THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Ashley sat across from Noelle, watching in mild amusement as the woman voraciously tore through her second plate of breakfast. "You must really like your food, huh." Ashley quipped, raising an eyebrow and offering a wry smile.

"Mmmh," Noelle replied, barely acknowledging the comment as she shoved a large piece of steak into her mouth. The flavours, a blend of rich spices and tender meat, seemed to melt perfectly together. Noelle was determined to make the most of this opportunity to indulge—she hadn't eaten this well in days, and after the dungeon ordeal, she felt like she'd earned it. Three days had passed since the dungeon incident, and the candidates had been given time to rest as the main branch attempted to revive the bodies of those lost within the depths of the dungeon.

Ashley, sipping her cup of black Valemir tea, watched Noelle with a half-amused, half-concerned expression. The tea was rich, its bitter notes calming her nerves, and as she placed the cup down, she reflected on how many of the contestants had already given up on the trials. Few remained—those with ironclad determination or perhaps sheer desperation.

Today, however, was significant. The patriarch of the De Gor House had summoned an assembly of all the Gor houses to address the events of the dungeon. His word carried weight, and missing this gathering wasn't an option. The urgency hung over them, yet Noelle seemed utterly unconcerned, lost in her breakfast.

Finishing her tea, Ashley stood from her chair, a sense of responsibility tugging at her. "Come on, we're already late," she urged, grabbing Noelle by the arm before the woman could order another serving. Noelle opened her mouth to protest, but Ashley's firm grip and determined pace made it clear she wasn't having any of it.

Together, they strode briskly through the ornate halls of the main house, Ashley guiding them through the maze-like structure. She had grown somewhat familiar with the layout over time, navigating the grand corridors with ease as they hurried toward the gathering hall. Noelle, reluctantly following behind, cast a longing glance back at the dining room, but the thought of angering the patriarch was enough to stifle any further complaints.

As they neared the grand hall, the weight of the moment pressed down on them. Ashley straightened her posture, aware of the gravity of the assembly. They were about to step into the heart of De Gor power, and being late was the last thing they needed. With a final determined step, they approached the grand doors, hoping they hadn't missed anything crucial.

All manner of nobles had gathered in the grand hall, from the highest-ranking viscounts to the lowest barons. The vast chamber buzzed with quiet conversation, the murmurs blending with the occasional flicker of crystal light and the soft illumination streaming through the grand windows lining the walls. The light cast long shadows over the gathered nobles, giving the scene a sense of gravitas.

Ashley and Noelle wove their way through the crowd, carefully navigating the maze of nobility. Ashley's eyes scanned the faces around her until she found her father, Count Greg Nel Gor. Standing behind him, she gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. The count, noticing his daughter's presence, smiled warmly before turning his gaze back to the front of the hall, where the empty throne sat. His smile was brief, quickly replaced by the stoic demeanour expected in such a formal gathering.

Noelle, on the other hand, felt completely out of place. Her eyes darted nervously, taking in the countless unfamiliar faces. The weight of their status pressed down on her, and she knew all too well that the only reason the nobles weren't sneering openly at her was because of Ashley's intervention. Ashley had lent her some clothing—a pair of sleek, dark leather pants and a crisp white blouse tucked neatly into her waistline. The outfit, while simple compared to the grand robes of the nobles, at least allowed Noelle to blend in somewhat, her slim, curvy figure accentuated by the cut of the clothing.

Ashley, though standing still, was anything but calm. Her gaze darted around the room, searching for someone in particular. "Where is David?" she mused inwardly, her brows knitting in mild frustration. She scanned the hall again, this time catching sight of the renowned Blood Whale. The first heir was engaged in light conversation with several other titled men, laughing and exchanging pleasantries, clearly unbothered by the tension that rippled through the crowd.

Suddenly, a shift in the air brought the hall to a standstill. The grand doors swung open with an ominous creak, and the atmosphere inside the chamber changed instantly. All eyes turned toward the entrance as Lord Hilton, the Earl, strode in, his presence commanding attention. He was flanked by several Elder Nobles, their heavy steps echoing in the silent hall as they moved forward with purpose. These elders governed much of the larger towns in Aethelwarin, and their arrival marked the beginning of something far more important than mere pleasantries.

