Chapter 625: Ashenlocke Private Ceremony

The Ashenlocke General Hall was the largest hall in the Ash Estate, with enough space to hold many different activities.

Weddings, ball parties, and even Cognis Baptisms were usually held there, making it one of the main places where members of the Ashenlocke family gathered for important occasions.

Today, the hall was hosting another celebration.

Outside, many Steam Carriages belonging to Nobles and Royals had been parked neatly in the parking lot.

Some were recent models, while others were older designs that had been kept in good condition. Their polished bodies reflected the afternoon sunlight as more vehicles arrived, bringing additional guests into the Ash Estate.

Servants moved around the parking lot, helping the guests with their belongings and directing them toward the hall.

Guards of Ash stood at several points along the paths, making sure the arriving carriages did not obstruct one another.

The steady arrival of guests had made the grounds busier than usual, and the sounds of carriage doors opening, servants exchanging greetings, and people talking could be heard from different directions.

The Ashenlocke family had prepared the celebration for its returning children, and the occasion had attracted the attention of more than just the relatives who lived within the estate.

The Ash Broadcasting Group had also arrived.

The group usually handled the broadcasting of Ashenlocke events and ceremonies, posting their footage on Linsta and publishing articles on the Skynet so that the people of Britannia could see what was happening within the Ashenlocke Household.

Their members were already moving around the grounds, looking for the Children of Ash who had become the main subjects of the ceremony.

Photographers and videographers moved between the guests, taking pictures and recording footage from different angles.

Some approached the students to ask for a brief interview, while others waited for a suitable moment to capture them together.

Camera flashes appeared one after another as the photographers tried to get their shots before the children moved away.

Obviously, a few people received far more attention than the others.

The Young Lord of Ash, Lyra Ashburn, and Ezra Ashenlocke were among them.

And especially Vera Ashenlocke.

The three received considerable attention from the broadcasting group.

But Vera attracted the most interest.

Her performance during the Grand First-Year Combat Festival had given people plenty to talk about, and the revelation of her powerful new rifle had only increased that attention.

But, of course, the main reason...

Was because she was a Flower of Britannia.

A Beauty that many Ladies, both young and old, wished to be like.

Some of the photographers tried to get closer whenever she appeared in their line of sight, hoping to capture a better picture of the young lady who had become one of the most talked-about students in the Kingdom.

The same was true for Ezra.

His ranking and performance at the festival had made him a subject of interest, while his inventions had already earned him a reputation among the younger generations of Ash.

The Phantom Rolls and the firearms he had helped create were no longer things known only to those who followed his work closely.

Now, more people wanted to know about the young inventor who had also demonstrated abilities as a Gun Alchemist.

Of course...

The photographers were not the only ones interested in speaking with the returning students.

Henry Ashenlocke and Bess Ashforge were pulled aside for a quick interview.

The Ash Broadcasting Group wanted to hear their thoughts and advice about their experiences as First-Year students at the Royal Academy, especially since both had successfully finished among the Top One Hundred First-Year students.

The two were asked about their time at the Academy and what they had learned from the experience.

While the interview continued, the photographers adjusted their positions to capture the conversation, making sure the students remained visible in the footage.

The outer courtyard of the hall was really busy.

Many Nobles and Non-Nobles from the Lowline and Highline branches had gathered there, speaking among themselves while occasionally approaching some of the children who had participated in the festival.

A few guests were discussing the results, while others were more interested in hearing about the matches from the students themselves.

The children had become one of the main reasons for the celebration, and it was only natural that the guests wanted to speak with them.

After watching the festival, some of the younger members of Ash were eager to meet the students they had supported, while the adults wanted to congratulate them on their achievements.

The conversations continued as more guests entered the hall.

Ezra finally managed to get inside after being bombarded by photographers who had taken his pictures from different angles.

He had been stopped more than once along the way, and each time he had to pause while another photographer tried to get his attention.

By the time he crossed the entrance, he had already spent a considerable amount of time dealing with them.

Lucy had also left him, to join the Servants of Ash, to perform duties needed to be done in the welcome party.

Ezra looked around the hall.

It was slightly crowded, though many of the guests were still outside discussing the festival.

Several groups stood around the open spaces, talking with one another, while servants of Ah moved between them to make sure the arrangements for the ceremony were in order.

Ezra had barely begun looking for a place where he could relax when several adults approached him.

Groups of Noble and Non-Noble men and women walked toward him with their children, intending to greet him again.

Some of the faces were familiar.

He had seen them during the first ceremony he attended at the Ashenlocke General Hall.

That had been the occasion when he crashed the party to reveal the hidden truth about his household and the way he had been treated.

He remembered seeing some of these people there.

"Sir Ezra Ashenlocke, congratulations on your ranking."

A Nobleman greeted him with a pleased smile.

"Thank you."

Ezra replied calmly.

He did not say much, nor did he show much of a reaction to the greeting.

He simply acknowledged the man’s words before turning his attention to the others who had gathered around him.

Every greeting was met with a polite response.

And every word of praise received another word of thanks.

Ezra continued answering them without complaint, although he had little interest in standing there for an extended conversation.

He understood that the guests wanted to congratulate him, and there was no reason for him to respond rudely. Still, the number of people approaching him made it difficult to move away without interrupting someone.

One of the Noblewomen soon joined the conversation.

"Honestly, I was wondering about this again after watching your victory against the Young Lady of Drakes."

She spoke calmly while holding a wineglass in her right hand, moving it slightly as she talked. Her eyes remained on Ezra, and her expression grew more serious as she brought up the matter.

