The angrier I made Lord Ulric, the more likely he was to retaliate. Once he did, that would give me justification to deal with him in a more permanent fashion. Until then, I would ask the Blue Shadows to keep an eye on him. That way, I would be prepared for when, not if, he tried something.

If I let Lord Ulric touch me earlier, I could have dealt with him right then and there. Touching the heir to House Kaltbrand with malicious intent was a crime akin to treason. However, that was a weak justification in my eyes. Not only that, but it would have provoked House Arbeit and their faction into taking action.

Instead, I decided to use this opportunity to weaken Lord Ulric’s position. Other than their blood ties to House Kaltbrand, House Arbeit’s influence came from its military strength and the martial prowess of its members. My display earlier undermined some of that influence by proving that I was stronger than Lord Ulric, all without laying a finger on him. It wasn’t very subtle, but sometimes one needed overt shows of strength, especially in the Barrens. No one would follow me if they thought I was weak.

“I would like to apologize to you all for such an unseemly display.” I said, addressing everyone in the hall. “I hope we can put that unpleasantness behind us and enjoy the rest of the evening with light hearts and clear minds.”

The remaining nobles stared at me, uncertain of how to react to my words. My actions must have shaken them more than I thought. To my surprise, the first one to step forward wasn’t someone from House Gerhard’s faction but a lord from House Arbeit’s.

“There is no need to apologize, Lord Wulfe.” the man said, sounding a bit nervous. “It was clear to everyone here that Lord Ulric was in the wrong. His words were beyond the pale.”

A few others from House Arbeit’s faction stepped forward, murmuring words of agreement. The remainder glared at the traitors in their midst with blatant hostility. I resisted the urge to smile. My plan was working already.

“Yes, Lord Wulfe.” Lady Adelheid said. “In fact, I must thank you for coming to my defense like that.”

“Of course,” I said. “It is a lord’s duty to watch over and protect their vassals.”

I placed emphasis on the word “vassals”, to help prevent any misunderstandings about my relationship with Lady Adelheid. Otherwise, people might think that I defended her because she was my betrothed. From the look in her eyes, it was clear that Lady Adelheid understood what I meant.

“Just as it is a vassal’s duty to serve their lord to the best of their abilities.” she said, giving me a slight bow.

I gestured to the musicians in the corner.

“You may resume playing.” I said.

They all looked at each other, before they followed my command. Music once again filled the banquet hall. The tension in the air eased away as the nobles started to chat with one another again. Their conversations were forced and stilted at first, but as time passed, everyone started to relax once again.

I mingled as well, doing my best to act as host in Grand Duke Kaltbrand’s place. This meant interacting with House Arbeit and House Steuben’s faction. The former regarded me with open hostility and fear, but they dared not snub me. The latter were wary of me, but not fearful. I took that as a good sign, though I knew that I had a long way to go before I won them over.

Lord Klemens Steuben, my other rival, observed me for some time before he approached. I kept an eye on him the entire time, in case he tried anything, but otherwise pretended he didn’t exist. While his family led the largest faction, I was the (fake) heir to House Kaltbrand. In terms of status, I was well above him. Approaching him first would send the wrong message.

This was the problem with high society. People tried to find the hidden meaning behind one’s every word and gesture, and sometimes they misunderstood one’s intentions. It was annoying and exhausting to deal with, but such was life.

When Lord Klemens drew close enough, I turned to face him.

“I greet you, Lord Wulfe Kaltbrand.” he said, bowing to me. “I am Lord Klemens Steuben.” He smiled, until his eyes resembled crescent moons. “It is an honor to meet you.”

I studied him for a moment. He looked like a typical inhabitant of the Barrens, with pale skin, black hair, and blue eyes. I guessed that he was about the same age as Lord Ulric, in his early to mid twenties. His physique was decent, though nothing special. He had the mana signature of an Aura Warrior. In terms of strength, I was much more powerful than him. Despite all this, my intuition told me that Lord Klemens was a dangerous foe. He was a bigger threat to me than Lord Ulric, and not just because of his faction. I needed to keep my guard up around him.

“I greet you, Lord Klemens.” I said, giving him a slight nod in return.

A small group of nobles started to congregate around us. Close enough to hear our conversation, but not so close as to interfere. I felt like a spectacle.

“I have to say, I was impressed with the way you handled Lord Ulric, my lord.” Lord Klemens said in a flattering tone. “He was always a rather… rough person. Not many could hold their own against him. Most either fled or submitted when he was on the warpath.”

I shrugged, showing that I was unmoved by his words.

“I only did what anyone in my position would have done.” I said. “Or should have done. It is a noble’s duty to protect their people under such circumstances.”

Lord Klemens’ smile widened by a fraction at my words. Hmm, interesting. What was he up to?

“Oh, I understand what you mean,” Lord Klemens said. “My family has defended the Barrens from demonic beasts and other threats for generations.” He chuckled. “When I became an Aura user, I started accompanying my family’s knights on expeditions to clear out demon nests and such. It was dangerous work, but necessary for the safety of the Barrens.” He gestured towards me. “As His Grace’s son, surely you must have had similar experiences.”

