Chapter 8: The Unpleasant yet Unlucky Meeting…

Albright Manor

Well, I don't know how to express this moment. But I rather feel quite nostalgic about the situation here. It seems the meeting has been moved according to his wish to the room where the previous trial had been held by Count Marion three months ago.

I stared at the door, the past feeling reminded me again of when I was preparing to face a trial that could change my life; all the worst scenarios I had prepared carefully in my brain, I didn't even think that what happened at the trial at that time was not even included in the scenario I had planned. It was as if everything was made spontaneously without thinking, 'I have to be careful if I don't want to say the wrong thing' I thought.

"Sir!” whispered Oliver on my right side.

“Yes?”

While bending down and whispering in my ear, Oliver said, "Forgive me for not being able to stop your 'special' guest from acting recklessly,"

I only smiled faintly, "It's okay it would be better if he chose this room!" Even though he said that I couldn't lie that my heart was now beating with anticipation.

I stepped forward while opening the door that made its distinctive sound.

As soon as the door opened, the first thing I saw was the figure of not just one but two people; they looked quite dignified and I doubted their dignity.

Let me introduce you to the Coisenmo couple. The husband, Titus Coisenmo, looked at me like a teacher looking at his student disdainfully. I can see the distance between his eyes and mouth is longer compared to his forehead. The way he stood reminded me of an old living fossil, he looked like a rusty wax statue. His face was sharp and angular, with features that spoke of dominance in nobility. His eyes, deep-set beneath a prominent brow, held a cold, calculating glint as if constantly measuring the worth of everything and everyone around him. There was something almost dismissive in the way he looked at people like he had already judged you before you even had a chance to speak.

His mouth was thin as he pressed into a line to convey his little disdainful emotion. It was the kind of expression that made everyone feel small without him having to say a word. His skin was pale but firm, accentuating the hollows of his cheeks, which gave his face a severe, almost hawkish quality. His silver-gray hair was neatly combed, adding to the air of a man who expected control in every aspect of life, even in the smallest details.

Besides him there was his wife, Madam Countess Helena Coisenmo, she was the actual bloodline of the Coisenmo family, or should I say my only family relatives that still exist on Solunoct. She was second in line after my mother to become the next duchess.

She had a striking presence, often exuding an aura of charm and self-assuredness. She had dark hair, which she styled elegantly, framing her face and accentuating her sharp features. Her eyes were keen, penetrating, and watchful for everything happening around her just like her husband, as if she was always two steps ahead.

Her complexion was fair, with a rosy glow that suggested vitality, and her lips were often curled into a warm fabricated smile to hide her cunning nature. She dressed impeccably, favoring the fashionable styles of the capital that were made by the well-tailored dresses that flattered her figure, often adorned with lace and embellishments that reflected her desire to project wealth and status. Countess Coisenmo’s demeanor was confident, her posture straight and poised just like her husband and to show someone who is accustomed to moving in high society.

“Ah…my dear nephew, it’s good to see you in good health,” just as I wanted to say, whenever she spoke, her voice was smooth and persuasive, capable of captivating those around her. However, as people around her are trapped by her soft beautiful voice added to her confident mien, they forget how the underlying intensity of her gaze always makes a calculating move to seize an opportunity.

She walked past her husband who was still standing and walked towards me while carrying her luxurious lace dress.

Without waiting for a reply from me, I was immediately trapped by her very tight hug but I knew this was just one of her tricks to make me melt with her charm. But there's nothing wrong with returning the hug, right?

"How are you, auntie? Why didn't you tell me first, if I knew you were coming, I could have prepared a banquet for you!" I said as we released our hug.

Countess Coisenmo glanced at her husband who was still looking at us with his displeased gaze full of calculation. The Countess then turned her gaze towards me and said, "So this is it, my dear, your uncle and auntie want to see the condition of our nephew who has tried hard to improve the family area that had been in disarray due to your mother's behavior, dear!"

"Thank you for your concern auntie, I will still try to be the best!" I said encouraging Countess Coisenmo who looked like she was forcing a smile but she smiled anyway.

"Yes, that's the spirit of my dear and proud nephew, besides you will be very similar to your mother, you must already work hard, such a young age, it must be hard to lead a vast territory alone," said Countess Coisenmo, trying to lure me.

“Of course, this task is very difficult for me to carry out, but thanks to the support of my aunt and uncle," I showed them a childish friendly smile typical of children my age, “I'll give my best effort to build the duchy to it's great time!”

