Chapter 655

【 SOPHIA’S ANGER 】

The guards stood respectfully, their posture disciplined and deferential.

Sophia frowned slightly.

“I am an Imperial noble. Even a high-ranking lord has no right to restrict my movements without due cause, let alone the House of Lawson, which is not the lawful ruler of Wells. Please step aside.”

With that, she made to walk forward.

But in the next moment, the guards crossed their spears before her, barring her way.

Their faces remained expressionless. Though their tone was still polite, there was an undeniable firmness within it.

“Lady Sophia, this is for your own safety. After all, from a legal standpoint, House Wells has already followed the Borderlord in rebellion.”

“Ridiculous! As the rightful heir of House Wells, just my presence here alone proves our loyalty. I must see the Duke at once. No one knows this matter better than he does!”

Anger flared in Sophia’s voice as she released a faint aura of magical power.

Yet the two guards before her did not flinch.

Their own energies surged in response, revealing the strength of Silver-rank warriors. Their expressions did not waver as they spoke again, voices steady and resolute.

“Our apologies, Lady Sophia, but these are the Duke’s orders. You are merely restricted from wandering freely. Should you require anything, inform us at once, and we will see to it that all your needs are met.”

“I only wish to take a walk outside, to feel the sun. Is that forbidden as well?”

By this point, her tone had grown cold.

“We are sorry, but any unrestricted movement is not permitted. If you wish to enjoy the sunlight, you may do so by the window. This room was carefully chosen by Lord Scott for its excellent lighting. You can bask in the sun comfortably from within the room.”

The guard shook his head as he spoke.

“And how is that any different from imprisonment? I am not a prisoner of the Lawson Household!”

Sophia retorted.

The guards hesitated briefly. Then one of them bowed slightly and said with firmness,

“Please understand our position, Lady Sophia. We are merely following the Duke’s command.”

Facing their unyielding gazes, Sophia’s eyes flickered with fury. At that moment, the commotion at the door finally drew the attention of the steward of House Lawson.

“What is going on here? Why all this noise?”

It was Baron Scott, the Duke’s old butler.

Seeing the elderly gentleman in his refined attire, Sophia forced herself to calm down and asked patiently,

“Baron Scott, may I know what this means? Why are my movements being restricted?”

Baron Scott smiled gently and replied with an apologetic tone,

“My deepest apologies, Lady Sophia. The Duke’s decision was made out of concern for your safety. In recent days, many nobles who escaped from the Maple Leaf Territory were discovered to be spies for the Borderlord. The Duke must take precautions for everyone’s security.”

“I am not a spy!”

Sophia’s voice trembled with indignation.

“I know, of course you are not. You are a noble of the Empire, and the Duke has already verified your identity. However, I hope you understand that currently we are in a martial law. Your position is, unfortunately, a rather sensitive one. Even if the Duke himself does not mind, many local nobles of the Western Territory would gossip about it behind his back.”

“The Duke, after all, is not the ruler of this region. He is merely stationed here to command the army. Supplies and resources still rely heavily on the cooperation of local nobility. I hope you can understand.”

Baron Scott’s tone remained calm and courteous as he explained.

Then he smiled again and added,

“Of course, this restriction will not last long. Once our army completes its preparations, the Duke will naturally lift the restrictions. In fact, he might even invite you to serve as an honorary commander and deliver a speech at the military oath ceremony.”

Sophia fell silent.

She glanced at the kindly old butler, then at the impassive guards by the door, and furrowed her brows.

“How long must I wait here?”

“Not long, my lady. Perhaps two or three days, a week at most,” the baron replied respectfully.

“A week? You expect me to stay confined in this room for an entire week? Do you realize how many changes could occur in the Maple Leaf Territory in that time? I must speak to the Duke in person at once!”

Her voice rose again, filled with frustration.

“You worry too much,” the baron said with a gentle shake of his head. “The Borderlord commands great strength. Since the resurgence of mana across the continent, the Maple Leaf Territory has grown far stronger, and it is said that the Borderlord himself may have already advanced to Legendary-rank. Therefore, this civil war must be approached with patience and care.”

“A single week will not affect the course of battle. According to the Duke’s estimation, this upcoming suppression campaign may take anywhere from three months to half a year.”

