Blood God Reborn as the Mudblood Heir

Celia’s eyes softened slightly. "She already has pride."

"Pride is not enough."

"No. But it is a start."

Lucard looked at her once. "You can teach her some of it."

Celia was surprised. "Me?"

"You are from House Marovain."

"That does not mean I teach fallen noble daughters."

Lucard’s eyes stayed on her. "Then start."

She folded her arms. "You are ordering me again."

"I am giving you a way to be useful."

Celia should have been offended.

She was offended.

But she also felt strangely pleased that he wanted her near his family. That was foolish, and she knew it was foolish. Still, the feeling arrived before reason could stop it.

"I will consider it," she said.

Lucard said, "Good."

"I said consider."

"You will agree."

Her eyes narrowed. "You are too confident."

"You keep proving me right."

Celia turned away before her face could warm again.

A servant entered and bowed. "Lady Celia, the rooms are ready."

Celia nodded. "Good. Bring food also. Simple dishes first. Nothing too heavy."

Jake appeared from the hall at once. "Food?"

Jenny followed him, looking embarrassed. "Jake."

Celia smiled. "Yes, food."

Jake looked at Lucard. "Brother, this house is good."

Lucard said, "Because of food?"

"And trees."

"Acceptable."

Peter came in after checking the outer wall again. "The guards are taking positions. I will make a watch rotation with them."

Lucard looked at him. "Eat first."

Peter seemed surprised.

Lucard added, "A hungry guard makes stupid mistakes."

Peter bowed. "Yes, Young Master."

They ate in the smaller dining room, not the large one. Celia stayed for the meal because Robi had ordered her to settle them in, though everyone in the room knew she did not need to stay for every bite of soup. The food was simple but warm. Bread, stew, roasted vegetables, soft meat, and tea. Jake ate like he had been personally attacked by hunger. Jenny ate slowly, still watching Lucard from time to time. Peter ate with discipline but clearly needed the food after healing.

Lucard ate little.

His body had gained strength from blood, but food was still useful for the vessel. He forced himself to eat enough.

Jake looked at him. "Do you not like stew?"

"It is fine."

"You eat like the stew insulted you."

Lucard looked at the bowl. "It lacks ambition."

Peter nearly choked on his tea.

Celia covered her mouth with a napkin.

Jenny gave Lucard a tired look. "Do not teach him to judge soup."

Lucard said, "He should judge everything."

Jake nodded. "The bread is loyal."

Jenny sighed. "Too late."

For a short time, the room felt almost normal.

Not safe.

Not peaceful.

But close enough to remind them what those things might feel like.

After the meal, Celia stood to leave.

"I will return tomorrow morning," she said. "The house guards will remain. Do not open the gate without their approval. If anything happens, send a runner to the Marovain shop immediately."

Jenny stood and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Lady Celia."

Celia gave her a gentle nod. "Rest tonight. You need it."

Then she looked at Lucard.

"And you. Stay inside."

Lucard looked at her. "You already said that."

"I am saying it again because you are you."

Jake whispered, "That is fair."

Lucard looked at him.

Jake immediately looked at his bread.

Celia walked toward the door, then stopped.

"Lucard."

He turned slightly.

She lowered her voice so only he could hear. "House Velkhur will not forgive this quickly. Whatever your plan is, do not think you can carry everything alone."

Lucard looked at her for a moment.

Then he said, "I do not carry everything alone."

Celia’s eyes softened.

Lucard continued, "I make others carry what is useful."

Her softness died.

"You really know how to ruin a moment."

"I was explaining."

"You were proving my point."

Lucard did not answer.

Celia left before she said something foolish.

Outside, she entered her carriage and touched her mouth for a second, remembering the blood covered hand from the day before. Then she cursed herself quietly and ordered the coachman to return to the shop.

Inside Silver Ash House, the doors were locked.

The guards took their posts.

Jenny took Jake upstairs, though he looked back at the training yard through the window with interest. Peter remained near the stairs, speaking quietly with Orven and Malik about watch positions. The servants cleaned the dining room and withdrew.

Lucard went to the room near the back exit.

It was small, with a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a narrow window facing the rear wall. He closed the door, placed a small blood mark under the window, another near the door, and a third behind the bed. They were not large spells. Only warning marks. If someone entered while he rested, his blood would know.

Then he sat at the desk.

For the first time since arriving in Gravehold, House Vardros had a place that could be called a base.

Although it was small. It was borrowed by blood and danger. But it was a base.

Lucard raised one finger.

A tiny flame appeared.

This time it was orange at first, then slowly darkened at the edge. Bloodfire answered him weakly, like a young beast that had not yet learned its teeth. His lips curved slightly.

Basic fire magic. A house. Some enemies might be coming from House Velkhur.

He closed his fingers and killed the flame.

"Good," he whispered.

The night outside Silver Ash House deepened.

And Lucard began planning the next step.

He pulled a sheet of paper toward him and began writing names. House Velkhur came first. House Marovain came second. Ravenscroft came third. Beside each name, he wrote what they wanted, what they feared, and what could make them move.

Then he wrote House Vardros at the center.

Lucard stared at the name for several seconds.

A ruined house had no soldiers, no land, and almost no money. But it still had three living heirs, one wounded knight, and him.

For other people, that would look pathetic.

For Lucard, it was enough to begin.

Outside his door, the house became silent.