16 History of the Northern Dukedom (2/2)

The head of the household was a man known as Cain Blackwolf and quickly seized power and control over the city and its residents. He went behind the church's back and recruited members of the dark races to join the city as permanent residents.

This was not done out of kindness and benevolence but none of the mana races were willing to send people to fight off the monster invasions. Only the dark races who were persecuted across the continent were desperate enough to join the Blackwolf army.

Later in his memoirs, Cain would write that the demons, mermen, dark elves and the like were useful until safety of the city could be secured, then they should be driven out to renew ties with the church.

His son was known as Bryon the 'Peacekeeper' who would not listen to his father's words, under his rule the dark races and humans were treated equally and without prejudice. He fought off the influence and pressure from the church of Light and banished all preachers from the city.

He personally watched over the construction of gigantic sixty feet tall walls that encircled Arcadia to protect the city from the spring attacks. He kept as father's memoir as a secret, and it was only on his deathbed that he told his daughter the truth of the original plan of the Blackwolf family.

The head of the house at the time had seen the dark races as nothing more than convenient tools. He made his daughter swear to always uphold the principles and beliefs of fairness and equality to make the city a safe place for people of all races.

Since the day that oath was taken by his daughter, all members of house Blackwolf were taught since birth that the principles of self sacrifice and honour were to be followed. The purpose of nobility or rather 'true nobles' was to guide and protect the citizens they ruled over.

Elise's grandfather was the one who knelt to the then king of the newly founded Eternia kingdom and willingly became the guardian of the Northern Dukedom. The king at the time was a man with enormous strength and Elise's grandfather did not want his citizens to die unnecessary deaths.

Whispers surrounded him and many called the Blackwolf house cowards who bent the knee without a fight. Elise's grandfather could not care less, he believed in the better world that the king had promised him.

A world where the equality shown in the northern dukedom was spread throughout the kingdom. Unfortunately, that dream faded away with the king's useless descendants who simply craved power and wealth.

”Mommy you're amazing!” Ashley clapped her hands excitedly and looked at her mom with sparkling eyes.

”If you want, I can show you the homes of all the different races in the dukedom, most live in small houses in the city but the mermen have an underwater dwelling in the lake” Elise happily replied.

Elena perked up her ears and quickly said,” It's no trouble at all my lady if you and the little duchess want to visit the mermaids. I can guide you there myself.”

”Sister Elena were you listening to me and mommy this whole time?” Ashley teased gently.

Elena's cheeks turned red immediately and she began to stammer out excuses that sirens have naturally better hearing. Ashley looked at her with a knowing smile and Elena quickly excused herself to ride towards the twins.

”Ashley don't tease Elena, she is going to be your personal guard from now on,” Elise scolded her softly.

”However, I think when we get back, I am going to call a doctor for her, it seems recently that she has a feverish red on her cheeks.”

Ashley gazed at her mom in bemusement, her mom was so clueless! This was not Elise's fault as she was trained primarily as a warrior by her father and had little to no idea on social interactions and cues.

”Mom I feel sorry for sister Elena,” Ashley finally muttered.

Elise was confused and tried to coax an answer from her daughter, but Ashley would simply turn and face the other direction with a small smile hidden on her face.