Chapter 254: WHEN PRIDE IS IN DANGER

Arthur Stevens stormed in as if he owned the entire estate.

His heavy boots echoed with authority as he crossed the threshold. And the moment he was fully inside, his thunderous voice tore through the courtyard: “Rudeous! Get your ass out here right now!”

The sheer intensity in his tone made heads turn.

Those who were just about to leave paused mid-step. And those who had already entered froze in their tracks. Conversations died. A tense silence fell across the compound.

Alice, startled by the sudden outburst, quickly moved beside Rudeous. Her voice trembled with worry as she whispered, “What should we do?”

Rudeous, who had been staring straight at Arthur from the moment he entered, finally turned to her and gave a gentle, reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

This wasn’t the Rudeous of the past.

He wasn’t just a man obsessed with nobility and prestige anymore. Something had changed. Or rather, someone had changed him.

Logan.

Since the very beginning, Rudeous had witnessed the boy’s brilliance. Logan’s talent had always been overwhelming, almost unnatural. But what made him different wasn’t just power, it was that he never chased glory. He had no desire for the position of Patriarch. No hunger for titles or fame.

And yet, somehow… people naturally followed him.

The third prince of the royal family, Rowan Hale.

The head of the Mage’s Court, John William.

And now?

A single glance inside the house was enough to tell.

The three pillars of power, three S-class hunters were all here… because of Logan.

And how old was Logan to achieve this? Only fifteen.

Rudeous took a step forward and stood tall. He then said in a calm and unwavering voice. “I’m here.”

Arthur’s eyes flared. He didn’t bother hiding his fury.

“Good,” he spat. “At least you had the guts to show up after what you did to my daughter.”

His words struck like daggers.

“Now tell me!” Arthur shouted, his voice booming across the yard. “How dare you place my daughter and grandson under house arrest?! Who gave you the right?! Who gave you the courage?!”

The last words came out in a roar, his anger boiling over as it echoed across the courtyard like a thunderclap.

“Father, I don’t need courage to do the right thing,” Rudeous said firmly. His voice was calm but resolute. “Before asking why I did it or where I found the courage,” he continued, “you should first be asking…. what did Mirena do… that forced me to act.”

His words weren’t loud, but they carried the weight of undeniable conviction.

But Arthur waved it off with a scoff, brushing aside his reasoning as if it were nothing.

“She’s my daughter!” he barked. “Yes, she may be a bit overbearing but does that mean you get to punish her like this? Don’t feed me that bullshit!”

Rudeous’s eyes turned cold. “She tried to kill my son.” His words dropped like iron. “I don’t care whose daughter she is. That doesn’t give her the right to play with someone’s life.”

Arthur’s face twisted with disbelief and anger.

“Oh, really? So now the person you’re protecting is your son?” he snapped. “Then what about Mirena? Isn’t she still your wife?! Isn’t Darius your son too?!”

He was shouting again, his voice echoing like thunder through the courtyard.

Rudeous opened his mouth to respond again but before he could speak, a sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“Who is this old fool?”

The words were loud and clear. Everyone turned.

It was Lilith.

Her eyes were narrowed, her arms crossed, and she looked absolutely unimpressed.

“How can his words be so illogical?” she added bluntly.

Both Rudeous and Arthur turned toward her, stunned into silence.

Arthur’s brows twitched violently.

His fists clenched, veins bulging with rage.

“You little brat…” he growled, taking a step forward toward Lilith, his towering frame radiating fury. “Do you even know who I am? How dare you spout nonsense in my presence? It seems you need some lessons in manner….”

But he didn’t get to finish.

Because just then, a calm yet unmistakably dangerous voice echoed across the courtyard.

“If you touch her…”

A pause followed.

“You won’t like the consequences.”

Arthur froze mid-step.

His head snapped toward the source of the voice…. and the moment he saw who it was….. his face paled.

It was Noah Starwind.

A man Arthur knew better than to cross.

Though Noah himself was always concerned about Lilith’s uncontrollable temper, that didn’t mean he would ever allow her to be bullied…. Especially not in a situation like this, where even he didn’t approve of the way Arthur was behaving.

