Dravenfel
Abandoned Farm
All eyes were on the door. Aaron stood in the doorway, calm and composed,
his presence chilling. His command hung in the air, cold and unyielding.
"Unhand him. Now."
Slightly behind him stood Elbert,
a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
Arthur's eyes narrowed, his hands slipping into his pockets.
Yet he kept his composure,
the smirk at the edges of his lips tightening.
"Ah, Lord Aaron Lancaster," he drawled,
voice smooth but carrying a brittle edge.
"You do have a talent for showing up uninvited."
Aaron's gaze was ice, unblinking.
"I'll only say this once, Arthur."
His voice was quiet but rang through the room like a death knell.
"Let. Him. Go."
Arthur gave a small laugh.
"Lord Aaron, I didn't know you were in town."
Elbert interrupted, his tone smooth as silk.
"And we did not know you slithered around like a snake."
"Ah, the Draytons. Lancaster's loyal dogs! What a surprise,"
Arthur sneered.
"Your master didn't teach you manners, I see."
He tilted his chin slightly, eyes glinting with false superiority.
Aaron smiled—cold and soft.
"If you're well aware, Arthur, we never use people as pawns."
His voice was calm, lethal.
"Unlike you, who takes lives without hesitation. Tell me, Arthur, who is more animal?"
Arthur's smirk widened.
"Oh yes, that's power, Lord Aaron. Such a shame! Really. If only the Lancasters were more… proactive."
He sighed, mocking.
"Maybe they could've saved the Ravensdales from ruin."
He paused, eyes glinting with dark amusement.
"Ah yes," he added slowly, savoring the words.
"Do you remember this place, Lord Aaron? It was tragic."
Arthur stepped closer, their gazes locked, tension crackling in the air.
"Ah, you remember your old friend, the prince. He despised Selena, and yet…"
Arthur leaned in, voice a whisper.
"He ended up hiding on Montgomery lands."
A smirk curled on his lips.
"You know," he breathed, each word dripping poison,
"I have her too."
Without hesitation, Aaron's fist shot forward,
nearly colliding with Arthur's face—
but Elbert's hand caught his arm, stopping him with iron restraint.
Arthur chuckled, dark and taunting.
"Lord Aaron? Wanting to lay hands on me?"
His words were cut short Elbert's fist crashed into Arthur's face with brutal precision.
Arthur stumbled back, eyes flashing with rage.
"How dare you, dog!"
Aaron's smile was soft, almost pitying.
One guard rushed forward,
only to be swiftly pinned by Sebastian's dagger, glinting coldly under the dim light.
Another guard caught Arthur, steadying him from behind.
Then, Ashley spoke, her tone laced with mockery.
"Well, Lord Arthur? I suppose I have a new story to tell the world."
She paused, eyes glinting with wicked delight.
"The great Arthur Whitmore, struck by nearly a servant? How… disgraceful."
Arthur's gaze snapped to Ashley not with anger, but with a flicker of concern.
"Here's an option for you," Ashley continued, voice smooth and biting.
"A: Confess everything. B: Return all the power, property, and my father's influence.
Or C: The easiest one—disappear from this industry. Stop spreading your lies to the world."
She leaned in, voice a cold whisper.
"Do that, and I'll keep my mouth shut."
Arthur's face was pale, his smirk faltering at Ashley's words.
"Fine!" he spat, voice sharp with bitterness.
"Do as you like, Ashley. Enjoy your victory while you still can."
His eyes glinted darkly.
"The cursed one."
He turned with a snap, stalking out,
but not without casting a sharp glare at Ashley from the corner of his eye.
Aaron's hand shot out, gripping Arthur's arm with cold precision.
"Where are you taking the girls?" His voice was ice.
Arthur met Aaron's gaze, smugness curling back onto his face.
"On a ship. About to transport them."
His eyes flickered to Sebastian, a grin slithering onto his lips.
Slowly, deliberately, Arthur slid a ring off his finger taunting.
"You can have this back."
He flicked the ring behind him, letting it drop to the floor at Sebastian's feet.
He scoffed.
"Let's go!" he snapped at his guards, striding away without a second glance.
Aaron stopped him again. "One last thing. Who are your eyes here?"
Arthur smiled, eyes glinting. "Someone among you."
Just like that, Arthur and his men disappeared.
Aaron's gaze shifted to Elbert, his voice steady and commanding.
"Go save them."
Elbert gave a firm nod no words needed and moved swiftly, Ms. Mary following close behind, together with Sebastian.
Aaron stopped him.
