---
Vlad turned to them and said in a firm voice, "You will be pardoned now, and you will not be punished."
A wave of astonishment spread among those present. Even Christina herself seemed incredulous at what she had heard, staring in shock at Vlad's face as if she was waiting for him to finish his sentence with sarcasm or mockery.
On the other hand, Victoria's voice rose in unmistakable anger, and she said sharply, "Are you mocking my son? Does he mean nothing to you? Has your favoritism towards your wife reached this point? If that's the case, know that I will take my son's rights into my own hands."
Vlad looked at her with eyes blazing with fury and then said, "I haven't finished speaking yet, and my son is dear to me... If he asked me to execute them now, I would do it immediately."
Christina's eyes widened in horror, and she collapsed to the floor in sheer fear. As for Fern, he began to cry, shouting in anguish: "Really, Father?! You would execute us for a useless boy like him?! We are your family! We are the ones who raised the name of this family high! While he... is just a cowardly fool! I will never accept this!"
At that moment, the flames of rage ignited in Vlad's eyes. Before Victoria could move or say a word, he lunged at Fern, grabbing him by the throat, then said in a terrifying voice, "Who told you that you have honored me, you wretch?! Do you think you have done something worthy of mention?! Do you think I don't know the true story that you and your mother have fabricated?! Are you trying to outsmart me?! Do you think I deal with children?! Do you think I am a fool?!"
He then turned to Christina and said in a harsher voice: "And you... do I look weak to you? Have you really come to the point where you doubt a child who's not yet twelve? That wasn't enough, but you dared to lie to my face with innocent features? Do you think I'm an idiot? Am I a joke to you? Did you think I didn't know what you've been doing in secret? And who was responsible for my son's illness?!"
The ground around them began to shake due to his aura, and the floor of the hall cracked beneath his feet. Fern fainted from sheer terror, then Vlad hurled him forcefully toward the wall, saying with disdain, "Scum like you do not honor my family."
Silence fell over the hall, and fear overtook it. Even the sounds of breathing became faint. Little Isabel was staring at her father, whom she had always seen as kind and loving, now seeing a face she had never known before... a face full of rage. She was so frightened she was on the verge of crying.
Suddenly, Elena screamed, "Vlad! Calm down! You're scaring your daughter!"
Vlad suddenly turned and looked at his daughter, seeing her crying and trembling. His anger gradually began to subside, as if her gaze was the key that restored his balance.
He sat back in his chair and looked at everyone with sharp eyes: some were angry, others hid behind their masks in fear, and others were waiting for the end of the scene for their own reasons. As for Fern, he remained unconscious, while Christina lay on the ground.
Finally, Vlad spoke: "As I said, I have pardoned your lives and your major crimes, but do not think that what you have done has been completely forgotten. It's only been postponed... temporarily. As for you, Christina, and you, Fern, your last chance has expired. If you make another mistake or try anything in secret, execution will be your fate, or exile forever. And your names will be recorded as a disgrace to this family."
Christina fell to the ground, begging, "Isn't this punishment too harsh?! Aren't we your blood? Why this cruelty?!"
Vlad responded in a cold tone like ice: "If you were truly my blood, you wouldn't have committed those crimes. And this is your last warning... If you continue with your actions, I will show no mercy to you or your son. And remember: I am watching you. Don't think you can do anything without my knowing. My eyes are everywhere."
Christina lowered her head and spoke softly, "Understood..."
Vlad shouted, "Leave now!"
She hurried out quickly.
Then he turned to Esta and said, "You've greatly disappointed me. I thought you would correct their mistakes, but you couldn't even control your younger brother and mother. How will you manage this family and this great duchy? You still have much to learn."
Vlad approached him and whispered in his ear, "I don't care what you and Arthur are planning... But if you try to harm him, I will make you suffer unbearable pain. I won't let you die easily... You and your entire family will pay the price. I am tired of you all."
Esta nodded and said brokenly, "Understood, my lord."
Vlad gestured for him to leave.
---
In the hall remained Elena, Isabel, Luna, Victoria, and Sebastian, the head servant.
Vlad looked at his wife and said, "I'm sorry for what I've caused you... Christina... If I had known everything from the beginning, things wouldn't have gotten this far."
Elena smiled and said, "It's alright, dear. The important thing is that the problem is over now."
Vlad approached his daughter, gently patting her head, and said, "My little daughter... I was a bit angry at your aunt. Forgive your father."
Isabel wiped her tears and said, "Yes, I forgive you."
Vlad smiled, then picked her up and turned to Victoria, saying, "Do you think this punishment is enough?"
