In an instant, Vladimir Starling and Firene Starling advocated for severe punishment for Aurora Starling, while the other second-generation disciples of the Starling Family had little to say. Arcanus Starling's brow furrowed tightly, seemingly contemplating something.
Is it to be death, then? Aurora Starling had not expected things to take such a comically twisted turn, but then again, this was a matter of the Bennu family's honor. If they missed this chance, who knows when the Bennu family would have another opportunity to reclaim their glory. Besides, she was just an orphan, a foolish and useless idiot, making her the perfect scapegoat to appease the masses.
Moreover, eliminating a member of the third generation, even if they were a waste, would still be beneficial to the others of the same generation. Why wouldn't they take the opportunity?
With no allies and no one to rely on, Aurora Starling, newly arrived in this strange world, was assailed by malice from all sides.
In her sleeve, her small hand clenched tightly, and Aurora Starling ground her teeth in determination.
If she survived this ordeal, she would repay tenfold, a hundredfold what had been given to her today. Bennu, the head of the Bennu family—none of it would matter. If she lived through today, she would ensure the entire Bennu family underwent a complete transformation!
"Such resentment from my uncles!" came a voice as smooth and pleasant as a melody from beyond the closed doors of the main house. The doors creaked open, and in stepped Heron, a figure of elegance in white, like a deity descending from the heavens, his smile as refreshing as a spring breeze, into the tense atmosphere of the main house.
Behind the youth, four burly men carried a massive iron cage, which they entered slowly.
Inside the cage, a white snow fox, half the height of a person, lay quietly, its emerald eyes curving slightly, its snowy fur shimmering with an alluring luster.
"Sarkspur Starling..."
The youth's arrival caused an uproar among the gathered family members.
Sarkspur Starling was not of Bennu blood; he was an orphan taken in by Arcanus Starling ten years ago. No one knew his origins, only that Arcanus Starling had named him Sarkspur Starling, placing him in the same generation as the third-generation disciples. At eighteen, Sarkspur Starling's striking beauty outshone even the handsome Vance Starling. If Vance Starling's beauty was like the stars in the night sky, then Sarkspur Starling was the sole moon that outshone them all.
How could the light of the stars compete with the brilliance of the moon?
Sarkspur Starling's appearance caught everyone by surprise. He was not often in the Bennu family estate, usually sent elsewhere by Arcanus Starling, his movements erratic and his actions personally arranged by Arcanus Starling. His current strength was as much a mystery within the Bennu family as his whereabouts.
Had Sarkspur Starling been of Bennu blood, Firene Starling and Vladimir Starling, along with the other second-generation disciples, would have likely united to eliminate this favored adopted grandson long ago.
Over the years, Sarkspur Starling had grown more handsome and refined, his demeanor so commanding that even Firene Starling dared not act carelessly.
"Before I returned to the city, I heard of the matter in the Divine Realm and learned that the Saintly Lord required a snow spirit fox as a gift. I was fortunate to encounter this little creature on my way back and brought it for Grandfather's acceptance," Sarkspur Starling said with a smile in his eyes, his exquisite features like the perfect creation of the heavens.
Seraphina Starling, standing behind Vladimir Starling, blushed furiously at the sight of Sarkspur Starling, her usual haughtiness replaced by a girl's infatuation.
"Good! Very good!" Arcanus Starling hesitated for a moment before breaking into a smile.
Ignoring the stares of the others, Sarkspur Starling quickly approached Aurora Starling and, before she could react, enveloped her in a warm embrace.
"Aurora, I'm back. You can rest assured that with me here, no one will dare to bully you," Sarkspur Starling said softly, his voice gentle yet resonating like thunder in the ears of Firene Starling and the others.
Aurora Starling blinked, taking in the refreshing scent, pondering silently...
Was this considered molestation?
Memories of Sarkspur Starling flooded her mind. If Aurora Starling was the shame of the Bennu family, then Sarkspur Starling was its pride. The only regrettable matter was that he was not of Bennu blood and could not inherit the position of head of the family. Yet this "pride" showed exceptional kindness to this "shame," unlike Vance Starling's feigned benevolence. Sarkspur Starling's care for Aurora Starling was genuine, and from the moment she could remember, he had always appeared to protect her from the schemes of others. Vladimir Starling and the rest had held back from harming Aurora Starling solely out of respect for Sarkspur Starling. However, Sarkspur Starling's affection for Aurora had also sown seeds of disdain for her in Seraphina Starling's heart.
The sense of rivalry among girls was indeed everywhere. Perhaps it was the memories of the body she now inhabited that gave Aurora Starling a sense of affection for Sarkspur Starling. For this brother, she felt no resistance.
But at that moment, Heron interjected out of nowhere with a simple, "Not bad."
What was not bad? Aurora Starling was puzzled.
While comforting the little one in his arms and warning those with ill intentions, Sarkspur Starling gently tousled Aurora Starling's hair, his eyes filled with doting.
"Your efforts this time are commendable, Sarkspur. What reward would you like?" Arcanus Starling's mood improved significantly with the acquisition of the snow spirit fox.
Sarkspur Starling looked at Aurora Starling in his arms and then at the snow spirit fox, smiling slightly. "I ask only that Grandfather pardon Aurora's transgressions. That is all I desire."
What was this protectiveness towards the weak? Vladimir Starling and Firene Starling stared in disbelief at their sons' greatest rival. They couldn't fathom that he would use his hard-earned reward to benefit that waste!
Arcanus Starling smiled and said, "As you wish."
With Arcanus Starling's word, no one else dared to speak up. Besides, trading an opportunity to awaken Bennu for the life of a fool was more than a fair deal for them. If Sarkspur Starling had also demanded to be included in the candidates for the Bennu contract, they would have been reduced to tears in the main hall.
Vance Starling might have been confident in defeating Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling, but in the presence of Sarkspur Starling, he always felt as if he would be the one annihilated.
The storm passed, and with the appearance of the new snow spirit fox, the incident of its death was forgotten. Arcanus Starling issued a few orders and dismissed the crowd. This time, he personally arranged for trusted confidants to guard the dungeon, preventing any further mishaps.
As for Aurora Starling, she felt like she had been merely a bystander throughout the entire ordeal. Of course, if not for Sarkspur Starling's sudden arrival with what felt like an "immunity charm," she might have had to beg Heron to lift a finger to save her life.