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Gently, I extricated myself from Sionna\'s embrace, careful not to wake her. She stirred slightly but remained asleep, her face peaceful. I couldn\'t help but smile at the sight; even in the midst of all the chaos, moments like these were precious.

While making my way into the bathroom adjective to my chambers, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My reflection showed a young man who had been through too much in too little time. My dual-colored eyes, one blue and one red, stared back at me, a reminder of the unique destiny I carried.

The white and black strands of my hair framed a face that looked older than my years, etched with the lines of worry and fatigue.

Splashing water on my face, I took a moment to center myself. The Soul King\'s words echoed in my mind, urging me to lean on those who cared for me. I needed to trust my family and allies more, to let them shoulder some of the burdens I had been trying to carry alone.

As I finished freshening up and stepped back into the room, I found Liliana waiting for me, a tray with breakfast in her hands. Her eyes sparkled with concern and love, her presence a constant source of strength.

"Good morning, Samael," she greeted, her voice soft and soothing. "I thought you might need something to eat."

"Thank you, Liliana," I replied, taking the tray from her and setting it on a nearby table. "I appreciate this more than you know."

She smiled, her expression warm. "I know you do. Now sit down and eat. You need to keep your strength up."

I nodded, seating myself at the table. As I ate, Liliana sat across from me, her eyes never leaving my face. It was a small, intimate moment, one that reminded me of the importance of these simple acts of care and connection.

Once I finished breakfast, I felt a renewed sense of determination. There were still many challenges ahead, but I knew I had the support and love of those around me. I couldn\'t afford to falter now.

"Samael," Liliana said, breaking the comfortable silence. "What are you planning to do today?"

"I need to check on Mother and make sure she\'s alright after confronting Lord Ashwood," I replied. "And then, we need to start preparing for Lady Eveline Clearwater\'s visit. It\'s crucial we present a united front and ensure everything is in order."

Liliana nodded, her expression serious. "We\'ll handle the preparations. You focus on your family. We\'ll get through this together."

"Liliana, is Mother back from the main Ashwood estate?" I asked, my concern for her evident in my voice.

Liliana nodded her head, "Well she came late at night, And she seemed quite exhausted. She went straight to her chambers to rest. You should probably check on her when you have a moment."

I nodded, my mind already racing with the next steps. "I\'ll do that. Thank you, Liliana."

With a renewed sense of purpose, I stood and made my way out of my chambers, heading towards my mother\'s room. The corridors were quiet, the early morning stillness providing a brief respite from the usual bustle of the estate. As I approached her door, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever state I might find her in.

Gently, I knocked on the door. "Mother, it\'s Samael. May I come in?"

There was a moment of silence before I heard her soft voice, weary but welcoming. "Come in, Samael."

I opened the door and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn to keep out the harsh morning light. My mother, Elysia Ashwood, lay on her bed, looking more fragile than I had ever seen her. Her usually vibrant eyes were tired, and the lines of worry etched deeper into her face.

"Mother!," I rushed over to her side, my heart aching at the sight of her so worn and exhausted. "I\'m here," I said softly, taking her hand in mine.

Mother managed a weak smile, squeezing my hand gently. "My dear Samael, you look just as exhausted as I feel," she said with a faint chuckle. "But I\'m glad you\'re here."

"I was worried about you," I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. "You shouldn\'t have had to face Lord Ashwood alone."

"Well he asked for it, who does he think he is to try and control my baby\'s life~," She said with a smug smile on her face, her defiance clear despite her weariness. I couldn\'t help but smile at her spirit, even in the midst of such turmoil.

"You\'ve always been fiercely protective," I remarked, sitting down beside her on the bed. "But I wish you wouldn\'t have to carry all this on your own shoulders."

"Young man, are you trying to take away my right to defend my family?" Mother interrupted with a playful glint in her eyes, though her tone softened with affection. "I\'ll fight tooth and nail for what\'s right, especially when it comes to you and Alice."

I chuckled softly, shaking my head in fond exasperation. "I wouldn\'t dare, Mother. Your strength is one of our greatest assets."

Her expression turned serious for a moment, her gaze searching mine. "I made a decision in haste tomorrow, If you don\'t want to do it tell me. Okay, I will make sure to include your opinions."

"What decision?" I asked with a confused face as I played with her snow-white hair.

Mother\'s gaze softened as she took a deep breath, her resolve evident despite her weariness. She looked at me with a mixture of determination and concern, her hand tightening around mine.

"I-I made you the new... Lord of the Ashwood family." She closed her eyes briefly as if bracing herself for my reaction. I stared at her in stunned silence, trying to process her words. Becoming the Lord of the Ashwood family was a responsibility I hadn\'t expected, especially under these circumstances.

"WHAT!!!" My mind almost went into overdrive as I tried to process the weight of her words. Becoming the Lord of the Ashwood family was an unexpected responsibility, one that carried immense implications for our family\'s future and the political landscape of Blackthorn.

