What Alexel told her made her realise something. People believe who they want to believe. And most of the time, it was to a more powerful side. So she decided to become a more powerful and influential person herself. And the sight in front of the jewellery store gave her an idea.

That night, she joined the dinner with her family and said she would go to the competition together with them. Mr Longbart was surprised by her sudden change of mind but welcomed her gladly.

The next day she got up early to take a bath. Mrs Borger had already prepared a warm bath, sprinkled with fragrant flowers. Mrs Borger dried her hair and combed it thoroughly before making a beautiful bun ornamented with pearls.

"Are you sure about the yellow dress? I heard yellow is out of fashion lately."

"Yes. I am sure. Bring me it."

Mrs Borger fit the dress on Leila carefully.

"Oh, my lord! You are radiating my lady. Every man will drop their jaws and turn mad."

Leila spun and looked at herself. She was satisfied with her own beauty. She felt a little bit sad though. It would be great if Ethan could see her now.

Leila went downstairs to find two carriages, a small one and a big fancy one. She recognised a smaller one was from her home.

"Father, whose carriage is this? Is it your friends?"

"Hahaha. No, Leila. This is from the Duke. I told him you are joining us today so he sent a royal carriage for you."

"For us?" Mrs Longbart asked happily. Her smile touched her ears.

"Erm... No. For Leila only. The Duke said the royal family is coming today so only Leila is allowed to join in the royal booth."

"The royal family? You mean the king!!? You should have insisted, honey."

"I am dying to do the same. But the rule is the rule. ... Leila, I can trust you, right? Don't make any mistake."

"Yes, father. You may rest with ease."

The two carriages rode through the north gate to go to the site where the competition took place. Soon they reached the cliff where spectators watched the competition.

Many people had already arrived at the cliff, filling it with colourful clothes and perfumes. A grandiose stage was built for the nobles and the rich by carving the stones of the cliff. The commoners watched from the sides of the stage.

The stage had five sections. The middle one was called the royal booth. Only the royal family and peerages were allowed to enter. Two sections beside the booth were for nobles and subjects of the king's court. Lower subjects and the rich took the farthest sides.

The small carriage of Longbart stopped by the side gate but the one with Leila stopped at the middle. Immediately after the carriage stopped, the commander of the guard opened the door for Leila and escorted her to the royal booth. Her entry created a stir among the nobles, as a rich entered the booth which nobles themselves could not, especially at the day the king was coming.

"Is that the infamous Longbart girl? Look at her wearing yellow. Doesn't she know the fashion trend? Girls in Rode had been wearing yellow for years. It is out of date. Also don't you think her skin is like a slave working on the farm? It is so muddy."

A girl from a noble family belittled Leila with her peers. "You see, she lives near us. So I pass their house every time I go out. Can you imagine what I heard one day? Her stepmother told her to wash the clothes."

"Oh lord Mordu', no wonder her skin is like that of a servant. Hahaha."

Their gibberish could be heard from where Leila was. It angered her. However, she decided not to retaliate. After all, her target was the Duke, and he had already taken an interest in her. There was no need to fight. If she succeeded, they would be kneeling.

"Why? I think she is radiating in that dress. Don't be jealous, sister. Lord Mordu' said nobody born the same twice. You won't be born a troll again in the next life."

Although Leila did not fight back, the girl's brother who was never on good terms with his sister but had a secret crush on Leila belittled his sister in front of her friends. He even winked at Leila.

"What did you say? You ... Is it not your fortune to die alone without a single use of your seedless pathetic little tweak?"

The fight between the siblings diverted the attention away from Leila. It gave her a breathing ground.

Leila followed her escort with her head held high, ignoring all the criticisms. As soon as she entered the booth, an old man walked toward her and welcomed her merrily. He was just an old man yet his stature and the way he strode exuded power and confidence. In one word 'dominance'.

"Oh!! My lady has arrived. You are ...stunning, my lady. I can see even Mr Xavier the greatest artist could not include your whole beauty in the painting. Mr Xavier! I think your painting is an unfair poor quality to the actual beauty of this lady."

"I am afraid her beauty is that of a rare find, even my skilful stroke able not copy full on a canvas your grace. I may try again in the next five years."

