Chapter 84: Sheltering Lira

Lira Blackthorn’s eyes widened in shock as she processed Adrian’s words. "What did you just say, Lord Adrian? You rescued Baron Mortimer’s daughter and wife from him? What does that mean?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion and curiosity.

Adrian nodded, his tone calm but grave. "Yes, both of them. Eve, the baron’s daughter, was forced into servitude through a slave collar, constantly threatened by the baron with her mother’s safety. He subjected her to unspeakable cruelty, both physically and emotionally," he said, his voice lowering as he glanced over at Eve.

Eve sat quietly by his side, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, eyes cast downward, as if avoiding the memories Adrian was dredging up.

He paused for a moment, his expression somber as he looked back at Lira. "As for Rosalyn, the baron’s wife, she was brought to him to be his concubine. But once she became pregnant, she fell ill. After that, Mortimer neglected her completely, abandoning both her and the unborn child as little more than burdens."

Adrian's eyes darkened, recalling the state he had found them in. Rosalyn’s frail form, barely clinging to life, haunted his thoughts.

Lira’s expression turned to one of disgust, her lips curling as she tried to process the vile acts Adrian described.

Adrian’s face hardened, a sharp edge entering his voice. "He forced Eve to carry out his dirty work, and in the end, he intended to take her virginity by force and then sell her as a toy to other nobles, alongside her mother."

He turned to Eve, who wore a painful expression as she recalled those events, and continued, "Eve endured the baron’s constant abuse, all while being forced to carry out his dark deeds. She had no choice, as Mortimer held her mother’s life over her head."

At this, Eve’s shoulders trembled slightly, though she remained silent. Adrian gently placed a hand on her shoulder, a reassuring gesture. "But I won’t let that happen," he added softly, his gaze flicking between Eve and Lira.

"Eve was sent to assassinate me, but I turned the tables on her. After hearing her story, I made the decision to help her and free her from the baron’s clutches. Since then, she’s become one of my women."

Lira was silent for a moment, her eyes flickering with newfound admiration. Adrian had not only saved Eve from a horrendous fate but had also risked his own life and status to do so.

There was something noble about him that she hadn’t expected—something far different from most nobles she had encountered before, who were selfish and looked only after themselves.

"I see," she finally said, her voice filled with respect. "You took a great risk, Lord Adrian. And for that, I admire your strength and kindness."

Adrian offered a slight nod in acknowledgment but then steered the conversation back to his earlier question.

"Now, Lady Lira, I must ask—how did a noblewoman of your status end up imprisoned by a lower-ranking noble like Baron Mortimer?"

Lira’s face darkened, and she glanced briefly at her butler for reassurance before speaking. The elderly man gave her a firm, encouraging nod.

"A traitor sold out my schedule while I was returning to my academy. My family’s arch-nemesis, Count Vortigern, then ambushed me. To keep my location hidden, he sent me here, to this remote place, where Baron Mortimer—one of his underlings—was tasked with holding me captive."

Adrian frowned. "Count Vortigern... I’ve heard of him. He’s famous for being absolutely cruel and sadistic."

Lira nodded grimly. "Indeed. Vortigern is a man without conscience, motivated only by his ambition and thirst for power. He wants to ruin the Blackthorn family, and capturing me was part of his grander scheme."

She continued, "Vortigern reminded Mortimer of my family’s influence. He ensured the baron understood that my safety had to be guaranteed, as he wanted me as a bargaining chip. That’s the only reason Mortimer didn’t..." she paused, letting the unspoken implication hang in the air.

Adrian's gaze softened as he understood. "That’s why he didn’t harm you directly."

"Yes," Lira continued, her voice steadying as she took a breath.

"But I knew I couldn’t wait for rescue. Thanks to you, I had the opportunity to escape on my own. With the help of a few prisoners who knew of my background, we managed to break out of the castle."

Her expression softened as she continued, a hint of pride in her voice. "After escaping, the group split up, leaving me with just these four. One is my butler, and the other two were prisoners who decided to stay and protect me as repayment for my kindness. We’ve been on the run ever since."

The conversation paused as the carriage rumbled along the uneven road, the tension easing slightly as Lira and Adrian shared their stories.

Outside, the landscape was desolate, the rolling hills and sparse trees giving way to a vast stretch of wilderness. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the ground.

After a moment, Adrian spoke again.

"Lady Lira, it would be dangerous for you to return to your territory now. Mortimer will likely inform Count Vortigern of your escape, and he may set traps for you on your way back. You could be walking into an ambush."

Lira’s brow furrowed, her concern evident as she considered his words. "You’re right. It would be foolish to return now. But what can I do? I cannot remain in hiding forever."

"You could stay at my barony for a while, at least until it’s safe to return. You’ll have a chance to recover, and we can remove those mana-suppressing cuffs. While you’re here, we’ll figure out a way to contact your family.", he said as he met her eyes.

Lira hesitated, weighing her options. She could sense Adrian’s sincerity, and despite everything, she felt a growing sense of trust toward him.

He had risked his life for others, and now, he was offering her sanctuary. After all she had been through, the offer of safety and respite was tempting.

After a long pause, she gave a small nod. "Very well, Lord Adrian. I’ll accept your offer. For now, I’ll trust you."

Adrian smiled, relieved by Lira’s decision. "You won’t regret it, Lady Lira. I assure you that my barony is a safe place, and you’ll have my full protection."

The butler, Edward, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, finally spoke, his voice steady and respectful.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Adrian. My name is Edward, and I’ve served the Blackthorn family for many years. These two men," he gestured to the other passengers, "are skilled fighters. They will remain by Lady Lira’s side until it is safe for her to return home."

Adrian acknowledged them with a nod, noticing the quiet resolve in their eyes. "Your loyalty is admirable. We’ll need all the strength we can muster if we’re to keep her safe from Vortigern’s reach."

The two guards exchanged a glance, their faces set in determined expressions. "We owe Lady Lira our lives," one of them said, his voice firm. "We’ll protect her with everything we have."

As the carriage continued to roll toward Adrian’s barony, the tension between the group began to ease slightly. Lira leaned back in her seat, the weight of her ordeal beginning to lift as she allowed herself to believe, if only for a moment, that she might finally be safe.