The air was thick with anticipation as every noble in the room straightened, their conversations dying off entirely. Ashley's heartbeat quickened, her mind racing. The assembly was about to begin, and whatever words Lord Hilton had prepared would likely set the course for the coming days.

As the Earl, Lord Hilton, strode purposefully toward the throne, the nobles bowed in unison, their movements silent and fluid, as though they had rehearsed the gesture countless times. The light filtering through the tall windows of the grand hall bathed the scene in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows of submission across the polished stone floor. Lord Hilton ascended the steps of the dais with a grace befitting his station, his face set in a mask of calm authority. He turned, sitting down upon the throne with an air of finality, his presence commanding the room.

A beat of silence passed, heavy and tense, before the Earl raised his hand. The movement was subtle, yet it rippled through the hall like a wave, and the bowed heads slowly lifted, nobles straightening in quiet deference. The hall was still, every eye fixed on the figure who now sat in judgment before them.

From the ranks of the Elder Nobles, an older man dressed in robes of deep crimson stepped forward. His face was weathered with age, though his sharp eyes gleamed with the wisdom of many years spent in service to the De Gor lineage. This was Elder Scrolls, the Earl's spokesperson for the day, known for his eloquence and the weight his words carried within these walls.

"My lords and ladies, esteemed nobles of Aethelwarin," Elder Scrolls began, his voice rich and resonant, filling every corner of the hall. "It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you today, bearing the grim tidings of our recent losses."

A murmur ran through the crowd, low and somber, as the reality of the situation settled over them. The nobles knew the weight of those words and the consequences they carried.

"We have lost three noble children," Elder Scrolls continued, his voice unwavering despite the sorrow etched into his words, "and seven commoners, all of the De Gor blood, during the recent trial. These were young lives—bright, full of promise, and belonging to houses that have long served this land with loyalty and honor."

He paused, allowing the gravity of his statement to sink in. The room remained eerily quiet, the tension palpable as the nobles waited for the Elder's next words. Ashley's eyes narrowed, and she could feel Noelle shifting uncomfortably beside her. The weight of this gathering wasn't lost on anyone, and the deaths of De Gor descendants were no small matter.

"On behalf of the Earl," Elder Scrolls said, his voice softening with genuine regret, "I offer our deepest condolences to the families who have suffered such grievous losses. It is a tragedy that shakes the very core of our house, and we shall not allow these deaths to go unanswered."

His words were met with a solemn nod of agreement from Lord Hilton, seated on the throne, his expression unreadable. A collective exhale swept through the nobles, but the tension in the room did not ease. Everyone awaited what came next—justice.

"As a token of our sorrow," Elder Scrolls continued, "reparations will be sent to the families of the deceased, both noble and commoner alike. These young souls were part of the De Gor legacy, and their contributions, though tragically cut short, will not be forgotten."

A flicker of acknowledgment passed through the crowd, but the undercurrent of unease remained. Ashley glanced at her father, who stood stoically ahead of her, his jaw set, though his eyes betrayed the same concern she felt gnawing at her own heart.

"Furthermore," Elder Scrolls' voice sharpened slightly, drawing the attention of every noble in the room, "the matter of these deaths, and the one responsible for them, has been placed in the capable hands of the De Gor Le Rosa branch."

At the mention of that particular branch of the De Gor lineage, a murmur of approval and trepidation rippled through the gathered nobility. The Le Rosa branch was known for its ruthless efficiency in handling internal affairs, particularly those involving betrayal or foul play.

"Rest assured," the Elder intoned, his gaze sweeping the room, "the culprit responsible will be brought forward, and they will face justice, no matter their rank or standing."

A shiver ran down Ashley's spine as Elder Scrolls' words hung in the air. She could sense the dark weight behind the statement—this was not a mere promise of retribution, but an ironclad decree. Whoever was responsible for the deaths would not escape the judgment of the De Gor family.

Just as the hall began to stir, Elder Scrolls' voice rose once more, catching everyone off guard. "David De Gor. Ashley Nel Gor. Noelle Valtherin."

The sudden mention of their names caused Ashley's heart to skip a beat. Her breath caught as she looked to Noelle, whose eyes widened in shock. David's name had been called too, but where was he?

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Elder Scrolls' piercing gaze swept the hall as he awaited their approach. All eyes turned toward Ashley and Noelle, the weight of the assembly's attention descending on them like a physical force.

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