Chapter 7 - The Inheritance of Vienna
The flight to Austria was quiet and smooth.
By the next evening, the Boss’s private jet touched down at Vienna International Airport under a clear, starry sky. A fleet of three sleek black sedans, driven by trusted local guards who had remained loyal to Elena, escorted the Boss, Marco, and Brutus to the sprawling Whitmore-Vance estate in the Austrian hills.
The estate was a majestic, ancient stone manor surrounded by pine forests and snow-capped peaks. It was here that Elena had spent her final months hiding from K19 and the Council's assassins.
The old estate manager, a white-haired man named Gustav who had served the family for forty years, met them at the grand wooden entrance, weeping tears of relief as he bowed to the Boss.
—Lord Arthur, Gustav sobbed, gripping the Boss's hand warmly. —Thank God you are here. When we heard of Elena's passing... we thought all hope was lost.
—Where is it, Gustav? the Boss asked gently, placing a comforting hand on the old man's shoulder. —The box my sister left behind.
Gustav led them deep into the manor's underground stone library—a quiet, magnificent vault filled with thousands of leather-bound volumes and ancient artifacts. At the center of the room, sitting on a velvet table beneath a stained-glass window, was a small, hand-carved mahogany chest bound with brass ribbons.
—She locked it the night before she sent the child to you in Grantham, Gustav explained softly. —She said only her brother’s touch could open the lock.
The Boss walked slowly over to the table. He reached down and touched the silver lock at the center of the chest. Built into the lock was a small, biometric scanner designed to recognize the shared genetic marker of the royal bloodline.
The Boss pressed his thumb against the silver plate. A faint green light flashed, and with a soft click, the heavy lid popped open.
Inside the chest lay no gold, no diamonds, and no secret ledgers.
Lying on a bed of blue silk were three simple items: a handwritten letter from Elena, a gold pocket watch that had belonged to their father, and a small, delicate crystal pendant shaped like a phoenix.
The Boss picked up the letter, his heavy hands trembling slightly as he unfolded the thick cream parchment.
My Dearest Brother Arthur,
If you are reading this, it means my sacrifice was not in vain, and my sweet Maya is safe in your arms. I knew that when the wolves came, you would be the only wall they could never break.
I leave you no grand fortune, Arthur, for you have already built an empire with your own sweat and blood. I leave you only my trust, my gratitude, and my eternal love. Raise my daughter to be strong, to be kind, and to know that her uncle was the greatest man who ever lived.
Protect her, Arthur. And live a life blessed with the peace you have fought so hard to earn.
Your loving sister,
Elena
A single tear escaped the Boss’s dark eyes, dropping onto the parchment, blurring his sister's signature. He stood in the quiet stone library for a long moment, holding the letter against his chest, feeling the heavy burden of decades of war and violence finally lifting from his shoulders.
May you like
Brutus came up beside him, resting his heavy head gently against the Boss’s thigh, letting out a soft, sympathetic whine.
—It’s over, Brutus, the Boss whispered, scratching the big dog behind his ears. —The war is finally over.
