Free Web NovelChapter 30: 30: Noble Law (3)
For a moment, his expression changed. Not with kindness, but with recognition. Jenny was the daughter of his old ally. Even if he was angry, he did not attack immediately after seeing her.
Jenny continued, "Lucard is my brother. Please let me explain everything."
Baron Ravencroft’s eyes moved to Lucard, then back to Jenny.
"Speak."
Jenny took a breath. Her cheek still hurt, but she forced herself to remain steady. "House Vardros was attacked. Father and Mother were killed. Manager Jeff betrayed us, and House Karswell was involved. We escaped with Knight Captain Peter. We came here because Father trusted you. Before he died, he gave me his ring and told me to seek help. But when we arrived, we were placed in a tool room. Jake was threatened. Peter was forced to stay outside. I came to meet Adrian because I wanted to understand why we were being treated this way."
Her voice shook, but she did not stop.
"I did not come to talk about the engagement. I only wanted to meet you and ask for help rebuilding our family. But Adrian and Tina insulted us. Tina slapped me. Lucard saw it and defended me."
Baron Ravencroft listened without showing much reaction.
Lucard observed his face the whole time.
There was no surprise.
That was the first thing Lucard noticed.
When Jenny said House Vardros was attacked, Baron Ravencroft did not look shocked. When she mentioned House Karswell, he did not ask questions. When she said they were placed in a tool room, he did not look confused. When Tina slapped Jenny, he did not even look disappointed. freёwebnoѵel.com
His face was too calm.
Lucard understood everything.
He stepped forward and placed one hand lightly in front of Jenny, stopping her from speaking further.
Jenny looked at him. "Lucard?"
Lucard did not look at her. His eyes stayed on Baron Ravencroft.
"You never wanted to help us," Lucard said. "You already knew everything. Or rather, this is all your plan."
The garden became silent.
Baron Ravencroft’s face changed.
The calm mask disappeared. What remained was colder and uglier. His lips curved into a faint smile, and his eyes no longer pretended to be kind.
"So you figured it out."
Jenny’s face turned pale.
Baron Ravencroft continued, "Yes, I knew everything. I knew how you were treated. I ordered them to do it. I wanted you to understand your place before you came begging."
Jenny shook her head slowly. "No."
Baron Ravencroft ignored her. "I want my son to marry Tina Karswell, not some daughter of a fallen family. House Vardros is finished. Your family name has no value anymore."
Jenny’s voice trembled. "You and Father were friends."
Baron Ravencroft laughed softly.
"Your father was a fool. I used him because it benefited me. Friendship is a pretty word weak men use when they do not understand profit."
Jenny looked as if she had been slapped again.
Jake clenched his fists and shouted, "You are lying. Father trusted you."
Baron Ravencroft looked at Jake with cold eyes. "Then your father died as stupid as he lived."
Peter gripped his sword, but his injured body was too weak to move against the guards around them.
Jenny suddenly remembered something. Her eyes became sharper despite the pain.
"Then return the money," she said.
Baron Ravencroft looked at her. "What money?"
"The gold Father gave you," Jenny said. "He gave you gold coins because our families were about to become family through marriage. He helped fund your tomb excavation and your manor repair. Return that money. Give us back what belongs to House Vardros, and we will leave with Jake, Lucard, and Peter."
For one moment, Baron Ravencroft stared at her.
Then he started laughing.
His laughter was not loud at first, but it grew. Adrian laughed too, though his swollen face made it look painful. Tina laughed while crying, which made her face look even more ruined.
"Pay you?" Baron Ravencroft said. "You foolish girl. You stand in my house, after your bastard brother attacked my son and Baron Karswell’s daughter, and you ask me for money?"
Jenny’s face tightened.
Baron Ravencroft raised his staff again.
"No. I will not pay you. I will punish all of you according to noble law for beating my son and Tina."
Lucard’s eyes became very cold.
Baron Ravencroft smiled.
"And after that, House Vardros will finally understand what it means to fall."
Baron Ravencroft’s voice echoed through the garden. freewebnøvel.coɱ
The guards around him raised their weapons. More guards had come after hearing the noise. Some stood near the black stone path. Some blocked the way back to the side garden. Some moved closer to Jenny, Jake, Peter, and Lucard. Their gray armor carried the bone raven mark, and their spears were pointed forward.
Jenny’s face became pale.
Jake held the back of Jenny’s dress with both hands. His small fingers were trembling. He tried to stand straight, but his fear was too clear. His eyes moved from one guard to another, and his breathing became quick.
Peter drew his sword at once.
His body was injured, and his wounds still hurt, but he still stepped in front of Jenny and Jake. His face was full of anger. He knew he could not win against so many guards, but he had already failed his lord once. He did not want to fail the remaining children of House Vardros again.
Adrian and Tina looked pleased now.
Adrian’s face was swollen, and blood still ran from his nose, but his eyes were full of cruel satisfaction. Tina was holding her cheek with both hands, crying and glaring at Lucard at the same time. Now that Baron Ravencroft was there with guards around them, she looked brave again. It was amazing how quickly cowards recovered courage when they stood behind stronger people.
Lucard looked at Baron Ravencroft and said calmly, "I must disagree."
Baron Ravencroft’s eyes narrowed.
"You disagree?"
"Yes," Lucard said. "Your words are ugly, and your face makes them worse."