"The Sterlings truly made a big mistake by doubting you."

"Yes, they did."

A Nobleman among the people gathered around Ezra agreed with her.

"They were very foolish to make that mistake."

"What did Zavier even see in his other son, Zara, that made him believe in his heart that he was better than Ezra?"

"I agree with you on that."

"I’m so disappointed in the Sterlings."

"But it’s sad that the real evil, Zavier and his family, didn’t get to see your rise."

The comments continued, and the people around Ezra looked at him as they discussed the Sterling family.

Some shook their heads in disappointment, while others seemed to enjoy pointing out how badly the family had misjudged him.

Their opinions were clear.

They believed the Sterlings had made a foolish decision by doubting Ezra, and his performance at the festival had given them another reason to say so.

His ranking and the abilities he had displayed were now visible to everyone, making it difficult for anyone to dismiss his achievements.

"I guess they will be biting their tongues off with envy."

Ezra spoke with a straightforward expression and tone.

For a moment, the guests looked at him before breaking into laughter.

"Haha... Haha... Haha..."

"Well said, Young Ezra!"

"The fall of the Sterlings is well deserved."

"Even if Zavier is not here anymore, I’m sure your grandparents and other relatives would be biting their tongues."

"Haha... Haha... Haha..."

More laughter rose from the group as the adults continued making fun of the Sterlings and praising Ezra.

Some of them seemed particularly pleased by the thought that the people who had once doubted him would now have to watch his success from a distance.

Ezra stared at them plainly.

He was not thinking about the Sterlings in the way they seemed to expect.

That Chapter of his life had been fully closed on the day he killed his own father, mother, and twin brother.

There was nothing left for him to settle with them.

He looked at the group of adults standing around him, listening to their words as they continued discussing Zavier and the rest of the family.

Some of these people would have easily said the same thing about him if he never made it this far, and their current praise did not change that fact.

But Ezra did not feel any disgust toward them.

He did not hate them, nor was he particularly annoyed by their words.

He simply felt tired of talking to so many people, especially when the conversation offered him nothing useful.

He had already answered their questions and listened to their opinions.

There was no reason for him to remain there while they continued repeating the same things about the Sterlings.

That was all.

"If you don’t have anything else to say, I would excuse myself."

Ezra spoke in the same calm tone he had used throughout the conversation.

He lowered his head politely, not waiting for a reply, and walked away from the group.

The adults watched him leave, but he did not look back.

He continued through the hall, leaving their conversation behind as he made his way away from the gathering.

He had already spent enough time answering questions and receiving congratulations, and he preferred not to spend the rest of the ceremony standing in one place.

There were still other things to attend to.

Before the conversations could return to their previous rhythm, Bianca Ashenlocke’s voice rang out across the hall.

"Please, everyone, gather around!"

Her voice carried through the building, reaching the guests who were still speaking among themselves.

She stood with her husband, her arms linked with his, and waited as the people of Ash turned toward her.

Some guests stopped speaking immediately, while others finished their sentences before looking in her direction.

The movement gradually spread through the hall, and those who were still outside began paying attention as the announcement reached them.

Bianca waited until she had the attention of the gathering.

"Let’s please all welcome the Duke of Ash... Duke Valentine Ashenlocke."

As she spoke, she lowered her head toward the main entrance of the hall.

Everyone inside the hall lowered their heads, facing the entrance through which the Duke was about to appear. Those outside followed suit, and the conversations that had filled the gathering moments earlier gradually faded.

The guests waited for the arrival of the head of the Ashenlocke family.

Valentine Ashenlocke entered through the main entrance.

Stoke Ashforge walked behind him, while the two Duchesses, Regina and Hailey, walked at the Duke’s sides.

Regina Ashenlocke was on his left, while Hailey Ashenlocke was on his right.

The Duke moved forward with his family following close behind.

The people gathered along their route remained bowed as the group passed, leaving a clear path toward the center of the hall.

Behind Stoke walked all the children of the Duke.

Byron Ashenlocke, the first son and firstborn.

Silvia Ashenlocke, the first daughter and second-born.

Bella Ashenlocke, the second daughter and third-born.

Harlan Ashenlocke, the second son and fourth-born.

Veda Ashenlocke, the third son and fifth-born.

Vera Ashenlocke, the third daughter and fifth-born.

And Bale Ashenlocke, the fourth son and last-born.

The family had dressed for the occasion in an elegant black, white, and gold colour theme.

The colours ran through their suits and gowns, giving the group a consistent appearance as they entered the hall together.

Black and white formed the main theme, while gold details completed the designs.

The people of Ash looked upon the Duke and his family with pleased expressions.

Some guests exchanged approving glances, while others watched the group pass with clear admiration.

"Greetings to the Duke, Duchesses, and the children of the Duke!"

The crowd spoke in unison.

Some of the guests moved aside to make more room as Valentine and his family continued toward the center of the hall, where Bianca stood with her husband.

The Duke’s children followed the same path, keeping their positions behind Stoke as they approached the welcoming couple.

As they walked, Silvia raised one hand and waved lightly at Ezra.

She wore a simple smile.

Ezra looked back at her with his usual plain expression.

He did not make a great show of acknowledging the greeting, but his gaze followed her briefly before he returned his attention to the group moving toward the center.

Silvia lowered her hand and continued walking.

Soon, Valentine and the others reached their destination.

The Duke stopped in front of Bianca and her husband, with Regina and Hailey beside him and his children gathered behind Stoke.

The guests remained attentive, waiting for the head of the Ashenlocke family to speak.

Valentine looked around at the people of Ashenlocke.

Family by blood and family by alliance.