Lola Monet
'Why?' asked the man on the other side. 'You will know the reason once you reach Nightingale Barony,"
"Leave quickly and make sure your movements are hidden," I replied as I walked fast with my speed skill through the hidden tunnel.
"That is three," said Baroness Leila beside me. Harrods is coming from the Bram Fortress, while Brandon is coming with Homer; he was staying at his keep for the night.
Soon, we reached the end of the narrow tunnel, and there I saw a group of people already waiting for us.
"Governor, Baroness," they greeted.
I nodded and took out the cloak from my bag and wore it before mounting the beast. The other five did the same. Usually, I move with a larger entourage, but we need to be fast and sneaky.
"Have a safe journey, Governor," said Baroness Leila. "Thank you, Baroness," I replied, and I moved the horse into a larger tunnel.
She is not coming; she needs to be here to be Lauryl, in case something happens.
Soon, we reached the end of the tunnel and went past it. A few seconds later, we rode out of the small, secluded house.
The moment we did, skills roared, and we rode faster. We have to reach the barony as soon as possible, before morning, or it might be too late.
…
Leda Nightingale
'I am sorry, Lady Leda, but your father is no more,' said the voice gently.
"No!" I screamed, with tears flowing out of my eyes uncontrollably. I know there is a real possibility of it because they had tried to kill me, but I refused to accept it.
Now, it had become a reality.
'You have to be strong, Lady Leda. Your father gave his life; he knew the risks, but still did this. You should not let his sacrifice go to waste.' Lord Silver said.
"I will," I replied, wiping my tears, trying to control the flood of emotions in my heart.
'Good, Governor Monet and the Barons will come soon. We will proceed immediately after that,' he stated. I hummed in acceptance.
It's for which my father gave up his life; I was against it, but he didn't listen.
Now he is gone.
'Take care of yourself, Lady Leda,' he said and cut the call. While I remained in my seat, with tears flowing down my face, until the door of my office opened and Wallace walked in.
He stopped near the door; he didn't come close. They are not letting anyone in. Lysana and her people took control of the keep, restricting movements.
They have also laid out the communication spell restrictions. Letting only a few pass through.
They have more people than I had imagined. I would have been outraged if I had been in the right state. Right now, I am grateful that they saved my life and the lives of many who otherwise would have perished.
"We detained all men who came with you from the house," he informed.
Hearing him, I wiped my tears away and took a deep breath.
"Any resistance?" I asked. "There was some, but we handled it," he replied, and I nodded.
Most of the army and police had been recruited here, so they are loyal. We cannot say the same for those who came from the house.
I trusted Darin, Irling, and even my bodyguard, and they have turned against me. So, now everyone is under suspicion. Even if they are cleared, they will not work in the barony.
They killed my father; I want nothing related to them in my territory.
"What is the state of the town?" I asked. "Oblivious; the citizens are sleeping soundly," he replied. That brought relief to my face.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"That's good," I said, mustering a smile on my face.
"Take care, my lady. I will make preparations for the Governor and Barons," he stated and walked out of the office.
A minute later, I get up.
I thought they would stop me, asking me to remain in my office, but they did not.
"Tomorrow is going to big day for you; it would be wise for you to take some rest," said Lysana. "It is the last thing I want to do," I replied.
I don't think I could even close my eyes without remembering my father.
I am already having a hard time controlling my emotions. It would be even harder if I were to close my eyes to sleep, not that I believe I could.
My world shattered. The only thing I wanted to do was crumple on the floor and cry.
I don't know how long it passed as I walked around the keep like a ghost, when I saw the doors of it opening and riders coming in.
A minute later, three people stepped into the hall: two men and a woman, with guards behind them.
"Oh, honey," said Baroness Homer as she took me in a hug. The flood of emotions I had been holding back threatened to break loose once more.
I controlled my emotions. I cannot cry, especially now. "Thank you, Baroness," I replied as she let go.
"My condolences," said Baron Homer and Baron Brandon. His territory is not in the north, but he was at Baron Homer's and came in with them.
"It was unexpected," said Baron Brandon. "All mercantile houses go far when interests are threatened, but Nightingale goes beyond that," Baron Homer added, shaking his head.
I did not add to their conversation and listened as they talked. It was mostly silence, with words in between.
