Court Of Shadows and Lies

10. A Quest Through Fear and Folly

A flicker of intrigue crossed his face, a hint of surprise at my boldness. “I must admit, I assumed all from the Draevin house were mere puppets of your father. It seems I was mistaken.”

I leaned forward slightly, my determination evident. “Not everyone bends to his will, Duke. I seek power, and for that, I need a witch. There is no better family than yours—brave and wise. I thought you might be willing to assist me.”

Duke Anton sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Regrettably, my family no longer practices magic. I have put my children’s magic dormant to protect them, so I cannot be of assistance in that regard.”

“Surely there must be a way to revive it,” I urged, my tone steady but respectful. “I cannot accept that there’s no hope.”

He shook his head, resolve in his eyes. “I prefer my children remain uninvolved with witchcraft. My ancestors may have embraced it, but I do not wish to follow in their footsteps, nor do I want my children to.”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, wanting to convey the seriousness of my mission. “Duke Anton, I’m not asking you to put your family in danger. I understand your reservations. But I want to make Ferendia a better place. I want to remove the oppression that hangs over the women here, to challenge the status quo.”

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity mingling with skepticism. “And how do you intend to do that?”

“By removing my father from power,” I said, my voice unwavering. “Cyrion Draevin is a tyrant who uses fear and control to maintain his rule. I plan to gather strength and allies—witches who can help me turn the tide. I need to be more than just his daughter; I want to be someone who changes the game.”

Duke Anton leaned forward, intrigued by my passion. “It’s a bold ambition, Cessalie. But ambitions come with risks. Why do you think you can achieve this?”

“Because I refuse to be a puppet,” I replied, my conviction echoing in the air between us. “I’ve seen too many lives crushed under the weight of my father’s tyranny. I want power—not just for myself, but to uplift those who’ve been oppressed for far too long.”

“And yet,” he said, “you come here, uninvited, seeking my assistance in a matter that could very well lead to conflict between our families.”

“I seek no conflict,” I countered, my gaze steady. “But I also won’t shy away from it. If you choose to remain neutral, that’s your right. But I need information, and I need it discreetly.”

He regarded me for a moment, weighing my words. “You want me to divulge the location of other witches?”

“Yes,” I said, urgency creeping into my tone. “I must know where to find them. I can’t do this alone.”

Duke Anton sighed, his expression softening. “I can’t promise direct assistance. It would endanger my family. However, I can send my people to find them. They’ll remain in the shadows, working without drawing attention. You have my word, but it must remain a secret.”

“Of course,” I nodded, relief flooding through me. “I would never betray your trust, Duke. This is our chance to forge a new path for both Ferendia and Valkathra.”

He smiled slightly, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. “If your ambitions can lead to a brighter future for both, then I will support you in whatever way I can. Just know that the road ahead will be treacherous.”

“Treacherous roads often lead to the most significant changes,” I replied with confidence. “And I will navigate them, with or without help. Just know that this is not just about me. I want to remove the chains of oppression and fear that my father has instilled in our land.”