Chapter 30 - 29: The House That Cast Me Out

Chapter 30: Chapter 29: The House That Cast Me Out

For several seconds, Arin said nothing.

The security feed remained open before him.

Sir Roland stood outside House Elysium’s main gate beneath a gray sky, rain dripping from the edge of his cloak. Mud covered his boots. One sleeve was torn almost to the shoulder. Blood—some dried, some fresh—darkened the fabric along his side.

In one hand, he held a folded letter marked with the silver lion crest of House Valerius.

The crest looked smaller than Arin remembered.

Or perhaps everything connected to that house did now.

"The Duke has fallen."

Roland’s words echoed inside Arin’s mind.

"And your father is asking for you."

Lucan was the first to break the silence.

"Well."

Arin looked toward him.

Lucan’s expression was unreadable.

"If the universe has a sense of humor, it is a cruel one."

Arin ignored that and enlarged the feed.

"Gate status."

EVE answered immediately.

"Sealed. Sir Roland has not attempted forced entry."

"Threat scan?"

"Severe exhaustion. Multiple wounds. No hidden explosives. No active hostile enchantments. Three magical tracking marks were found on his cloak."

Arin’s expression changed.

"Can they see where he is?"

"Possibly."

"Remove them."

"Without alerting whoever placed them?"

"Yes."

EVE’s eyes flashed.

"Working."

Lyra’s voice came through the Family Link.

"Big Brother?"

"I’m here."

"Is Uncle Roland hurt?"

Arin’s jaw tightened slightly.

Lyra had always called him that.

Not because he was family.

Because he brought her candy and treated Arin like a person long before anyone else bothered.

"Yes."

"Bring him inside."

Arin did not answer immediately.

Lyra noticed.

"He helped us."

"I know."

"He didn’t attack the valley."

"I know."

"And he said Mother would be proud of you."

Arin closed his eyes for half a second.

"I remember."

Then he looked toward EVE.

"Open the outer reception gate. Not the city gate."

Lucan raised an eyebrow.

"Careful."

"Prepared."

Arin glanced toward A-01.

"You come."

The Termination Officer nodded.

"Accepted."

"Guardian Zero stays with Elara."

From somewhere outside came a dissatisfied rumble.

"Family."

Arin looked toward the wall.

"Exactly. Stay."

"Fine."

Lucan crossed his arms.

"And me?"

"You stay here."

Lucan laughed once.

"Absolutely not."

Arin looked at him.

"You being seen by a Valerius commander creates problems I don’t need yet."

"He already knows me."

Arin’s expression sharpened.

"What?"

Lucan’s face changed slightly.

There.

Another piece he had not shared.

"When?"

"Years ago."

"Explain."

Lucan glanced toward the security feed.

"Later."

Arin stepped closer.

"Wrong answer."

Lucan’s eyes narrowed.

Before either could continue, Roland swayed outside the gate.

His knee nearly touched the ground.

Arin’s anger shifted direction.

"Later," he said.

This time, it was his word.

Lucan did not argue.

Good.

Arin turned toward EVE.

"Medical team ready?"

"Yes."

"Bring Roland into Reception Hall Three."

"Confirmed."

The feed changed.

The outer wall opened.

Not the main gate.

A smaller section of stone silently separated near the road, revealing a narrow corridor.

Roland looked up.

For the first time, surprise entered his face.

The old knight had seen the defense drones before.

He had suspected the valley contained something extraordinary.

But now he saw white metal, blue lights, and a doorway forming from a wall that had looked like solid mountain seconds earlier.

His hand moved toward his sword by instinct.

Then stopped.

"Young Master?"

Arin activated the speaker.

"Walk."

Roland froze.

Even through the feed, Arin could see relief strike him.

"Arin."

"Inside."

No emotion in the command.

Not because Arin felt none.

Because they could speak when Roland was no longer bleeding in the rain.

The knight entered.

The wall sealed behind him.

