Arc | Chapter. 29: Nobility & Status (Patreon)

Chapter. 29: Nobility & Status

There was a moment of silence as I blinked, the atmosphere suddenly turned hostile and then I shook my head.

“I am Ceylon’s friend,” I said simply. “And yes, you are right I’m not the Hermit, the Hermit ran away from Draliz to go elsewhere. I helped Ceylon meet him.”

The man frowned lightly before turning to face Ceylon who seemed somewhat startled.

“Is this true?”

After a moment Ceylon slowly nodded. “Arc is my friend but also my savior, she saved my life multiple times and even resolved herself to help me enlist the Hermit's help, but unfortunately he refused.” She took a deep breath. “But Arc is here, someone who can solve all of our problems.”

Her father looked somewhat surprised as he slowly nodded, it seemed to me that contrary to what I had been told, her family had deep affection for Ceylon. However, this affection also caused skepticism. The father gave me a side-eye as he turned to Ceylon.

“Alright, please get some rest, your journey must’ve been exhausting. Thank you for bringing help, my dear daughter,” he said gently. “We are extremely sorry for what we’ve put you through, but we shall talk later. For now we have to talk with your friend.”

Ceylon paused, blinking. “I don’t think that’s necessary⁠—”

“Ceylon,” her mother interrupted. “Do as you’re told.”

She paused, shaking for a brief moment before looking at me for some sort of help, but I just nodded at her. After a moment, she left with her mother and went into their mansion, and the father, contrary to expectations, also gestured to me.

“Let’s have a conversation in my study, Miss Arc.”

“Sure.”

◇ ◇ ◇

Ceylon’s home was incredibly fancy with black marbled floors, high ceiling and beautiful chandeliers; the entire place was decorated in such an elegant and exuberant manner. But I didn’t get to take in the sights as I was taken to an office, surprising numerous servants and inciting rumors about my appearance and identity amongst the workers of the home.

Though, it seemed to be the least of my concerns as I found myself locked in a room with Ceylon’s father. It was a fancy room with scarlet walls, tall dark wood bookshelves, blinds filtered the light from outside, and finally, at the end of the room a desk where her father now sat.

He rested his chin on both of his hands pensively, shoulders on the table as he met my gaze, before finally he spoke.

“I don’t trust you.”

“No shit,” I snorted. “You think I trust you either?”

He barely flinched at what I just said, as he shook his head.

“If Ceylon says so, then I cannot doubt that you saved her life, thank you for that,” he said gently. “But⁠—”

“You know, all of her guards died,” I said quietly. “If I hadn’t stumbled upon her at the right time, she’d be dead too, all because she was sent on a mission to recruit help from the Hermit.”

At my words his father frowned, but didn’t immediately retaliate, taking a moment to speak.

“Yes, and we regret it. Why do you think we were so happy to see her?” he said standing up, before turning to look at the window behind. “It is a regrettable decision that was made in the heat of the moment, but now none of that matters. There is nothing to protect now.”

“So, you are saying that…”

“I’m saying that Arlow will cease to be a noble family of Draliz in the following days. Assets are being liquidated and given to the Grand Duke, all in order to protect what we have left,” he said with a solemn tone. “That is why, even if you were the Hermit, your help would be turned away.”

I raised my brow. “Are you saying that Ceylon went through all that trouble for nothing?”

“I guess so,” he said, not facing me. “But she is safe, thanks to you.”

I frowned. “You didn’t expect her to return home, didn’t you?”

A silence descended in the room as the man tensed, before finally a simple answer came.

“I thought my daughter died.” He turned to me, his expression indescribable. “Which is why we are giving up our status, it is undeniable that I was a terrible father to Ceylon.” He frowned, gritting his teeth as he faced the table. “But once I realized I lost my daughter, I realized that no wealth in the world could replace that.”

“I see.”

Things were slightly complicated given that the whole problem of Ceylon’s family dying had been solved already, at a heavy cost, but solved nonetheless. So, that begged the question, what the fuck was I even meant to do now?

Save Ceylon’s nobility status? I mean, I could try but I didn’t even know if she would want that. At least, based on that I could see Ceylon’s family had a change of heart too.

“So no arranged marriage?” I asked out of curiosity. “No more sacrificing in the name of the noble house of Arlow?”

