The blade felt cold in my neck. The air became thick with Marvic's bloodlust filling the whole room. Making a ruckus, the two guards barged inside probably sensing the intense bloodlust. It also made my breathing uneasy and restricted.
"So what is the meaning of this Marvic?" I asked him, my voice getting heavy and my temper starting to boil.
"Earl Marvic! Sheath your sword and step aside from Lord Duke at once." One of the guards yelled, with hands-on his sword handle on his waist, ready to draw it out at any moment.
"I will ask you again. Who are you?" He stared back at my glare and completely ignored the guards. They were no threat to him after all.
"Do you think you can question me? Don't forget your position, vassal. I make the law here." My temper boiled up. I was genuinely angry now.
"I will accept any punishment you give me, master but I have to be sure it's you in the first place." He repled back without flinching. That reply maxed out my irritation.
"YOU SAY YOU ARE PREPARED. YOU ARE AWARE YOURSELF THAT EVEN POINTING A SWORD AT ME WOULD LIKELY LAND YOU WITH DEA....." I stopped yelling. I was completely going to lose it there on him. I'm glad that I was able to calm down.
That much anger surprised me. It wasn't me. Sorai Hiroto never gets angry for little reasons like someone doubting him. The anger was from someone who grew up knowing he was the next ruler. It was from someone who knew about the gap between statuses. it was an anger that a servant was doubting his liege and questioning his position by rebelling against him. Yes, the thing like letting your servant lift another servant instead of doing it myself so naturally. Lyon soul has ascended but his traits remain in his heart. I could feel them.
"I know about that well enough master but I still think that so many changes are too much and too instantaneous for only one night. And the blood I saw this morning. It is probable that you killed the Duke in his sleep and took his place as him. What I said isn't impossible for all the strange things I have seen in my long life." He spoke calmly again and somewhat it was near the incident that happened. I did take his place after he died.
I sighed tiredly and began thinking of ways to appease his doubts here. Don't be confused now, Lyon's memory didn't disappear which is very helpful. I don't have to read hundreds of books again. And after thinking for sometime I smiled wickedly.
"There is something about the kingdom's strongest that is only known by a number of people that can be counted on the fingers of one hand. I believe even your son doesn't know it." I said that slowly and looked back, and he was troubled.
"I'm sure no imposter or assassin knows that the Dragon Slayer, Marvic, in addition to having three wives also has three mis......" I felt the sword coldness disappear as it was pulled off and turned back to see Marvic down on a knee (like knight's pose). The sword was unsheathed held downward with the tip to the ground. With his head bowed. It was the position of...
"I strongly apologize for ever doubting you, Your Grace. After I atone for my sins with your given punishment for my unforgivable offense then please let me swear my life as your personal butler and Elite Guard again." He spoke with his head bowed. The position of a warrior swearing his loyalty.
"Again? You are pretty confident that I won't give you death." I asked him gravely while he remained silent. I sighed again.
"I'm leaving you off the hook this time. Don't repeat it again." I got a surprised look from him. Why the hell are you getting surprised for my merciful behavior? I don't have to think much about this decision. He did his duty as my guard and had a valid enough reason. Serving master's imposter instead of the real one and not realizing it would have become one of the biggest sins of the century. And, giving him death for this is a shame to lose someone of that strength. Also, even the previous prideful Lyon had a personal relationship with him. He was pretty much off the hook in front of him as well.
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"I'm having doubts again, master." A tick mark appeared on my forehead. Seeing me make a pissed off face, he laughed a little and stood up again returning to his normal demeanor. The air around him becoming a lot kinder.
"MARVIC YOU FOOL! HAVE YOU GONE SENILE WITH AGE? IF YOU HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO THE LEVIET"S LEG...." The one who entered was the Grand Mage of Purgarian Family, Griesh. Along with him, entered an out of breath guard. One of the two that was guarding this room.
It seems that the two guards planned to send one out searching for help when Marvic was distracted talking to me. That Guard then ran around in search of any member of Elite Squad or Griesh and he found him in his research lab. On hearing from him, Griesh became so furious that he ran all the way here at top speed spouting curses on Marvic but on entering, he noticed the kind vibes Marvic gave that made him lost for words.
it needed quite some explaining to pacify Griesh. As expected, he freaked out when he heard Marvic did pull his sword against me. And he had to be ordered down from blasting Marvic with a high-level spell he began chanting after hearing about Marvic doubting me. After settling the matter, I made them follow me to my chamber. On the side note, Marvic made sure to shut the mouth of one of the guards who stayed behind and heard Marvic's secret from me, he did it with lots of threats.
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After reaching the chamber, I gave both of them, the utensil that contained the special tea leaves from my Aunt. At first, they both were puzzled but after opening the lid and whipping some breaths, both of their expression turned grave.
"Master, why are you handing us this poisoned tea leaves?" Asked Marvic while Griesh nodded at his question.
"You asked me what made me change. I would say my conscience just woke up.............. after drinking that." I completed my sentence with a pause in between. The room fell silent for a while making me uncomfortable.
"WHAT???" They both yelled loudly at the same time.
"Marvic, we need to take him to a priest quickly. We also need to buy some high-grade antidotes." Said Griesh already in a hurry.
"We have to. master let me bring you to the priest. And give me the details about the one who gave you this. I will be sure to give him a painful death." He said that with a ferocious look on his face and even Griesh eyes turned sharp at Marvic's comment.
And then they came closer, to lift me and run towards the temple. I grew a tick mark and stopped them before they could do it. They stopped very reluctantly.
"The blood you saw this morning. After drinking the tea made from that, I was in death doors. I probably vomited it then. It was a miracle that I got up all fine after that. If you think I'm behaving differently, it might be because I had a near-death experience and woke up to cherish life more. Don't make a ruckus now since I'm all healthy." I spouted an excuse that I made up on my way here.
"Indeed a miracle if you say it like that but......" I sighed again, how much time have I sighed now. I replied Griesh's worry by saying that I would go to the temple right now for a check-up which got affirmation from both of them. Griesh left to prepare the carriage and I also was about to leave to change when... Marvic called out to me.
"Master! You didn't mention who you received this from? I would like to run an investigation. Trying to kill you when Saluda needs a Duke is an unforgivable crime. If it was successful it would have caused a civil war. So please give me the culprit's name if you know something master". He asked with an aura ready to shed blood at any moment.
I...................answered him.
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"Master! Have you prepared for Lady Lia's reception tomorrow?" I was making my way through the hallway when Marvic asked this. We were going for the carriage that Griesh prepared but this question froze me.
Reception?Lady Lia? Marvic coughed getting me out of my stupor.
"I wonder how a high noble like you can forget about one of his betrothed lady's visit? He eyed me rather pathetically. Stop it, you damn womanizer.
I ordered the nearby guard to inform Head maid Mia about Young Miss Belfrost visit and to prepare everything for her reception to the best of her ability. After sending off the guard with the message, Marvic and I exited towards the church for my check-up.
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Somewhere a little farther away from the capital city, Alore
A lavish carriage can be seen flanked by hundred of guards making its way towards Alore. The symbol of Belfrost family, a figure encased in a hexagonal icy crystal was visible as it reflected sunlight to a great distance.
A lone head popped out as the carriage heads down a slope. The head with blue hair blown by the wind covering her beautiful face. She took out her left hand to pry aside her hairs enabling her light blue eyes to reflect the Large Alore city that looked like it was situated at the end of that dusty road.