The Duke laughed menaically as he was satisfied by the answer. His remark attracted all the attention on Leila. She scanned into the booth. They were all smiling yet she could feel the pressure so intense she could not breathe for a while. They were the people at the helm of the realm. These people ran the kingdom.

"Is there anything uncomfortable on your way here?"

"No. There is none, my lord. I travelled in warmth and comfort because of your care and love."

"I am relieved. Then shall I introduce you to the kingdom?"

"I am in your care, your grace."

Except for the royal family, the booth was already full of the king's peerages. Everyone was wearing the best quality colourful velvets and exquisite craft of jewellery. The entire atmosphere was intimidating and suffocating yet Leila held herself well, not showing her nervousness outside.

"Your wisdom, may I present my lady-to-be, Miss Leila Longbart. My lady, this is his wisdom Ayeegyee Vagün."

"Your wisdom."

"Miss Leila? You were the lady witness from the hearing."

"Yes, your wisdom."

"I see. It is a pleasure to see you here."

Since Ayeegyee remembered her, Leila felt relief. Her mission was half-done. The entire objective of coming here was to make Ayeegyee notice her and take her side over that bastard Alexel. As the duchess-to-be, her status is now higher than a Templer.

While she was deep in her thoughts, Ayeegyee suddenly touched her shoulder and rubbed it. It was awkward yet she laughed it off as if nothing happened.

"This man here is Count Vincentino of Sousa and his wife. He has the best moustache in the whole kingdom."

"Pleasure to meet you, my lady."

"Your excellencies."

"This old man is Count Hieldbarg of Norg. He and I go way back."

"Your Excellency."

"You are a really pretty, young girl. I hope this old bastard able to satisfy you. Hahahaha."

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The old Count's creepy joke almost threw her off but she returned to her obedient girl character immediately.

The Duke continued introducing his peerage to Leila.

"This big scary-looking bastard is Viscount Davis of Westex. Beside him are his wife and children. He is the guardian of the West. Do you see all these scars and children? They are battle-born. At every war, he took his wife along to the camp. After the battle, he got a scar and a new child. Hahaha."

Funny or not, everyone in the booth followed along with the Duke. It showed how powerful the Duke is.

"Your lordship. I have heard of your courageous battles in the West since young. My father always told my little brother your stories at night and he told them in such a loud voice, that I could hear them from the next room. I felt safe and fell asleep after the stories."

"Hahaha. You are making me blush miss Longbart. I shall be a guardian for you and all till my last breath."

"Then we will be safe till your last day. Hahaha. And last, this young handsome man is Baron Clement, the son of Viscount Clement of the Easton, the guardian of the Easton Isles.

"Pleasure to meet you, my lady."

"My lord."

Leila felt that the Duke did not like Baron Clement. Maybe he just did not want Leila near another young and handsome lord. So she ended the conversation quickly.

By the time they had finished the introduction, the captain of the guard announced the arrival of his majesty as the royal family walked into the booth. On his announcement, everyone in the booth and all spectators stood up.

"His majesty, King Louise and her royal highness, Princess Cleo!"

For the first in her life, Leila saw the king and the princess. The king was quite young as the rumour said. And the princess was a beauty indeed. The typical blonde beauty of Midland.

"Your majesty and your Royal Highness."

"I am sorry for my late arrival, Ayeegyee. Something came up and I couldn't join the first two days. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, Your Majesty. You are just on time. Today is the real deal."

The competition spanned five days. Although it was called competition, it was a test for talented warriors to become Templers. Now it was popularized as a showcase. The first two days were obstacle courses. The third and fourth were dual. The final day was a monster fight.

After their small talk, Ayeegyee signalled the competitors with a fireball. It exploded in midair scattering smaller balls onto the competitors standing in two ranks below the hill. The competitors showed their skills by dodging the fire beautifully, some dissolving, others blocking the spell.

Immediately after that, the fight started. One contestant used the fireball as a cover to approach his opponent and attacked abruptly. His surprise attack hyped up the crowd. Loud cheering was heard throughout the stage.