The countess seemed happy with my answer, let's hope she didn't realize that I dodged her venomous sway.

Still, with a wide, warm familial smile, she said, “It's great that you still reconsider us as your relatives, I hope our relations can improve. You know, your uncle is a good and wise nobleman from Aynev, I'm sure when he met you he gave you various good ‘’suggestions’, right?" I can see her eyes glare at me.

I replied in a happy tone, "Of course auntie, uncle gave various 'suggestions' that I need to consider!"

“It's great to hear it, then. We are here to have a word with our nephew,” she paused for a moment in which I realized that we were still standing. I can see her eyes looked discomfort with the presence of

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

“Oh…I'm sorry aunt and uncle, please have a seat, Oliver will come with the tea, right Oliver?”

Oliver didn't seem to want to leave me, but I needed to get rid of him for a moment so they could express their true desires which I was sure were very rotten.

"Excuse me...sir..." Oliver said with a heavy heart before leaving the room and the door closed.

With that, we sat down with me facing the Coisenmo couple.

"So what do you want to ask Auntie?" I asked in a soft and friendly tone, I still hoped that Countess Coisenmo would be fooled by my masquerade face even though I doubted she would be fooled, considering she was a wolf in sheep's clothing who was a thorn in my family's side.

With a smile that was no less sweet and made anyone fascinated by the beauty and friendliness of this figure who unfortunately became my auntie, she said in a soft and melodious voice, "My beloved nephew, your auntie, and uncle have always been watching you from afar, we certainly respect your decision to become a duke," I could see my uncle's eyes glaring at my auntie but he didn't move his face.

Ignoring her husband's gaze, Countess Coisenmo continued her words, "...we saw some of your policies such as your decision to establish tax reform by making the Duchy of Solunoct the only area that does not have the same taxes as the imperial tax list."

"In addition, you also 'didn't reply' to your uncle's proposal," her voice suddenly changed from soft to a little firm, "...auntie is sure, you still keep your uncle's proposal entitled Solunoct Duchy's Vassal Incentive to Bolster The Duchy's Economic for Prosperity, auntie wants to know the reason why you didn't pass your uncle's proposal into an ordinance?"

I was still silent, I down my head and changed the direction of my eyes to the hands that I clenched, I had to look as if I was trying to digest Countess Coisenmo's words, "...Noah," her tone returned to being soft, I could feel my body jerking at her call with a soft tone.

"...ahh... forgive your auntie dear, I didn't mean to scare you," she said in a soft tone while trying to stand up but I immediately interrupted her in a tone that I made sad, "I'm sorry too auntie, actually I'm trying to pass uncle's proposal," I looked at my uncle who seemed to not believe what I was doing through the look in his eyes that looked more honest than his mouth, maybe this is how he behaves in front of his wife, "...but unfortunately if the proposal is passed then the duchy will not have enough remaining budget to run the duchy's administration!"

The Countess seemed to want to speak but I immediately cut her off, "I know very well that the role of the nobles, especially in the duchy, is very instrumental in the development, supervision, and assistance they provide in the duchy," I sighed and then continued, "... but I'm sorry, I still can't help them, especially uncle's proposal, in my opinion, maybe with the trade that is currently flowing rapidly into the duchy, the tax revenue received can help fill the duchy's treasury which is running low and I can pass uncle's proposal if I check, the nobles should be able to survive for three months later thanks to the bustling trade in the duchy!" how could I tell them about the wealth I found?

From here you should understand what I mean and what I'm facing. A moment of silence echoed in the room, even when Oliver came in carrying a trolley filled with tea and some snacks, he came right when the silence came.

He looked confused and also anxious seeing the current tense situation.

As Oliver started pouring tea into cups and sharing it with us along with some snacks, I could hear a taunt chuckle coming out of Count Coisenmo's mouth. It seemed like he couldn't control his fake face anymore, he said in an unpleasant, hissing tone, "Come on honey, we don't need to pretend to want to guide your 'nephew',"

Oliver, who had delivered the cake and tea, immediately returned to his position behind me. From his expression, he already looked uncomfortable and liked what Count Coisenmo said, for some reason, it felt very strange to see Count Coisenmo so calm.

Count Coisenmo took a cup then enjoyed his warm tea; as for Countess Coisenmo who saw it, although at first it looked like she wanted to protest but she chose to remain silent and took the cup and drank it.

