This dark room was filled with the scent of dust and the faint echo of voices from the street outside. Alaric and Lyra stepped carefully, their eyes adjusting to the low light as they made their way through the house. The interior was modest but well-kept, the furniture simple yet functional, a testament to the humble lifestyle of its inhabitants.
As they ventured further into the house, they encountered two individuals, a man and a woman, both in their late forties. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his muscular frame a result of years of hard labor. His hair was a dark brown, streaked with gray, and his eyes were a warm, earthy color. He wore a simple tunic and breeches, the clothing of a commoner, but his bearing was proud and dignified.
The woman was of a similar age, her hair a soft brown, pulled back into a neat bun. Her eyes were a gentle hazel, and her features were soft and kind. She wore a simple dress, the fabric well-worn but clean, and an apron tied around her waist. Her hands were rough and calloused, a sign of her dedication to her duties as a housewife.
The man was Matteo, a blacksmith by trade, his hands calloused and his arms strong from years of working with metal. The woman was Camilla, his wife, a dedicated housewife who took pride in maintaining their home and caring for their family.
As Matteo and Camilla laid eyes on Lyra and Alaric, their expressions shifted from surprise to shock. They took in the elegant clothing of the mother and son, the rich fabrics and intricate designs a stark contrast to their own simple attire. They realized instantly that these two were not ordinary visitors, but individuals of higher status in the kingdom. Their minds raced, and they came to the conclusion that these two must be related to the Bennet Family, the very family their daughter Rosalind had offended.
Matteo and Camilla quickly bowed their heads, their bodies tense with fear and respect. "Your Grace," Matteo said, his voice filled with reverence. "We are honored by your presence. Please, forgive us for our humble abode."
Lyra, however, was not taken aback by their gesture. She had encountered such reactions many times before, her status as the matriarch of the Steele Family often inspiring awe and fear in those of lower standing.
She calmly addressed the couple, her voice steady and reassuring. "Please, raise your heads," she said. "There is no need to be scared of us. We have not come to harm you."
Alaric stepped forward, his young face filled with determination. He addressed the couple with a respectful tone, referring to them as Uncle and Aunty. "Uncle, Aunty," he said, his voice filled with concern. "I am friends with Rosalind. I wanted to meet up with her. What has happened? Why is your family under house arrest?"
Matteo and Camilla exchanged a shocked glance, their minds racing as they tried to process Alaric's words. They recalled that one of Rosalind's friends had paid her entire fees back to the Bennet Family, ensuring that the Bennet Family would not trouble Rosalind or her family again. They realized that this must be the family that had come to their daughter's aid.
The couple bowed their heads once more, their voices filled with gratitude. "Your Grace," Matteo said, his voice filled with emotion. "We are forever in your debt. You have shown our daughter great kindness, and we are eternally grateful."
Lyra smiled, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Please, raise your heads," she said. "And tell me what exactly has happened. I want to know the full story."
Matteo and Camilla raised their heads, their expressions serious as they prepared to recount the events that had led to their current predicament. It was Matteo who spoke first, his voice steady and filled with resolve.
"It all started when Rosalind returned home for the winter vacations," he said. "Jasper Bennet, the young master of the Bennet Family, came to visit her. He was angry that she had found another sponsor for her fees and that this sponsor had paid the entire academy's fees to his family. Rosalind tried to break things off cleanly, but Jasper would not let it go. He ordered his guards to capture her and bring her to his estate."
Matteo paused, his expression growing dark as he recalled the events that followed. "Rosalind knew what would happen if she was captured by those guards," he said. "She used her magic to defeat them. Although the guards were martial artists, Rosalind is not one to be underestimated. She used her spells to defeat the guards of the Bennet Family. And during one of her attacks, Jasper Bennet jumped in front of the attack and took the brunt of it, injuring himself in the process."
Lyra listened intently, her expression growing serious as she pieced together the events in her mind. She knew all too well the consequences of injuring a member of a noble family, especially one as powerful as the Bennet Family. She could almost imagine what had happened next.
"After Jasper was taken back to his family," Lyra said, her voice filled with understanding. "The Disciplinary Town's Court's guards must have come and sealed this place, putting your entire family under house arrest for this crime. They must have also sealed Rosalind's magic energy, rendering her powerless."
Matteo nodded, his expression grave. "Yes, Your Grace," he said. "That is exactly what happened. We have been under house arrest ever since, awaiting the decision of the Disciplinary Town's Court. Rosalind has been locked in her room, refusing to come out. She blames herself for everything that has happened, and she has barely eaten in the past few days."
Alaric's expression grew concerned as he listened to Matteo's words. He turned to Lyra, his eyes filled with worry. "Mother," he said. "I need to go see Rosalind. I need to make sure she's alright."
Lyra nodded, understanding her son's concern. "Go, moonpie," she said. "See to your friend. I will stay here and talk to Matteo and Camilla, gather more information about the situation."
Alaric nodded, his expression filled with determination as he turned and rushed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the house. He made his way to Rosalind's room, his heart pounding with anticipation and worry. He knocked softly on the door, his voice filled with concern as he called out to her.
"Rosalind," he said. "It's me, Alaric. Please, let me in. I want to talk to you."
There was a moment of silence before the door creaked open, revealing Rosalind's pale, tear-streaked face. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw Alaric, her expression shifting from surprise to relief.
"Alaric," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "You're here. You came for me."
Alaric stepped into the room, his eyes taking in Rosalind's disheveled appearance. Her hair was a mess, her clothes rumpled and stained with tears. Her eyes were red and puffy, a testament to the days of crying and self-blame. He felt a surge of protectiveness, a desire to comfort her and ease her pain.
"Of course I came for you," he said, his voice filled with determination. "You're my friend, Rosalind. I wouldn't let you face this alone. Now, tell me what happened. Tell me everything."
Rosalind took a deep, shuddering breath, her eyes filling with tears once more as she prepared to recount the events that had led to her current predicament.
Alaric sat with Rosalind, listening to her as she poured out her heart, her fears, her regrets. He held her hand, his grip steady and reassuring, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion. He knew that she was hurting, that she was scared, that she was blaming herself for everything that had happened. And he was determined to help her, to comfort her, to ease her pain.
"It's not your fault, Rosalind," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "You were only defending yourself, protecting yourself from harm. You did what you had to do, what any of us would have done in your place. You are not to blame for this."
Rosalind looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears, her expression filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Alaric," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for being here, for listening to me, for understanding me. I don't know what I would do without you."
Alaric smiled, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. "You don't have to worry about that, Rosalind," he said. "I'm here for you, now and always. We'll face this together, you and me. We'll find a way to overcome this, to protect you and your family, to ensure your safety and your freedom."
Rosalind nodded, her expression filled with hope and determination.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Lyra continued her conversation with Matteo and Camilla, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the full extent of the situation. She knew that the Bennet Family was not one to be trifled with, their power and influence extending far and wide. She also knew that the Disciplinary Town's Court was not known for its mercy, its judgments often harsh and unyielding.
~~
A/N:
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My discord link for this Novel:
https://discord.gg/DF7yYxZdVT
]