Chapter 12: Reclaiming the Youngblood Estate

The dark stone walls of the Youngblood family mansion loomed ahead, surrounded by manicured hedge gardens and gilded iron gates.

As the ducal carriage pulled into the cobblestone courtyard, servants clad in green liveries rushed forward, bowing nervously. Standing at the top of the marble staircase were Count Thomas Youngblood and Countess Marianne, Elodie's father and stepmother. Beside them stood her half-sister, Chloe, wearing a dress of pink silk.

When the carriage door swung open, Count Thomas stepped forward with a wide, artificial smile.

"Elodie, my dear daughter!" Thomas called out with false warmth. "We heard rumors that you survived the northern winter. Come inside! Your family has missed you dearly."

Elodie stepped onto the marble pavement, her midnight-blue velvet cloak rustling around her ankles. She did not return her father's smile. Her dark eyes remained unreadable as she looked up at the people who had treated her as a disposable tool for twenty years.

Grim dismounted behind her, his tall frame clad in his dark military coat. His bare hand rested casually on the hilt of his dark steel sword, his ice-blue eyes sweeping over the estate with disdain. His aura made the servants flinch, their heads lowering in fear.

Countess Marianne gasped, clutching her pearls as she shrank behind her husband. "Your Grace... Grand Duke Cavendish. We are honored by your presence."

"Are you honored, stepmother?" Elodie asked, her voice carrying cleanly across the courtyard as she ascended the stairs. "Or are you disappointed that I did not return in a wooden coffin?"

Thomas flinched, his face flushing crimson. "Elodie! What nonsense is this? We arranged your marriage to the Grand Duke to secure your future!"

"You arranged my marriage because Prince Jamie promised to forgive your two hundred thousand gold sovereign gambling debt if I agreed to act as his spy," Elodie corrected smoothly. "Do not speak to me of family affection, Count Thomas."

Chloe stepped forward, her eyes flashing with envy as she took in Elodie's luxurious cloak and silver jewelry. "Sister, how can you speak to Father with such disrespect? If not for Father, you would still be a nameless daughter in the annex!"

Before Elodie could answer, Grim stepped up beside her. He did not say a word, but his dark aura flared, making the air stiflingly heavy.

"Step back, girl," Grim warned softly, his voice dropping into a low, terrifying rumble that made Chloe's knees buckle. She staggered backward, clinging to her mother's arm in sheer terror.

"Now then," Elodie continued, walking into the grand entrance hall. "Let us discuss the management of the Youngblood Merchant Guild."

Thomas followed her hastily into the foyer, sweat glistening under crystal chandeliers. "The guild? Elodie, the family guild is managed by me! A married daughter has no right to touch ledgers!"

Elodie pulled a thick parchment document bearing the High Chancellor's golden wax seal from her sleeve, setting it on the marble table.

"Under imperial law," Elodie stated, "the dowry contract stipulated that fifty percent of Youngblood trade routes would be transferred to the Northern Duchy upon my marriage. Furthermore, my mother's private inheritance was placed in trust under my name upon my twentieth birthday."

Thomas gasped, his hands trembling as he stared at the royal seal. "Your mother's trust? You cannot seize those assets! That money funds our household!"

"It funded your banquets and Chloe's dresses," Elodie countered coldly. "As of this morning, I have transferred all Youngblood merchant accounts to the ducal bank of the North. All credit lines issued under your name are revoked."

Countess Marianne let out a shrill shriek. "You monster! You are stripping your own father of his fortune?"

"I am reclaiming what my mother built," Elodie corrected, stepping close to Thomas. "If you dispute this in court, I will hand Prince Jamie's secret debt notes, bearing your signature as guarantor, to the Imperial Guards."

Thomas's knees buckled. He fell back into an armchair, his face pale as ash, completely defeated.

Grim walked up behind Elodie, his large bare hand coming up to rest protectively on the small of her back. Warmth radiating from his palm anchored her with unyielding strength.

"My wife is now the sole proprietor of the Youngblood Guild," Grim declared, his ice-blue eyes locking onto the trembling count. "If any member of this house attempts to contact her, Commander Waylon will seize this mansion for imperial audit."

Elodie turned on her heel, her velvet dress swirling around her feet as she walked toward the open doors.

"Enjoy your remaining estate, Father," Elodie said without looking back. "It is the last dime you will ever receive from me."

As they stepped into the courtyard, Grim looked down at her, his dark eyes filled with deep admiration and dangerous affection.

"You handled that with remarkable efficiency, my clever Duchess," Grim murmured softly, his hand sliding down to entwine his fingers tightly with hers.

Elodie looked up at him, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "They thought I was still the helpless girl they abandoned. Now they know who holds the whip."

Grim leaned down, his lips brushing against her temple. "Then let us head to our capital villa, my love. Tonight, we prepare for the Royal Winter Gala."

Effie opened the carriage door, bowing low as they stepped back inside, ready to conquer the capital city.