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"You will be given a choice," I replied, my voice cold and unyielding. "Swear your loyalty to Samael and support his leadership, or face the consequences of your defiance."

The room was silent as the elders struggled with their decision. The weight of my words and the undeniable power I wielded left them little room for resistance.

Elder Roland, his face contorted with pain, finally spoke. "Very well, Lady Elysia. I will swear my loyalty to Samael."

One by one, the other elders echoed his sentiment, their voices weak but resolute. They knew they had no choice but to comply or face further wrath.

I released the vines\' grip, allowing the elders to breathe more freely but still keeping them immobilized. "Good. Your loyalty will be remembered, and your actions will be watched closely. Do not think for a moment that I will tolerate any more betrayal."

Turning to Jason, I addressed him with a steely gaze. "Jason, you will inform Samael of his new position and responsibilities. Ensure he understands the gravity of this role and the support he will have from the elders."

Jason nodded, his face pale but determined. "Yes, Mother. I will make sure he knows."

Lord Ashwood, still seething with rage, could only watch as his authority crumbled before him. "You think this will solve everything, Elysia? You are a fool if you believe Samael can lead this family."

"I have more faith in my son than I ever had in you," I replied icily. "He will restore the honor and strength of the Ashwood family."

"T-This is not... what the Royal family wants..." Lord Ashwood stammered, his voice weakening under the weight of his defeat and pain.

I stepped closer, my expression resolute. "The Royal family has no say in the internal matters of the Ashwood family. We will handle our affairs without their interference. If they have a problem with that, they can address it directly with me."

"You... think in all this time... they didn\'t make any preparation for you... they know when you explode... they have..."

The room fell silent as Lord Ashwood\'s words hung in the air. The implications of his statement were clear, and a sense of unease rippled through the assembled elders. I narrowed my eyes, my mind racing with the possibilities. Could the Royal family have anticipated this? Was there a plan in place to counteract my actions?

"Speak plainly," I demanded, my voice cutting through the tension. "What preparations have they made?"

Lord Ashwood\'s lips curled into a bitter smile. "You underestimate the reach of the Royal family, Elysia. They have their eyes and ears everywhere. Do you think they would sit idly by while you dismantle the structure they\'ve helped maintain?"

"Do I look like I care?"

Lord Ashwood\'s bitter smile faded slightly, replaced by full-on laughter, "HAHAHAHAHAH-COUGH! COUGH! If I, a small count-level family head can get in hands-on Sealing runes. What do you think a King of a kingdom can possess?"

The elders, now freed from the vines, exchanged uneasy glances. The weight of Lord Ashwood\'s words and his sinister laughter hung heavy in the air, creating an atmosphere thick with apprehension.

"YOU! Tell me what the other preparations are, and how we can counteract them?" I demanded, my voice firm and unwavering despite the unsettling turn of events.

Lord Ashwood\'s expression turned serious, the laughter fading from his eyes as he regarded me with a mix of defiance and resignation. "The Royal family has leverage over many noble houses, including ours. They have alliances, secrets, and means of influencing decisions that go beyond what we see on the surface."

I clenched my fists, my mind racing to assess the implications of his words. "What kind of leverage?"

"Political alliances, economic dependencies, and even magical contracts," Lord Ashwood explained, his voice low but clear. "They can manipulate resources, cut off support, or even incite internal conflicts among our allies. The Royal family\'s reach extends far beyond Blackthorn."

A chill ran down my spine as I considered the extent of the Royal family\'s influence. "And you\'re telling me this now, after all that has transpired?"

"It\'s not too late to salvage something," Lord Ashwood replied, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. "We can negotiate, appeal to their sense of diplomacy. Perhaps there\'s a way to avoid further escalation."

I scoffed, my anger simmering beneath the surface. "Negotiate? After everything they\'ve done to undermine us, to control our fate?"

Lord Ashwood\'s gaze hardened. "They see it as safeguarding stability, protecting the realm from internal strife and external threats. We\'re just pawns in their grand game of power and influence."

A bitter taste filled my mouth as I contemplated our options. "What do you propose, then?"

