Kael smirked and placed a hand firmly on William's face.
"You don't know anything, do you?" he said, eyes gleaming with disdain.
William stared back at him silently, refusing to flinch.
Without another word, Kael turned and left the house, his knights following close behind. But just moments after their exit, a loud crack echoed through the building—then flames erupted. The ground floor was engulfed in fire, smoke curling up the walls as heat began to consume everything.
Outside, people screamed, rushing to throw water, trying desperately to fight the blaze.
Upstairs, Edeline grabbed William's hand tightly, dragging him toward the window.
"Jump, William!" she urged.
He resisted, tears in his eyes. "No, Mother! I can't leave you—come with me!"
She cupped his face with trembling hands. "Save yourself. Don't worry about me. Live your life."
With that, she ran to the window. The flames were closing in fast, devouring the wooden frame. Without another second's hesitation, she threw William out.
Two men waiting below caught him safely."Jump! We'll catch you too!" they called up to her.
But the fire roared louder, hungrily devouring the upper floor. Edeline didn't make it.
The flames swallowed her whole.
William's scream tore through the night."No! My mother! Help her!"
Among the gathering crowd, Helena arrived. She froze in place, eyes wide in disbelief as she saw Edeline burning inside.
"This... this can't be," she whispered. Her heart pounded. "How is this possible?"
But she forced herself to remain composed. She stepped forward and placed a hand gently on William's trembling shoulder.
"You will live with me now, my child," she said softly but with strength.
Tears streamed down William's face as he sobbed, the fiery glow reflecting in his shattered eyes.
Helena pulled him into a hug, her body still frozen in shock. Her mind refused to accept the truth: Edeline was gone.
The clatter of boots on gravel echoed as the knights approached Helena. One of them stepped forward with urgency.
"Commander, we found a knight of the BK," he reported.
Helena's eyes sharpened. "Take care of William until I return," she ordered without hesitation.
A knight bowed and moved toward William. He gently but firmly took his hand, guiding the still-shocked boy to a black carriage. William didn't speak—his face pale, stained with tears. The knight helped him in and closed the door softly before taking position just outside, standing guard.
William stared out of the window, silent, confused, and broken, watching as Helena walked away with the others.
—
At the far edge of the estate, under a makeshift stone wall, a man was tied up with thick chains. His armor was scuffed and dark—etched with the sigil of the BK. Blood stained his sleeves. But he laughed the moment he saw Helena.
"You think she'll survive?" he sneered, a twisted grin on his face. "You're all going to die."
Helena's eyes narrowed. Her voice dropped low and cold. "Tell me… who is your commander?"
The BK knight laughed again, defiant. "I'm not going to tell you anything."
One of Helena's knights stepped forward and punched the man hard across the jaw. Blood spilled from his mouth, but he only grinned wider.
"Kill me. I'll never tell you."
Another knight kicked him in the face, his head snapping to the side.
Helena stepped closer, eyes glowing with fury. "Lock him in the prison."
The knight grabbed him roughly, dragging him away. But even as he was hauled toward the dungeon, the BK knight screamed one last warning:
"You're all going to die!"
His voice echoed through the cold air like a curse.
Helena's expression darkened as she mounted her horse. She turned to one of the knights and ordered, "Aclaric, take him to my secret base. Make sure he is cared for—feed him, and don't leave him alone. Sleep nearby."
Aclaric bowed. "Yes, Commander."
Helena rode off with three knights at her side. As they galloped under the moonlight, one of the knights asked, "Commander, where are we going?"
Helena didn't answer. Her silence and grim expression silenced any further questions. The knight glanced at the road ahead and realized the path led straight to Lord Charles' estate.
They soon arrived. Helena dismounted, and so did her knights. Without waiting, she strode toward the house.
The butler opened the door and bowed. "Welcome, Lady Helena. What brings you here at midnight?"
"Where is Charles?" she asked firmly.
"He is asleep in his room, my lady."
At that moment, Seraphina descended the stairs in her nightgown. "Lady Helena?" she said with surprise, walking quickly toward her.
Helena's gaze pierced her. "Is Charles sleeping with you?"
"No," Seraphina replied quickly. "He's in a different room."
Without a word, Helena marched upstairs. Seraphina followed behind, asking, "Is there a problem?"
Helena didn't respond. She reached Charles' room, opened the door, and saw him sound asleep in bed. Without hesitation, she grabbed a jug of water from the side table and splashed it onto his face.
Seraphina gasped and covered her mouth in shock.
Charles jolted awake, blinking at his mother. "Mother? What are you doing here? Why did you throw water on me?"
Helena's voice trembled with rage and pain. "Edeline is dead."
Both Charles and Seraphina froze.
"What? How?" Charles asked, wide-eyed. "Where is William?"
"The house was set on fire. William is safe—he's with me. But Edeline…" She took a breath. "She burned to death."
Seraphina collapsed to her knees, her voice cracking. "Edeline is… dead?"
Charles stood, stunned. "How could this happen?"
"Enemies attacked," Helena said coldly. "They set fire to the house."
"Then bring William here!" Charles shouted. "He's my son! He should be with me!"
Helena's eyes flared. "I won't give him to you. He will stay with me."
"You have no right to take him from me!" Charles roared.
Without warning, Helena slapped him across the face. "Watch your mouth."
Seraphina rose and stepped between them. "Please, Lady Helena. Calm down…"