---

Reception Hall Three was intentionally unimpressive by Elysium standards.

A long table.

Several chairs.

One medical station.

No city map.

No advanced production equipment.

No obvious path deeper into House Elysium.

Arin arrived before Roland.

A-01 stood against the wall like an armored statue.

Two security drones hovered near the ceiling.

Arin remained in his MK-I combat suit.

He considered removing it.

Then decided against it.

Roland had come from a battlefield.

There was no reason to pretend this was a family reunion.

The doors opened.

Roland entered with two medical drones beside him.

The old knight took three steps.

Then stopped.

His good eye moved over Arin.

The armor.

The Authority Band.

The weapon at his thigh.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Roland smiled first.

Very slightly.

"You look better than when you left."

Arin glanced at the blood dripping from Roland’s sleeve.

"You don’t."

The knight laughed weakly.

"Fair."

One of the medical drones moved forward.

Roland instinctively stepped away.

"Let it."

Roland looked at Arin.

"It’s safe?"

"Safer than bleeding."

The old knight nodded.

The drone scanned him.

Blue light passed over his body.

«MULTIPLE LACERATIONS.

TWO FRACTURED RIBS.

MODERATE BLOOD LOSS.

CURSE RESIDUE DETECTED.»

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

"Curse?"

Roland looked down at himself.

"So that’s what that burning was."

"Sit."

"I can stand."

"That wasn’t a question."

Roland blinked.

Then slowly sat.

Something almost amused moved through his expression.

"You’ve changed."

"People keep saying that."

"So I imagine."

Arin remained standing across from him.

"Who attacked House Valerius?"

Roland’s amusement vanished.

"The Ashbourne Coalition."

Arin knew the name.

Three noble houses.

Several merchant families.

A Hunter Guild branch.

Individually, none could challenge House Valerius.

Together—

"Why?"

"Officially?"

"Start there."

"They accuse Duke Aldric of manipulating guild contracts, hiding illegal artifacts, and concealing a forbidden bloodline."

Arin’s expression did not change.

"And unofficially?"

Roland looked directly at him.

"They believe House Valerius knows where you are."

Silence.

There it was.

Arin felt something cold settle into place.

Not surprise.

Confirmation.

His power had already started pulling politics toward his old family.

"They attacked because of me."

"No."

Roland’s answer came immediately.

Arin looked at him.

"They attacked because they wanted what they believe you possess."

The knight’s voice hardened.

"Do not confuse their greed with your responsibility."

Arin said nothing.

He had heard something similar recently.

Responsibility and guilt.

Apparently the world was becoming repetitive.

"How bad?"

Roland exhaled.

"The western estate is gone."

Arin’s eyes sharpened.

"The villages?"

"Evacuated where possible."

"Casualties?"

Roland hesitated.

"High."

"Number."

"Approximately eleven hundred civilians across the territory. Two hundred and fourteen House troops confirmed dead. Forty-seven Hunters."

Arin’s jaw tightened.

Lyra’s childhood home was not what mattered.

The people around it did.

Eleven hundred.

"Where is Father?"

"Main estate."

"Alive?"

"Yes."

"Then how has the Duke fallen?"

Roland reached into his cloak.

He placed the bloodstained letter on the table.

"Politically."

Arin looked at the seal.

"Duke Aldric was stripped of emergency command by the Royal Council three days ago."

"Why?"

"They claim his decisions endangered the kingdom."

"Did they?"

Roland laughed bitterly.

"The kingdom discovered principles when powerful nobles wanted his land."

Arin touched the letter but did not open it.

"Who controls the estate now?"

"Technically your uncle, Lord Theron."

Arin remembered him.

His father’s younger brother.

Always smiling.

Always agreeable.

Always somehow present when succession was discussed.

"Technically?"

"Half the guards still follow Aldric."

"And the other half?"

"Theron."

"Convenient."

"Very."

Arin opened the letter.