Ah, so that was his objective. House Steuben had deep roots in the Barrens. That was their greatest claim to legitimacy. For generations, they protected the Barrens as a vassal of House Kaltbrand. In short, House Steuben and, by extension, Lord Klemens were a known quantity. On the other hand, my history was murky and unknown. Lord Klemens was trying to use that against me by comparing the two. Even if he failed, he lost nothing.

Well then. Two could play at that game.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I didn’t start hunting demonic beasts until about three years ago, a little after I became an Aura Expert.”

Lord Klemens’ lips twitched at that. The movement was faint, but I noticed it. Despite his family’s long history, Lord Klemens himself wasn’t all that impressive. He was an Aura Warrior, not an Aura Expert, and it looked like he would remain one for a long time to come; perhaps even the rest of his life. Meanwhile, I was younger than him yet I was already an Aura Master.

“I suppose that is understandable,” Lord Klemens said in a sympathetic tone. “As the heir to House Kaltbrand, it would have been foolish to have you risk your life like that, even if you were protected by the Order of the Coldsteel Blade and Knight Commander Bardin.”

Ha! His words implied that I was a coward. Someone in the crowd that surrounded us let out a snicker, though they cut themselves off right away. Very well then. Time to set a trap for Lord Klemens.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“In truth, I only started hunting demonic beasts with the Order of the Coldsteel Blade and…” I paused as I considered what to call Knight Commander Bardin. Teacher? Mom? In the end, I settled on the former. We wanted to imply she was my mother, not outright state it. “…Teacher. Before that, I hunted demonic beasts on my own as a mercenary.”

The nobles around us stared at me in surprise. Even Lord Klemens seemed taken aback by this.

“A mercenary?” he asked, staring at me with wide eyes. “Not a knight?”

“Yes,” I said. “A mercenary.”

The mood around us changed as the nobles viewed me in a new light, a poor one at that. Lord Klemens looked at me as if I were something filthy.

“I see,” he said. “I’m surprised that His Grace would have allowed you to work as a… mercenary.”

I smiled at him, as if unbothered by his attitude.

“Yes,” I said. “I thought that I would better understand the plight of the people of the Barrens if I lived as one of them for a time.” I shrugged. “I didn’t think that hunting demonic beasts while surrounded by my family’s knights would have helped with that.”

Lord Klemens’ lips twitched again. I guess he didn’t like how I turned his words back on him.

“Even so,” he said, “From what I understand, mercenaries are vulgar creatures, only interested in coin and their own survival. They know nothing about honor and duty.”

While Lord Klemens didn’t say so out loud, his words implied that I lacked honor and duty. How predictable. The moment I mentioned my past as a mercenary, he jumped on it without hesitation. Excellent.

“I agree,” I said, catching the surrounding nobles off guard. “Most mercenaries hunt demonic beasts for coin. For them, it is simply a way to make a living. They don’t understand the importance, the necessity, of keeping the demonic beast threat at bay.” I paused with a thoughtful expression on my face. “However, though they are rare, some do understand. I met a few of them last year, at Jagged Tooth Pass. They could have fled from the battle and saved their own lives, but instead they stayed and fought until the bitter end.”

A heavy silence fell over the group of nobles that surrounded us. Lord Klemens’ narrowed his eyes at me. I wondered if he realized where I was going with this yet.

“You fought in the battle at Jagged Tooth Pass?” one of the nobles said, breaking the silence.

“Of course,” I said. “I am a Kaltbrand. We protect the rest of the Reichwald Empire from the demonic beast threat. Even when I worked as a mercenary, I never forgot my duty. Where else would I be except in the thick of the fight? At home, safe and sound?”

I gave Lord Klemens a genuine smile as I said that last sentence. His eyes widened as he realized the trap I set for him, but it was too late to do anything about it. From the expressions on their faces, the surrounding nobles realized this as well.

When the horde of demonic beasts invaded the Barrens last year, Grand Duke Kaltbrand and his vassals ventured out to fight them. They also hired a large number of mercenaries to fill in the ranks, myself included. However, a few of the northern nobles remained at home, in the guise of protecting their family’s territory. Lord Klemens had been one of those nobles.

I learned this little tidbit from the twins, when I had the Blue Shadows investigate Lord Klemens and the other potential heirs. Now, I didn’t think Lord Klemens was a coward. Nothing I had learned about him suggested as such. I suspected that his family made him stay home when the demonic beasts invaded. As a potential heir to House Kaltbrand, he was too valuable to risk like that. However, if he said as such now, it would look like he was making excuses. From the look in his eyes, Lord Klemens understood this as well.

In everyone’s eyes, I was a bastard who worked as a mercenary. That put me among the lowest of the low. However, I was strong and I fought to defend the Barrens against the demonic beast threat. This mattered almost as much as lineage and pedigree to the northern nobles.

“As much as I enjoyed our conversation, Lord Klemens,” I said, “It is time I moved on and mingled with the rest of our guests. You have a pleasant rest of your evening.”

Lord Klemens studied me through narrowed eyes.

“You as well, Lord Wulfe.” he said.