"Sebastian, where are you going?"
Sebastian looked at Aaron with a deathly glare. "Clara."
"It's alright. Elbert's got this," Aaron assured him.
Sebastian hesitated, eyes dark. "Can I trust you?"
Aaron pulled out his compass—the symbol of the Lancaster heirloom—its surface glinting faintly.
"Relax… the ocean is our home." He sighed. "You better!"
Sebastian glanced at Ashley.
Ashley exhaled shakily, eyes flicking to Sebastian. Blood trickled from a cut on his cheek, staining his pale skin. Without hesitation, she rushed to him.
"Sebastian, are you alright?" Her voice trembled as she cupped his face, wiping away the smear of blood gently.
Then, as if her legs could no longer hold her, she pulled him into a tight embrace.
"I… I'm so glad you're alright. I thought—I thought I lost you."
Her voice broke, fingers clutching desperately at him. She cried, clinging to him like a child.
Sebastian was speechless.
He had never seen Ashley so vulnerable despite her strength and determination,
she was so fragile with those she loved.
Sebastian closed his eyes, wrapping her in his arms.
For a moment, everything was still.
By the doorframe, Aaron remained motionless, eyes cold and unreadable.
He was just there, studying them—as if he understood everything without needing an explanation.
Then, Sebastian pulled back slightly, his hands firm on Ashley's face.
"Look at me," he murmured, voice soft yet commanding.
He managed a small smile before his expression shifted—serious, resolute.
"You know what has to be done, right?"
In an instant, Ashley's eyes flooded with tears, her whole body shaking.
Her breath hitched.
"No, Sebastian, there's… there's another way—"
But Sebastian's grip was steady, his voice firm.
"No, Ashley. Stop running."
His tone was final, unyielding.
"You had your chance you tried. But this is the only way. I know you can feel it too."
He paused, eyes softening just a fraction.
"You're the strongest woman I've ever known, Ashley. You never back down from a fight."
His thumb brushed her cheek, gentle despite the urgency.
"You did great just now. Let's end this. Just one last thing."
Ashley bit her lip hard, shook her head, blood beading crimson.
Her hands trembled, but she forced herself to nod, though her tears never stopped.
"Thank you, Ash…" Sebastian whispered, voice low.
He pulled her wrist, leading her away.
Ashley didn't resist, didn't fight. She just let Sebastian lead her like a puppet.
No emotion, just acceptance.
Sebastian took one step out.
Aaron called after him, voice steady. "Are you certain?"
Without turning, Sebastian replied.
"Yes."
Aaron closed his eyes, fingers curling into fists.
Slowly, he said,
"Then… head west from here. You'll find a cave. May you rest in peace."
Sebastian hesitated. "Take care of Clara for me."
The night was heavy and so were their hearts.
They took a single horse and made their way to the cave.
The cave was dark, empty small, yet felt like home.
They stepped inside, silence echoing with each step.
A sliver of moonlight emerged from the roof, casting a soft glow.
Sebastian's voice was low and pleading.
"Ash… can you do me a favor?"
Ashley's strength had drained away. All she could do now was nod.
"Give me your hands," Sebastian asked quietly.
Then, he slid Clara's ring onto Ashley's finger.
His voice was soft, almost trembling.
"My lady, may I have this dance?"
Ashley cried without looking at Sebastian.
She couldn't she couldn't even bring herself to look.
Yet her hands were taken by Sebastian's.
He led her gently.
His eyes were fixed on their hands, where Ashley's fingers were wrapped in Clara's engagement ring.
As if Sebastian wished to dance with Clara one last time.
He could almost hear the music the first dance they had, the same song, the same steps.
Yet, the woman in front of him was Ashley not Clara.
Then, gently, he lifted her chin slightly.
"Look at me," he whispered, his voice low and throaty.
Ashley's glassy eyes met his.
In that moment, Ashley saw the truth.
His eyes they weren't for her. They were for Clara.
Every breath of Sebastian's, every glance screamed Clara's name.
Ashley's heart ached, shattering with each second.
Then suddenly "You look beautiful," Sebastian said.
His voice was low and longing, heavy with grief.
Ashley's lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Thank you…" She paused, breath trembling.
"…my lord." She added, so low it was almost unheard.
Sebastian's eyes softened, glistening.
His voice cracked, raw and broken.
"It's… Sebastian…" echoing through the cave.
That night seemed long and quiet.
Just a few steps… echoing through the hollow cave.
And Sebastian in her arms.
Yet it felt empty.
To be continued…
Chapter 16 The Last Dance