Chapter 1 Before Tragedy

Kasper knelt on the cold stone floor, his voice shaking with desperation. He had come to deliver urgent news about Embercrest village, but a guard suddenly burst into the room to interrupt him.

Lord Logan turned his attention away from his son immediately. "I heard he is back from war," the lord said to the kneeling guard.

"Yes, Lord Logan," the guard replied.

Kasper glared at the guard, his hand dropping to the hilt of his sword. He gripped the cold metal tightly, wanting nothing more than to draw the blade and slash the man's throat right there.

Lord Logan raised his wine cup in a cheerful toast. "Let us go welcome him with a fist!" He stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Kasper alone on his knees.

Kasper scrambled to his feet and rushed after his father. "Father!" he called out. "Father!"

Lord Logan stopped and raised a hand, gesturing for Kasper to halt. He turned around, his grey eyebrows lifting as his eyes widened with impatience. "What is so important that it cannot wait until I return?"

Kasper rubbed his hands together, sweat dripping from his dark hair. He kept his eyes fixed on his father's lips, terrified of the next words. "It is about the scouts that were terrorizing the Embercrest village market, Father," he said, finally letting out his breath in hopes that his father would truly listen.

"That can wait," Lord Logan dismissed casually. "Your elder brother is back after fighting for the kingdom for six months. We need to celebrate." He turned away, his yellow silk garment sweeping across the floor. A maid stepped aside, waiting for the lord to pass.

Kasper squeezed his hands into tight fists as his brow furrowed. He could not stand by and watch this happen again. He walked over to the maid, grabbed the ceramic bowl of herbs from her hands, and slammed it onto the floor. The bowl shattered into pieces.

Lord Logan spun around. "What is that?"

The maid instantly dropped to her knees in fear.

"Kasper, son, what is the meaning of this?" Lord Logan asked.

"Father, do not call me your son when you will not even treat me like one," Kasper shouted. "I live in wealth, but I feel like I am in a prison. I cannot express my thoughts. I cannot do anything. I have not even heard you call my name until I broke this plate."

Lord Logan walked back toward him. "What exactly are you implying? You have nothing meaningful to talk about anyway. Aside from that, I do not want you stressing yourself when your brother can do everything while you just relax." He took his son's hand. "I do not want you to go through all that trouble."

But Kasper did not want to be spared from the work. He wanted to be a part of the family's affairs. He wanted his father to listen. "Just hear me out. Look at me. It is important, Father."

Lord Logan placed a hand on Kasper's shoulder. "I will when I am back." He turned to the frightened maid. "Drop the herbs in my room when I return. I will take them then."

The servant bowed, and Lord Logan walked away with an excited smile.

Kasper tightened his fists. As the room emptied, he prepared to leave, but a dark thought stopped him. He looked at the trembling servant. "Those are my father's daily herbs, right?"

The servant nodded silently.

"Alright. I will be the one setting his table every morning from now on."

The servant trembled, unable to find her voice. Kasper walked away, shaking his head and grinning broadly.

A year later, Lord Logan died.

When the truth finally came to light that Kasper had poisoned his own father, the entire village of Evercrest erupted into chaos. Men armed themselves with swords and burning torches, searching every corner of the lands. They called out his name as they combed through dense forests, dark barns, abandoned cottages, and winding trails. They hunted him day and night, desperate to bring him to justice.

But Kasper was completely gone. He had vanished without leaving a single footprint behind.

With no culprit left to punish, the grieving villagers laid Lord Logan to rest. Every household in Evercrest attended the funeral. When the period of mourning ended, the eldest son inherited his father's title and responsibilities. From that day onward, Alexander Logan became the new Lord of House Logan.

Peace settled over Evercrest once more, but it lasted only a short while.

A royal summons from the Lycan King arrived much sooner than anyone expected because war had broken out again. Alexander answered the call without any hesitation. His remarkable victories on previous battlefields earned him another promotion, elevating him from a General to a Lord General. Before dawn the next morning, he rode out with the royal army, leaving behind his wife, Lady Elena Roselyn Logan, and their children.

Half a year passed. When the brutal war finally ended, Lord General Alexander Logan returned home victorious. His carriage was overflowing with gifts collected from every city and kingdom he had crossed. There were wooden toys, carved trinkets, fine fabrics, and books. He brought far more books than anything else.

Alexander smiled to himself as the carriage rolled along. Akira would love those. She always buried herself inside stories whenever she found the chance.

As the carriage moved through Evercrest's bustling market square, Alexander looked across the crowd and spotted his family. His smile widened instantly.

