Chapter 32

I led Haktor to my office on the second floor. Sebastiene locked the door and stood beside the armchair I was sitting on. Haktor sat on the sofa across from me looking rather comfortable to be away from the glamorous party currently happening in the main hall.

"Congratulations on being promoted to general." I told him.

"Thank you my lady." He replied looking all serious. "But I do not believe that is the only reason why you brought me here."

I smiled at him.

"Lord Fuujin, I heard that the Wind clan has been discharged from all form of employment by the prior Archduke." I looked at him seriously.

"That is true, my lady." He replied without a hint of discomfort. "But it all happened when I was not born yet."

"How old are you, may I ask?" I inquired.

"I am currently twenty one years old my lady." He answered grinning from ear to ear. "Though people say I look older than my age."

Twenty one.

"You do look a bit older, doesn't he Seb?" I looked at Sebastiene.

"It's probably because of his physique my lady." Sebastiene said as he raised his index finger. "Men with bigger physiques tend to be mistaken as older than their actual age. The same applies for taller people."

"That is true." I agreed. "Do you have any idea how many years it has been since your clan broke, sort of, with House Castellan?"

"It should be around twenty five years my lady." He answered solemnly. "My father died four years later, I never got to meet him. He died without knowing of my existence since mother had no idea she was pregnant at that time."

He looked at me and sighed. "If you wanted to learn what happened before, I could tell you all I know. You honestly only need to ask."

I looked at Sebastiene who just chuckled.

"Our family actually have no idea about the issue with the Wind Clan. My father took over the Archduke position after his brother, Lord Opal, died. No records of your clan secluding yourself could be found. I want-"

I was not able to finish what I was saying as there were impatient knocking on the door.

Sebastiene went to open the door but before he could, the door flew open and Athy walked in like it was nothing.

Haktor stared at Athy who huffed as she sat on the other armchair. Anderson gave a light bow to Haktor as he passed by and stood behind Athy.

"Do I have to introduce myself?" She asked him impassively.

Haktor immediately stood up and bowed to her. "There is no need lady Athanasia."

"Good." She waved her hand and Haktor sat down again. "I came because I am also curious of the Wind clan."

"Just say that you got bored sitting on the chair, watching older people talk to each other." I rolled my eyes at her.

"Can you tell us everything you know about the issue between the Wind clan and House Castellan?" She looked at Haktor, not even sparing me a glance.

Haktor nodded at her and began telling the story as he knows it.

"The four human clans within Castellan territory had pledged to serve House Castellan and help them protect the Elleveire kingdom. It was always four generals from each clan that stood together with the head of the house during battles, never leaving their sides. The last general of the Wind clan was my father, Shulien Fuujin. He was strong and courageous. He led the wind tribe to battles and was always ready to help other clans. He was known as the dragon of the battlefield, proudly protecting the lands of the Castellans."

Haktor took on a deep breath before continuing.

"One day, Lord Opal came to visit the Wind clan with his then pregnant wife. Father and mother welcomed them warmly." He smiled at us and asked. "Do you know that my mother is a well known beauty?"

I nodded.

"Lady Jemimah, she is well known for her beauty but better known for her leadership." Athy replied while nodding.

Haktor smiled. "She is, until now, a beauty but she has a younger sister considered to be more beautiful than her. Lady Cordelia, named after the flower that blooms beautifully in the Westreon mountains. She was our clans muse and had always wanted to become a priestess for the goddess of the wind, Lady Tribmaka."

"When Lord Opal came to our Clan and saw Lady Cordelia, he supposedly fell for her beauty and wanted to take her in as a mistress. He went and talked with my father about it. Father, knowing that it was against the rules of House Castellan to take in any mistress quickly disagreed. Lord Opal did not heed his words and went to talk to my mother and my aunt about it. They were terrified!"

Athy let out an annoyed breath. She was definitely angry. I am too.

"My aunt strongly disagreed and even told him that she was about to become a priestess. Lord Opal went home but his pregnant wife heard about it. when she learned that he wanted to take in a mistress, she went mad and they had a terrible fight on their way home. A few days later, my father heard that she lost her child and went into depression."

I grasped the arm of the chair I was sitting on.

To lose an innocent life because of her husbands stupidity. Tsk!

I felt Athy's bloodlust seeping out. Haktor swallowed air when he felt it. Behind her Anderson was sweating heaps already. Sebastiene said nothing but the smile on his face shows that he could feel it too.

"Athy.." I called her. "Calm down. Do you want the people in the main hall to feel your bloodlust?"

Athy looked at me before taking in a deep breath to calm herself.

I looked at Haktor apologetically. "Please, continue."

"Please remember that this happened decades ago, my lady." He smiled at Athy who nodded at him.

"When Lady Cordelia heard of what happened, she was saddened by it. She partly blamed herself for the loss of an innocent life. She burned a part of her face as sacrifice for the life lost. She also did not continue with her plan to become a priestess."

"When Lord Opal saw what happened to his wife, he immediately went back to our clan but was met with the horrifying look of my aunt. He bacame so mad that he tried to kill her. Father stopped him and they fought which ended up with Lord Opal losing. He went home and released all Wind clansmen from any form of employment they had with House Castellan. The Wind clan then secluded ourself into the mountain again and protected the northern boundary where my father died. A few years later, we recieved news that Lord Opal and his wife died because of a disease." He ended.

"What happened to your Aunt?" I asked. "Is she alive?"

"She is alive and well, my lady." He answered smilingly. "She got married and had twin girls, Alyssa Lorrelyn and Andrea Larraine, both are currently priestesses of Lady Tribmaka."

"That is good to hear." I breathed out.

Anderson let out a shaky breath and Sebastiene smiled again.

Athy suddenly stood up and started for the door.

"Athy, are you going back to the main hall?" I asked her.

"No. I'm going to take a stroll." She replied as she went out the door without looking back, Anderson right behind her.