Chapter 40: Burden of sin

Day 1 of the first month on the Vermillion calendar, year 2016

The garden was quiet, and so was the entire town. The sound of water flowing from the fountain filled the air, birds chirped a sad song, and the wind blew in slow progression.

The sound of a violin moved softly through the garden. A song so sad it caused the heart to sink. It told a story, it carried a tale. It revealed what happened and shared the pain of those who played it.

It was a sad day, even the sun hid behind the clouds.

Everyone in the garden was dressed in black, Leon as well.

His sisters, who had all travelled to go to their respective schools, were returned and joined them today for this ceremony alone.

Dressed in black dresses and veils that did not allow their eyes to be seen.

Today was the day that the beautiful Lily returned to the earth. Knights lined the walkway to her grave with swords raised and heads held high. Men dressed in black suits lifted her coffin. ⚰️ These were made of pure white marble, with an image of her carved carefully on the top.

Their steps were all together as one as they moved, and their eyes looked ahead.

Leon followed behind, not behind the casket but behind it all. His family was ahead, other nobles were there as well, but he walked at the very back, his head held down, fist clenched, body shaking.

It had been over a week since she died, and today he had to watch her be put in the ground forever. There was no pain greater than that.

The procession continued with the song playing as they got closer to the place they had prepared for her to lay to rest, and when they arrived there, they all stood around the grave.

The count walked forward and faced everyone, his eyes held the confidence of a strong man who, even in the time of peril, could not be shaken. Leon hated that, he hated the fact that he could not see pain in the eyes of this man and he could not see love.

Did he not love her? Was she not worth a single tear? Was being cold and calm far better than showing some emotion for someone that was your wife?

He clenched his fist harder until his knuckles began to turn white.

Suddenly he felt a hand wrap around his own. He looked up and saw Scarlet. She was a woman now, she had graduated from the academy and now worked at a mage tower, she was gearing up to become a renowned mage in the empire.

She was also extremely beautiful, the kind of woman that would make men stare in awe.

"You don’t have to hate yourself or anyone. Life happens and we must learn to move forward," she said and then looked at him.

Leon gritted his teeth. He did not utter a word, and simply watched as his mother’s body was lowered, tears streamed down his face.

"I am meeting with father tomorrow, he has called for me to decide what will happen going forward," Leon said.

"Yes, we were told. I am trying my best to convince him to lessen his verdict. Sadly, I know my mum, and she is fighting hard to ensure you get the maximum," Scarlet said.

"Haha, it’s pretty funny to see a daughter fighting against her mum," Leon replied.

"My mother is someone who is self-serving and only wants her benefits, sad to say," Scarlet replied calmly.

"Sis, don’t bother. Tomorrow, whatever comes my way is my sin to bear," Leon said with a smile on his face and then turned away. He walked off the moment the coffin touched the ground.

The count searched for him in the crowd, but Leon was gone. This enraged him even more.

[...]

The next day came faster than anyone wanted it to. Leon sat on his bed staring at the ceiling. For the last ten days, he had gotten nightmares every single night without stop.

He kept seeing his mother bleeding out on the floor every single night. Some nights he saw her scream out to him and ask him why he allowed her to die. Leon had not gotten a good rest in ten days now.

Knock knock.

Two knocks came from the door. Leon turned and looked at the door, he knew that the time had come.

He got up from the bed and walked to the door. He opened it and two knights stood there. They had not sent guards because they knew of Leon’s strength and only knights would be able to stop him.

Leon walked out without a word, the guards followed behind him.

"Young master, please beg the count when you get there, I am sure he will reduce his verdict," one of the knights suddenly spoke.

Leon chuckled.

"You don’t know the count then, there is no mercy, there is only what he has set his mind to. The same goes for me, I’ll carry the burden of the son I committed. Someone must be punished for what happened."

The knights said nothing else, they simply walked behind him. They soon arrived at the door that led to the hall, two guards were on either side and they opened the door.

Inside was a large hall that led to an exalted chair where his father was seated, his mother was beside him and so was William.

His sisters stood in the hall and all waited for him.

The moment they saw him, the air became heavy. The knights walked him in until he was standing before his father. He felt that gaze that he had now become used to, the weighty look of his father.

The knights stepped back, and without wasting time, his father began speaking.

"Five years ago, I warned you, Leon Belmont. I warned you about the risk of allowing a vampire into my home, and today, we stand here."