As Baron Scott spoke calmly, Sophia felt her anger drain away, replaced by a deep weariness.

Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she let out a soft sigh.

“I understand. I will endure for a few more days.”

“That is very gracious of you. I shall send more attendants to look after you and ensure your comfort,” said the baron with a pleased smile.

Unable to leave, Sophia returned quietly to her room.

Before long, several courteous maids arrived, sent by Baron Scott to attend to her. But as Sophia looked upon the maids of House Lawson, her heart felt heavy and listless.

Sophia herself knew that she was a tad bit naive to a degree, but by no means she was entirely foolish. Apart from serving her, Sophia suspected that these maids were also there to keep an eye on her.

No matter how much Baron Scott tried to explain it, there was no denying the truth that she was now under house arrest by the Lawson Household.

At that moment, Sophia began to feel some regret about her decision. She was no longer sure if coming here for aid had been the right choice.

Still, when she recalled Duke Lawson’s promises and the long, illustrious history of his house, she reassured herself that such a renowned Household would never break its word.

For nobles of that ancient lineage, reputation was everything.

Clinging to that single conviction, despite her unease and frustration, Sophia forced herself to remain patient and stayed quietly in her room.

༺⟐༻

Over the next few days, Sophia still could not leave the spacious room.

What’s more, she noticed keenly that after her outburst on the first day, the guards outside her door had been doubled. Even the soldiers patrolling the garden beneath her window had multiplied.

“So afraid I might run away, are they…”

A trace of mockery crossed her thoughts.

She was furious, yet utterly helpless.

Unknowingly, five days had passed.

During those five days, Sophia did not step beyond her door even once. Thus, she was completely cut off from the outside world.

She tried asking the guards and maids for news, but they always claimed to know nothing. Whether they truly did not know or were simply unwilling to tell her, she could not be sure.

Even Baron Scott, who had spoken to her on the first day, never appeared again.

That made Sophia feel like a forgotten prisoner.

Of course, she knew she had not truly been forgotten. On the contrary, it was clear that House Lawson was paying close attention to her.

Four days later, the number of guards outside her room had again increased, and strangely, both the soldiers and maids seemed even more deferential than before.

Then, on the sixth day, Sophia finally saw a new face.

It was a noblewoman in her thirties or forties, dressed in a fashionable fur-trimmed gown, attended by more than a dozen maids. She entered Sophia’s chamber with a graceful smile.

“So, you must be Lady Sophia? What a beautiful young woman! No wonder the Duke holds you in such high regard.”

“I am Viscountess Abraham. The Duke asked me to help you select a gown for tonight’s banquet.”

Her tone was warm and lively.

“A banquet? A gown?”

Sophia blinked in confusion as she looked at the maids holding up rows of dresses.

“Yes, indeed! You are the guest of honor this evening! What color do you prefer? Blue, red, or perhaps violet? Although, with your elegant, almost elven beauty, I think pure white would suit you best.”

Viscountess Abraham spoke cheerfully while signaling the maids to help Sophia change.

Sophia, however, was unmoved by the flattery. Her attention was fixed entirely on what the woman had said earlier.

“I’m the guest of honor? Has the army finally finished its preparations to march?”

Her question carried a trace of hope.

“The army?” The Viscountess looked momentarily confused.

“Isn’t this the oath taking ceremony?” Sophia asked, startled.

The Viscountess shook her head, her smile turning overly polite.

“Oh no, my dear, not at all. It is your introduction banquet. The Duke wishes to formally present you to the noble guests who have arrived in Morningstar City.”

“An introduction banquet? Right now?”

Sophia was utterly bewildered.

But then, the Viscountess’s next words struck her like ice.

“Congratulations, truly! To think that the Duke himself has chosen you as Lord Lukas’s betrothed! With the support of House Lawson, you might soon become the youngest female Elector in the entire Empire.”

“…Betrothed? What are you talking about? I have never agreed to any engagement!”

Sophia’s eyes widened in shock.

This was absurd!

She was the sole heir of the House of Wells!

So how could she possibly marry into another noble household?