We were sitting when Baron Harrods stepped inside. The old man is wearing armor and a blade at his waist.
"My condolences, Lady Leda," he said as he appeared beside me. "Thank you, Baron Harrods," I replied. He patted my shoulder gently and sat down in front of me.
"There are really people who would go to any length for power," he said. Nobody said anything to that other nodding.
"Have you talked to Lord Silver?" asked Baron Homer of the old man.
"Yes, but only for a short time; he wants us to finish this as soon as possible before he can move forward with the courts," replied Baron Harrods.
Their faces turned serious after hearing that.
I wish I had talked to him more. I had barely talked to him for a minute. At least I could tell him I loved him one last time.
It was half an hour before dawn when the door finally opened, and a beautiful woman stepped inside, walking with graceful movement while her eyes held power.
Looking at her, nobody would say she is a whore. People fear saying that even behind her back.
Seeing her immediately, all of us got up.
"Governor," we greeted. She nodded and appeared beside me. "My condolences, Lady Leda. Your father does not deserve to go like this," she said.
"He does not," I replied.
"Were you able to find out who did this, my Lady?" asked Baron Brandon. "We will talk about it later, but we must do the most important thing," she replied.
"Do you need time, Lady Leda?" she asked. I shook my head; I don't want to change or do any makeup; it is the last thing on my mind.
"Any preference, requirement?" she asked. I was about to shake my head when I stopped. "Nightingale, I don't want to have anything to do with this name," I stated.
She sighed at that, while other surprised. They killed my father; I want nothing to do with them and their name.
"We could do that later. Currently, we should do everything according to the law. So, there would be no objections to legitimacy," she replied.
I hesitated for a moment before nodding.
It was when the doors opened, and Wallace came in, along with the Deputy Commander Astian. With them is a confused middle-aged man wearing a priestly robe.
He looked as if someone had woken him up mid-sleep. That's likely what happened.
Seeing the Governor and the Barons, a surprise appeared in the man's eyes.
"What is happening?" he asked, confused. "Baron Nightingale is dead. You are going to swear, Lady Leda, as the new Baroness Nightingale," stated the Governor to the shock of the man.
For a few seconds, he wasn't able to react at all.
"I can't. I need permission from at least the Archbishop before administering an oath of such magnitude." Replied the man, and I could see Baroness Homer glaring at him.
"No time, if you will not do this, I have brought the Priestess of Dusk; she will be more than happy to administer it," said the Governor.
Conflict appeared in the priest's eyes. Priest Wagner is good; he does his sermons and doesn't interfere. He can't, it's one of the conditions from Lord Silver.
Priests can't interfere in politics without explicit permission from their lord.
"Fine, I will do it," he agreed.
"Good, this is the oath," she said and handed him the scroll. The man opened it and read it. A hesitation appeared in his eyes, but he swallowed it, feeling the eyes of the Governor.
"Kneel, my lady," said Wagner and unsheathed the ceremonial blade of the church.
"Place your hand upon the blade and swear before the God of War," he instructed. I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the responsibilities that my father bore.
Now, they will be my responsibilities.
I want to run away, but I did not. My father sacrificed his life. So, I could have this.
I will not let his sacrifice go in vain. So, I listened and placed my hand on the ceremonial blade of the Church of god of war.
"Do you swear to rule your lands with honor, to defend your people and to uphold the laws of dominion, crown and church?"
"I swear," I replied.
Keenly aware that the standard oath did not have 'dominion' in it. There are also many other changes in it.
"Do you swear to bear arms when called, to stand against the enemies of the dominion and the realm, and to keep faith with those who serve under your banner?"
"I swear," I swore.
"By steel, by faith, and by the will of the War God, you are bound to your duty."
"Rise and bear your title with honor, Baroness," he declared. I rose, feeling the weight of responsibilities on my shoulders that I had never felt before.
"Congratulations, Baroness Leda," the Governor congratulated. "Thank you, my lady," I replied.
The barons also congratulated me, and I thanked them before turning to Wallace, Vice-Commander, and other staff and officers, who all kneeled in front of me.
Swearing the oath of loyalty.
"Lord Silver wants to talk to you," informed the Governor. I nodded, and a moment later, my ring lit up with his call.
