Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 70: Blood Debt

The royal viewing box at the arena was loud and full of cheers and excitement in the aftermath of Grim’s match. Chancellor Levenhart’s face had grown progressively redder as he watched the events unfold.

"This display is completely unacceptable," he hissed, keeping his voice low enough that only those in the royal box could hear. "Mutilating opponents, marking himself with blood. This isn’t a tournament, it’s barbarism."

Alexia remained silent. The three vertical lines of blood on Grim’s face carried meaning that had been forgotten by most of the imperial court.

"The competitor was poisoned," Archmage Marcus noted quietly. "His movements showed clear signs of poison, particularly in the early stages of the match."

"Speculation," Chancellor Levenhart dismissed. "What isn’t speculation is that Lord Van Ambrose has now maimed two opponents in as many matches."

"It’s all in the rules Chancellor. We want strong people to come foward."

"The strange gesture with the blood," Marcus mused. "Does anyone know its significance?"

Alexia finally spoke, her voice barely audible. "It is an Ambrose blood debt. An ancient custom, rarely invoked even before House Ambrose fell from prominence."

Both men turned to her, confusion evident on their faces.

"By marking himself with his opponent’s blood while facing Lord Luminaris in the stands," she continued, "Grim has declared formal intent to claim his life outside the bounds of the tournament."

A shocked silence fell over their corner of the royal box. Chancellor Levenhart paled visibly. "A sanctioned assassination? And this is permitted?"

"It is recognized under the oldest sections of imperial law," Alexia explained, her voice grave. "The blood debt was how justice was served before the modern court system."

"This is madness," the Chancellor said. "Your Majesty, I urge you to intervene before this escalates further."

"A blood debt is not settled in a tournament ring," Alexia pointed out quietly.

"And if we interfere," Marcus countered, "we risk alienating House Ambrose once again. The boy has only just reclaimed his birthright."

"The boy," Chancellor Levenhart said with a sneer, "has been nothing but trouble since his return. Cutting a man in half during what should have been a standard match, taking Lord Terras’s ear, and now this? He’s uncontrollable."

"He’s exactly what we expected when we allowed his return," Liona said, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "A force of change in a system that has grown too comfortable with its own corruption."

The Chancellor’s face reddened slightly. "Princes..."

"Enough," Alexia interrupted, rising from her seat. "We will continue this discussion in private. The remaining matches deserve our attention."

The four of them watched in silence as the arena crews cleaned the blood from the fighting area and prepared for the next match. Only after they had returned to the palace and sequestered themselves in a private chamber did Alexia allow the conversation to resume.

"A blood debt cannot simply be ignored," Alexia said, pacing the length of the room. "The old customs carried weight for a reason. They maintained balance when more formal justice was unavailable."

"Old customs should not supersede modern governance," Chancellor Levenhart insisted. "Your Majesty, I urge you to formally censure Lord Van Ambrose and forbid any action against Julius Luminaris outside the tournament bouts."

Liona moved to the window, gazing out over the city. "And what of the attempt to poison him? Should that go unanswered as well?"

"If there is evidence of poison, let it be presented formally," the Chancellor said. "We have courts for a reason."

"Courts that have consistently failed to hold the established houses accountable," Marcus observed quietly. "Perhaps that’s why Lord Van Ambrose has chosen an older path to justice."

Alexia answered them. "I will not intervene directly in this matter. The tournament will continue as scheduled, and Lord Van Ambrose will face whatever consequences come from his actions, as will Lord Luminaris."

"And if he kills Julius outside the tournament grounds?" the Chancellor pressed.

"Then House Luminaris will need to select a new leader," Alexia replied coldly. "Preferably one who doesn’t resort to poisoning his opponents."

Liona cleared her throat. "Mother, while I understand your position, perhaps a middle path exists. Someone could speak with Lord Van Ambrose, not to forbid his actions but to understand his intentions."

Alexia considered this for a moment. "Who would you suggest? He’s unlikely to be forthcoming with any official representative."

"Someone he might trust," Liona said carefully. "Someone with a prior connection."

A meaningful silence fell over the room as all eyes turned to Liona. The implication was clear, though no one dared state it directly.

"I have been curious to see the Ambrose estate now that it’s been reclaimed," Liona said finally, as if the idea had just occurred to her. "Perhaps a royal visit would be appropriate. To welcome a noble house back into the imperial fold."

"Princess," the Chancellor began, alarm evident in his tone, "I must advise against...."

"Your concerns are noted, Chancellor," Liona cut him off. "But my decision is made. I will visit Lord Van Ambrose tomorrow. Alone."

"Absolutely not," Alexia said firmly. "Not alone. At minimum, a royal guard detail..."

"Would send exactly the wrong message," Liona finished for her. "I will take two guards, no more. This is to be a personal visit."

"Do any of you actually know where he’s staying?" Chancellor Levenhart asked, a final attempt to derail the plan.

"The Van Ambrose estate in the Northern District," Alexia replied promptly. "It was officially returned to him just this morning."

The Chancellor’s eyebrows rose slightly. "And why wasn’t i informed of this."

"It’s our duty to stay informed about all matters of importance to the Empire, Chancellor," Alexia replied, her tone making it clear the subject was closed. "Now, if there’s nothing else, I believe we’ve covered the most pressing concerns for today."

Taking the dismissal for what it was, the advisors made their way out of the room.

"I expect they will," Liona said softly. "This is politics, not sentiment."

The Archmage didn’t look convinced but made no further comment, bowing slightly before taking his leave.

Alone in the chamber, Liona moved to the window that overlooked the capital city. In the distance, she could just make out the Northern District where the Ambrose estate stood. Somewhere there, Grim was planning his next move.

What would he say when she appeared at his door? Would he even remember the friendship they’d shared before his family’s fall? Or had twelve years of exile erased all such memories?

Only one way to find out.

------------------------------------------------------------------

The following afternoon found Liona approaching the Ambrose estate in a simple unmarked carriage, accompanied by only two guards as promised.

As the carriage neared the estate’s entrance, Liona noticed someone departing through the front gates.

"Wait," Liona instructed the driver, watching as the unknown visitor entered a waiting carriage with no markings to tell who it was.

The carriage pulled away, heading back toward the central district. For a moment, Liona considered following it, curiosity piqued.

"Proceed," she instructed her driver, settling back as the carriage approached the Ambrose gates.

As her carriage stopped before the main entrance, Liona took a steadying breath. Years had passed since she’d last seen Grim alone. A lifetime of changes for both of them. He was no longer the quiet, serious boy who had once been her friend, just as she was no longer the carefree princess who had dragged him into her adventures.

The front door opened before she could signal her arrival, revealing an elderly woman with a stern expression that softened into surprise as she recognized her visitor.

"Princess" the woman said, dropping into a deep curtsy. "This is... unexpected."

"Hello, Sera," Liona replied warmly, recognizing Grim’s old housekeeper. "It’s been a very long time. Is your master at home?"

"He is, Your Majesty, though I’m not certain he’s receiving visitors." Despite her words, Sera stepped aside to allow Liona entry. "But for you, I believe an exception can be made."

Liona nodded to her guards to remain with the carriage and followed Sera into the house, noting the contrast between the weathered exterior and the meticulously cleaned interior. Sera had clearly been working diligently to restore the house to its former glory.

"He’s in the garden," Sera explained, leading Liona through the main hall toward the rear of the house. "Cultivating, I believe."

And there, in the center of it all, seated cross-legged on the main meditation stone, was Grim.

His eyes were closed.

"Master Grim," Sera called, her voice pitched to carry without startling. "You have a visitor."