The Threadbound series : Unraveling

A Bitter Lesson

Ash

I entered the Sylvanwood Governor's building, a place that held an air of power and authority. On my way in, I noticed Mathers, who had served as my father's secretary, packing his things. The atmosphere was tense, and his emotionless demeanor spoke volumes about the nature of his departure.

"What happened?" I inquired, showing concern.

"Your father terminated me as his secretary, and quite publicly," he replied dispassionately.

Mathers had been a loyal figure in our household for years, but I wasn't surprised by his sudden termination. My father, Moderich Dantes, had no friends—only individuals he found useful.

"I hope you find a more amicable job soon," I offered my well wishes. He nodded his thanks and made his way out of the building, carrying his belongings with him.

I knocked on my father's office door and, upon his acknowledgement, entered the room. He sat behind his desk, an imposing figure in his early fifties with salt-and-pepper hair and a clean-shaven face. His sharp eyes and emotionless expression only added to his aura of authority.

"I hope you didn't come here to ask for reassurance or soft words," my father said as I took a seat across from him.

"No," I began, my voice steady, "I came to tell you that the election was rigged."

My father let out a cold laugh, acknowledging the fact as though it were common knowledge. "Of course it was," he replied casually.

"You knew," my eyes narrowed, surprised by his nonchalant admission.

"I had my doubts," he explained, leaning back in his chair. "I even manipulated some nobles to vote in your favor. Not that you bothered to attend any of the parties I held for you. You insisted on winning fairly, didn't you? Well, I hope you've learned your lesson. Especially since your boyfriend taught you a harsh one—winning unfairly and then abandoning you."

He spat out the word "boyfriend" with disdain, and my eyes widened in shock.

"You knew about him?" I asked, taken aback.

"I know everything, Sashelle," my father replied, his tone cold and matter-of-fact. "If you think I missed him using portals to visit your rooms in MY HOUSE, you're more naive than I'd prefer my daughter to be.Also, he wasn't exactly discreet, blatantly staring at you during the trials."

He continued, " I even warned you to watch out for him. However, your stupid head chose to ignore my advice. You ruined everything with your righteous, law-abiding high horse attitude. But it was a lesson you needed to learn, and I'm glad I could be the one to teach it to you."

At that moment, I felt a heavy weight of resignation. My father had made it clear that he considered my loss in the election to be a lesson—one that he was willing to teach, no matter the cost. It was a stark reminder that our relationship was not one of unconditional love but one of calculated control.

Serve for justice and justice will serve for you, Sashelle. Laws are just a path to justice but if there's an alternate way, an easier one then you take that. Dad said while handing me a cup of whisperleaf tea.

I took a sip of my tea, without honey- it tasted awfully bitter.