Lady Montes' Point of View

"The King and House Theone are curious, whether or not you bear an offspring! The Archduke is not the only one looking for you but so is His Majesty. If they are both curious of Layne, then you can't live a normal life! Don't you realize it? No matter how much you ran away, your nobility will still haunt and find you?! You can't erase who you are!"

My heart was like pierced with a thousand needles."I am a mother Miern! This will put my daughter in danger, you know how vicious this society is!" I can't risk our safety. I don't care whether or not they want to find us. I can just continue hiding and protect our peaceful life in Venos.

"Can't you have confidence in your own family? This House can protect both of you!" I am afraid, you can't Miern.

"Silence! I don't want to hear that mouth of yours open." I looked at my daughter, she looked stunned and confused.

She has heard enough.

"Layne""Yes Mother?" she shortly replied.

"Can you head back to your room?" with a serious tone I know that she will follow me.

"But Mother? —"

"You are not needed anymore in this conversation." Please just follow me, Layne.

I thought Miern would be a snake and convince me to make her stay but I am glad he agreed with me. I don't want Layne to hear us argue. She has heard enough of the truth. As the door clicked, I rushed towards Miern and grabbed his collar.

"Really Miern?! It's your fault for dragging us here again.... Our life was already peaceful." Tears suddenly cascade down my eyes. I didn't run away just to be back here again.

Being a noble suffocates me,

angers me,

and most definitely, a curse!

"I don't know what happened during your marriage with the Archduke but sister, let's go back to the way we used to be. Stay here." I felt Miern's hand wrap around me and so my hands slowly let go of his collar. His warmth is so familiar. "And if you're ready, I want to know what happened to you before..." He paused, "the reason why you ran away." I am afraid I can't because every time I reminisce something seems to be blocking my throat and words won't come out.

After some time, I was able to calm down and so I went back to sit again on the couch, "You know, I thought our allies betrayed us because you left. But someone even bigger wants to bring this family down."

"What do you mean?" I said with great confusion.He looked at me straight in the eye. "The Tesaur's bribed our former allies." I was speechless. But despite what Miern claims, I still wanted to know, "How are you sure of that?"

"I heard and saw it myself ..."

Count Miern's Point of View

17 years ago, in a tavern at Downtown Delvy, East part of the Royal City.

"Sir Chester, a pleasure to meet you!" I extended my hand towards him. He willingly exchanged a handshake, "A pleasure to meet you, Count Miern. You seemed to have dressed quite simply."

"I am perfectly dressed for the occasion, am I not?" I said, while making a prideful pose by extending both my arms, which made him laugh. But truthfully, I dressed like this to not catch any attention. You might say, a precaution.

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Chester Ruport is a young merchant whom I want to make a deal with. He is making a name as the one of the best merchants in the city. He sells raw materials such as silk and elixir used to make magical stones. I hope he will push through the investment for our Bathhouse.

"Drinks on me. Two large beer and margaritas please!" I pleasantly said. My loud voice caught the attention of a waiter. "Serving two large beers and margaritas."

"Thank you" I said with courtesy. "This looks delightful!" Sir Chester exclaimed. "Before we fill our bellies with alcohol, have you thought about my proposal— "

"Count Miern," He placed his large hands-on top of my shoulder and looked at me with intent. If he will not accept, I am ready to convince him using brute force, "It is my pleasure to invest in your Bathhouse" my face brightened as he uttered those words. He placed his face beside my ear and whispered, "And serve House Brevont."

I quickly grabbed a glass, "Allies?" Sir Chester grabbed his as well, "Allies" and we both clanked our glasses. A beer never tasted this sweet.

Those damn aristocrats (former allies), I will show them what they lost. And when the time is right, I will get my revenge.

After a few drinks, Sir Chester was completely wasted. Such a low alcohol tolerance. As he swayed and said gibberish words like a crazy person, I noticed that he was about to vomit. Immediately, using a concentration of air I locked his lips shut. It would be troublesome if his smelly stomach juice spilled all over. I don't want that unnecessary attention.

I bursted out laughing when he can't take it anymore. Out of guilt I escorted him to the bathroom to spill his business. Then, I grabbed a communication stone to call Lisboun.

"Yes My Lord?" Lisboun answered.

"I am currently at the tavern I usually go to. Kindly fetch me, please! And use a different carriage!" I pleaded.

Shortly, he arrived. "My....Lord?" Lisboun was quite surprised because Sir Chester's arms are wrapped around me, while chanting some gibberish words. "Put him inside the carriage." Lisboun immediately followed.

I was about to enter the carriage as well but from my peripheral vision, I saw a familiar figure entering the tavern. My instincts told me to follow, "Lisboun, I suddenly felt the urge to pee. Wait for me here." It couldn't be.

I discreetly trailed the man. His figure looks like Baron Schnitzel, but I could be wrong because he is wearing a hat. His trail ends at the back of the tavern. I carefully looked and I was right! He was meeting with someone. My hands clenched just by looking at him.

Does it feel great cutting ties with our family?!

I hid behind the barrels to hear them with clarity. "Everything is going according to plan. Duke Tesaur will be pleased." The anonymous man said while handing over something. I clearly saw a check with the Tesaur's family emblem in it.

That damn bastard!

Lady Montes' Point of View

Present time

"When I heard that conversation, my view changed completely. From then on, I was completely on guard with the with anyone who was involved with them. Everyone involved with that family has grilled me for years. Though they are quiet for some time now, I think they will strike again because of this power struggle."

My spine shivered and I held my forehead in disbelief. All these years, my brother has endured everything. Our parents died when we were young and so when I was married to the Archduke, he immediately became the head of this house.

If I didn't run away, would things be different?

"With the Duke Tesaur's ability to bribe and manipulate things, they can successfully get to the throne." Miern said. With Layne still out of the picture, this could really happen.

"We can't let them rise to the throne" His piercing gaze unfazed, "With more power, they can make House Brevont fall! So sister, I am begging you, let Layne walk the path of nobility. Her mere presence can tame the whole situation!" He pleaded.

"Noble politics will be very hard for her. I taught her nothing about this life. Can't you just send us back first to the village, and think this through?"

"I won't let you; decide now." I shook my head in disbelief.

"Just like how his majesty can comb all of Axen just to know whether or not you have an offspring, the Tesaur's can do that too when they rise to the throne. They could find Layne's existence a threat and kill both of you, just to maintain that power. If it reaches to that point...even I" I can see his fist clenching "could not be able to stop them."

Is this the right thing to do?

"I know the strong-willed Lady Montes is still in you. You were the magic prodigy of Axen! I don't know what that bastard ..." he is referring to Lynos, "did to you, but your stay in Theone completely changed you." I can feel my hands trembling.

"I did say that I won't force answers from you regarding House Theone, but I am hopeful that you will consider—"

"I am in." Miern's face brightened. Despite feeling a bit held back, I did realize one thing ...

Maybe he is right, it's time to face destiny.