Victoria responded coldly, "I don't care about her, but remember... Don't come near my son or her children, because I will never forgive her, even if she begs. I haven't forgiven her for what she's done; I have just postponed her punishment. I will take my revenge on her, even if it takes years."
As she was about to leave, Vlad said, "A week from today, there will be an emergency meeting. You must attend."
Victoria responded without turning: "I no longer care about this family. As my son said, I will come only if it's important... and if Arthur is present. Otherwise, don't waste your time inviting me."
Vlad said, "Yes, the meeting is very important, and Arthur will be present. In fact, he will be one of the candidates for inheritance. From now on, he must begin to understand what is happening around him."
Victoria paused for a moment, then turned and said, "If you try to force Arthur to be your heir, know that I won't stay silent. I told him to live as he likes, and he doesn't like restrictions. But... if he accepts the position, know that your family will reclaim its glory and will be among the strongest in this continent."
She left after these words. Vlad and Sebastian were left in shock.
Sebastian said, "Congratulations, my lord. This boy... he's a real gem. You must win him over, no matter the cost."
Vlad replied, "I know... but he's a bit cunning and lacks manners."
Sebastian laughed and said, "True, but he didn't say anything to insult you. His eloquence might suggest otherwise, but he's smart and knows his limits."
Elena commented, "It seems you've taken a liking to him."
Vlad said, "Yes, he's a good boy. I just hope time doesn't spoil him... or that the shadows don't swallow his heart."
Then he looked at his little daughter and jokingly said, "Isn't that right, my beautiful princess? He said you're an angel. You're lucky to have a brother who loves you so much."
Isabel's face turned red with embarrassment, and she said, "Of course! He has to love me... I'm a very beautiful sister!"
Vlad laughed hysterically, while a rare moment of peace spread... amidst a storm that was still brewing on the horizon.
Then he looked at Luna and said, "And you, what do you think of your brother? Did you like him or not?"
She replied, "He's really changed a lot. He's not bad, at least he's not scum like the others. He depends on himself despite his weakness, and works intelligently, not just with strength."
Vlad smiled and said, "Oh, really? You're very smart, you figured all that out from just your first meeting? Well, well, that's good."
While Vlad was speaking, someone knocked on the door, and Sebastian asked, "Who knocked?"
The servant replied, "It's the informant, my lord, he's arrived."
Vlad's expression turned serious and he said, "He's finally here. He's very early, well, it's better that he arrives early than late." Then Sebastian and Vlad went out to meet the informant who had brought important information.
Meanwhile, Christina and Vern were in Asta's room.
Christina was lamenting her bad luck, crying as she said:
"Why did I lose everything when it was all under my control? Why did Vlad betray me? Why did he side with that incompetent woman?"
Asta listened to his mother's words with disgust. He shouted at her:
"Mom, why are you so stupid?! You were about to die just moments ago, and you're still planning to take control of the duchy with your failed mindset?! You'll never succeed, and the reason is that you lost Dad's trust! Why do you always stand in my way?!"
His mother got angry at his words and retorted:
"Then why didn't you help me when we faced the accusation against that failure? Why did you stay silent? Why didn't you say a word?! We would have won the case and been able to exile or even execute him! The head servant was on our side, and we managed to bring him into our fold because of his weakness!"
Asta began laughing madly and said:
"Did you just say we could exile or execute my little brother? Are you stupid or what?! From the very beginning, he knew the truth! Haven't you heard his words? Didn't he tell you that his eyes are everywhere? Do you think he doesn't know all your actions? Like trying to poison Arthur and suffocate Elena? Dad knew everything, and he was just waiting for the right opportunity. And you gave him that opportunity without realizing it, and he took it well. Didn't you hear him say he would exile you or execute you? Do you think he was joking? You were in delusion; in reality, you didn't control anything! As for Sebastian the servant, he must have been pretending to be under your control! Do you really think a man like him would follow you? Mom, please stop these actions and live your days quietly."
Christina felt as if she had been slapped in the face by these words, a huge shock. She felt as if she was just a pawn being manipulated by others, and she was about to end her life if Arthur hadn't saved her.
She said defiantly, in despair:
"That fool Arthur, he had a precious chance but wasted it. He comforted himself with this imaginary victory."
Asta looked at her and thought to himself:
"You're stupid... Arthur, from the very beginning, never considered you anything. Your existence or non-existence means nothing to him. If you were a danger to him, he would have punished you immediately. Looks like I owe him this time."
---
Meanwhile, Arthur was returning to his room with Layla, who seemed extremely happy.
He asked her:
"What makes you so happy?"
Layla responded:
"I'm happy because you've grown up and started defending me, just like I did for you. Finally, I'm starting to see the fruits of my efforts. Thank you for saving me from Vern at that moment. I'll never forget it."