“M-Mr. Starwind…” Arthur stammered, hurriedly straightening his posture. “I-I didn’t realize she was your daughter. But even so, don’t you think you should… teach her some manners?”

Noah began walking forward slowly, hands behind his back. His expression was calm… too calm.

“You’re right. My daughter’s mouth can be a bit too sharp,” he admitted without hesitation. “But that doesn’t make her wrong.”

His eyes never left Arthur’s. His tone was polite… but it chilled the air.

Arthur clenched his jaw, but quickly tried to regain some composure.

“This is a personal family matter, Mr. Starwind,” he said firmly. “And I believe interfering in such things is… improper.”

For a second, Noah looked like he was about to speak again.

But before he could, another voice spoke up.

“I think what’s more improper… is the way you’re behaving.”

The words were clear.

Everyone turned.

It was Daliah this time. She couldn’t stay quiet either.

Her blue eyes stared at Arthur with quiet disgust.

Arthur’s face turned crimson.

First Lilith… now another brat?

One after another, these “kids” were mocking him, questioning his authority, humiliating him in front of others.

Though he didn’t know who Daliah was, he felt his rage boiling.

“Enough!!” he roared, his voice shaking the air.

But just then…

“That’s enough… Mr. Stevens.” Another voice rang out. Calm, steady, yet laced with unmistakable command. “I don’t know how you remained as the duke even with that pathetic sorry looking behavior of yours till now.”

Rowan who had already stepped inside, came out slowly.

The moment Arthur heard that voice, he quickly turned around…. and he froze.

His eyes locked onto the figure approaching, and his voice escaped in a shocked whisper:

“P-Prince?”

His heart skipped a beat.

“What’s going on…?” he muttered, his thoughts spinning. “First Noah Starwind, one of the three S-Class hunters… and now even the prince?! Why are they all here?”

His mind buzzed in confusion.

Then suddenly, something clicked.

He looked around, and realization struck.

By now, everyone had come out. Every single figure standing in the courtyard… every face… he recognized them.

And none of them were ordinary.

These weren’t some random nobles or curious bystanders. They were the pillars of power, royalty, legends, elites.

Arthur’s eyes widened further. His throat went dry. “What the hell is going on…?”

His mind screamed in disbelief.

Rowan walked forward calmly, his expression cold yet composed. His voice wasn’t loud, but every word struck like a blade. “Mr. Stevens, it’s already disgraceful enough that your daughter committed such an act… But for you to stand here and shamelessly support her?” He paused, eyes narrowing. “What do you take this kingdom for? Your personal playground?”

Though Rowan’s tone remained even, his words made Arthur feel as if the ground beneath his feet had vanished.

His legs trembled.

“N-No… Prince… I-I didn’t know you were here…” All the bravado that Arthur had moments ago had completely vanished in the prince’s presence.

But Rowan wasn’t done. “Whether I’m here or not shouldn’t change your sense of duty.”

“As a Duke, your role is to uphold justice, not trample it with your own hands.”

Arthur swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Y-Yes… Prince Rowan. You’re absolutely right. It… it was my mistake. My daughter… it was entirely her fault…”

His voice faltered as his pride crumbled.

“I wasn’t supposed to be here,” Rowan said quietly, his eyes fixed on Arthur. “But I’m glad I was. I witnessed your behavior with my own eyes.” His voice sharpened. “Leave now. Whatever your daughter has done, she will face the consequences she deserves. And as her husband, it is Mr. Smith’s right to correct her. At best, you can ask for his forgiveness, not threaten him.”

Arthur swallowed hard. “Y-Yes… Prince,” he murmured, nodding quickly now.

Without another word, he turned, striding stiffly toward his carriage. In moments, he climbed aboard and disappeared down the road, leaving only a trail of dust in his wake.

Lilith couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle at the sight.

Logan stepped forward and stopped beside Rowan. “You didn’t have to do all that,” he said quietly.

Rowan smiled faintly, a polite but knowing smile. “I know. With your strength, no one could even touch a single hair on your family.” He paused, his eyes softening. “But standing by and staying silent… I simply couldn’t endure that. And that stupid even dared to be rude with Daliah. You know I can’t let that happen, right?”

“Yeah.” Logan chuckled. “I know.”

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