CHAPTER 51: THE HOUSE BUILT ON CHARRED LANDS

"I have nothing useful. My second guess would’ve been that her men were simply more organized than a Quartet who hadn’t worked together in years, but I doubt that was the clincher. Especially because it doesn’t apply here to my battle with her, and I assume that whatever the answer is applies to this battle as much as that one."

"Wise answer," Alexander allowed. He crossed his arms, expression growing serious. "The answer is the House. As far as it’s concerned, Isobel is its rightful owner. As such, it will not let her lose. It’s as simple as that."

"That’s... really it? But you said Lyra could’ve won."

"She could’ve. She had the best odds. Yet, the House found a way to ensure her failure. It wasn’t easy, though! She was a few adjustments away from victory! A crafty one, that girl. Deceptively difficult to beat."

Therein lay the truth, buried in his words. "Deceptively difficult to beat." That suggested something different. The "House" wasn’t ensuring our loss. Not on its own, at least. No...

"It was you. All of you," I finally said, shifting my gaze to all six of the previous Greaves House leaders. "All of you are working to make us lose."

Alexander didn’t disagree. Instead, he nodded along with my words, arms still crossed. "And why would we do that? Isobel gave you her blessing, as did my son and his wife. Why, then, would we and the House still conspire against you?"

I paused, the answer suddenly clear to me, despite how odd it seemed. "I haven’t proven my loyalty to it. Only to Isobel. Everything I want can only be done through it, and I’ve respected Isobel’s love of the House, but nothing I’ve done has been for the benefit of the House itself."

"See? Wise man." Alexander nodded, confirming my suspicions. "Luckily for you, the House is understanding. She doesn’t expect a newcomer to suddenly have the same kind of loyalty to it that Little ’Bella has. Not at first, anyway. No, all she wants from you is your ear and your word. You see, you can say anything, but those words won’t mean anything until you know what she wants from you." The man smiled. "Think of this as... a second Contract. A real Contract. Between you and the House, with your word as the signature. Does that work?"

The fate of Aspia hinged on this Contract. I felt the weight of its people on my shoulders, and I resolved to carry it with all of my might.

"I am," I finally said, lowering myself to one knee. The other six moved to surround me, each placing rapiers on my shoulders in what felt like a knighting ceremony.

Alexander spoke aloud. "The House Built on Charred Lands is a living creature. She demands. Strength, power, wealth, men."

Benjamin spoke next. "She is a greedy creature, but she is not lacking in generosity. When I first met her, she belonged to another. I saved her from him and his ilk, then purged the surrounding lands of their influence, all in an attempt to gain her favor. She accepted me fully, rewarding me with power and wealth untold."

The dark-haired woman spoke after him, voice firm. "The House Built on Charred Lands demands victory. Should you use her to build an army capable of defeating The Prodigal Daughter, you must not fail."

Lord Marquis spoke next. "Death will not be a friend to you any longer. Time will turn its back on you. You will never know peace for the rest of your pitiful existence."

Another man spoke, one who hadn’t spoken up to this point. His voice was low and droning. "Should you succeed, however, you will earn this House’s unending gratitude. A gratitude that will extend to your children, and the children of your own."

Another woman spoke, the final of the six. Voice soft. "She asks that you state your request, Lloyd May. Be sure of your words: What do you ask of The House Built on Charred Lands?"

I took a deep breath, an overpowering weight on my shoulder. One I refused to ignore. "I ask that she allow me to build an army capable of defeating the Demon Lord, once and for all. For the sake of Aspia and her many people!"

The woman spoke again, voice still soft. "Then let it be so, Lloyd May, Lord of House May. Your army shall be fierce and unrivaled. It must, lest you alone perish under the weight of my wrath."

"’My’...? Wait a minute, was that–"

"You did it!" Alexander shouted. Rapiers rattled as they were raised from my shoulders. I stood to my height, an overwhelming amount of aura suddenly surging through me, unlike anything I’d ever felt.

I turned in the direction of the woman who just spoke. Somewhat unsurprisingly, she wasn’t there.

"If it makes you feel any better," Benjamin called. "She’s pretty elusive. In my day, I had a journal just to document times I could see her!" He laughed. "Even when we were married, she only got a bit easier to track down."

"You... married the House?"

Benjamin laughed. "I married her physical manifestation, yes. You’re the second outsider to rule this family, though, so it makes sense she’d make an appearance."

"I wouldn’t be surprised if she showed up to Isobel in those timelines you’ve been to," Lord Marquis said. "She loves a strong ruler, morality be damned."

"You misunderstand her!" That other woman called. Her name was Edith. I... wasn’t sure how I knew that, but I did. "She simply wants to see her descendants thrive, regardless of circumstance. Isobel, in times past, wanted nothing more than to see this House prosper, and so she did everything imaginable to make that happen."

That other man spoke. Again, I wasn’t sure how I knew his name, but it was Jonah. Jonah Greaves. "If all she cared about was strong leaders, she would’ve let the ’Demon Lord’ take over the House instead of letting Isobel keep it. Way I see it, she’s happy so long as the person leading it is dedicated and–more importantly, not from the Bor’gokuz family. Isn’t that right, Benny?"

"Right as rain," Benjamin nodded. "Took years off my life saving her from them." He smiled, scruffing Jonah’s hair. "Even so, I still managed to have you and your sister. I’d say I lived long enough."

"You and Mom died when I was two. I was practically raised by the mother and the Paladins."

"And you came out fine!"

Jonah rolled his eyes.

"Alright, ladies, it’s time to see Lord May here off. Any parting words?"

The five leaders looked between one another.

"Don’t fail," Jonah shrugged.

"Renovate the dining room. That place was my favorite hangout spot! It’s a shame to see it so empty." Edith requested.

"Learn the House’s history. It’s quite vast." Lord Marquis asked.

"My turn? Okay... Tell Little ’Bella I said hi!"

"Take care of the House. That’s all I ask." Benjamin said.

When no one said anything else, I nodded back to them. "Thank you for your blessing, everyone. It truly means a–"

"Please don’t kill my daughter." A new voice asked. It was that same voice from earlier. The sixth member. The House! "Jolyne. Please don’t kill her. She is lost and afraid. Her men take advantage of her, and her closest allies don’t know how to be kind to her. Please, reach out to her. Do not kill her. That is my request, Lloyd May."

I turned to the speaker. She was...

She looked just like Isobel. They may as well have been twins. Same purple eyes, same black bun, same black dress.

"Jolyne... Is... Is Jolyne the... Demon Lord...?"

Her eyes lowered. An answer. Goddamn it.

"She is afraid, and fear makes people dangerous. Become strong. Strong enough for her to listen. When she does, assuage her fears. Isobel was her friend in times past. Sisters reunited. I want you to heal her."

I took a deep breath, suddenly unsure. I’d spent over six hundred years trying to kill the Demon Lord, just to learn that they were not only the Demon Lady, but that she was... what? House Greaves’ daughter?! This was too much to take in at once. And yet...

"You have my word... um..."

The woman smiled for the first time, chuckling softly. "Isabella. Isabella Greaves."

I laughed. "Of course it is."