strongest support.”

At that moment, Duke Jansen approaches, accompanied by Lady Grace.

After Jansen speaks, Grace adds, “We see Henwell as our own son. And he’s a good boy. Though he calls us uncle and aunt, he’s more filial than our own sons. So, we are Henwell’s parents. Phoenix is Henwell’s home.”

Everyone understands the message from Duke Jansen and his wife, this is a warning not to make a fuss over the matter.

Next, Henwell and Jansen retreat to discuss private matters with the high-ranking officials from Ika.

Lady Grace leads the group of ladies away to chat with the bride, eager to hear some of Henwell’s embarrassing stories, perhaps about those cheesy love letters.

Obian, acting as escort, naturally follows the eldest princess. Though he can’t enter the ladies’ inner chamber, he must ensure their safe passage.

At the same time, Obian’s main goal is to pull the troubled Vanessa away.

Outside the door to the inner chamber, Obian lowers his voice and says to Vanessa, “You’re too reckless! I told you, you shouldn’t have come!”

Vanessa snaps back, “That’s my son. He’s getting married. Why shouldn’t I come? You saw for yourself, he and Melissa bowed to me today!”

Obian sighs, “That was a bow to the eldest princess.”

“I know he recognized me. He seemed to be bowing to the princess, but his eyes never left us. He was bowing to me!”

At this, Vanessa’s emotions start to overwhelm her.

As a mother, she can’t forget the night over a decade ago when her eldest son disappeared after a daring rescue, and never returned.

All these years, she’s carried the guilt, blaming herself for letting Henwell bear that burden.

She hates her own helplessness, despises the war that tore her family apart.

Whenever she thinks of Henwell, she vividly recalls how calm and composed he was as he arranged everything.

As a mother, Vanessa is naturally proud of Henwell’s achievements.

But more than that, she thinks of that night, the seven-year-old Henwell vanishing into the dark.

Remembering all her child has endured over the years, tears stream down her face uncontrollably.