Chappi 30 A Test of Loyalties
The southern Duke’s gaze shifted to me, his surprise evident. “You’re saying it’s… Miss. Thelma?”
“Yes,” my father confirmed with a nod. “She is my niece. I was just as shocked as you when I learned the news this morning. These young ones–so bold and clever–they managed to hide. their love right under my nose.”
For a moment, the southern Duke seemed at a loss for words. He opened his mouth as if to speak but then closed it again. Finally, he let out a resigned sigh and forced a smile. “1 understand. The younger generation must forge their own paths. We cannot dictate matters of the heart.”
More pleasantries followed, polite but unnecessary. When the conversation reached a natural lull, the southern Duke rose to leave. But my father stopped him with a friendly invitation.
“Before you go, why not stay for a while?” my father suggested warmly. “Helena has prepared a fresh batch of black tea cookies. I recall you had quite a fondness for them during the war. You used to sneak a few while on sentry duty, even when supplies were scarce.‘
The southern Duke hesitated, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. After a moment, he nodded. “In that case, I accept your hospitality.”
Kara returned with a towering tray of pastries and cups of steaming lemon tea. The elders. settled into a conversation about their shared past, reminiscing about their youthful exploits, during the Backwater War.
Aldrich and I listened quietly, absorbing stories that were never taught in our history lessons. Yet, as the conversation unfolded, something nagged at me.
Duke Frank had once told my father about the southern Duke’s past relationship with a mysterious pure white witch. But neither man mentioned her now. When they spoke of the Backwater War, they only referred to fighting against the legendary wizard Fitch. It was as if the witch’s existence had been deliberately erased from their narrative.
And then there was another oddity–the southern Duke hadn’t touched a single black tea cookie. Despite my father’s invitation and his own supposed fondness for them, he left the tray untouched.
Finally, the southern Duke rose to leave. “I should be going,” he said. “Carolyn will be looking for me.”
Duke Frank chuckled. “Lennon, you’re still the same. Carolyn is sixteen now. You should give her some freedom, or she’ll grow to resent your overprotectiveness.”
The southern Duke’s expression hardened. His voice, when he spoke, was barely above a whisper. “You don’t understand…”
“Will you stay for lunch?” my father asked, offering one last invitation. “We have a new head chef at the palace. His vanilla lamb chops are exceptional.”
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“No, thank you,” the southern Duke replied politely. “Carolyn has made reservations at a restaurant she enjoys. It wouldn’t do to keep her waiting.”
With that, he exchanged a few more pleasantries and took his leave.
As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The atmosphere, despite the outward politeness, had been suffocating. The elders had maintained. a facade of warmth and familiarity, but the underlying tension was impossible to ignore.
Were they truly old friends?
“As expected,” my father murmured, rubbing his temples in exhaustion. “Did Lennon’s hint?”
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Duke Frank’s expression was grim. “I suspected as much, but seeing it confirmed is… unsettling.”
I glanced between them, confusion swirling in my mind. What were they talking about? What hidden truth had passed between them in that seemingly ordinary conversation?
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which means he’s still trying to fight back, even he’s unable to speak freely.”
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, but my father’s voice broke through the tension. “You’ve improved,” he said, nodding approvingly at Aldrich.
It was clear that the southern Duke’s allegiance to us was unwavering. However, his current circumstances put him in a position where he could offer no immediate aid. Surrounded by enemies, his ability to act was severely limited.
“We have to think of a way to rescue him,” my father said, his voice weary but resolute. “At the very least, we need to free Lennon from Carolyn’s influence, so he can speak freely and not be constantly watched.” His eyes narrowed as he spoke. “But we don’t even know if the witch has completely replaced Carolyn, or if she’s merely possessing her body. We can’t use her as our starting point.”
The conversation fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of our predicament pressing down on all of us. We needed a solution, but the options available to us were limited.
Aldrich’s voice broke the silence, offering a possible course of action. “Perhaps we can seek outside help. There are witches and wizards who are friendly to us, or at least neutral.”
My father shook his head, his expression guarded. “You can never be sure of someone’s true nature, especially when it comes to matters like this. We cannot guarantee the confidentiality of our dealings with outsiders.”
Aldrich continued, undeterred, “Some of the werewolves in the pack are proficient in sorcery. I know a few officers in the army who I trust completely. They would be loyal and discreet.
My father’s response was immediate. “No, that’s too risky. Even the identity of an officer isn’t fully secure. If any magic is detected, Carolyn could trace the source of the disturbance. She could use it to find our ally, and then we’d be in even more danger.”
The conversation took another turn, with no clear solution emerging. There was a nagging sense of frustration in the air, and we all knew that time was running out. The question remained: where could we find a sorcerer whose identity was truly unknown?
That’s when it hit me.
Dorothy.
How could I have been so blind to this possibility?
Dorothy’s identity was a carefully guarded secret, known only to a select few. She was no ordinary person her powers had the potential to turn the tide of this situation. I had overlooked her for far too long, and now I realized that she might be the very solution we were searching for.
But even as the idea formed in my mind, I hesitated. Was it right to involve Dorothy in this? She was still young, and this kind of danger was far beyond what any of us should ask of her. But the more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that she was the only one who
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could help us.
I waited for the others to leave–Duke Frank and Aldrich–before broaching the subject with my father.
“Dorothy?” My father looked at me with surprise, as if the idea hadn’t even occurred to him.” No, Thelma. She’s still a child. This is far too dangerous for someone so young. We cannot ask her to risk herself like this.”
I was firm in my response. “But we don’t have any other choice, do we? Dorothy is the only one who fits the requirements. Besides, how can you be so sure that she wouldn’t want to help? She’s always been enthusiastic and adventurous, but people have overprotected her and kept her from realizing her full potential. If she knows that she can help but is rejected again, she’ll be devastated.”
Perhaps it was the protective instinct I felt for my friend that softened my father’s stance. He chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement. “You’re very protective of her, aren’t you? Alright, let’s ask Dorothy. But we must be neutral in our approach. We can’t force her into this.”
I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at my lips. “What kind of person do you think I am? If Dorothy doesn’t want to get involved, I won’t push her–even if you give me a direct order.”
My father chuckled, a warm and affectionate gesture. “So now I’m the bad guy?” he teased, ruffling my hair. “Go ahead, then. Find Dorothy. She’s a good child. I know she’ll make the right choice.”
And so, despite the uncertainty ahead, I knew that I had made up my mind. Dorothy was the key to solving this mystery, and I wouldn’t let her be left out of it, no matter how dangerous the path ahead might be.