With that, I moved on to the other nobles in the banquet hall.

----------------------------------------

Several hours later, I found myself in Grand Duke Kaltbrand’s study, alongside the Grand Duke himself and Knight Commander Bardin. The three of us slumped in our respective seats, tired from today’s events. As Aura Masters, our bodies were fine. However, after everything that happened in the banquet hall, I found myself mentally drained. Grand Duke Kaltbrand and Knight Commander Bardin must have had a difficult time as well, given their current state.

Soon after my conversation with Lord Klemens, Grand Duke Kaltbrand and Knight Commander Bardin returned to the banquet hall accompanied by the heads of House Kaltbrand’s vassal families. Count Arbeit, Lord Ulric’s father, raised a fuss when he heard about what happened between his son and I. However, Grand Duke Kaltbrand intervened before it grew too ugly.

After that, the evening drew to a close and the guests started leaving the banquet hall. Several of them lingered to talk with either me, the Grand Duke, or Knight Commander Bardin. It took some not so subtle hints from the three of us to get them to leave. When everyone left, we headed towards Grand Duke Kaltbrand’s study in order to recuperate from our respective ordeals.

“So,” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, “How did things go on your end, Wulfe?”

I took a deep breath before giving him a brief summary of what happened in the banquet hall after everyone left. When I mentioned what happened between Lord Ulric and I, he chuckled.

“Stop that.” Knight Commander Bardin said, scolding the Grand Duke. “Don’t encourage the boy to bully those weaker than him.”

“After what he said to Lady Adelheid, Lord Ulric deserved it.” I said. “Besides, it was part of my plan to dismantle the faction supporting House Arbeit.”

That way, Grand Duke Kaltbrand’s real heir would have an easier time of it after I left.

“I know.” Knight Commander Bardin said. “Which is why I’m not reprimanding you. However, don’t abuse your power. You are responsible for your actions, for good and for ill.”

“Yes, Mom.” I said in a mock petulant tone.

Knight Commander Bardin’s eyes grew wide, and she turned away from me, her cheeks red.

“You’re calling her ‘Mom’, now?” Grand Duke Kaltbrand asked.

“There were extenuating circumstances.” Knight Commander Bardin said, her voice coming out in a rush. “Continue with your story, Wulfe.”

It occurred to me that Knight Commander Bardin wasn’t angry with me for calling her “Mom”. She was embarrassed. Yet, she hadn’t told me to stop yet, suggesting that she didn’t dislike it.

I continued telling them about what happened in the banquet hall after they left. When I finished, Grand Duke Kaltbrand opened his eyes, sat up straight, and regarded me with a serious expression on his face.

“Be careful of Lord Klemens.” he warned. “The man is a snake. There is a reason why I never appointed him as my heir, despite my vassals urging me to do so. Don’t trust that facade of his.”

I nodded. Dealing with Lord Klemens wasn’t easy. Despite my upbringing, I never excelled at the word games and posturing that nobles loved to indulge in. It exhausted me. While I scored a minor victory against Lord Klemens, that wasn’t enough. I would need to siphon away his family’s supporters or remove them from play somehow, which sounded like an exhausting and grueling ordeal. Ugh. Thank goodness I was just the fake heir to House Kaltbrand. Being the actual heir sounded tiring.

“After what happened today, I suspect that he will find some way to use my past as a mercenary against me.” I said. “He may also try to use my supposed illegitimacy as an excuse to call my worthiness as your heir into question.”

Grand Duke Kaltbrand and Knight Commander Bardin exchanged glances at that.

“That already happened, hasn’t it?” I guessed.

Grand Duke Kaltbrand nodded.

“Countess Steuben, Lord Klemens’ mother, brought it up in the meeting earlier,” he said. “She goaded the other vassals into begging me to reconsider my decision.”

“Not to mention, she threw several barbed remarks my way,” Knight Commander Bardin said, her voice wry, “Though she made sure to never mention me directly.” She looked over at Grand Duke. “I believe she said something about a cuckoo making its move when the hawk wasn’t looking.”

I narrowed my eyes. I hadn’t met Countess Steuben, but I disliked her already. How dare she insult Knight Commander Bardin, one of the greatest warriors on the entire continent?

“The woman is just bitter because she couldn’t get her hooks into me.” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said, before turning towards me. “Countess Steuben tried to seduce me after my wife’s death, even though she was married and had a child by that point.”

“No wonder she dislikes me so much.” Knight Commander Bardin said. “I succeeded where she failed.”

Grand Duke Kaltbrand nodded.

“Regardless, my supposed illegitimacy is my greatest weakness.” I said, getting the conversation back on track. “My detractors will use that to try and leverage me out of the heir’s position.”

Grand Duke Kaltbrand let out a derisive snort.

“Don’t worry about that, Wulfe.” he said. “Sofie and I have already taken steps to deal with that.” He grinned at Knight Commander Bardin. “Isn’t that right, darling?”

The Knight Commander let out a sound of disgust.

“Call me that again and I’ll throw you out a window.” she said.

I looked between the two of them in confusion.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Sofie and I are engaged to be married.” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said.