Chapter 13: Shadows Within the Family
In the quiet night atmosphere, the Everia family seemed busy with their affairs. However, behind the tranquility, intrigue was being arranged. In the main hall of the castle, Duke Alaric led a meeting with Leon and Lady Seraphina. His face was serious, while Leon showed an expression of unconcealed confidence.
"We have to speed up this plan," Leon said, his eyes burning with ambition. "Eric is getting more and more suspicious. If he finds something, his position will be in jeopardy."
Lady Seraphina, who was sitting beside Leon, smiled faintly. "Relax, Leon. He may be the heir to this family, but you have your father's support. As long as we stick together, he won't be able to resist."
Duke Alaric sighed, his eyes wavering. "But Eric is my flesh and blood. I don't want to get rid of him without a good reason. If he's dangerous, show me the proof."
Leon clenched his fists, his voice rising. "Evidence? Dad, just look at how he's avoiding us. He's hiding something!"
As their conversation heated up, Eric stood behind a large pillar outside the hall. He had heard most of the conversation, and every word that came out of Leon's mouth made his blood boil.
"They are planning to take me down," Eric thought. He realized that his position was getting more and more precarious. However, he was not afraid. On the contrary, the conversation gave him a new impetus to act more carefully.
On the other side of the castle, Celeste is busy reading a document in the family library. She has smelled this intrigue for a long time, but the real evidence has just come to her—a secret letter written by Lady Seraphina to a foreign nobleman. The contents of the letter indicate an intention to overthrow Eric's position as the rightful heir.
"Celeste," Eric's soft voice made her turn. Eric appeared from behind the bookshelf, his face tense but determined. "I need your help. They're planning to take me down, and we don't have much time."
Celeste handed the letter to Eric without saying much. "I know. This is one of the pieces of evidence I found. If their plan continues, not only will your position as heir, but your life will also be in danger."
Eric read the letter carefully, his eyes narrowed sharply. He gripped the letter tightly, then said, "Okay. I will act. But before that, I have to prepare myself. I have to be stronger."
Celeste nodded. "You have time. If there's anything you can rely on, it's your strength. I'll keep an eye on them from here."
Eric smiled faintly, but gratefully. "I won't let you down."
With determined steps, Eric left the library, heading towards his private training room. He knew that the road ahead was full of obstacles, but his determination was firm.
Eric made his way to the secret training room he had discovered beneath the castle, which was now his training location. As he walked through the dark hallways dimly lit by torches, his mind kept replaying the conversation he had heard between his father, Leon, and Lady Seraphina.
"They don't see me as part of the family. Leon, you have the nerve to slander me in front of father. And Lady Seraphina... you're more cunning than I thought," Eric thought as he clenched his fists.
Arriving at the training room, Eric turned on the glowing crystals that lined the walls, illuminating the area. The room was spacious, with various training equipment and the Everia family symbol carved into the floor. In the center of the room, there was a dragon statue that seemed to be coiled, as if watching over whoever was there.
Eric put the letter from Celeste on the table, then took out the dragon heart he got from the secret room. He held it tightly, feeling the powerful energy flowing from the artifact.
"If I want to face them, I have to master this power faster," he muttered.
Eric began to sit cross-legged in the center of the room, trying to align his energy with the dragon's heart. A fiery red aura slowly appeared around his body, and the room began to vibrate lightly.
However, the training was not easy. When he tried to absorb the energy from the dragon's heart, his body felt like it was burning from the inside. He groaned in pain but did not give up. Memories of the betrayal he heard and Leon and Lady Seraphina's cunning plan spurred his spirit.
"I won't let them bring me down. This power is mine, and I will show it to them."
Eric recalled Everia's ancestral teachings on energy control. "Control it, don't fight it," Eric whispered to himself. Slowly, he calmed his mind, allowing the dragon's energy to blend with his body. The once wild red aura began to stabilize, enveloping his body like a protective coat.
After a few hours, Eric stood up, panting. He felt a significant difference in his strength. "This is just the beginning," he said, looking at the dragon statue. "I must become stronger. Those who betrayed me will see who is truly worthy of being the heir of this family."
Suddenly, he remembered his father's conversation about the family elders. If he could gain their support, his position would be even more solid. However, he also knew that without enough strength, he would not be able to convince them.
Eric decided to continue his training, using every moment to strengthen himself. In between his thoughts, he also planned his next move to uncover Leon and Lady Seraphina's plan without involving his father, who now seemed more inclined to side with them.
Eric's training continued until nightfall. Sweat drenched his body, but his determination never wavered. Amid his training, childhood memories with his father slowly surfaced in his mind.
"You must be a strong heir, Eric," Duke Alaric's voice echoed in his mind. "The Everia family will only be respected if its leader can protect this great name."
But now, his father seemed to have turned his back on him, trusting Leon and Lady Seraphina more. Eric clenched his fists. "If power is the only language they understand, then I will speak with power."
Eric stood up, the red aura now denser enveloping his body. He stared at the dragon's heart that was beating slowly in his hand. "This is just the first step. I have to surpass them all, including father."
A knock on the door broke the silence. Eric put the dragon heart into his storage ring and opened the door carefully. Before him stood Celeste, her face looking worried.
"What's wrong, Celeste?" Eric asked, his voice full of concern.
"I heard something important," Celeste whispered, stepping into the room. "Leon and Lady Seraphina are planning something with Duke Alaric. They want to have a meeting with the family elders as soon as possible. I believe it has to do with your position as heir."
Hearing that, Eric's brows furrowed. "They're moving fast. I have to get ahead of them."
Celeste nodded, then handed over a small scroll of paper. "I also found this in Leon's room. It seems to be a draft of a letter to convince the elders to side with him. But... there's one strange name here."
Eric opened the scroll and read its contents. The name of the Seventh Elder was listed there, but there were no further details. Eric recognized the name as one of the seven elders of the family, but he knew the Seventh Elder was notoriously mysterious and rarely appeared in family affairs.
"If the Seventh Elder is involved, I have to be careful," Eric thought. "However, if he knows about this ancient symbol..." His gaze shifted to the Everia family symbol that now hung around his neck.
Celeste looked at him curiously. "What are you going to do, Eric?"
Eric took a deep breath, then said, "I will meet the Seventh Elder. If he knows about this emblem, he might be the key to stopping Leon and Lady Seraphina's plans."
Celeste looked hesitant but ultimately nodded. "Okay, but be careful. Leon won't stay silent."
Eric patted Celeste's shoulder gently. "Thanks for helping me, Celeste. Don't worry, I'll make sure they don't succeed."
In his heart, Eric knows that his next move will be decisive. He must not only prove his strength but also uncover the truth behind the intrigue that threatens his position as heir to the Everia family.
(End Chapter 13)