Arthur smiled and said:
"Don't worry, from now on, I'll be the one to protect you."
Layla said:
"Okay, little brother."
Arthur sighed and said:
"That word hurts my pride a lot."
She smiled and said:
"Should I call you 'my love'?" She said it with a gentle voice.
Arthur blushed and said:
"Well, call me whatever you like, just don't bother me."
Then he thought to himself:
"I really don't know. A beautiful girl like her is still single? Have all the men in this world gone extinct? Yes, yes, it seems the problem is with the men, not with her."
He reached his room and said:
"Okay, Layla, I'll go to bed early tonight. You can go to your room."
She asked:
"Really? Will you be okay alone?"
He responded:
"Yes, or do you prefer to sleep with me in the same bed?"
Layla laughed and said:
"You're such a pervert." Then she added with a soft voice:
"Okay, I'll sleep with you, but don't be too harsh with me."
Arthur sighed and said:
"Ah, I forgot I'm talking to a crazy girl." Then he gently pushed her and said:
"Come on, go to your room."
She teased him:
"You're so harsh, you don't appreciate the beauty in front of you."
He said:
"Okay, I'm harsh. Just go."
---
While Layla went to her room, night had fallen.
At that moment, Isabel was sitting with her mother and sister, and Elena spoke:
"Luna, what do you think of today's events? Wasn't it so fun? Even Christina has become pitiful. Your little brother is so scary, please don't make him our enemy, try to treat him kindly."
Isabel replied:
"Okay, Mom."
But at that moment, Luna was lost in thought and said to herself:
"How can someone change this drastically in such a short time? It's almost impossible."
Doubts gnawed at her mind... How can a person change their personality so quickly? It's not just about power, it's the character... and that's the hardest thing to change.
She thought to herself:
"How can someone rise from the bottom to become like this, turning into a snake no one can face? ...It seems a spirit has possessed him, not my little brother Arthur."
Luna possessed sharp intelligence and strong intuition, and she had picked up many clues about Arthur from just one meeting. It seemed that Arthur's task would become more difficult in the future.
---
Meanwhile, while some were falling asleep happily, Vlad was receiving shocking and dangerous news.
Vlad, Sebastian, and the informant were in an emergency meeting.
The informant spoke:
"My lord, the northern duchy has been attacked, and this time it's not like the previous attacks. The attack is widespread along the borders of the duchy, and it seems very well-organized. The duchy is on high alert, and since our duchy is connected to it, the monsters might reach our lands after we finally had peace."
Vlad replied with concern:
"What should we do to stop this bad situation?"
The informant said:
"We need to form an alliance with the northern duchy to eliminate the threat and monsters before it grows."
Vlad hesitated and said:
"Really? You mean they'll accept an alliance with us? Weren't we in long competition with them?"
The informant responded:
"Yes, you were competitors, but you're not enemies. And the monsters' threat doesn't care whether they're from the north or south. To them, you're human, and they must kill you."
Sebastian said:
"You're right, we must move quickly before it's too late, my lord."
Vlad said:
"Yes, we need to prepare a negotiation table."
The informant said:
"Don't worry, the northern duchy has already prepared everything, and they will arrive in a week. It seems they are serious this time. It looks like they are ready to put aside their past grudges temporarily to eliminate this threat."
Vlad was silent for a moment, then placed his hand on his chin and said:
"This is strange... I didn't think the northerners would ask for help so easily, especially since they're known for their stubbornness and pride."
The informant replied:
"Perhaps this time the situation is different. The reports indicate the presence of creatures we've never seen before. Some say they're not just monsters, but intelligent beings organizing the attacks and moving with well-planned strategies."
Vlad's expression changed slightly, and he said:
"Intelligent beings? This means we're not facing an ordinary invasion... we're facing a real war."
Sebastian said:
"Should we send summons to the military leaders immediately?"
Vlad nodded and said decisively:
"Yes, gather the military council tomorrow morning, and send secret invitations to the leaders in the suburbs. We don't want to cause panic in the palace or among the nobles, not yet at least. This danger may be bigger than we think."
Then he added after a moment of thought:
"And also... summon Arthur."
Sebastian was surprised and asked:
"Arthur? Why?"
Vlad said:
"I have a strange feeling about him... That boy is no longer the same. There's something telling me he'll be very useful in this upcoming conflict. He might be the only winning card we have."
The informant looked at Vlad nervously and asked:
"Do you mean you're going to send him into this war?"
Vlad replied softly:
"The war will come to him whether he wants it or not."
And so, in the deep shadows of the night, the threads of an undeclared war began to weave themselves, and this war would become a turning point in the fate of the duchies... and perhaps in the fate of the world itself.