Sebastian ascended the stairs from the basement, leaving Lucavion behind in the small, dank cell. The narrow staircase seemed to stretch endlessly upward, each step echoing in the cold, damp silence.
The weight of his responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders, and his heart ached for the young master he had guided through his formative years.
After all, he had watched Lucavion grow up from the moment he was born. He had taken care of countless different needs of him.
As he emerged from the basement, the grandeur of the Thorne mansion once again surrounded him, a stark contrast to the desolate space below.
He made his way through the ornate corridors, passing tapestries and finely crafted furniture, each piece a reminder of the family's once-great status. The mansion was a testament to the Thorne family's legacy, but today, its splendor felt hollow.
Sebastian finally reached the grand study, a room filled with shelves of ancient tomes and a large oak desk at its center. The study's heavy door stood slightly ajar, and from within, he could hear the low murmur of voices. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and knocked softly.
"Enter," came the stern voice of Viscount Gerald Thorne.
Sebastian pushed the door open and stepped inside. Gerald stood by the window, his back to the door, hands clasped behind him. The viscount's tall, imposing figure was framed by the sunlight streaming through the window, casting a long shadow across the room.
"My Lord," Sebastian began, bowing respectfully. "I have done as you instructed. Young Lord Lucavion is secured in the basement."
Gerald turned slowly, his piercing eyes locking onto Sebastian. "Good," Gerald said curtly.
There was a cold, calculating intensity in his gaze, tempered by the underlying anger that Sebastian had seen earlier.
"He will remain there until the trial."
Sebastian nodded, then reached into his coat and retrieved a sealed envelope. "My Lord, I have also received a letter from the Dukedom of Valoria. It arrived just now, addressed to you."
Gerald's eyes narrowed as he took the envelope from Sebastian's outstretched hand. The seal of the Valoria family was unmistakable, its intricate design symbolizing their high status and power. He broke the seal and unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning the contents with a growing intensity.
As Gerald read, the silence in the study grew thick with tension. Sebastian stood quietly, waiting for the viscount's reaction. He could see Gerald's jaw tighten; his brows furrowed deeply as he absorbed the letter's message.
After what felt like an eternity, Gerald lowered the letter and looked at Sebastian, his expression a mixture of anger and determination.
"The Duke of Valoria has nullified the engagement between Isolde and him."
Hearing this, Sebastian nodded his head. This was an expected result, something normal. But something made him feel weird inside his heart.
Since there was no way his lord would show such a reaction if this were to be the sole content of the letter.
"Is there anything else, my Lord?" Sebastian ventured, his voice cautious.
Gerald's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Sebastian. He hesitated for a moment before responding, his tone grim. "Yes, there is. The Duke desires a punishment befitting such a crime."
Sebastian felt a chill run down his spine. "A punishment, my Lord?"
"Indeed," Gerald confirmed, his voice growing colder. "The Duke and I were once comrades in arms, and he states in his letter that he trusts me implicitly in this matter. He has absolute belief that I will handle everything accordingly."
Sebastian's heart sank further. The severity of the situation became clearer with each word Gerald spoke. "What does the Duke propose, my Lord?"
Gerald's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and resolve. "The Duke emphasizes that this event is known throughout the entire noble society. It has been deemed one of the gravest sins by the Church. Therefore, it should take precedence over every other value to set a good example."
Sebastian swallowed hard, understanding the gravity of the situation. "What does that mean for young master Lucavion?"
Gerald turned away, his gaze fixed on the window as if seeking solace from the outside world. "It means that 'he' must face the consequences of his actions, publicly and unequivocally. The Duke expects a display of justice that will satisfy both the noble society and the Church."
Sebastian's mind raced, trying to comprehend the full implications of Gerald's words. The punishment would need to be severe, and it would affect not only Lucavion but the entire Thorne family. "How do you plan to proceed, my Lord?"
Gerald sighed deeply, the weight of his decision evident in his posture. "We will hold a trial, as already planned, and it will be befitting the tradition of the Thorne Household."
Sebastian nodded, though his heart ached for the young master he had served for so long. Even now, he still couldn't believe how such a thing happened.