"Samael to marry the daughter of Lord Clearwater to solidify our alliance," Lord Ashwood suggested, his voice low but intense. "It\'s a gesture of goodwill, a way to show our commitment to stability and unity within the realm. It could help ease tensions and pave the way for negotiations with the Royal family."

I bristled at the suggestion, my thoughts racing. "You would sacrifice Samael\'s happiness and freedom for the sake of political maneuvering?"

"It\'s not just about politics," Lord Ashwood countered, his tone earnest. "It\'s about ensuring the survival and prosperity of the Ashwood family. The Clearwaters are powerful allies, and their support could be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead."

I turned away, struggling to contain my frustration. "And what of Samael\'s wishes? Have you ever considered what this would mean for him?"

Lord Ashwood hesitated, his gaze troubled. "Samael is young. He may not fully understand the complexities of our situation."

"He is old enough to make his own choices," I insisted, my voice firm. "I will not force him into a marriage for the sake of alliances."

"We may not have a choice," Lord Ashwood argued, his expression pained. "The Royal family\'s influence is vast. If we defy them, it could mean our downfall."

"We will find another way," I declared, turning to face him with determination. "I will not let them dictate our family\'s future."

Lord Ashwood\'s eyes searched mine, a mix of resignation and admiration flickering in his gaze. "You have always been strong-willed, Elysia. But strength alone may not be enough to overcome the challenges ahead."

Lord Ashwood\'s revelation hung in the air, heavy with implications. My mind raced as I considered the ramifications of Samael\'s agreement to marry Lord Clearwater\'s daughter. It was a strategic move, undoubtedly, one that could strengthen our position against the Royal family\'s machinations. Yet, at what cost?

"He agreed?" I repeated, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions within me.

Lord Ashwood nodded solemnly. "Yes, Elysia. Samael understands the gravity of our situation. He sees this as a necessary step to secure our family\'s future."

A pang of sadness tugged at my heart. Samael, burdened with responsibilities far beyond his years, had made a choice driven by duty rather than desire. It was a sacrifice he shouldn\'t have had to make.

"Understands?! You burdened him with such weighty decisions," I continued, my voice heavy with emotion. "He is our son, not a pawn in some political game."

Lord Ashwood\'s expression softened slightly, a rare moment of sympathy crossing his face. "Elysia, you know as well as I do that in times like these, sacrifices must be made for the greater good."

"The greater good?" I scoffed, my frustration boiling over. "What good is there in robbing our son of his freedom, his happiness? To force him into a marriage he may not want?"

"It\'s about survival, Elysia," Lord Ashwood replied, his tone pleading. "Survival of our family, our legacy. Without alliances, without stability, we risk losing everything."

I turned away, unable to bear the weight of his reasoning. "There must be another way. I will not accept this as our only option."

"The Royal family won\'t relent easily," Lord Ashwood warned, his voice tinged with resignation. "They will continue to exert pressure, to tighten their grip on us until we bend to their will."

"Then we will resist," I declared, my resolve hardening. "We will find allies elsewhere, ones who understand that our family\'s destiny should not be dictated by others."

Lord Ashwood nodded, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "You\'ve always been fiercely independent, Elysia. Perhaps that will be our saving grace."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges ahead. "Prepare for negotiations with Lord Clearwater. If this marriage must proceed, it will be on our terms, not as a surrender to the Royal family\'s demands."

"As you wish," Lord Ashwood replied, his voice resigned but determined. "I will make the necessary arrangements."

"And as for Samael," I continued, turning back to face him with a mixture of pride and concern. "I will speak with him myself. He deserves to know that whatever happens, his choices matter."

Lord Ashwood nodded solemnly. "I will leave that task to you, Elysia."

With that, I left the council chamber, my mind racing with plans and concerns for my son\'s future. Samael had always been strong-willed and determined, qualities that would serve him well in the trials ahead. But as his mother, it was my duty to protect him, to ensure that his path was not chosen solely by the whims of others.

As I walked through the halls of Ashwood Manor, I found myself drawn to the garden, a place of solace and reflection. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting a gentle glow over the flowers that bloomed despite the darkness.

"Lady Elysia," a familiar voice called out softly.

.

..

...

[To Be Continued]

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