The handwriting was familiar.

Precise.

Controlled.

His father’s.

There was no greeting.

No my son.

No apology.

Only a few lines.

«Return immediately.

House Valerius faces enemies beyond its capacity.

Your presence may prevent further bloodshed.

Matters concerning your mother must also be discussed.

Aldric Valerius.»

Arin read it twice.

Then placed it down.

Roland watched carefully.

"What?"

Arin looked at him.

"Nothing."

"You’re angry."

"No."

"You’re doing that thing."

"What thing?"

"Your mother used to do it too."

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

Roland pointed vaguely toward his face.

"Looking calm enough to frighten everyone."

A-01 turned its mask toward Arin.

"Observation accurate."

Arin looked at the machine.

"No one asked."

"Recorded."

Roland stared at A-01.

"What is that?"

"Complicated."

"Fair."

Arin tapped the letter.

"He knows Mother is alive."

Roland’s expression changed.

That was enough.

"You knew too."

The old knight said nothing.

Arin’s voice dropped.

"How long?"

"Arin—"

"How long?"

Roland closed his eye.

"Not everything."

"That wasn’t the question."

"I knew her death was suspicious."

"How long?"

"Seven years."

Arin did not move.

"Since the beginning."

"Yes."

"And you said nothing."

"I had no proof."

"You had suspicion."

"I did."

"You served my father."

"Yes."

"You watched me mourn her."

Roland’s face tightened.

Arin continued.

"You watched Lyra grow up believing she had no mother."

"I know."

"No."

Arin’s voice became colder.

"You know now because I’m standing here asking."

Roland absorbed that without defending himself.

Good.

At least he wasn’t stupid enough to make excuses.

Eventually the old knight said:

"I failed both of you."

Arin looked at him.

"I didn’t come to ask forgiveness."

"I know."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because children are dying in your old territory."

That answer stopped Arin.

Roland continued.

"Because servants who watched you grow are defending walls that will fall in two days."

His hand closed around his knee.

"Because the families living under the Valerius banner did not exile you."

Silence.

That was the argument.

Not Duke Aldric.

Not House pride.

Not inheritance.

People.

Roland knew exactly which weapon to use.

Arin almost resented him for it.

Almost.

"How many people remain inside the main territory?"

"Close to thirty thousand."

Arin’s expression changed.

"Thirty thousand?"

"Villagers, estate workers, refugees from western lands."

"Food?"

"One week."

"Water?"

"Stable unless the eastern pumping station falls."

"Defenses?"

"Main estate can survive perhaps forty-eight hours."

Arin looked toward the wall.

Thirty thousand civilians.

That changed everything.

He activated the Family Link.

"EVE."

"Listening."

"Come to Reception Hall Three."

A moment later, the doors opened.

EVE entered.

Roland stood by instinct.

Then almost fell.

"Sit," Arin said.

Roland sat.

EVE looked at the knight.

Recognition appeared.

"Sir Roland."

He stared.

"Have we met?"

"No."

"Then—"

"House Elysium observed your previous visit."

Roland slowly nodded.

"I suspected as much."

Arin looked at EVE.

"Can we provide food for thirty thousand people for seven days?"

Roland’s eye widened.

EVE answered immediately.

"From current active facilities? No."

Arin nodded.

Expected.

"How much?"

"Approximately six thousand for seven days without compromising internal reserves."

"Construction support?"

"Builder-01 and basic fabrication can create shelters, water purification, structural reinforcement."

"Medical?"

"Limited."

"Combat?"

"Current city defenses cannot leave the valley."

Roland listened to every answer.

His expression became stranger with each one.

Arin noticed.

He did not care.

Technology secrecy mattered.

People dying mattered more.

That did not mean Arin would hand Elysium weapons to outsiders.

He looked toward EVE.

"Can family-locked equipment operate if piloted by me outside the valley?"

"Yes."

"Phantom?"

"Yes."

