Published at 21st of June 2023 08:01:02 AM

On the day of the round table meeting, Ilyin took her place with Aden and the heads of the other houses. As she had expected, she and Aden were the only ones at the table wearing black. She hadnt worn the Blue Norths cloth today despite the weather it was too fancy for mourning (fortunately, the Delrose maids had layered her sufficiently to blunt the worst of the cold). And as it was an official meeting, Aden wore his hood pulled down low, hiding his face and making a grim figure.

No one else did so around the table. The elder of Shining Elo was wearing an elaborate, golden robe as though trying to live up to the name of his house. Green Milles elder wore a less elaborate robe, but he was still bedazzled with accessories. Lidan of Blue North was a little more appropriate. He had shed all his accessories, but still wore his bright blue robe.

Behind her black veil, Ilyin fixated on Elos elder. He looked somber, but Ilyin couldnt see any guilt in his face.

Lets begin, Aden said. Immediately, Elos elder raised his hand.

Ill speak, he said. Aden met him with the Duke of Winters cold stare as he nodded for him to continue. The elder avoided his eyes, unwilling to look directly at Aden. He focused on Ilyin instead.

There is no precedent for two people of the same house to attend a round table like this, he said. His face carried an arrogance as though telling her to leave. Everyone turned to look at Ilyin.

Before Aden could interject, Ilyin raised her hand. In her simple mourning clothes, no accessories jangled when she moved, just the smooth whispers of the cloth.

Ill speak, she said, meeting the elders eyes defiantly. Her quiet voice seemed to ring throughout the room. I reviewed the records of these meetings, all the rules, since this was the first time I would be attending. There is no rule that two people from the same house cannot attend. If anything, in the early years after the mansion was built, ten people from each house would attend to watch all the important decisions being made.

I . . . see, the elder stammered. His gaze faltered. Apologies, I may have been . . . narrow minded.

Aden looked around the table. Ilyin saw a playful glint in his eyes.Sometimes he could be such a child, she thought, smiling quietly beneath her veil.

Then Ill speak, he said, looking again at Elos elder. Despite the mischievous glint in his eyes, his tone was heavy. The reason why I allowed all four houses to participate in the knight order as Master of Biflten was so you could raise your swords for the people in your estate.

His eyes turned cold as he peered at Elos elder.

But Elos sword seemed to be too heavy, he continued, chuckling darkly. I cant judge you for simple incompetence, but . . . the Delrose knights that went as reinforcements to Elo witnessed the Yesters passing through the Wall of Light. Dont deny it there were dozens of witnesses.

They went through the Wall of Light? Lidan interjected. Ilyin turned her head to look at him. He seemed genuinely surprised.

She hadnt seen him in quite some time was it before or after the assassins were caught? Blue North was usually quiet, melting into the background. Mille and Elo always seemed noisier.

Not that that absolved them of ambition they were the first to approach the bride from the warm region, after all, as though she knew nothing of the winter region and its politics.

As you know, Aden continued, the Wall of Light only lets through its allies. Of course, its presumptuous to put the blame directly on the Elos ruling family.

Elos Wall could block any enemy but had seemed to collapse all too easily before the Yesters. If even one person inside intended to betray Elo, the Wall would fall. There was no reason to believe it had to be someone from the ruling family.

But I cant help but hold you responsible for keeping almost no experienced knights, he added.

The elder said nothing. Hed already tried to make excuses with Aden when they talked before. He knew it would be futile now.

So, I will hold you responsible for not being able to fulfill your duty as one who was given the sword to wield, Aden said, holding up his open hand as a sign of decree, I therefore forbid Paneda, Elos elder, from returning to Elos territory.

In other words, Aden had removed him as elder of Elo. If he couldnt return to Elos territory, he couldnt return to either stronghold.

Including, he added, Elos territory in the mansion.

Adens gaze turned to ice as he stared down Paneda.

Leave the mansion, he said. In this land, where the four houses squabbled amongst each other and the humans and monsters were eternally at war, Paneda was barred from anyplace where hed had any authority.

Disobedience will mean immediate execution, Aden said in a voice like ice.

And as for Elo, Delrose will accept all those who survived the Yesters assault, he added. It was his duty as Duke of Winter to embrace all the people of Biflten, regardless of their house. And as for myself, I pledge that I will take a more active role in my duty as Duke of Winter by which I mean, I will exterminate every non-human thing in this land.

Ilyin scanned the attendees around the table to gauge their reaction. The elder of Mille unmistakably flinched at Adens words.

I can no longer leave the people under my rule to live in such a dangerous region.

Nor you, Aden thought as his gaze fell on Ilyin. She saw a softness seep into his gaze as he looked at her.

I will bring to this land the gift of summer, he concluded, and the word long forgotten in the winter region fell heavily in the room.