My name is Lia Belfrost. The only daughter and third child of Anne Demene Belfrost and Allen Belfrost. My father is a Viscount in the Dutchy of Saluda. He has an extremely important position, entrusted to our house head by the Head of the Purgarians centuries ago. The position of the head of Domestic affairs of Saluda. The heads of a department exploit a lot of influence. They are all considered powerful after the Duke, three top Counts of Saluda, two Margraves and Marquis Lloyd, the advisor of the Duke.

As stated above, I grew up in a family who has a good grasp of both the power and wealth within the Dutchy. And on top of that, being the only daughter, I am heavily doted by my father. My mother, on the other hand, had always been strict towards her children. I am also loved dearly by both of my brothers. Brother Albert, the eldest is 4 years older than me and Brother Arthur is 2 years older than me. I'm !2 right now and about to turn 13 in a few months.

Even the servants are kind and loving towards me. The old ones pamper me while the young ones are my friends. My father told me that Belfrost house has never, and will never mistreat their servants who work for us and I have always followed those words.

This love for me from everyone increased a thousandfold when my father found out that my aptitude for our house unique magic element is very strong. The unique element of our house is 'Ice'. It is very rare and having our house bloodline makes this element very easy to handle than any other people. Having our bloodline also has its drawback but now isn't the time to disclose it.

The first head of our family was a powerful man named Bell. He and his ice magics were so strong that he became famous through the ancient continent as the 'Icy Devil'. During his rampaging days, he came face to face with the head of Purgarian Family. He lost the battle against him, but instead of killing him, the head of that time took him under his wing and gave him a house name, Belfrost as Bel from his name 'Bell' and Frost for 'his ice element magic'.

Our house heads became the head of Domestic Affairs after the aptitude for Ice element declined in the later generations. Even my brothers can only channel a small amount of ice in their sword to fight. I, having a strong aptitude for the ice elements meant that I could be a mage like Lord Bell. My doting increased, so did my training. As years progressed, I became famous as the prodigy and gifted child of Belfrost House.

But a change happened when I accompanied my dad to visit the new and also the 'Youngest Duke' in Saluda's history. After we were given permission to enter the Throne Room, we kept our head low as we can't look at him directly without his permission when he is sitting on the throne of the whole Saluda. My dad went down on one of his knees as he introduced himself and then he addressed me. Without looking up, I lifted my skirt a little and bowed as a noble lady should and introduced myself.

"Lord Duke! My name is Lia Belfrost, daughter of Viscount and Viscountess, Allen and Anne Belfrost. It is a great honor for me to be able to meet your grace." After I introduced, I waited for a little but only silence followed. I peered nervously upward to see him staring at me. And what I saw is, someone around my age with cerulean eyes, a deeper shade of blue than us and his perfect golden lock sitting on a very cute face. I remembered my father telling me about the Duke losing both of his parents, and the age the same as mine, I could only feel sorrow for him.

He stared at me for a long time which made me nervous and fidgety. He finally gave permission to lift our head and then our eyes met. It felt like his cerulean blue eyes swallowed me. After a moment, he broke the connection between our eyes and asked my father to have me as his 2nd wife. I froze, I thought I heard wrong but it was confirmed when my father agreed.

Back at home, every one of our family was surprised when my father told this news to them on our return. Father, Mother, and Brother Albert took the news well but brother Arthur was furious but he was outnumbered and couldn't do anything about this matter.

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A letter was sent informing them about my 'Pre-marriage visit'. A custom of nobles to have the girl visit her future husband house several times to get used to her new surrounding before her marriage so that there is no problem for her after marriage.

That is how it led to me, riding a carriage and going towards my future husband's house...err...I mean castle in the capital city, Alore. Accompanying me are my two personal maid and bodyguards since my childhood, Olivia and Emma. Olivia sitting next to me, while Emma sat opposite of us. They were chosen by my mother for me when I was 4. Speaking of mother.......

Flashback**

"Lia! Its time for your departure" my mom said to me in her usual neutral voice.

"I'm all ready for the journey. See!" I spun around showing her my new violet dress. She showed a small smile and nodded.

"I don't know what your father told you but Lia....." She sounded stern so I listened intently.

"Yes??" I was rather unsure of what she was going to say. But I didn't have to wonder for long.

"Behave properly. I don't want you disgracing our House Belfrost in front of the Duke." She warned me and her tone was telling me that this matter was serious. I can only nod.

Flashback ends**

A hand to my shoulder jolted me out of my flashback. It was Olivia.

"Are you nervous?" She asked me. We are intimate enough for both of them to call me by my name. I nodded my head.

"Don't worry! We are with you so if the Duke turns out to be a jerk. We would beat him up." Emma gave a smile to me at this statement. I can only laugh as my hair was ruffled by Olivia.

"Miss. We have reached the outskirt of Alore city." The coachman gave us the news of us almost reaching the city. I'm nervous but also want to know what type of person this Duke will be when he is 13 and already around the top of this world. I tried to keep my composure as the time for our meeting is approaching at a rapid pace.

POV ends.

Somewhere within the Dutchy of Comcel

Baron Hue paced through the hallway as fast as he could with his most trusted guard, jack in tow.

"Be sure to kill any intruders! Don't spare anyone today!" As he passed through the hallway, he barked this order to every guard he could see. The Hue estate was tightly packed with security tonight. The reason for this level of security and his jumpiness is one letter he received which foretold him about his death before the dawn of tomorrow.

He reached his office and barked orders at the guards again and entered the room with Jack and bolted the door from inside.

"With everything I have done, I don't think I will be dying today." He talked loudly as he turned away from the door.

"There was no need to worry with me around after all" Jack told him a bit lazily.

"Of course! I don't think any petty assassin can match you." Hue said without looking back at him.

"I don't agree with you at all." A stranger's voice came from the door which was still bolted from inside. Baron Hue panicked but Jack jumped into action. He swung his sword and a visible arc sped towards the black-cloaked man. The arc hit but passed right through him as the man faded.

"Illusion?!!" Hue commented as he turned to see the man some meters behind him. He only noticed because the man was walking slowly towards him with audible footsteps.

"Jack! What are you doing? Kill him!" Hue shouted but Jack remained in the same position after his first attack.

"Ah him? He is already dead." The cloaked man said that casually as he stopped walking.

Baron Hue's mouth slacked as he took the words in. Jack's back was towards him so he couldn't see but if he was able to see, he could see his dead lifeless eyes and a knife lodged to his heart. He did see a pool of blood on the ground below making a circle around his feet.

Baro Hue's eyes opened wide like a saucer plate when he saw the badge in this man's black cloak. A black heart with 5 swords piercing it.

"Y-yo-you, that logo and f-five swords. You are Hoko, the top assassin who got the title 'Hoko, of Definite Kills'." Baron Hue was afraid to no ends. Here was someone who killed his best guard so fast that even the victim didn't realize it.

"I wonder what made me so famous?' with that, Hoko chuckled.

"W-wh-who? Just w-who wanted to kill me that much that he needed to hire you?" Baron Hue asked, trying to know the foe before he dies.

"No need! After all........" With that Hoko turned as the body of Baron Hue slowly fell backward with a knife lodged in his heart.

"...........you are already dead" Hoko finished his word and disappeared through the window as Baron Hue's body made the sound of hitting the ground.