Ch - 12 Curfew rules are just suggestions for anarchists like me!

Gus rose from his seat, surveying the now hushed assembly. "As we are all aware, three days ago, 'Royal Knights' Ren Kane and Elyndor Cramyar departed for personal reasons," Gus began, simultaneously emptying the contents of the first box. "They have returned, but only their heads."

The severed heads bore the marks of clean, single strokes, yet even in their lifeless state, Lewis discerned an unmistakable fear in the eyes of both Ren Kane and Elyndor Cramyar. 'What could they have encountered to make even royal knights tremble so?' Lewis pondered to himself, a shiver running down his spine at the ominous revelation.

"The box was discovered in the king's bedchamber this morning, accompanied by a note that read, 'Gift to a king from a king.' Does anyone here know who might have written that?" Jon Sawbridge posed the question with deliberate slowness, his voice barely audible. The meeting hall remained silent; the stillness so profound that Lewis could hear nothing but the collective sound of breathing.

Jon Sawbridge spoke from his seat. "Before I reveal the name of the perpetrator, son, empty the second box," he instructed julian. Julian complied, handling the contents with care as he placed them on the table. Inside the box were eyes, their color shifting constantly between cyan and white. 'The eyes,' Lewis thought, a sense of foreboding settling in the room.

To outsiders unfamiliar with the intricate affairs of noble families, the Ramsdell family was recognized as 'The Eye,' one of the most influential clans in the capital. However, what remained unknown was that the Ramsdell family had plummeted from that esteemed position a decade ago. Despite still being referred to as 'The Eye,' only six members of their family were still alive. Even these surviving members were sequestered within the castle's confines for their protection, permitted to venture beyond its walls only with the king's explicit permission.

Unbeknownst to the commoners, the Ramsdell family they perceived was nothing more than a group of actors employed by the kingdom to play the roles of the genuine Ramsdell family. 'No actual member of that family accompanied those two royal knights; it was likely someone who triggered their awakening. Poor lad,' Lewis mused.

"Who was it? There aren't many who would pass on the eyes unless they can't use them. Was it a pirate king?" Miya inquired.

"Correct," their father replied, letting the revelation linger before finally disclosing the name. "It was the pirate king, Samuel."

At the mention of that name, an uproar erupted in the hall. The pirate king Samuel stood out from the others, not only due to his strength but also because the nature of his powers remained an enigma. Those who crossed paths with him never survived to recount their tales.

"With these murders, he has crossed the line, and His Majesty the King demands justice!" Jon Sawbridge, the councillor, bellowed, rising to his feet with fury in his eyes. "WE, THE MARIDIAN KINGDOM, ON THIS DAY, THE 17th OF THE 15th MONTH IN THE YEAR 1638, DECLARE WAR ON THE PIRATE KING SAMUEL AND HIS WRETCHED CREW! AND AS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS EXISTENCE, THIS WAR EXTENDS TO THE KINGDOM OF ZEPHYRLAND!"

==================================================================================

Behind the closed door, Lewis caught wind of the heated exchange between his parents. His mother vehemently opposed his father, exclaiming, "You are not sending him to the army! He's just seventeen, Jon!" The intensity of their argument resonated through the walls. In the aftermath of the war declaration, Miya had pulled Lewis away from the meeting hall, deeming it unfit for him to partake in the war council. While Gus and Julian remained engrossed in the ongoing discussions, given their eligibility to do so.

Miya escorted him to the main family house, where he was confined to his room. It wasn't until late in the night that his father and brothers returned home. His mother had arrived just moments before his father. After their respective returns, the family gathered for dinner, an atmosphere more silent than a graveyard prevailing throughout the meal.

"Don't eavesdrop on their argument, come here," Miya commanded, seizing Lewis by his ear and pulling him along.

"Ow ow ow. Don't do that, it hurts," he protested as he reluctantly settled on the bed. Gus was assisting their father in calming down his mother, while Julian sat on a chair, its back turned. Miya seated herself beside Lewis, intertwining her hand with his to prevent any attempt to escape.

"So, spill the details. What went down after we left? And what's got Aunt Lillian so worked up? I was genuinely scared when I saw her face; she's utterly terrifying when she makes that expression," Miya recalled, shuddering slightly at the memory.

"Yeah, she transforms into a monster whenever she's angry. Just last week, a new guy bought the house next to ours. Unaware of mot

her, he tried to flirt with her. They discovered him three blocks away from where she tossed him," Lewis recounted the incident.

"Seriously?" Miya asked, astonished by the tale.

"Yes. And just last month—" Lewis began, intending to share another story before Julian interjected, "I thought you wanted to know what happened at the meeting?"

"Right, yes. Tell me what happened?" Miya inquired, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she looked at Julian eagerly, resembling a little girl awaiting her candies.

"After you left, Father explained the plan in great detail. The declaration of war is still unofficial; the council is waiting until they are fully prepared before making it official and launching the attack, it might take another week or two. However, when Father commanded the noble families to assemble their armies, many protested, arguing that it would be them and their sons on the front line while we lived comfortably here in the capital. They were specifically targeting the great families," Julian paused for a moment before continuing, "So, they demanded that even the great families must send their armies with their sons to the war, excluding only the heirs. It was going smoothly until it was only me who was demanded to be sent to war, but one of the lords insisted that even Lewis should be sent. Father was initially reluctant, but after protests from the gathered nobles, it was decided Lewis have go to war."

"No, he's just a child, Julian! How could you let your father agree to that? No wonder Aunt is so angry," Miya exclaimed, hugging Lewis's head forcefully.

"Don't worry about him. He'll be sent to Witton Fortress. Did you really think Father would let him go to dangerous places?" Julian reassured her. Then he added, "But you aren't saying anything about me. What wrong did I do?"

"Shut up, you're way older than him and a better fighter. There's no need to worry about you. What do you think, Lewis? Do you want to go?" she berated Julian, rolling her eyes before looking down at Lewis, who was still in her clutches.

"Let me go; I'm not a child anymore," Lewis insisted, freeing himself and massaging his neck. He continued, "It's not too bad, is it? If not now, the king will surely send me to the army when I come of age. Because, according to the new laws, I'm deemed unsuitable to inherit my father's title, so I have to contribute through my might."

Miya slapped him on his head. "That's why I always said to focus! If not for your brain being so small, you would have stayed with me for as long as I wanted," she scolded. Nonetheless, she hugged him once more, this time with affection.

Just as Julian was about to speak, the door to the room swung open. Gus stood in the doorway; his figure outlined against the light from the hall. "If Julian has already shared everything, come downstairs and listen to what Father has to say," he conveyed before exiting, leaving the room in a hushed anticipation of what would transpire next.

"Let's go; Father might not like us being late," Miya urged, and they promptly followed Gus to the dining room. Upon entering, everything appeared unchanged from how it was before Lewis had left after dinner, with the exception of all the plates having been cleared away.

The dining hall was impressive, showcasing a long, shiny dining table that extended majestically across the room. Seated at the head of the table, their father occupied the main seat, a position radiating authority and prominence. On either side of him sat all three of his wives, each occupying their seats.