It was thrilling to watch warriors fighting all for valour and honour. Yet this bloody fight was not the reason why Leila came. She sat beside the Duke as she served drinks to him personally. The princess saw that and shook her head in disgust.

"Is the Duke deranged? He is trying to bed a girl as young as his great-grandchild."

The princess muttered to her brother, the king.

"I hope he is deranged so. But no. The old bastard is a pervert who eyed all beauties disregarding age. And that girl is a beauty indeed."

The princess rolled her eyes in disappointment. It seemed her brother was the same. "*Sigh* men."

"Old man, did you see that sudden strike? It was like a jaguar. It could have been devastating for his opponent."

The Duke called out Count Heildberg. But his childhood friend thought otherwise.

"Nah. I think it was sneaky and cunning. I like how his opponent takes it head-on like a man."

"Urg... Your senile ass does not understand. Viscount Davis, what do you ... Nah forget it. You would answer the same."

Count Heildberg chuckled. Everyone knew Viscount Davis took blows head-on.

"I think it was a clever attack, your grace." Leila cut into the conversation.

The Duke looked at her with a satisfied smile.

But it was not accepted well by Count Heildberg. "tsk* What does a girl know?" He barked.

"Valour and honour are irrefutable qualities of a competent warrior while cleverness is a quality of a proficient warrior."

Her remark was so good that the Duke laughed proudly as he poured a drink into her cup himself. He just loved how Leila shut down his old friend-nemesis. Even Count Davis nodded at her in acknowledgement while Baron Clement smiled at her brightly.

Their acknowledgement cheered her. Leila continued "I have seen a talented warrior nearly beat a fearsome mantila alone with cleverness."

"Fought A mantila alone?" Viscount Davis asked in disbelief.

"Humph* don't push your luck, girl," said Count Heildberg.

"I dare not tell tales, your lordships. It was my experience saw with my own eyes just a few days ago. He used the cover of houses to cut the limbs stuck on the wall."

Leila proudly talked about Ethanial's fight with the lords.

After hearing her, the duke gave a remark. "Hahaha. That was clever."

"But mantila limbs so sharp and strong it cut house clean, does it not? It could not have been stuck." Viscount Davis who had fought a mantilla before questioned the authenticity of her story.

"It is possible. It stabbed. Remember? Those greenheads always do that before they slash. Foolish habit they have." Count Vincentino, who had fought one with Davis back in the day, weighed in on Leila's side.

The Duke accepted her tale immediately but Count Davis was still in doubt. However, when Count Vincentino explained to him their experienceCountnt Davis and the rest as well, accepted.

"Yes. You are right, your grace. It was when it stabbed."

"Then do tell me his name, that warrior. I wish to recruit him as a Knight in my army." Interested Davis asked.

"Ethanial, your excellency. Unfortunately, he is currently accused of a crime he did not commit."

"What crime?"

"Desertion, Your Excellency."

After hearing her answer, count Heildberg stroke her again, "hump* cleverness my ass. He just good at running like he did from his men."

"He did no such Your Excellency. He ..."

"Well. Stop arguing my old friend and my lady. The king is here too. Let's just watch the show. Whether he is clever or cowardly will be decided by his wisdom."

After a short heated argument between his new lady and his old friend, the duke decided to end it.

Immediately, Leila knew she had crossed the line. Whenever it was about Ethan, she was driven by emotions and lost composure. She apologized immediately to the Duke and Count Heildberg.

Luckily for her, a very interesting moment happened with the test and took the attention away from her.

That same warrior earlier beat his rock-solid opponent with a very beautiful move. He encircled the opponent within four steps and slashed him along in a circle. It was the unique advanced move mastered only by house Clement. This mastery move called for a loud cheer from the crowd.

"That move... Isn't that?"

"Yes my Liege, it was the move passed down in our house. It seems my brother finally mastered it."

"Your brother? That nimble warrior is your brother?"

"Yes, my Liege."

The sudden revelation from Baron Clement surprised all. They did not know his brother was in the test.

Now Leila understood why Baron Clement smiled at her when she defended that warrior. She was confused. She thought he had an interest in her at first. She sighed in relief.

She poured a drink for the Duke and another for herself. "To house Clement." She cheered along with the most powerful people of the realm.