“Ernest!” Lesa giggled and ran towards the boy who was sitting beneath a tree that was located outside of Duke Herman’s manor reading a book. Her hair moved in the wind, and against the blue sky, it almost looked like clouds. Her eyes were sparkling as she was excited to meet with Ernest and spend time together. He was her future marriage partner and her only friend.

“Lesa, you shouldn’t run.” Ernest smiled softly, but inside he was frustrated. The girl he was supposed to marry, the future empress of the empire, had to be graceful, but this girl was clumsy and seemed to lack manners and common knowledge as a duke’s daughter. His father told him to get to know her better, so he came over here but went to sit by the tree because it was too stuffy inside for him.

“Ah! Sorry, Ernest!” Lesa smiled brightly and sat beside Ernest underneath the tree. “You must like reading, Ernest!” Lesa wanted to talk, no one at her house would talk to her, and she was longing for a conversation. Maybe they could even play a game, or she could hold a real tea party with him instead of with her stuffed teddy bear. “I like reading too, but I haven’t read many books.” Lesa wasn’t lying. She did like reading, but she wasn’t given many books besides ones that her tutors would deem ‘necessary’. And she didn’t know that there was a library as no one had ever informed her that the Duke’s manor held one.

“I do like reading. Why haven’t you read many books? Doesn’t the Duke have a library?” Ernest decided to engage in small talk. Although he didn’t like this girl that much, she would be his wife, so he had to learn to coexist with her, and small talk was part of that.

“A library? I didn’t think we had one. No one has ever told me about a library.” Lesa muttered, but her eyes were sparkling as she was excited to visit the library and read more books. She had a large amount of free time with no way to spend it as the servants were scared of her, and her father never came to see her.

Ernest stared at Lesa. He had heard that the Duke adored his wife, and loved his daughter, but maybe those were rumors. How could the Duke’s daughter be unaware of what was in the manor she was living in? Was she being bullied by the servants? Where were her maids and her personal guard? He’d assumed that they hadn’t been around because it could be seen as rude around the Royal Family, or because they were within Duke Herman’s territory, but what if she didn’t have any in the first place? Ernest wondered if this marriage had been a mistake. Was Lesa a pawn that the Duke was using to expand his influence? The duke did suggest a marriage immediately instead of letting them get to know each other. The more Ernest thought about it, the more suspicious he became. Lesa was ignorant though, so maybe she would just tell him what he needed to know. “Lesa,” Ernest smiled sweetly, “I’m a bit thirsty, where is your personal maid?” Ernest asked this first as it was the most subtle.

“Personal maid? Are you talking about Darcy?” Lesa tilted her head. She had maids, but she wasn’t entirely sure what a ‘personal’ maid was. Ernest’s expression froze. What was she being taught that she didn’t even know what a personal maid was? With this, he was sure his guess was true. The duke neglected her daughter, and she wasn’t cared for in this mansion. This marriage was a plot to overthrow the imperial family. Ernest was raised in the palace where he was taught to analyze everyone and everything and be prepared for any plots, so his misunderstanding would only get deeper until he saw something that proved otherwise.

“Lesa, I’m feeling a little cold, I think we should go inside.” Ernest’s gentle smile was gone, and his expression was cold. Lesa got chills. This face was one she’d never seen from anyone before. Although people showed discomfort, no one had ever shown hostility to her so blatantly.

“O-Ok.” Lesa glanced at the grass and stood up. She started walking towards the manor, and Ernest followed behind her with a gaze focused on her back.

Once they were inside, they sat in a parlor room used to greet guests. A maid came and brought them pastries. Before she could leave, Ernest asked her, “Could you call the Duke here please?” Although Ernest was a child, he was still the Crown Prince, so the Duke had to show him due respect.

“Father? Why do you want to see him?” Lesa stared intently at Ernest. Had she done something wrong? Would he break off their engagement already? It had barely been a few days. Lesa’s face paled. Was she that bad? Ernest couldn’t be near her for more than a few days? Her mind raced. If he broke off the engagement, would her father be disappointed? He said he loved her, but he never visited her, and he probably never would if Ernest ended the engagement.

Ernest just lightly smiled and sipped the tea the maid had brought. The silence terrified Lesa.