“No.” Her father sat down. “None of that, we will just be a middle class family with a small family-run business. Ceylon will be able to fall in love with whoever she wants and take over the business when we eventually pass. That is how things shall be.”

“Do you think she wants that?”

“Does Ceylon want that…?” His father murmured. “I don’t know, I’m just happy she’s home.”

Then after some silence, he let out a sigh.

“So now, that leaves us with your identity. You are Ceylon’s friend, an adventurer that saved her life, somehow escorted her to meet the Hermit and back, all through the Black Forest…” He massaged his forehead. “Can you explain to me your circumstances?”

I met his gaze, it was… sincere. It was outright told to me, but Ceylon’s family had changed. Even though the man before me did not trust me, he also understood I wasn’t a threat to his daughter, he just wished to… know me. Or at least, that’s what I assumed; to get to know the person that saved his daughter, and befriended her.

“I cannot.” I shook my head as I finally decided to take a seat in front of his desk. “All I can tell you is, I came from elsewhere and when I finally found freedom, I saw Ceylon being attacked so I saved her and helped her with her goal of recruiting the hermit.”

“Anything else you can tell me?” he asked, raising his brow.

“Ceylon is my first real friend, so I didn’t hesitate to tell the Hermit to go fuck himself when he said her family had no choice but to die,” I said with a sigh. “So I stepped in to help further, but now, it seems that none of you are at the risk of death.”

“I guess not.” Ceylon’s father wore a pensive look. “I think you are also Ceylon’s first friend, so thank you for helping my daughter to that extent. As for your background, it’s not relevant.”

I nodded in confusion. “I guess, I have this?” I said taking the Medal of Bravery from my pocket. “I got it after some stuff that happened in the Black Market.”

The man’s eyes went slowly wide as he saw the golden pin, before he nodded with a smile.

“That does make me happy.”

“Does it?” I asked, confused only to be met with a nod.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet you Arc, tonight I’ll be signing away the papers to most properties. Today I meet you as Thomas Arlow, but tomorrow I shall just be Thomas,” he said with a nice tone. “You’re a welcome guest here, even today is the last day in which we can reside in the mansion.”

I blinked. “Thank you…?”

He nodded once more. “Please try to give Ceylon some company, I have my own matters to attend to⁠—”

And at that moment, voices outside called, we both turned only to see the door slam open to a now well-dressed yet panicked Ceylon.

“F-Father, you are… giving away all our wealth?!” she squeaked.

Thomas, paused and slowly nodded. “That is correct, tomorrow we shall cease to be nobles.”

She paused in her spot as her mother rushed into the room.

“Ceylon why are you behaving in such a way⁠—”

“No!” she cried before turning to her father. “Why, after trying so hard to keep it and to climb through the ranks, are you just giving it away?!”

“To protect us,” he answered with a frown. “To protect you, to protect your brother, to protect our family⁠—”

“That’s a lie, mother already told me that you both thought I was dead, if anything the decision is to recover losses, so…” Ceylon took a breath. “Why give up now? We have Arc’s help.”

I blinked. “Ceylon, my help⁠—”

“That’s enough,” his father said coldly. “You wouldn’t understand the feeling of sorrow we experienced. I don’t want that ever again.”

Ceylon stopped, frowning as she took a pause to recollect herself. Finally, after a second of silence. She shook her head.

“You are right that I wouldn’t understand, but I understand that everything I’ve given for this family will now be in vain, whether it was trauma, risking my life, my education, my pride. Everything is being taken away.”

Thomas frowned, Ceylon’s mother gasped, but she continued.

“Which is why, I am leaving now while I’m still a noble. I forfeit the name of Arlow.” She turned around. “Goodbye to you both.”

And with those words she left the room, I saw her mother chase after her as I sensed Ceylon heading for the exit of the house. All while Thomas, her father simply shook his head, before letting out a breath.

“I will still carry out those plans, for our safety,” he whispered to himself.

Finally, he turned back to me.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, you think that perhaps you could…”

“Check on her?” I asked, raising my brow.

He nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Alright, I guess I’ll go after her.” I closed my eyes as I made a decision, turning to Thomas. “However, before that, take this.”