"I understand, my Lord. I will get everything ready."
Gerald turned back to face Sebastian, his expression resolute. "Good. We must act swiftly and decisively. The reputation and future of the Thorne family depend on it."
Sebastian bowed deeply. "I will see to it, my Lord."
As he left the study, the weight of his responsibilities pressing heavily upon him, Sebastian couldn't help but think of Lucavion alone in the cold.
'Young Lord….Why did you do such a thing….'
But, even if it was the young child that he had seen grow, the household always needed to come before everything.
This was his code, after all.
Thus, he could only move forward.
*******
A young girl named Eliza moved silently through the corridors of the Thorne mansion, her young hands deftly dusting the ornate vases and polished banisters.
She was proud to be working here, following in her father Sebastian's footsteps. The grandeur of the mansion never ceased to amaze her, even though it had started to feel like home.
She paused to admire a portrait of the Thorne family hanging in the hall. Her father had always spoken highly of the Thorne legacy, and despite recent events, she held a certain reverence for the family. Eliza's admiration was interrupted by the soft, hurried whispers of other maids coming from the next room.
Curiosity piqued, she edged closer to the slightly ajar door of the maid's quarters. The voices became clearer.
"Did you hear about young Lord Lucavion?" one maid said, her tone a mix of shock and disdain.
"I heard it all. They say he's been locked in the basement," another maid replied, her voice filled with both pity and intrigue.
'What?'
The moment she heard this, her heart sank.
'Young Lord Lucavion...is confined in the basement?'
She knew her father had been involved in something important today, but he hadn't shared the details with her. She leaned in closer, barely daring to breathe.
"It's such a scandal. The Duke of Valoria himself nullified the engagement between Isolde and Lucavion. Committing infidelity…..With Lady Isolde's sister…."
"I can't believe it. Poor Isolde," the first maid said, her voice tinged with sympathy. "She must be devastated."
"What's going to happen to Lucavion?" the second maid asked, her voice hushed as if the very walls might hear.
"The Viscount is planning a trial. They say it's going to be a public spectacle to appease the noble society and the Church."
Eliza's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling her heart race with a mixture of disbelief and dread.
As a young maid who spent most of her time in the mansion doing chores, she didn't have much contact with her male counterparts.
She rarely went outside, and when she did, it was mostly to buy some goods that needed to be supplied to the mansion. Even then, she was always accompanied by some Senior Maids.
But for a young lady like her, how could she not hear all those romantic stories and then imagine herself as a princess?
Where would be the fun of life if she did not do such a thing? And how could she not admire the young lord who was always polite with others, treating them gently?
Yet, now, the very person, Lucavion, her first love and the person she had secretly admired for so long, was confined in the basement and accused of a grave crime.
'How could this happen?' she thought, struggling to process the information. ' Young Lord Lucavion… with Lady Isolde's sister? It can't be true…'
The maids' voices continued, oblivious to her presence just outside the door.
"I heard the trial will be harsh," the first maid said, her tone grim. "The Viscount needs to make an example of him."
"Do you think he'll be forgiven?" the second maid asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"No," the first maid replied bluntly. "The Duke of Valoria is adamant. There must be severe consequences."
Eliza's hands trembled, the feather duster she held nearly slipping from her grasp. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Lucavion, the kind and gentle young lord she had known, was facing a trial that could destroy him. The very thought was unbearable.
She needed to learn more.
She needed to see him.
'Please….There is no way the Young Lord I know would do such a thing.'
She didn't want to believe it.
With a determined breath, Eliza set the duster down and quietly slipped away from the maids' quarters.
She moved quickly through the mansion, her heart pounding in her chest as she navigated the familiar halls.
She had to be careful; any suspicious movement could draw unwanted attention.
She reached the basement entrance, a heavy wooden door at the end of a dimly lit corridor. Her father had always warned her never to visit these restricted areas, but she didn't care now.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and descended the narrow staircase. The cold, damp air sent shivers down her spine, but she pressed on.
Just at that moment, she heard something.
"Mother, please, you have to believe me. I didn't do anything wrong..."
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