"Are you absolutely certain you want to proceed with this?"
Leonard's inquiry cut through the air, directed at Martha, who stood before him. She had just informed him of her resignation and Bruce's approval of it.
Martha was acutely aware of the gravity of her decision. As an inner circle member of the family quitting the 'job' was no small matter. Unless sanctioned by the head of the family or someone of equal stature, leaving meant exposing the tightly guarded secrets accumulated over years of service. This wasn't unique to the Sterling family; it was a code upheld by all the powerful families across the continent.
Surprisingly, the Sterlings were relatively lenient in their enforcement of such rules. In other families, even a hint of departure of an inner circle member would lead to swift and final consequences with graves being dug and grass growing over them the very next day. That's how seriously every family took loyalty.
Leonard's inquiry was not one of concern or sympathy; it carried an edge of ruthlessness. His demeanor was devoid of the warmth and aloofness exhibited during Bruce's presence and exuded an uncompromising intensity. The vast expanse of the room seemed to pulsate with the pressure of his scrutiny, his eyes akin to fiery beasts poised to pounce at any moment.
Martha dared not meet Leonard's gaze, her hands clutching the fabric of her maid's gown, her gaze fixed on the ground, trembling. She had witnessed Leonard's abilities only on a few occasions, yet the true extent of his power remained a mystery. Even a glimpse of his power surpassed anything she had encountered before. The only figure she could imagine as more formidable was Matriarch Kyra Sterling herself.
"Do you understand what you've done?" Leonard persisted with his questioning.
"Master Bruce is still young, and he doesn't fully grasp the family's rules. You're well aware of this. Yet, in the absence of the Matriarch, you convinced the Sterling heir to make a promise he didn't even understand? You've manipulated the heir of the Sterling family for your own purposes. Do you realize the consequences?" Leonard inquired.
Though Martha's resignation from the inner circle triggered Leonard's anger, it wasn't solely because she was leaving. His real fury stemmed from her taking advantage of Bruce.
Since his father's death and his mother's absence, Leonard has been a silent guardian and parent to Bruce. He had practically raised him in the years when the Matriarch was preoccupied with family affairs. Leonard's loyalty to Bruce ran deep, not just because he was the heir, but also because of Bruce's gentle and innocent nature, which made him vulnerable in the harsh world. Leonard felt compelled to shield Bruce from those who sought to exploit him. That's why only inner circle members who had proven their loyalty over many years were allowed to interact with the prince of the Sterling family. Now, seeing one of those trusted members take advantage of Bruce for their own gain filled Leonard with fury.
"Speak up. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
After a few minutes of silence, Martha, still looking at the floor, began to speak.
"I don't have any excuses for my actions, and I know there will be consequences when the Matriarch returns. I'm prepared to accept any punishment. But, according to the family rules, I ask Mr. Leonard to honor Master Bruce's decision and relieve me of my duties."
Leonard gazed at Martha thoughtfully. He knew she was fiercely loyal; personally chosen by the late Patriarch himself and faithfully serving the family for more than thirty years. Though he could have stopped her from leaving until the Matriarch returned, he didn't want to disobey the family rules. Detaining Martha would dishonor Master Bruce Sterling, who had allowed her to resign.
"Very well. You may leave, and your salary and other benefits will be deposited into your bank account," he finally agreed.
He pulled out a device resembling a mobile phone from his coat and, after tapping on the screen, addressed Martha.
"I've deactivated your profile personally. You're free to go, but remember, the family won't be responsible for you anymore. And don't forget, there will be consequences when the Matriarch returns," he warned, tucking the device back into his coat.
"Thank you," Martha responded quietly before leaving the room without delay.
After pondering for a while, Leonard retrieved the same device from his coat and dialed a few numbers. The room fell silent, but soon a voice responded from the device.
"Salute to Omega. Any orders, sir?" the voice asked.
"Sylas. Where are you?" Leonard, also known as Omega, inquired.
"I'm in the Broad Peak mountain, sir. Training the rookies. Is there anything important sir?" Sylas queried.
"The Nightsparrow just quit the family," Leonard informed.
"Uh... Really? So... should I issue orders for termination, sir?" Sylas asked.
"Not yet. Shadow her and keep me informed of her actions. But if you deem her actions as betraying the family, eliminate her immediately," Leonard responded firmly.
"Yes, sir."
"And Sylas.."
"Sir?"
"Do it yourself personally. It's Nightsparrow we're talking about."
"Yes, sir."
With that, the conversation ended, and Leonard tucked the device back into his coat. As he checked the time, his demeanor shifted once again, becoming that of an eccentric butler muttering to himself.
"Oh, it's almost time for Master Bruce's snack. I need to arrange a new maid to prepare his favorite dishes"
With that, he promptly left the room like a rabbit. Anyone witnessing this would have been surprised by the transformation of the man from a terrifying beast to a cute puppy.
******
Broad Peak is one of the six majestic mountain ranges on the continent of Aethens, towering impressively at 7,000 feet above sea level. True to its name, it boasts several wide peaks with various steep cliffs, attracting numerous climbers eager to conquer its summits. Situated just a few kilometers outside the city of Silverlake, governed by the Sterling family, the entire mountain range falls under their control.
Hidden within the rough landscape is a covert training site of the Sterling family. At this very place, a group of young folks aged from 16 to 20 were currently enduring tough training, conquering one of the tallest peaks under the watchful eye of a strict instructor. Despite many stumbling along the way without any protective gear, they miraculously avoid deadly falls. Just when it seems they're bound for a crash, their descent slows down drastically, sparing them from certain doom, albeit leaving them with broken bones. This strange happening is all thanks to a rock-like artifact that alters gravity, controlled by the instructor. For these novices, enduring broken bones is a small sacrifice compared to losing their lives.
Watching over the training from afar, standing on a huge rock was a man dressed all in black, except for his face and raven hair. He had a deep scar on his face, from his lower chin to his right eye, showing his past experiences were nothing but simple. He just put away the mobile-like device and yelled for the instructor who was torturing the newbies. This man was Sylas, leader of the Level B Executors of the Sterling family.
"Vera!"
With Sylas calling Vera granted the students some time off, very much to their joy. He quickly joined Syals, who leaped down from the rock.
"Man, the new recruits seem to be getting worse every year. Not a single standout among them" remarked Syals.
"Forget about that. We just received a direct order from Omega himself," Vera replied.
"Wow, that's rare. What's going on?" Syals inquired.
"The Nightsparrow has left the family," Vera informed him.
"What?!" Syals exclaimed.
"We're instructed to keep tabs on her," Vera continued.
"Shadowing, not termination?" Syals clarified.
"Yes, at least for now," Vera confirmed.
"Alright. Who should we involve? Most teams are on missions, except for Frederick's and Sandra's," Vera suggested.
"No need. Since it's the Nightsparrow, we'll handle it ourselves. Finish up the training. You're coming with me," Syals decided.
"Alright. But are you sure about this, Syals? Nightsparrow is your former partner. What if there's an order for termination?" Vera expressed concern.
"Then we follow orders. No exceptions," Syals replied firmly.