Our Family Has Fallen

The two hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and with so much happening in between, they should have a lot to talk about.

But once Margaret uttered the words ”escape for life,” it killed the conversation.

After a long silence, Lawrence still felt the heavy resentment emanating from his daughter and couldn’t help but reignite the topic.

”I’m sorry, I didn’t protect you well.”

Hearing this, Margaret’s expression became complex. In her memory, she had never heard her father say these words. It seemed that both sides had changed a lot during this time.

”I’m fine, I’m doing well now,” Margaret wasn’t just being sarcastic; things were indeed much better compared to a few days ago.

But after saying this, she stopped again, once more teetering on the brink of silence.

”Tell me about the specifics then,” Lawrence sighed, as the topic returned to its original starting point.

Blood ties eventually prevail, combined with deep emotions, after Lawrence’s apology, Margaret’s attitude softened.

”They tried to block me from finding out what happened to you. I haven’t stepped out of my room in the castle since the celebration, if it weren’t for...”

Did Margaret lie? You could say she did, or you could say she didn’t.

The butler indeed tried to block the news, and she indeed hadn’t left her room, the message also being conveyed by a maid.

But to Lawrence’s ears, it sounded as if the butler and the knight imprisoned his daughter. As to why they would do such a thing, he couldn’t help but imagine some plot...

Then, taking advantage of the chaos to escape, she was chased by the Eagle Flock, rescued, and later mingled with refugees to escape from Bastia.

The things experienced along the way were far from good. The father didn’t want to appear weak in front of his daughter, and likewise, Margaret didn’t want to recount all the hardships she faced along the way.

They glossed over it with one simple statement, ”I was taken care of by the Lord’s people along the way,” and that’s how she reached Hamlet.

However, she didn’t know that Lance had already mocked Lawrence about the dangers along the way, so how could Lawrence remain unmoved?

But since his daughter wouldn’t mention it, he didn’t want to bring it up either, eventually just sighing.

”Forget about all that, I’ll tell you about some places where I’ve hidden money. Take what’s in there and leave quietly.”

Emphasizing once more, ”Stay away from Bastia, leave the Northern Borderlands of the Empire, or even the Empire itself, and never come back!”

If it really came to this, then Bastia was no longer a place he could stand. His daughter was also targeted by the Eagle Flock, and no one knew better than him how insidious those people were.

You might escape assassination countless times, but they only need to succeed once. During this process, you must live in fear, no wonder he kept stressing for his daughter to leave.

But the problem was, Margaret might not listen to him. Her nature was not one to submit to adversity, and she wasn’t willing to run away either. She didn’t come here just to meet him once and then run off.

”I won’t leave, I want to get you out.”

”And how will you do that?”

”He’s asking for ransom, just give it to him.”

”He’s not a good person! Do you think giving him money will set me free?”

Lawrence somewhat regretted protecting her too well, focusing only on her health and happiness, not allowing her to experience the darkness of human nature.

”It was he who rescued me so that I could see you again, how can you say such things?” Margaret frowned, somewhat discontented, ”And Lord Lance is not like those people. What he does is far more just than you knights, and he’s never broken a promise before.”

Lawrence was about to be infuriated by his daughter, ”If you were not my daughter, do you think his people would save you? He let you in just to squeeze out your last bit of value; he’s threatening me.”

”Impossible, he’s not that kind of person.”

Faced with the accusations, Margaret remained steadfast in her opinion, and this attitude left Lawrence momentarily stunned.

This doesn’t seem right, it’s like he’s the one trapped in there, not me?

Your father was captured and imprisoned by him, doesn’t he know how cunning and insidious that Lord can be?

Why does his daughter have such a favorable opinion of him?

”What did he do to you!” Lawrence became agitated, as if touching a nerve.

However, this only increased Margaret’s dissatisfaction. She had grown up and had her own judgment.

”Don’t project your outdated thinking onto a righteous Lord!”

Margaret’s reaction was unprecedentedly intense, not because of Lance, but because it’s just a catalyst.

The real reason was the authority of earlier generations was shattered by external forces, and previously when her father, as a baron, had shown his authority, she had silently endured it.

Now, having become a prisoner, losing that powerful aura, Margaret naturally felt an even stronger rebellious streak when faced with lectures.

This kind of rebellion is neither good nor bad because it lacks intrinsic value judgment, and sometimes it’s simply for the sake of opposing.

Lawrence’s expression paused, no time for anger because he realized his daughter was completely beyond his control.

Tired... he’s brought this on himself...

Lawrence’s silence was, conversely, seen by Margaret as a sign of weakness, which made her think she was right, and she couldn’t wait to talk about what happened in Hamlet.

Susan’s words were obviously tinged with personal bias, and now Margaret further embellishes them.

Because Lance became her basis to resist her father, Alvin, and even feudal etiquette.

This carried personal emotions, and to Lawrence, such emotions were like a sharp knife, watching helplessly as his daughter was bewitched, falling under another man’s sanctuary.

It feels worse than death for him!

”Enough!” Lawrence didn’t want to listen to her praise Lance’s deeds any longer, didn’t care about their truth.

He only knew Lance was trying to take away his most precious thing; this was a war between two men!

One could say the father and daughter were indeed related, their rebellious nature mirrored perfectly.

Just doesn’t know if Lance, who only wants to ”stand by and watch the drama,” knows why he’s been inexplicably drawn into this...

”Bang!”

The iron door was opened, accompanied by Lance’s casual voice, ”Time’s up.”

When he walked in, he found the atmosphere inside was far from familial warmth. Instead, it was somewhat heavy.

This isn’t right, judging by your previous attitude, you should be a deeply bonded father and daughter. After overcoming all hardships to meet again, even if not weeping bitterly, it should at least be touching, so how did it turn out like this?

The only thing Lance could think of was that engagement.

Engagement, breaking off, running away—upon hearing it, even Lance had his long-dormant nerves struck, thinking Alvin was plotting something like a ”Don’t look down on the poor youth,” like storming against Hamlet in three years.

It seems even the best familial love couldn’t withstand the feudal thinking formed over millenniums, especially with the nobility, who enjoy the benefits of these rules while naturally being controlled by them.

In some ways, when they accuse Lance of tyranny for upholding rules, their opposition is merely because Lance’s rules differ from theirs, and they don’t benefit from them.

”Let’s go.” Lance had no intention of interceding, merely urged.

Margaret took a deep breath to collect herself, then without saying much more, stood up to leave.

This action, inevitably, affected Lawrence, who turned aside his intentionally averted gaze, feeling a stubborn sense of loss, unwilling to look over.

But before walking out the door, Margaret still glanced back at her much older-looking father, her lips moved as if to say something but left it unsaid.

Thus, she turned and walked out, ignoring anything that happened behind her, quickening her steps to leave.

Listening to the footsteps gradually fade, Lawrence couldn’t help but look back, his expression complex and indescribable.

Until the prison door was shut by Lance, plunging into darkness once more.