Inheritance Redefined

Chapter Seven

Elara sat on the edge of her bed, a folded uniform gleaming softly in the dim light. The silence of the room pressed in around her, but her thoughts raced back to her unexpected visitor earlier that evening.

Alessandro had knocked quietly and entered without waiting for an answer. His usual stern expression was softened, as if he wasn't as wary with her as before.

He closed the door behind him and leaned against the frame.

"Before you start at Viremont tomorrow, there's something you need to understand," he had said, voice low and serious. "This family... and most of the others at that school... we don't exactly live by the law."

Elara's brow furrowed. She had expected as much with the security around the house and all the Calviero's training every day.

"We're part of something old, something powerful. Families who control more than just businesses - things the world doesn't see. Weapons, smuggling, information networks. Things most people don't want to know about," Alessandro continued.

He paused, looking her straight in the eye.

"That's why the school exists. It's a place for the heirs of these families - to learn, to protect each other, and most importantly, to keep the peace."

Elara swallowed hard.

"And the rule?" she had asked quietly.

"No killing. No matter what." Alessandro's tone was firm. "The families have fought wars for centuries, but there - on that campus - it's a sanctuary. If anyone breaks that rule, it's not just punishment. It's the end of their family's honor, and often, their life."

Elara nodded, feeling the weight of it all settling on her shoulders.

"So, you're saying... the school is full of people who do things that aren't legal?"

"Yes." Alessandro's voice was steady but carried an edge. "We all walk a thin line. But this place, this school, it's the one place we can pretend to be normal. Learn things that normal high school students also learn, play sports, make friends. It's exactly the same as a normal highschool. Just safer for the heirs. The people that train for the illegal part goes to an academy after highschool, when they graduate."

He glanced at the uniform on her chair. "But remember, Elara. Out i the world it's different. And in the school, there are eyes everywhere."

Elara felt a chill.

"I don't want to be part of all that," she whispered.

Alessandro's gaze softened, just a little. "You don't have to be. But you need to survive. That's the first step."

---

Elara woke to the soft rustling birds in the trees and morning light spilling through the tall windows of her room. On the edge of her bed sat the crisp navy-blue blazer, a white button-down shirt, and a pleated skirt in the school's deep indigo and silver palette. Her Viremont Academy uniform.

She sat up slowly, fingers brushing the embroidered crest stitched into the blazer - five stars surrounding a single sword. She didn't recognize the symbol, but something about it made her stomach twist.

A folded note rested on top of her uniform:
Breakfast is downstairs. We leave at 7:30. - Elias

---

By the time she made it down the grand staircase, Elias was already waiting near the front doors, dressed sharply in the same uniform. He gave her a brief glance before going back to looking for something in his backpack.

Nico leaned against the wall with a bored expression, earbuds in and a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He looked up just long enough to register her presence and gave Elara a smirk and a nod in greeting.