"Combat suit?"

"Yes."

"Portable defenses?"

"Some."

"Good."

Roland finally spoke.

"What exactly have you become?"

Arin looked at him.

"Busy."

EVE’s mouth twitched.

Roland laughed despite himself.

Then the Family Link flashed.

Lyra.

"Big Brother?"

"Yes."

"Can I come in?"

Arin considered.

Then:

"Yes."

The door opened almost instantly.

Lyra entered at a speed suggesting she had been standing outside.

Roland stood again.

This time no injury stopped him.

"Young Lady."

Lyra ran.

She hugged him.

Roland froze.

Then slowly wrapped one arm around her.

"You look terrible," she said.

A broken laugh escaped him.

"I’ve heard."

"Did Father really ask for Big Brother?"

"Yes."

Lyra looked toward Arin.

He read the question in her face.

Are we going back?

Not home.

Neither of them thought of it that way anymore.

Arin looked toward Roland.

"Did Father ask for Lyra?"

Silence.

Roland’s face told him the answer.

No.

Arin smiled faintly.

Coldly.

"Of course."

Lyra looked down.

That single movement made the decision much easier.

Arin stood.

"We’re not returning to House Valerius."

Roland’s expression tightened.

"Arin—"

"I said we’re not returning."

The knight went silent.

Arin continued.

"I’m going to Valerius territory."

Roland looked confused.

"Difference?"

"Yes."

He picked up Aldric’s letter.

"I am not going as his son."

The paper folded once beneath his fingers.

"Not as his heir."

Again.

"Not as a member of House Valerius."

He placed it on the table.

"I will go because thirty thousand civilians are trapped in a war they did not start."

Roland stared.

"And the Duke?"

Arin’s expression did not change.

"If he survives until I arrive, he can explain himself."

Roland almost smiled.

"That may frighten him more than the Coalition."

"Good."

Lyra raised her hand.

"I’m coming."

"No."

She opened her mouth.

Arin lifted one finger.

"Before you argue—Mother is here."

Lyra stopped.

Her expression changed immediately.

"You stay with her."

That was different.

Not protection alone.

Responsibility.

Lyra looked toward EVE.

Then back at Arin.

"Can I talk to her?"

"When Seraphine is removed."

"Then I’ll stay."

No argument.

Arin felt proud of her.

He did not say it.

She would become unbearable.

"Lucan stays too," Arin said.

A voice came from the doorway.

"No."

Everyone turned.

Lucan stood there.

Arin’s eyes narrowed.

"You were told to stay."

"I was bored."

"Go back."

"No."

Roland’s face had gone completely white.

He stared at Lucan.

"Young Master... Lucan."

Silence.

Lyra looked between them.

EVE looked toward Arin.

Arin looked at Roland.

"You do know him."

Roland swallowed.

"Yes."

Lucan smiled faintly.

"Hello, old man."

Roland slowly stood.

"You were dead."

"So people keep telling me."

Arin crossed his arms.

"Now."

Roland looked at him.

"You wanted to know when I met him."

"Yes."

The knight stared at Lucan.

"Eighteen years ago."

Arin went still.

Lucan was perhaps twenty-five.

Meaning Roland knew him as a child.

"Where?"

Roland’s voice became quieter.

"Inside House Valerius."

Lyra’s eyes widened.

Arin’s expression hardened.

"Continue."

Roland closed his eye.

"The night Lucan disappeared..."

A pause.

"...I was the guard who opened the gate."

The room went silent.

Lucan’s smile vanished.

Arin stared at Roland.

"You helped them take him."

Roland shook his head.

"No."

His face filled with something much older than regret.

"I helped your mother take him away."

Lucan stopped breathing.

Arin felt the entire story shift beneath his feet.

"What?"

Roland looked directly at Lucan.

"Lady Elara ordered me to open the northern gate."

His voice broke slightly.

"She was the one who gave you to the Hollow Crown."