Our Family Has Fallen

”You ask me why she became a refugee, I don’t know either. I don’t know what she’s been through, but I know that when you’re captured, you’re as good as dead.

Bastia isn’t ruled solely by an Earl. Someone has to be responsible for such major events, and not just anyone can bear it. To make up for the loss of the Order of Knights, someone of significant identity must bear the burden.

But Alvin is the Earl’s son, so naturally he can’t bear any responsibility that would disgrace the family name. So, guess how the Earl plans to quell everyone’s opinions?

It’s just two people: either Alvin or you. Anyway, you’re already here, so naturally, he can only blame the entire downfall of the Order of Knights on you.

Defeat and death in battle are just a matter of his word, aren’t they? And you have just one daughter, no heir. So even if I let you go back, you’ll still end up dead; otherwise, your daughter wouldn’t have escaped to Hamlet to find you.

Once you’re dead, it not only resolves the matter but also recovers the territory to compensate for the loss of the Order of Knights being captured, using this as an excuse to invade Hamlet wouldn’t be surprising.”

No need for hints; it’s already clearly showing his daughter was persecuted by the Earl, which is why she ended up among the refugees.

Lance’s words have absolutely no reason behind them; to put it simply, it’s just a fabricated conspiracy theory.

But what Lance wanted was just to plant a seed, prying open a gap in the trust between Lawrence and the Earl.

As for whether it’s a lie, he doesn’t care at all because he himself said he doesn’t know anything, just speculating based on the situation.

But these words at this time are quite useful to Lawrence; otherwise, he couldn’t understand why his daughter would appear among the refugees.

Only losing his sanctuary and then being persecuted by other nobility would leave her no choice but to flee; otherwise, how could ordinary people possibly harm her?

But Lawrence obviously has slowly calmed down from the shock, and his emotions began to settle down.

”I want to see her.”

”Give me a reason.”

Lance’s meaning is straightforward: you’re a captive, not qualified to make demands unless you offer some bargaining chip.

”I can tell you the origin of that Barbarian Tribe; you won’t be at ease with them disappearing in Hamlet.”

Lawrence pondered for a moment and chose to pursue that Barbarian Tribe.

But upon hearing this, Lance simply laughed.

”Are you talking about that group from the Fang Tribe? To be honest, I think you know even less than I do, especially since I’ve already wiped them out completely, and the Warwolf died at my hands. What do I have to be uneasy about?”

Lawrence was momentarily stunned by the words, but seemed to understand something, murmuring quietly, ”It was a trap, and we’re not wronged for losing...”

”Stop wasting time; my time is precious.” Lance appeared a bit impatient; not everyone is as idle as he.

The harsh reality brought Lawrence’s attention back.

”I have a stash of property, worth thousands of Gold Coins.”

”Let’s talk when I get it; she’s been starving for days, and I don’t know how long she can hold on.” Lance was dismissive, sneering at the idea of an empty promise.

Moreover, just a few thousand? It’s better to take out the ancestor’s Gold Coins.

Lawrence nearly fainted from frustration; this little treasury was specially kept for emergencies, these thousand Gold Coins were his long-time saving, but to others, it’s nothing.

”If not, then forget it.” Lance gave no third chance, tossing out a sentence and turning his back to leave.

When the door closed, Lawrence realized his hesitation had cost him the chance to see his daughter, he immediately rushed forward and began pounding on the iron door, shouting.

But all of this was already isolated, the ancestor clearly invested heavily in building this place, and the soundproofing was excellent.

Lance didn’t bother to look at Alvin or the Magician, a spoiled brat who knows nothing, and someone who still needs a few days to temper their disposition. No hurry, no hurry...

As soon as he returned to the Lord’s Mansion, however, Susan told him one of the three wanted to see him.

”The one with red hair or black hair?”

”The one with red hair.” Susan only then realized she didn’t even know what their names were.

Though Lance had intended to see her eventually, he thought it would be after she’d recovered a bit. Unexpectedly, she dared to come to him herself.

Isn’t she afraid that trouble might arise due to her identity?

Susan simply supplemented her explanation that she was caught roaming with a gun by the security team and Lance found her far too straightforward!

One can imagine that if not for Lawrence’s protection and her noble status, she might have suffered countless setbacks before understanding the dangers of the world.

”Let her in.”

Soon, someone walked into the room, and Lance put aside his current task, looking up at the visitor, who was none other than Margaret.

It was evident after a night’s rest and plenty of food, her condition visibly improved; she’s definitely got a good foundation.

She must have bathed as well; her clothes had been changed to a set belonging to Hamlet, looking like a budding young girl, though still maturing.

”So, what brings you to me?” Lance smiled, letting out a name, ”Miss Margaret.”

Stating this name made it clear that Lance wasn’t planning to waste words but directly revealed her identity.