Lady Elena Roselyn Logan stood beside a jewelry stall. Her long crimson hair was swept up into an elegant bun, decorated with delicate jeweled pins that glittered beneath the afternoon sun. Grace followed her every movement. Beside her stood their ten-year-old daughter, Akira, who patiently held her mother's hand while peering curiously at the colorful stalls around them.

Alexander climbed down from the carriage before it came to a complete stop. "Elena," he called out.

She turned around. The moment their eyes met, pure joy brightened her face. Without another word, she hurried into his arms.

"I can't believe I get to see my husband in the middle of the market after six months," she whispered.

Alexander laughed softly, wrapping her in a warm embrace. "I wanted to surprise you."

When they finally pulled apart, he crouched down in front of Akira. "My little scholar." He gently ruffled her dark hair. "You have gotten taller."

Akira beamed proudly. "Mommy said if I keep jumping every day and exercising with Big Brother Ethan, I will grow taller than him very soon."

Alexander chuckled. "Is that so?"

She nodded enthusiastically. Without warning, he lifted her effortlessly onto his shoulders. Akira burst into delighted laughter, clutching the top of his head.

Alexander looked toward Elena. "How are Ethan and little Angela?"

"They are doing well," Elena replied with a smile. "They are already at home helping prepare everything."

Alexander nodded. "Then we had better not keep them waiting."

By the time they arrived at the Logan estate, the courtyard had been transformed. Long wooden tables stretched across the grounds beneath colorful banners bearing the crest of House Logan. Roasted meat filled the air with its rich aroma while servants hurried between guests, carrying trays of food and wine.

The moment Alexander stepped through the gates, cheers erupted from every direction.

"Surprise!"

"Welcome home!"

"Welcome back, Lord General Alexander Logan!"

Laughter echoed throughout the estate.

Alexander looked around in astonishment. He turned toward Elena. "You were with me at the market, and you did not say a word about any of this."

A playful smile curved across her lips. "You carry your father's legacy now." She glanced around at the gathered guests. "And besides, His Majesty, the Lycan King, ordered this celebration himself to honor your return."

Alexander stared for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh. "I am truly honored." He leaned over and kissed Elena's forehead before planting another kiss atop Akira's head. The young girl giggled happily.

Ethan soon approached them, looking noticeably taller than when Alexander had left. Alexander pulled his son into a firm embrace. "You are becoming a fine young man."

Nearby, little Angela reached toward him with tiny hands. He scooped her into his arms, making her squeal with laughter.

Music filled the courtyard as women danced joyfully and drummers beat out lively rhythms. Children ran between the tables while the celebration continued deep into the evening.

Then, someone frowned. A thin trail of black smoke curled upward in the distance. One person noticed it, then another, and soon the entire celebration fell strangely quiet.

Alexander slowly rose from his seat, his eyes narrowing as he watched the horizon. "That is smoke."

Elena followed his gaze. "Perhaps they are clearing farmland," she said gently. "Or burning brush. Do not worry."

Alexander remained standing. Something about the sight did not feel right to him. "I should go and check."

Elena rested a reassuring hand on his arm. "Stay. I am sure everything is fine."

After a brief hesitation, Alexander reluctantly sat back down. The music resumed and the laughter returned, but the unease refused to leave his mind.

Suddenly, a terrified scream shattered the celebration. "General!"

Everyone turned toward the sound. A villager stumbled through the estate gates, covered in dark soot and blood.

"General!" the man cried desperately. "Please! Save my family! Please!"

The dancers froze and the musicians stopped playing. Without thinking, Elena pulled Akira behind her, shielding the girl with her own body.

Alexander stepped forward. "What happened?"

The man's face twisted with horror. "The village..." His voice broke. "They are all dead."

A sharp whistle split the air. An arrow tore through his leg, bursting out the other side in a spray of blood. He collapsed with a loud scream.

Panic exploded across the courtyard. Guests scattered in every direction as women grabbed their children. Servants abandoned trays of food, and everyone desperately searched for somewhere to hide.

But they did not make it far. Soldiers poured through every entrance of the estate. Their armor was completely unfamiliar, and their blades were already stained red with blood. The festive feast instantly became a brutal massacre as bodies fell one after another.

When the chaos finally settled, only Alexander, Elena, Ethan, Akira, and little Angela remained standing. Alexander slowly drew his sword, his eyes burning with fury.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

Heavy footsteps echoed across the blood-soaked courtyard. From between the rising flames emerged a man. A long scar cut across his face, and his black hair framed skin so pale it seemed almost lifeless.

He stopped several paces away, looked at the remaining family, and smiled.