Chapter 120: Fall
The night in Ashford City seemed to go on forever.
The usually colorful and lively city was deathly quiet tonight, almost as if the entire population knew something was wrong. Even the birds were silent; not even the animals made a sound.
At Ashford Manor.
Theodore Ashford was still working late into the night.
His wife entered the room. "My love, you should rest. You’ve been working so hard lately," she said as she brought him a soothing cup of tea to the table.
Theodore, looking exhausted with a face swollen from fatigue and lack of sleep, smiled and drank the tea in one gulp.
"Stepping up to lead the family when things go wrong is what has brought us success for 200 years. I can’t just falter when our territory needs us," he replied with a gentle, loving smile toward his wife.
"I understand that." She nodded repeatedly. "But still... if something were to happen to you, what would become of the family? Think of our daughter—she hasn’t even gotten married yet."
"Aurora..." Theodore smiled. "That girl chose the hard path... That’s why I’m working so hard." He looked away from the beautiful woman in front of him and returned his attention to the documents.
"If I can’t be enough for a small region like ours, how do you expect me to protect my daughter from the bastards who’ll want to kill her just for loving a man?" Theodore sighed and continued his work.
"But..."
"It’s all right, my wife. I understand you very well." He interrupted her. "If I must die, I will die trying to ensure my family name endures for hundreds of years more. At least that way I can protect those I care about."
Finally, his wife had nothing to say. She remained silent.
Once again, Ashford City was completely silent.
But the deathly silence was suddenly shattered by the loud ringing of a bell.
DING!
The sound was earth-shattering and made Theodore look up in shock.
"Royal Army? What’s going on?" He jumped to his feet and rushed to the window.
Before him, atop the city walls, a vast number of Royal Soldiers stood imposing, gazing down with authority. They were formidable and armed from head to toe.
"A thousand..." Theodore, in shock, looked toward every section of the city.
A count could not have such a large number of Royal Soldiers. That was the Kingdom’s special army. All nobles of royal blood had access to a certain number, determined by their rank of nobility.
A count could barely muster a maximum of 300 men—which was the force of his family and the Hazzard family.
But there were a thousand!
He was reassured when he saw the Hazzard uniform on a few hundred of them, but when he looked at the uniforms of the majority, he was overcome with shock.
"Duke Vire... What’s going on? Why are all these troops surrounding my city?"
He prepared to go out and confront them with his own men, but suddenly he saw an imposing man appear on the city wall, holding a magical megaphone through which he spoke.
"Citizens of this small town, I greet you. I am Duke Vire. I was sent here by the kingdom’s forces after discovering a traitor living among us."
"Count Theodore Ashford has been found guilty of treason. He recently sold information to the vampires, which led to our enemies gaining control of large tracts of land and the murder of a dozen students from the Provincial Academy."
"Theodore Ashford and his wife, Amelia Ashford, will be arrested tonight and sent to the kingdom’s dungeons, where they will be tried for treason against the kingdom. To all those in Ashford Manor who believe they can oppose this, let me make this clear: I will kill you if you resist. This is a Royal Order."
Duke Vire produced a token and held it high, making it glow. It was the token of royalty. Only the king could bestow it.
This was a Royal Edict!
Theodore was deeply stunned by the sight of the token... Not only by amazement, but also by fear—a fear that emanated from the token and struck at his bloodline and that of his entire family.
This was the true Token of Royalty... the treasure the Royal Family uses to control all their distant relatives.
It was Blood Suppression.
Theodore could offer no resistance as all the forces stormed into his mansion and bound him alongside his wife, who was treated roughly.
Theodore finally reacted and looked at Count Hazzard.
"I see..." He finally realized something. "So it was you who was putting up so many obstacles, huh..."
Hazzard laughed. "Obstacles? I was just playing a game of chess. It looks like I won."
"Win?" Theodore laughed, his pride slightly wounded. "You haven’t won yet, Hazzard. Even if I fall... you won’t meet a good end. You chose the wrong path."
"Shut up." Duke Vire growled and kicked him in the ribs.
Theodore felt the pain of several broken ribs and fell forward in agony.
"Traitors are not allowed to complain or speak," he said, looking at his men. "Take him away."
Soon, Count Ashford, one of the most powerful men in the Western Province, was dragged out of his own mansion like a dog. His wife walked beside him.
"My Lord Duke, should we search the mansion?" asked Count Hazzard.
"Don’t search what doesn’t belong to you. Just put the designated person in charge and do what you have to do," replied the Duke, turning to leave as well.
Although Count Hazzard was tempted to go inside and take a look, he decided against it. He followed him back.
Things were about to change in the province.
--
The next morning, the news sent shockwaves throughout the kingdom. It was no longer just a local matter in Lor or the Western Province.
It was a national issue!
A legendary count like Ashford had been found guilty of treason!
The news spread like wildfire in a single night—an astonishing feat in a world where information usually travels so slowly. But this news was so shocking that it was even discussed at the dukes’ tables.
But it hit the academy even harder.
Aurora ran through the entire academy until she reached Edward, and she fell to her knees before him.
"Ed... that’s not true. It can’t be true. It’s impossible. My f-father isn’t like that. He would never betray the kingdom, he..."
Edward quickly knelt down to hug her. Arnold had gone out today, so the two of them were alone.
"I know, Aurora. It’s okay, calm down." Aurora’s heart was racing. Her body was shaking, and she was completely cold and pale.
Only she could understand how much she was suffering.
That’s why Edward hugged her tightly, trying to understand her and calm her down. He wasn’t the best at this sort of thing, but he quickly began saying words to reassure her.
"Don’t worry, Aurora. Uncle and Aunt will be fine. Think about it—when has Lord Theodore ever let you down? He surely knew something about this. Why don’t we try to come up with a way to help them? We know the truth; we could do it."
"Right." Finally, Aurora’s eyes cleared, and she nodded repeatedly. "You’re right. We know about the traitors."
Edward frowned when he noticed the way she spoke. ’She’s desperate... I understand her. I’d feel the same in her situation.’ He clenched his fists tightly.
’If Lord Theodore were a traitor, I’m sure I already be dead. Not even with all my skill and luck could I have gotten rid of a traitorous Ashford within his own territory.’ He thought as he helped Aurora sit down.
She was still crying, though perhaps she hadn’t even noticed it herself.
’This was a plot against the family. I’m sure of it.’
He went to fetch some water for Aurora, and when he saw her drinking calmly, he noticed that a few strands of water were running down the corners of her lips. Her hands were trembling, and the water she was drinking mixed with her own tears.
He closed his eyes for a moment to calm himself. His hands clenched even tighter.
When he opened them, they were as clear as the water.
He knelt down in front of Aurora and smiled at her. "Do you trust me?" he asked suddenly.
"Huh? Ed... What’s this all about...?"
"Do you trust me?" he repeated.
Although Aurora didn’t understand what he meant, she nodded. "Of course I do..."
"Very well." Edward stroked her cheeks. "Then I hope you won’t leave the academy much during this time. I have a way to help your father and resolve this situation."
"Ed, you...?" Although Aurora wanted to ask him, her lips were sealed, and then Edward stood up.
"I’ll send you messages in letters. For now, you should go back to your dorm and wait for my good news. I promise things will turn out all right," he said, taking her hand to help her up.
Even though Aurora’s heart ached, she still reached out and took his hand. In that moment, a sense of absolute calm washed over her entire body.
She felt as if a towering mountain had risen before her to block the strong winds that sought to batter her.
Despite everything, she felt completely safe.