Chapter 93 - (4)

On the way, Walter had thought of how he intended to meet with Lady Wickshire and came to a decision. He was no more just some farm boy, he was Lord Steinhouse now. That means he could just go for a visit. He knew it was wrong to visit without informing the other party first, but this was not just a visit. She invited him. Given that he was invited, he wondered if this was her way of acknowledging his new title. Acknowledging? He scoffed at the thought. She was probably the one who gave it to him.

He made his way towards the school. He had worked here five years, yet he had never gone through the front gate before. He flashed the Steinhouse token and asked to visit Lady Wickshire. It was as through they were informed he was coming because they looked at him oddly, but let him through without question. The way the butler looked at him made he wonder, so he had to ask.

"What is the matter? Why do you look at me as though you have seen a ghost?" he asked and the elderly man shivered.

"Forgive me, my lord, it's just.... a week after Lady Wickshire had arrived, she added a name to the list of people allowed to visit her. When she added Lord Steinhouse to the list, we all wondered if the lady did not know there was no such person with that title. Yesterday we heard that there was now a Lord Steinhouse and today, you come to see her. It's..." the man explained. Walter's suspicions, if nothing else, were confirmed. If she did not give him this title, then she knew he was going to get it. She walked in to meet the lady and Lord Morge and Lord of Merve waiting.

"You took your sweet time." Lord of Merve smiled. He bowed to Lady Wickshire before taking a seat. Did they come here for the same reason? He wondered. He stared at her in wonder as the room continued in silence.

Lucy noticed him arrive, but was too busy enjoying her tea. When she saw him stare, she sighed.

"You wonder why I made you Lord Steinhouse? Don't you already suspect the reason?" Lucy asked.

"Lady Steinhouse... But why?" Walter asked.

"It seems Lady Steinhouse respects you enough to tell you her secret. You must understand, apart from the king, you are the only person that knows." she said and the two lords frowned. They had grown up with Helen, how can there be something about her that they don't know?

"What is this about?" Lord Morge asked and Walter glanced at Lucy for permission.

"You should tell them. They could help you protect her." Lucy said.

"Helen is a direct descendant of the Ligrel clan, the main bloodline." Walter said.

"Ligrel clan? From her father? I knew he was from the Ligrel clan but, the main bloodline? What is she doing in this kingdom?" Lord of Merve asked.

"I always knew you were smart, Adrian; you have even heard of the Ligrel clan." Lucy said to Lord of Merve.

"Ligrel clan? Are they that powerful?" Lord Morge asked.

"They are one of the Ancients." Walter said. From the way the king had spoken, he knew the ancients must be a power much higher than a first rate kingdom.

"She is the only remaining heir of the main line actually." Lucy said and Walter froze; this was getting worse than he imagined.