The room, already uneasy, now felt suffocating, heavy with the weight of his mana. Guests whispered among themselves, exchanging looks of panic and disbelief, their glances shifting between the two towering figures: Caelum, the patriarch of the Kaezhlar clan, and Segarus, the infamous head of the Naemarys clan.
Elowen stood with her children and Johamma; they seemed to be waiting. They were angry at Lorryll, obviously. They always thought that he was too self-centred and greedy, with no bounds. Wayde was fuming, and he wanted to kill his brother for betraying the family.
There were other family members; all of them were too stunned and worried about what would happen now.
Caelum stepped forward, his expression unreadable, though his eyes burned with restrained fury. His voice, calm yet sharp as a blade, broke the silence. "Was the marriage for this purpose alone?" he asked, his words cutting through the murmurs.
"You married your daughter to my son, spouting ideals of unity, talking of binding our clans through love and loyalty. All that nonsense you fed us—was this your final goal all along?"
Caelum never really cared for such ideals. And it was just a union of clans; he thought of it as such. He knew Segarus from their young age, so when he proposed marriage, he accepted.
Segarus met Caelum's gaze, unflinching, and a slow, calculated smile spread across his face. He chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down the spines of those watching.
"Well," he began, his tone casual but laced with malice, "I didn't think it would work as well as it did, to be honest. Binding our clans through marriage seemed an elegant solution at the time. A simpler way to get close to your family, to your power."
He paused, his eyes glinting with amusement as he took in Caelum's unwavering expression. "But of course," he continued, "I knew attacking you directly would only lead to my death. I'm no fool, Caelum. Even though we are in the same realm of power, I know you've achieved far more than I. You're stronger—stronger than anyone in this room."
The compliment hung in the air, but it wasn't flattery—it was an acknowledgement of a dangerous truth.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A strange pressure filled the room, and the sound of choking broke the uneasy silence. The knights stationed around the hall fell to their knees one by one, clutching their throats. Except for the knights who had come with the patriarch now, the rest were all lying on the ground.
Eran and Clifton and a few others who were above tier 8 remained standing.
Outside, the estate grounds became a battlefield. Red mages led Lodawg, landed on the ground, and surrounded the estate. Those men who had infiltrated now revealed their true purpose, striking down the Kaezhlar knights with ruthless efficiency. The sounds of combat echoed through the night—clashing steel, anguished cries, and the sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground.
Inside, Segarus continued as if nothing had happened, his voice calm and measured. "Your son, Caelum—he's quite the ambitious one. A fine son-in-law, really. It was his ambition that paved the way for us, that allowed us to get this close."
Elowen, standing beside her remaining children, was trembling. Her hands shook not just with rage but also with worry. Her gaze darted from her husband to her children.
Maena, Eran, and Clifton—all of whom stood ready to defend their clan, even as their fellow knights lay lifeless on the ground.
The guests, already panicked, began murmuring louder. Fear gripped their hearts as the situation spiralled further out of control.
Segarus turned to address the hall, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Guests who have graced this occasion," he announced, "you are free to leave.
I have no intention of pursuing anyone who wishes to depart. If you value your lives, I suggest you take this opportunity."
The hall descended into frantic movement as the guests rushed toward the exits, their sole concern their own safety. These were influential figures from other clans, merchants, and nobles who knew better than to involve themselves in a clash between two titans. To remain would mean certain death.
As the hall emptied, only a few remained—the Kaezhlar family, their closest knights, and one other figure who stood resolute.
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Standing beside Caelum, the young man's expression was defiant, his loyalty to the Kaezhlar clan unwavering. He made no move to leave, even as the others fled in droves. His royal attire, adorned with the empire's insignia, seemed to shine brighter in the dimming hall.
Segarus turned his attention to the prince, his smile fading into something more contemplative. "Prince," he said, his voice taking on a softer tone, "it seems you've chosen to stay. How admirable."
The prince squared his shoulders, his voice steady as he replied, "I am loyal to the Kaezhlar clan. I will not abandon them, not now, not ever."
Segarus chuckled again, though there was no humour in it. "Loyalty. Such a fragile, fleeting thing. I wonder how long it will last when you're faced with the inevitable."
As the tension in the room mounted, Caelum stepped forward, placing a hand on the prince's shoulder. "Your loyalty is commendable," he said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of a leader's gratitude. "But this is a Kaezhlar matter. Do not involve yourself further unless I say so."
Prince Milan shook his head, denying him. "I can't leave when you and your family are in danger. You have taught me to never back down, no matter what," he said, his voice firm and resolute.
Milan, in his young years, stayed in the clan and trained directly under Caelum. It was a special favour done for him because of his mother. Since then, Milan had been fiercely loyal to Caelum and his family.
Segarus smirked, his demeanour casual yet sinister as he addressed Caelum. "Well, if you stand in my way, you will die alongside them," he said, gesturing toward the remaining Kaezhlar family members.
The imperial prince, Milan, stepped forward, his jaw set in defiance. "My father will not be pleased with your actions," Milan declared, his voice steady despite the looming danger.