I handed him a small crystal. Ceylon’s father blinked as I explained.

“It’s a good luck charm, I gave the same thing to Ceylon, so keep it on your person at all times.”

He blinked for a moment before putting it in his chest pocket. “Thank you, I’ll do so.”

I nodded, and left the room.

I couldn’t say that I didn’t understand Ceylon’s feelings. Though, I still wished to give her time to process. It was probably hard to digest that all her sacrifices she had made were about to amount to nothing, at least without intervention.

And so, I made my decision.

* * * * *

Ceylon ran, for the first time in her life she had stood up against her family, she had even slapped her mother’s hand away, but she didn’t care. She cursed at the guards and cried as she ran to the nearest alley, she didn’t care anymore.

Ceylon ran until her legs couldn’t keep up with her anymore, and then she collapsed on the ground crying.

All her efforts, everything she had gone through, was about to become useless. The things she studied, the knowledge she held as a noble; it was all soon going to be irrelevant.

And she hated it, she hated that this was how things were going to end.

“Why?” She squeaked. “I even succeeded in bringing help yet they still plan to do the same; all because they thought I died…?”

It didn’t make sense to her; whether it was her parent’s love or the decisions they had taken. If they loved her that much, why didn’t they treat her differently in the past? She always lived under the stress of expectations.

“That’s stupid!” She cried, shaking.

Everything was stupid; suddenly it felt like none of her close calls mattered. The fact that her guards died, all the scares and injuries she suffered⁠…

And it was all for nothing.

Ceylon didn’t know for how long she spiraled, but eventually, she let out a long tired breath.

“I wish I could stop this…”

“Do you want my help with that?” A familiar and calm voice asked.

Ceylon paused and raised her head only to see Arc leaning against the wall nearby. As soon as they made eye contact she walked towards her.

“You want all your effort to be rewarded right? To know that your family thrives even if you leave it.”

Ceylon slowly nodded. “Yeah… but, can we do anything?”

“We sure can.” She smiled. “Tonight your father is going to be signing the ownership transfer documents.”

Ceylon’s eyes went wide. “Then what are we waiting for let’s stop him⁠—”

“That is tonight,” Arc said, shaking her head. “For the rest of the day, let’s go enjoy our day and explore Rivas.”

Ceylon hesitated but looking at Arc’s confident gaze she nodded. If there was anyone she could trust now, it was Arc.

And so, she resolved herself to wait until the sun descended.

* * * * *

Thomas felt anxious, Ceylon and Arc didn’t return. However, that woman kept her daughter safe all this time, so he decided to trust her on that. And he didn’t have time to worry about things any longer, now it was time for him to finally sign the documents that would strip Arlow of their wealth, and essentially turn them into commoners.

For sleepless nights he thought about what he was doing, he meditated on the decision for days on end, but ultimately, he knew that this was for the best. Arlow couldn’t compete with the ongoing occurrences in regards to the Grand Duke, Filmas. If anything, Thomas was finally putting a stop to things.

With a solemn mood he walked into the warehouse holding his suitcase. There, after going inside, he saw it. A single light hung from the ceiling, a table was set up in the middle of the large room where he was met with a familiar man, sitting across from him, a chair awaiting him.

The man had combed graying hair, a monocle and signs of age, yet wore a friendly smile.

“Earl Thomas Arlow, welcome.”

“Thank you, Grand Duke, it’s been a pleasure doing business so far.” Thomas nodded as he took a seat. “And for the last time, it’s an honor.”

He chuckled as he reached for his suitcase. “You flatter me Earl Thomas. We both like fast business, so let’s get to it.”

Thomas nodded as the Grand Duke reached for a series of documents and set them on the table, before finally sliding them over to Thomas.

This was it…

He stared at the five or so title documents, they were all neatly arranged in order. Now he just had to sign them and this nightmare would be over. He took a breath and reached⁠—

A pale hand was already placed on them as he touched it. Thomas’ eyes went wide as he noticed two people beside the table, and they were⁠—

“Who are you two?!” the Grand Duke bellowed.

The documents were grabbed and skimmed through, by the familiar girl. Ceylon was there too. Thomas panicked as he called.

“Arc give them back⁠—”

And before he could react, they were ripped apart by her hands as a silence descended upon the room.