A few days have gone by since I set Diablo and the Shadows to the task of confirming the information. Over this time, I have spent it preparing for confrontation, while also spending as much time with Aurora as I can.
Bonding, catching up on lost time, and trying my best at comforting her and helping her to adjust to her new environment. While it seems that Aurora has started to get used to her new life, there is still a long road before this becomes the norm to her. Well, baby steps, I guess.
I am currently on my seat of power, as I look at Diablo, kneeling and reporting back what he and the Shadows found out. "Your Excellency, I have been able to confirm the information, the House of Vaelgrim were indeed the aggressors, It seems after they learned that Elenora left, they tried to track her down. It took around five years but they were eventually successful. Considering the resources they have it is not unrealistic for this to be the case."
My hand slowly tightened around my arm rest as I replied "So, they hunted her down like a common dog, and when she refused to go back to that family, they thought to silence her? disgusting people." I muttered at the end and then looked back up "I will go and personally to deal with this family, Diablo, you come too, I know you are desperate to sate your bloodlust. Double security around the palace, especially around Aurora. Just to be sure."
Diablo's eyes sparkled as he nodded in affirmation "At once Your Excellency!" Then left to fulfil his duties before we left.
"Jacob, Marcus, you two have crossed a line killing the woman I loved, still love..."
..........
In the empire of the human domain, sits thousands of kingdoms of various sizes and power. Usually the closer a kingdom is to the imperial capital the more powerful the family and the more prosperous and rich in resources the kingdom.
In this case, one such kingdom close to the imperial capital, the Vaelgrim Kingdom, led by the powerful and illustrious Vaelgrim family had deep roots. Their was an Emperor Mage, the previous head of the family Marcus Vaelgrim then there was the current head Jacob Vaelgrim a King Mage. The family had many other King Mages and Lord Mages too. This was the deep roots of the family and the proof of their strength.
Most families with kingdoms near the imperial capital had similar strength, it is what set them apart from the rest. Strength. Like everything in this world, strength was the deciding factor on whether or not you were respected or scorned.
The strong took and the weak got trampled on. If you had something valuable in this world be it territory, resources or wealth you better be able to protect it.
Sitting in an ornate office screaming luxury, sat a middle age man with white hair and red eyes, the typical characteristics of a Vaelgrim. He was going through pages on his desk as a man in a butler uniform knocked on the door and allowed himself in. The man at the desk, the current head of the family Jacob Vaelgrim, looked up at the disturbance and scowled.
"Speak" he said plainly not even trying to hide his arrogance, the butler spoke hurriedly "My Lord, after the.... successful killing of your daughter Elenora only one mage escaped and as you know, spoke of a girl, when we sent more men to track her down, we hit a dead end and have yet to find her. Well, today news reached us from informants that Lightborn himself has announced publicly within his territory of having a daughter, it seems he somehow found out and actually took her in."
The man at the desk didn't flinch when hearing about how his daughter was killed like some dog, he had others who could replace her. That's how these Noble families are, if you do not get with the program so to speak, or useful, you are shunned or worse gotten rid of.
The man, Jacob Vaelgrim looked quite shocked when he heard this news then he laughed lightly "That man being a father, ridiculous." As he shook his head he stated "Well, I guess we can't get to her now, leave it be. He will end up pushing her away like Elenora and when that happens the girl gets in line or gets silenced, just like her dear old mother." He said with a disturbing smirk on his face.
At this the butler visibly shudders as he bows. He then hesitates, before stating the obvious to his Lord. "My Lord, I don't mean to overstep, but won't Lightborn hear of what you did to the girls mother. He might do something."
Jacob's face went from smirking to stiffness as he heard that, before slowly relaxing as he said "That man won't care, and even if he does care enough to act, he won't want to anger the imperial family. Those old monsters behind them is the only reason no one has made a move for the throne." However, Jacob seemed to think of something before he spoke again "Call for father, tell him its urgent." The butler nodded, bowed, and then left the office.
Jacob leaned back in his chair as he ran a hand through his short white hair "*Sigh* I guess it is better safe than sorry." Then got back on with his work, not knowing the storm that is approaching.