Chapter 48: Parasites
I step down from the carriage, boots hitting the gravel road that leads to my castle—Seraphina’s Heart. This place... it represents everything I fought for. I left the Robbens estate as a teenager, abandoned the place where I was barely acknowledged. The battlefield became my home, and with every ounce of blood, every drop of sweat, every risk I took, I earned enough to buy this castle—half of my fortune gone, but it was worth it.
And now those greedy bastards are nesting inside my walls, making themselves comfortable in what’s mine.
I pause, taking in the sight of Seraphina’s Heart. The grand, imposing castle looms ahead, a symbol of devotion. A hundred years ago, a foreign merchant had built it for the king’s younger sister as a token of his undying love. He was a mere commoner, but his affection for the princess led him to create one of the most beautiful estates in the capital. Aside from the royal grounds, it’s the largest homestead in the city, standing tall near a pristine lake, surrounded by magnificent gardens.
I’m furious. I feel the anger simmering beneath my skin as I start towards the entrance. The servants are lined up in front of me, all unfamiliar faces. Where are my people? The ones who have served me loyally for years? The first thing I’ll do is remove this lot and bring back my own. I’ll see to that personally. They bow, their fear palpable, and it fills me with nothing but contempt.
Pathetic.
They’ve probably heard the rumors—the Crimson General has returned. Good. Let them cower.
I don’t stop until I’m inside, and the anger only grows stronger when I see no one waiting for me. Not a single soul from the Robbens family has bothered to greet me. They’ve forgotten who I am.
That’s a mistake they won’t make again.
I head straight to the drawing room and settle into one of the chairs. It’s as though my presence weighs heavy in the air, pressing down on the entire room. And then, him. The butler. I recognize him. He was the Robbens family’s lackey back when I was just a boy, ignored and tossed aside. It’s revolting to see him here, in my castle.