The Duke arrived in a few short minutes. He was hesitant to be near his daughter, but his wife’s wish was Lesa’s happiness, and he would make sure to do everything he could to ensure her marriage to the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness.” The Duke bowed. “I heard you wanted to speak with me?” He stared directly at Ernest without a second glance at his daughter. Lesa’s heart dropped into her stomach, and Ernest was even more sure of his guess, but he couldn’t break an engagement over an assumption he was making.

“I’m concerned for Lesa’s safety. I couldn’t help but notice that she didn’t have a single guard watching her. I’m also worried about the education of a candidate for the future empress. She was unsure who her personal maid was.” Ernest decided to directly show his concerns to the Duke.

Duke Herman nodded. His expression was grave. He’d assumed Vikki would take care of everything flawlessly, but Lesa wasn’t being educated properly, considering she didn’t know who her personal maid was, something that even toddlers were taught, and she wasn’t protected. The Crown Prince was right that he had been neglecting Lesa as he didn’t personally take care of her affairs. “I’m embarrassed to show such a situation to Your Highness. I will have a test for the guards soon, and I will make sure to reevaluate the tutors that are teaching Lesa. Who is the future empress.” Duke Herman made sure to accentuate his words. Ernest had said ‘candidate’ which was a direct threat that he was considering breaking the engagement off, which Duke Herman could not allow.

“I will make sure to regularly check to make sure Lesa is being well cared for.” Ernest smiled. The Duke may have said he was going to assign a guard and take care of Lesa’s education, but actions spoke louder than words, and just because he took care of these things that he specifically pointed out, it did not mean that Lesa wasn’t a pawn to the Duke.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The Duke bowed again. “I must return as I am busy with paperwork. Lesa, make sure to properly host our guest.” Duke Herman glanced at his daughter for a second before he turned and left. The Prince was sharp, and if his daughter married him, she would be safe. He was a Duke, so Lesa would be safe, and the Crown Prince could not afford to offend the Dukedom too terribly.

After Duke Herman left, Lesa glanced at Ernest. “What are you thinking?” Lesa was still young and naive, so she directly asked Ernest instead of beating around the bush. He had given her the cold shoulder, and then gotten her a personal guard and a more proficient education. She didn’t understand. Did he hate her? Was this against his will? He might have been forced into this by their parents. He said he was honored, but maybe he just said that.

“Lesa. You are my marriage partner, nothing can change that,” unless the Dukedom had a fall from power or she committed a terrible crime, “so I want to make sure that you are properly protected and cared for. I will always be on your side.” Ernest smiled brilliantly. He may not have any feelings for Lesa, but he did pity her a little. She seemed unaware of the situation around her, and the fact that she was likely a pawn for her father. She did seem like a kind girl. She was just ignorant and naive, but maybe that was for the best.

A tear rolled down Lesa’s cheek. “You will… Always be on my side?” Lesa felt moved. She didn’t understand why. Her father had said he loved her, and her maids showed her respect and kindness, but the words that he would always be on her side reached deep into her core. Lesa was lonely, she knew that, and she just sought comfort in Ernest’s presence, but if they could be more than acquaintances, and if he truly wanted her around, maybe she could be happy.

Ernest was a little shocked that Lesa cried. She had been smiling for the most part since he’d met her, but she was still a child, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that she was crying. “Yes. I will always be on your side, Lesa.” Ernest was just saying it lightly the first time, but after seeing her cry, he felt a strange way and wholeheartedly meant it the second time he said it.

Lesa felt like crying, but she didn’t want to because she was so happy. She smiled more sincerely than she ever had in her life, “I’ll always be on your side too Ernest!” and she truly meant it.

Ernest had to go home shortly after their heartfelt promise to each other. Lesa was a little lonely without him, but she knew he would be back, and now their relationship as friends was different, it was deeper. She couldn’t stop smiling.

“Darcy!” Lesa ran into her room and called for Darcy. She wanted to be smarter so she could keep up with Ernest and talk with him more, and he said they should have a library.

“M-Miss?!” Darcy was a little startled to see Lesa run into the room. She hurriedly hid her hands behind her back.

“Darcy! I want to go to the library!” Lesa didn’t notice Darcy’s strange behavior and only thought about going to the library.

