Although Eric had bullied Winters before, compared to other werewolves, he was considered an upright and decent individual.
Under Selwyn's astonished gaze, Winters accepted the strawberry jam-filled cake and walked over to Earl Jason.
The dazzling crystal chandelier lent Winters an air of added nobility.
"Count Jason, Erik didn't mean any harm. He was likely just teasing me."
"Miss... Miss Winters."
Unease and guilt flickered in Erik's eyes.
"It's fine. My leg doesn't hurt as much as it did yesterday."
With that, Winters offered the cake. Eric, head bowed, took it with trembling hands under his father's watchful gaze.
"Miss Winters, I'm sorry."
Winters smiled gently at him. "Eric will become a warrior who protects Massac City."
Eric stared at her strangely, offering no reply....
The banquet concluded.
Distinguished guests departed the castle one by one.
Candles flickered out one after another.
"Miss Winters, aren't you returning?" Mac stood behind her, his expression grave and concerned. "So much happened today. You should rest."
Not far away, Sel drove the carriage. Inside, Amelia grinned widely at Frederick.
"Is Elder Arthur still in the castle?"
"Arthur seems to have sensed something and refuses to leave. Miss Winters, do not worry. I will drive him out first thing tomorrow morning."
Miss Winters paused before replying, "Uncle Mac, take me to see him."
The Midsummer Ritual, the Wolf Crystal, the Crystal Scepter, and the curse.
She needed to unravel these mysteries herself.
"Very well, Miss Winters. But be wary of his illusions. If necessary, summon the Wolf Crystal. The matter concerning Duke Massa must remain secret."
"Rest assured, Uncle Mac."
Mac led her to the castle's uppermost level, where Mass City's most esteemed guests were typically received.
But Elder Arthur was not one of them.
Yet he possessed a thick skin, and uninvited visits were not uncommon for him.
All of Mass City respected him for his status as a Wolf Clan elder, yet despised him because of the Midsummer Ritual.
Miss Winters' footsteps were not as light as those of a typical twelve-year-old girl.
The top floor was dimly lit. The flames conjured by illusion magic weren't very bright, casting a soft purple glow.
Mike carried a kerosene lamp ahead, guiding Winters.
Just as they were about to reach Arthur's room, the lamp suddenly went out.
The door opened automatically. Winters lifted her skirt and stepped inside slowly. Mike stopped at the doorway, hiding in the darkness of the corridor.
"Elder Arthur."
Winters offered a polite greeting. Arthur reclined leisurely in an armchair, the room bright and warm.
Above the fireplace hung a painting depicting Winters' mother, gentle and serene, kneeling in prayer beside the sacred pool.
"Winters, where is the Wolf Crystal?"
Winters hadn't expected Elder Arthur to ask her directly about the Wolf Crystal's whereabouts.
"I was at the Wolf Clan settlement. It was the Wolf Crystal sensing Duke Massa's demise that brought me here. His time is nearly up."
Arthur had a fiery temper, restrained only in Duke Massa's presence.
He rose from the recliner, his voice becoming monstrous and eerie as he bellowed:
"I assumed he would entrust the Wolf Crystal to you. It seems my conjecture was mistaken."
Winter's palms grew faintly warm.
The Wolf Crystal had fused with her being. No sorcery could separate it from her body unless she died.
"Then why have you come to me?"
"Elder Arthur, I wish to learn of the Midsummer Ritual."
"Oh?"
Arthur suddenly grew calm, circling Winters to observe her. Thatcher had been sacrificed alive to the Wolf Crystal.
The Midsummer Ritual required both the Wolf Crystal and the bloodline of the Sutherland family.
Clearly, that old fool Matsu wouldn't agree to sacrifice twelve-year-old Winters.
"Elder Arthur, can you tell me about my mother?"
Winters' initially bewildered gaze sharpened with sudden insight.
"Your mother was a great werewolf."
"Perhaps one day, Winters, you too may become as great as she was."
Arthur said no more, merely pointing toward the painting above the fireplace. Before Winters could react, he used a spell to push him into the painting.
Thatcher's gaze softened, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
She cupped water from the sacred pool into a vessel, preparing to begin the ritual. Duke Massa, standing nearby, seethed with fury.
"Thatcher, you're mad. What does the survival of the Wolf Clan have to do with you? Why involve yourself in the sacrifice? Have you thought about Winters?"
Thatcher replied calmly:
"Winters would agree. She'll need to be like me someday. We're both warriors fighting for the family."
Winters gazed into her mother's eyes, her consciousness beginning to blur.
The urge to contribute to the Sutherland clan surged within her.
Winters slowly approached Thatcher. As she embraced her, a sudden, stinging pain shot through her palm. She instantly snapped out of the trance, realizing someone had just tried to manipulate her mind.
"Winters, did you see? That is the greatness of your mother."
"Yes, Elder Arthur."
Feigning compliance, Winters spread her wolf eyes and nodded obediently.
"It's getting late. You should return."
"Good night, Elder Arthur."
As soon as Arthur finished speaking, Winters walked out of the room like a wooden puppet.
Mike, standing by the door, lit the kerosene lamp and followed behind Winters.
They didn't stop until they reached the end of the corridor.
"Uncle Mac, Elder Arthur just pushed me into Mother's painting. He wants to control my mind and obtain the Wolf Crystal. He came here after sensing the demise of Duke Massa's Wolf Crystal."
A barely perceptible heaviness settled into Winters' voice.
"Hmm, Miss Winters, you should return to Tudor Manor and get some rest."
Sailong had been waiting for a long time. When he spotted Winters' figure, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Amelia was already waiting with an impatient look on her face:
"Winters, where have you been? What took you so long? Frederick has already left."
"Did you sneak off to eat something delicious?"
"Or did you deliberately want me to get scolded by Mom?"