"Mother, I... I don\'t know what to say," I stammered, my mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions—surprise, uncertainty, and a deep sense of duty. The position of Lord carried not only authority but also the burden of safeguarding our family\'s honor and navigating the complex web of noble politics.

Elysia\'s gaze remained steady, her expression both resolute and apologetic. "I know this is a lot to take in, Samael," she murmured, her voice gentle yet firm. "But after everything that has transpired, I believe you are the best person to lead our family forward."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her trust and the gravity of the decision. "But... what about you, Mother?" I managed to ask, my voice betraying my concern. "You\'ve always been the one guiding us through these challenges."

A flicker of sadness passed over Elysia\'s features, tempered by a small smile of reassurance. "I will always be here to support you, Samael," she replied softly. "But the time has come for you to step into this role. You possess the strength and wisdom needed to uphold our family\'s legacy."

[Ding! New title detected...]

\'Yeah, only you were missing,\' I thought sarcastically as I peeked at the new title.

[Lord Ashwood]

[Description: Lord Ashwood, It is a title given to the head of the Ashwood family, signifying authority and responsibility in the noble hierarchy of Blackthorn. This title carries significant weight in both political and social spheres, influencing alliances, obligations, and the family\'s standing within the kingdom.]

[Effect 1: 10% increase in respect among family members.]

[Effect 2: +5 increase in Charisma when interacting with nobles and influential figures.]

[Effect 3: Access to family estate resources and support.]

As the weight of the title sank in, I realized the enormity of the responsibilities ahead. The title of Lord Ashwood meant more than just authority; it meant leading our family through turbulent times and making decisions that could shape our future in Blackthorn.

"But mother what about my plans for academy? Its selection trials are going to start in a week." I asked with a deep sense of concern, thinking of the academy I had been looking forward to attending for so long. The original novel story continues from the academy and if my guess is correct then I might even find other protagonists there.

She released a sigh of relief which she didn\'t know she was holding as a smile spread across her face. "And who said a lord can\'t pursue his education as well? You can still attend the academy, Samael," Elysia replied with a reassuring smile, her voice carrying a touch of amusement at my concern. "Becoming Lord Ashwood doesn\'t mean you have to abandon your dreams or your plans.

In fact, it might even enhance your opportunities."

"But I will not take up the position now," I said with resolve, feeling both relieved and overwhelmed by her decision. "I want to attend the academy, learn more, and grow stronger before I fully step into this role."

Elysia nodded understandingly, her eyes reflecting pride and understanding. "That\'s a wise choice, Samael," she affirmed gently. "Your education and growth are important, and they will only strengthen our family in the long run."

I squeezed her hand gratefully, feeling a surge of determination to make the most of this opportunity. "Thank you, Mother. I promise I\'ll do my best to prepare myself for what lies ahead."

She smiled warmly, a mixture of emotions playing across her features. "I have no doubt about that, my dear. You\'ve always been resilient and capable. Just remember, I\'m here for you every step of the way."

"Wait a minute... what about father?" I asked as I almost forgot to ask the main question as he is the current Lord Ashwood and yesterday Mother went to confront him... no way right? She wouldn\'t kill him, right?

"Ah~ that miserable worm got what he deserved," Mother said, her tone tinged with bitterness. "He won\'t trouble us anymore."

I blinked in surprise, trying to process the implications of her words. "Mother did... did you..."

He\'s alive, if that\'s what you\'re asking," she clarified, her voice hardening slightly. "Just broke his legs and that part..."

I unconsciously closed my legs as a shiver ran down my spine. "Mother, are you sure this was the right decision?" I asked, concern etched in my voice.

Elysia sighed heavily, her gaze distant momentarily before meeting mine with a mix of resolve and weariness. "It was a necessary action, Baby~," she replied firmly. "Your father\'s ambitions were becoming a threat to our family. I had to make him understand."

"Breaking his legs is fine but breaking \'that\' part was it necessary?" I said as even I felt sympathy for that bastard.

Mother\'s expression softened, understanding the gravity of my concern. "I had to ensure he couldn\'t threaten us further, Samael," she explained quietly, her voice tinged with regret. "His actions left me with no choice but to take drastic measures. I didn\'t want to harm him more than necessary, but I had to protect our family."

I nodded slowly, the weight of her decision settling heavily upon me. "I understand, Mother," I replied softly, struggling to reconcile the compassion I felt for her with the harsh reality of what had transpired. "You did what you had to do to keep us safe."

Mother\'s gaze held mine, gratitude and sorrow mingling in her eyes. "Thank you, my dear," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hope you never have to make such difficult choices but know that I will always do what I must to protect you and Alice."

"I love you," I said deeply, my voice filled with both love and admiration for her unwavering strength and sacrifice.

"Awwww~ I love you too, My baby~" She squealed as she jumped into my arms like a small baby, kissing my cheeks.

\'Cute.\'

.

..

...

[To Be Continued]

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