“I will guide you there right away Miss!” Darcy fidgeted nervously and made a strange smile.

Darcy quickly guided Lesa to the library and then left as soon as she could. “I have to prepare your meal for the night, Miss! You know the way back, right?” Darcy asked Lesa and Lesa vigorously nodded her head. She didn’t want to be a burden.

While Lesa wandered around the library looking for interesting books, Duke Herman was interrogating Vikki. “Vikki, what is this?” Duke Herman threw several papers toward Vikki. It was the budget for Lesa and the ledger of how her money was spent. There was also the inventory of her clothes and the current amount of food she had. It didn’t add up. Money was going somewhere, and it wasn’t toward his daughter. Vikki was in charge of Lesa, so any oversight was a mistake on her part.

“I apologize Duke. I have been careless.” Vikki kneeled on the floor and shouted words of apology. She had also neglected Lesa because she was uncomfortable around the child and trusted that the servants would never betray the Duke, even if the leash on them was loosened a little.

“Find out who it was. Immediately.” After Vikki rushed out to search the maid’s rooms for the culprit, Duke Herman crushed the papers in his hands. He couldn’t believe this. Evelynn’s child. His child. Lesa was being robbed of her money. Since she was born someone had been stealing, and he’d been too busy wallowing to properly pay attention to his daughter. Duke Herman punched himself in the face. Once. Twice. Three times. His fist froze on the fourth. He should stop. He was hurting himself. Evelynn would be sad. He just had to be better. Pay more attention to his daughter, be a better father, and be more responsible. How dare he slack off because of his own difficulties?! Duke Herman’s chest felt stuffy, and he almost punched himself again but held back because it was already obvious, and any more would cause issues in the future. Someone may have made a mistake by stealing from his daughter, but ultimately, he was the one who let it happen. He missed Evelynn, but he had to start paying more attention to Lesa. Even if it hurt him. Lesa didn’t deserve to be neglected anymore.

Vikki returned a few moments later. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Duke’s bloody face, but she kept her mouth shut and her expression controlled. “I have found the culprit.”

“Who is it?” Duke Herman grabbed his sword and headed out of his office with Vikki following closely behind him.

“We found several jewels in Darcy Higgin’s room,” Vikki said. She could feel the bloodlust radiating off of the Duke. He marched toward the room that Darcy was currently in. Vikki had already caught her, and she was tied up on the ground. Tears were in her eyes, and she was trembling.

“Please! Duke! It wasn’t me! It really wasn’t!” Darcy insisted it wasn’t her.

“We found the jewels on you.” The Duke didn’t want to listen to any more of her nonsense.

“NO! You don’t understand!” Darcy struggled and screamed.

“You can explain it to someone else.” The Duke swung his sword, and Darcy’s head left her neck. Her last expression was a face that was shocked and wronged.

The Duke ordered the men in the room, “Clean this up,” and he left immediately to check on his daughter. She was in the library right now. The men saluted and proceeded to take the body and clean the floors. Soon it would look like nothing ever happened.

Lesa sat in the library humming, unaware of everything that had happened. Soon her dad would arrive and tell her Darcy had quit unexpectedly, and she would get a new personal maid. She would remain blissfully ignorant about the horrors done toward Darcy.

Amber wandered through the halls to her room. She collapsed on her bed. She sighed in relief as she pulled jewels out of her pocket. Darcy had been getting closer and closer and had found several of the jewels she had hidden, but it ended up working out perfectly because Darcy was blamed for her crimes and she was off scot-free. She hid the jewels underneath the floorboards in her room, and mumbled to herself, “I deserve these jewels. That child is evil. She’s evil. I take care of her, so I deserve something for my troubles.” Amber mumbled over and over again. She was paid a generous wage by the Duke, she knew that, but she wanted to escape her life as a maid, so she stole Lesa’s jewels. It’s not like the Duke truly cared for the child, he had ignored her until now. His pride had probably been hurt because the Prince called him out. Everything was going to change because of the Prince, and Amber decided that she should quit and leave while she could. She felt little guilt for Darcy’s death.

Bad things happen, and good people get hurt. Lesa would learn this lesson sooner or later. But for now, she remained happily unaware.