Chapter 85: I am the son of Lloyd Lancelot Dagon

Katelyn remained on the ground, her hands nervously scraping the sand. " I... " she began, her voice breaking. " Despite everything I do... I train relentlessly, day and night. But it is never enough in my father’s eyes. " Tears, which she had held back throughout the ceremony, finally began to flow down her cheeks reddened by the effort.

" Why was I born a woman... If only I were a man, I could honor my mother’s legacy and lead this house as she would have wanted. Why is fate so unfair ? "

Kristian crouched in front of her, his expression softening. " Don’t say nonsense, Katelyn. Since when is being a woman synonymous with weakness ? In this world, whether we like it or not, there will always be fools who judge based on obsolete traditions. Just don’t pay them any attention and move toward your own goal. "

Katelyn wiped her eyes with a brusque gesture. " Why are you telling me all this ? You, the perfect heir that everyone admires ? "

" Because the three of us grew up together, " Kristian replied with a nostalgic smile, " And I’m sure you have more than enough talent to break these ridiculous prejudices . If Daemon were here, he would say exactly the same thing, probably with a stupid joke thrown in to annoy you. "

" Tss... You always find an opportunity to talk about that shitty Daemon, " she finally said, a slight smile appearing on her lips despite her tears. She remembered the carefreeness of her childhood friend, a carefreeness she sometimes envied him.

Kristian held out his hand to help her up. " Come on, get up. "

" No need, I can get up on my own, " she retorted out of pride.

" Taking a hand that is held out to you from time to time is not a sign of weakness, Katelyn, " Kristian continued without withdrawing his hand. " It just shows that you are not alone. "

Katelyn stared at his hand for a moment before seizing it firmly. " Tss... I didn’t know you were such a smooth talker... "

" Oh really ? " Kristian sighed as he pulled her up. " I just repeated a phrase that Uncle Lancelot used to say from time to time. " Mentioning the late patriarch instantly soothed the atmosphere.

Katelyn rolled her eyes, dusting off her now ruined ceremonial dress. " Then I should train a little more, discover the truth about my mother’s death and cut off Count Brandon’s balls if I see him around."

Kristian stared at her fixedly. " One thing at a time... For the moment, your goal must be to take the reins of the Summer House. "

" But my father has already chosen an official heir... Markus has the Patriarch’s support... " she sighed.

Kristian placed a hand on her shoulder. " I make you this promise, Katelyn : the Summer family has always had a Lady Ravenna as its head. And it will still be the case in this generation. "

Katelyn looked at him with surprise.

" Don’t forget your promise..." she said as she walked away with a slight smile.

***

Back to the present...

Kellen finally stopped stalling and went into action. He grabbed a second spear and charged at them. At the last moment, Kristian and Katelyn could only see the attack coming, unable to do anything.

Kristian thought back to what Daemon had told him one day.

*You take so much responsibility for everyone that you forget your own.*

’ I really have been mediocre... Not even able to keep my promise. If only... if only I had been at my best, maybe—’

*Clang !!! *

The clash of steel against steel produced a shrill sound. A silhouette had materialized, blocking the trajectory of the spear with precision . Sparks flew from the impact, briefly illuminating the face of the newcomer.

" You think you can kill the Sword Clan with impunity, you bastard !! " Daemon spat. He held his father’s katana with both hands.

" Daemon !? " Kellen exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise before narrowing with joy. " I’ve been waiting for you for years... The son of Persephone ! "

Kellen smiled as he put more force on his spear. The weight of the attack was colossal, and despite his determination, Daemon’s right arm was trembling even though he had blocked the spear with both hands.

Katelyn was just as surprised as Kristian. She who had always considered Daemon a spoiled child now saw him intervening like this to protect them.

Katelyn closed her eyes for a brief moment, ’ Looks like I misjudged you quite a bit... ’ she murmured inwardly. ’ You’re not the little shit who constantly bothers Kris anymore after all...’

Daemon, sensing the gazes of the other two on him, turned his head slightly, his golden eyes fixing Kristian sternly. " Stop whining, Kristian this is not the time ! " he called out Then looked at Katelyn’s livid face.

" Aren’t you the one who was supposed to take the head of the Summer family ? Get out of here with Kristian and don’t you dare die before making Markus eat dust ! "

Kristian tried to straighten up, but a fit of bloody coughing brought him back to the ground. He fixed his cousin’s back, worried. " Be careful, his spear is not normal, Daemon. "

" I noticed... " Daemon replied, whose back muscles were beginning to contract under the effort. He stared Kellen straight in the eyes, " Kristian, you’d better keep her alive. She’s the only one who really cares about you. "

Kristian did not want to leave him here, alone facing the heir of the Spear Clan . Yet he knew that if he stayed, he would only be an additional burden. He hoped Daemon could hold out for about five minutes... That might be enough for him to get Katelyn to safety and come back with what strength he had left.

" I’ll do everything to send you reinforcements as fast as possible, Daemon ! " Kristian shouted as he seized Katelyn’s arm to help her up. He used his last reserves and with a fluid movement, pulled the young woman toward the side corridor that led to the crossroads.

Kellen Strain let out a contemptuous laugh, not even seeking to pursue the fugitives. For him, the real prey was there, right in front of him. " Do you really think you can hold me back alone ? " Kellen asked as he withdrew his spear.

" Don’t worry, I don’t die that easily... " Daemon murmured, as a dark glow began to emanate from his bandaged arm. " I am the son of Lloyd Lancelot Dagon ! "