Unlike the Kingdom of Aries, noble bloodlines in the Holy Maniya Empire were treated with utmost sanctity. Hence, even distant branches of a noble line would strive to preserve their lineage.

For a sole female heir, marriage usually meant taking in a husband from a lower-ranking noble house or a talented commoner of exceptional merit—never the other way around.

“You truly didn’t know? That’s impossible! The whole of Morningstar City is already talking about it. You are to be the future Countess of Sarsburg!”

Viscountess Abraham sounded astonished.

The County of Sarsburg belonged to Lord Lukas von Lawson, Duke Lawson’s eldest son.

Although Lukas—nearly thirty years old and mentally impaired—had been stripped of his right to inherit the ducal title, he had still been granted a small county of his own.

A small one indeed, likely even smaller than the region ruled by the House of Wells in Zelouan.

When she thought of that infamous imbecile becoming her husband, Sophia’s face turned deathly pale.

Finally, she understood why Duke Lawson had confined her.

He had likely intended from the very beginning to force her into marriage with his House. If she, the sole heir of the House Wells, were to wed the Duke’s eldest son, Lukas, the Lawson Household would gain full control over all of Wells’ titles and claims. The hereditary position of Border Elector would fall easily into their hands.

As for the House Wells itself… well, it would simply cease to exist.

Even if she were nominally granted the title of Elector, she would be nothing more than a puppet of the Lawson House, stripped of all freedom.

Realizing the truth filled Sophia with deep regret and furious indignation.

She could not believe Duke Lawson would dare to do this—to disregard the will of a noble of the Empire and unilaterally declare an engagement without her consent.

“No, I never agreed to this! I demand to see Duke Lawson! This is unlawful and without the Church’s sanction—it has no validity!”

Sophia shouted angrily.

She turned and rushed toward the door, but the guards immediately blocked her path.

“Let me through! I must see the Duke! He has no right to decide my marriage!”

Her voice rang with outrage.

“What is happening here? Why all this noise?”

Just then, a familiar voice spoke from the corridor.

Sophia turned to see Baron Scott, the Duke’s butler, approaching with an elderly man beside him whose expression was gentle and serene.

Sophia recognized him at once—the fief bishop Santis, the head of the Eternal Church’s Western Diocese.

Her eyes brightened with sudden hope. She pushed past the guards’ spears and hurried toward them.

She bowed respectfully to the elderly cleric.

“Sophia von Wells greets Your Excellency, Bishop Santis.”

Then, taking a deep breath, she prepared to plead for his help.

In the Empire, all marriages required the Church’s blessing to be legally binding. If she could explain her situation, she might still regain her freedom.

Whatever happened, she could not attend the banquet. If the Lawson House were to announce the engagement publicly before witnesses, even if she denied it afterward, it would be treated as fact.

“Your Excellency, Bishop Santis, I beg for your help!”

Her voice trembled with emotion.

But Santis merely raised a hand, stopping her from saying more.

His next words struck her like a heavy blow, extinguishing all hope.

“Lady Sophia, I have yet to congratulate you on becoming a member of the Lawson family. May the Divine Father’s blessing be upon you.”

Though his face remained kind, the words left Sophia utterly stunned.

“No… I have not agreed! I have never consented to marry into the Lawson House!”

She spoke with rising anger.

“Lady Sophia, please do not jest. The Church has already witnessed this union—it is what you yourself desired. Do you mean to go back on your word?”

Baron Scott frowned slightly, his tone now sharper and colder than before.

Sophia stood frozen, staring at the old butler who, only days ago, had seemed so gentle and courteous.

Bishop Santis, too, now spoke with grave authority.

“Lady Sophia, a marriage that has received the Church’s blessing, even as an engagement, is sacred and must not be defied. Speak with care, lest you incur divine wrath.”

Their alternating words, the guards’ cold stares, and the maids’ silent gazes surrounded her like a tightening noose.

At that moment, Sophia understood completely. Duke Lawson had already secured the Church’s cooperation and deceived her utterly.

Seeing the once-holy bishop standing in alliance with corrupt nobles filled her heart with both despair and disgust.

“So this is what passes for the Empire’s great nobility? And this… is the so-called sacred and just Eternal Church?”

She let out a soft, bitter laugh.

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