Chapter 200 - 139 : 11 Years Like A Breeze (4)

Chapter 200: Chapter 139 : 11 Years Like A Breeze (4)

Before the gathered nobles could spend much time speculating about the succession, the matter had already been settled.

Among the Duke’s seven sons, it was the second who emerged as the new Duke Vendettit.

The family presented him as its new head, the Crown recognized his succession, and the vassals soon came forward to acknowledge their new lord. Whatever had taken place within the ducal household, it was kept behind closed doors.

By the time the nobles had finished paying their respects to the late duke, the question that had brought so much speculation to Vandorath already had its answer.

Lucian received the news with a measure of unease, much like the other nobles under the new Duke’s authority. The late Duke Vendettit had understood the difficulties House Veymont faced and had given Lucian time to put his affairs in order.

But the man who had once dealt with Lucian as a fellow noble was now his liege, and there was no telling whether the same patience would remain now that the full weight of ducal authority rested in his hands. For a house that had spent decades struggling to recover, much depended on how its new superior chose to rule.

Yet the expected changes did not come. The new Duke issued no sweeping orders, made no sudden demands upon his vassals, and seemed in no hurry to assert his authority. Months passed, then years, with little to suggest what direction his rule would take. Across the territories, nobles began to wonder what lay behind his silence.

Was he occupied with matters within his own house, waiting for the right moment, or simply content to leave things as they were? No one could say for certain. In time, the initial unease gave way to cautious acceptance. The new Duke remained quiet, and though the nobles waited to see what he would do next.

By then, however, Viscount Ashcombe had grown far more influential than before.

Lucian had not forgotten the strange figures in Ashcombe’s tribute records. The Viscount had never openly refused to pay what he owed, but the numbers rarely seemed right. Expenses would rise without a clear reason, or the income from his lands and trade would somehow fall short of what was expected.

Whenever Lucian’s officials looked into the matter, Ashcombe always had an explanation ready. He knew how to arrange his accounts and turn every question back on those asking it. Lucian suspected that he was hiding part of his wealth and paying less than he should, but suspicion alone was not enough to accuse him openly.

So the years passed, and Ashcombe continued to send his tribute, while the truth remained just out of reach.

Meanwhile, his wealth kept growing. His household grew larger, and he began drawing other nobles into his circle. Some came to seek his help, others found it useful to maintain good relations with him, and a few seemed increasingly willing to follow his lead.

Little by little, Ashcombe was building a circle of his own among the nobles, and his influence was spreading beyond his lands.

His martial strength had also grown with his household now having two Force tempering martial artists am it’s ranks. One of the two Force Tempering martial artists under his banner had risen from within his own family, while the other was an older fighter Ashcombe had hired from outside his territory.

Though bringing in a powerful martial artist from elsewhere carried its own risks, since a man who had not grown up under the family’s roof might not remain loyal when circumstances changed. Ashcombe, however, seemed willing to accept that risk.

With both men under his banner, House Ashcombe had gained a level of martial strength rarely seen among the lesser noble houses. It was unusual for a viscount to have even one Force Tempering martial artist serving his family, yet Ashcombe now had two. One had risen from within his own family, while the other was an older martial artist he had hired from outside his territory. The second man’s presence was especially telling.

Maintaining such a powerful fighter required considerable wealth, and Ashcombe’s ability to bring him into his service suggested that his resources had grown far beyond what his position would normally lead others to expect.

For Lucian, the concern went beyond the possibility that Ashcombe had been hiding part of his wealth or withholding what he owed. House Veymont had lost its last Force Tempering retainer, leaving it without anyone at that level, while one of Ashcombe’s two martial artists was still young and had years to grow stronger.

It was an unsettling imbalance. A lesser house was steadily gathering strength beneath its liege, much like a younger lion growing within the hunting grounds of an older one. The younger lion might not challenge the older today, but no one could be certain what would happen as it grew.

Yet Lucian had no clear evidence of wrongdoing, and Ashcombe continued to pay his tribute, even if Lucian suspected the accounts concealed more than they revealed. He could not move against the Viscount on suspicion alone.

With Ashcombe’s wealth, growing influence among the nobles, and newfound martial strength, confronting him had become far more dangerous than it once would have been.

Lucian remembering the offer of assistance that was extended to him by the former duke, had sent a report to the new Duke, hopefully he would honor his father’s promise. In his letter he layed out the problems with Ashcombe’s tribute and the Viscount’s growing influence.

He would very much welcome the Duke’s help, especially now that Ashcombe had become strong enough to make any confrontation dangerous. But the reply brought little comfort.

The Duke had many matters to attend to, and Lucian was left to manage the affairs of his own territory. No decision was made, and no further answer came.

Then rumours began to spread that Ashcombe had been sending gifts to men close to the new Duke, and that private meetings and favours had helped him gain their goodwill. Nothing could be proved, and Lucian had no way of knowing how much truth the rumours held.

Yet he could not help thinking of his unanswered report. If Ashcombe had found a way to reach the Duke’s circle, it might explain why the matter had gone no further. The Viscount continued to pay his tribute, but the questions surrounding his accounts remained unanswered.

The effects were beginning to show among the lesser nobles as well. Some remained faithful to House Veymont, while others grew bolder about delaying their payments or disputing what they owed. Lucian could still demand what was rightfully his, but without enough strength and the Duke’s support, enforcing those demands had become harder.

He had no proof that Ashcombe was buying favour at court, and he could not act on rumours alone. For now, he had little choice but to watch and wait, uncertain whether the new Duke’s silence was a sign of indifference or something more troubling.