"'Your' nephew, Noah, is really very smart, Helena, he seems to have his own way of using time wisely, waiting until all the necessary parties are present, don't you think, nephew?" he who was initially silent like a wax statue suddenly moved his whole body as if he didn't feel any pain or stiffness due to being too silent and only focusing on his eyes.

Countess Coisenmo looked like she wanted to argue but looking at Count Coisenmo's expression she decided to keep quiet with an uneasy expression leaving me wondering, "Noah..." Count Coisenmo called in a soft, warm, and authoritative tone.

My body flinched to hear that tone, it brought me the nightmare that I always had, but before I could respond, "Forgive me, Count Coisenmo, but now young master Noah has become a duke..." Oliver interrupted but he was also interrupted by Count Coisenmo.

"And he was not legally a duke until the emperor appointed him, Oliver, you better watch your mouth, you are just a mere servant and you dared to cut my words!" Count Coisenmo recalled in an angry tone.

The atmosphere in the room began to tense. I could only stare at the cup of tea trying to look weak so they would not be aware of my real self or intentions despite I didn’t believe that Count Coisenmo could be deceived like his wife because he had seen my true nature in the last few meetings before he disappeared and never attended any meetings.

“Oliver, I could handle it, “ I said to Oliver and ordered him to return to his position. In which Oliver proceeds reluctantly.

After taking a deep breath, I said, “So, what business do you have with your uncle and auntie here?" I asked.

Count Coisenmo looked at me sharply and then he said, "Noah, as your uncle,” you never mean uncle to me, you conman.

“It’s been our familial duty as your uncle and aunt to guide you to the right path of the nobility of the empire. At first, I want to give you some leniency about your actions…” Count Coisenmo paused a moment before his tone changed to cold and blaming, “...at first you ignored my proposal which I think it's because you were being fooled by your subordinates, but…” he put his right hand into his chin and rubbed it as his eyes glared at Oliver who seems didn’t afraid.

"...starting from seeing you during the meeting with the counts and the previous administration, you deliberately delayed the proposal that your 'uncle' proposed to increase the nobles' support for you; then you openly rejected the formation of the council of elders, coupled with the reform that I thought was really reckless, irregular, useless, unprofitable, unjust, uncertain, meaningless, without any clarity that would secure the trust of the nobles and merchants who were really fragile, made me even more convinced," he said it in a fiery tone without raising his hand and as if he wanted to spit. His breath was also panting as if he had just given a passionate speech even though it did seem like that.

I still lowered my head as if afraid, but unlike Countess Coisenmo who was so confident in her abilities that she didn't realize that I had managed to avoid her manipulation. Count Coisenmo seemed to realize it and immediately snapped, "Stop your tricks, Noah!" in a firm and sharp tone.

Seeing me still lowering my head, Countess Coisenmo grabbed her husband's arm as if to calm him down, "Darling, don't be hard on him, he's still small and I'm sure he didn't mean to..." in a soft tone but it didn't seem enough to melt Count Coisenmo's emotions.

"Helena!" Count Coisenmo snapped as he stood up and released his arm from his wife's grip. This made Countess Coisenmo shocked and looked like she couldn't believe what had just happened.

The Countess looked like she wanted to fight back but her husband's piercing gaze frightened her so she chose not to argue and looked at me as if feeling sorry for failing to offer support for me. The sharp gaze was then directed at me, she asked in a sarcastic tone, "Can you really understand what I'm saying, Noah?"

Oliver who wanted to interrupt because Count Coisenmo called me without a title chose to remain silent because he knew it was not good to add charcoal to a blazing fire.

I who was still silent slowly raised my head, "Then what does uncle want from me?" I asked in a hoarse and slightly sobbing tone. But it seemed that my acting was too real that Oliver finally acted, "Pardoned me, Count Coisenmo, I hope you don't use that tone to..."

“Quiet…" Count Coisenmo was angry while banging the table hard enough that his voice echoed along with the sound of the cup rolling, the blow made the table vibrate so hard that his teacup spilled towards me on the table, while mine spilled a little of its contents but did not tip over.

I wonder why they always banged the table when they were angry.

"Listen carefully Noah, uncle would usually be lenient if you could give a reasonable reason for your behavior, but seeing your behavior right now," Count Coisenmo stood up from his position accompanied by the sound of a chair moving, he ignored his spilled tea cup.

He put both his hands behind his back and walked towards the window that was covered by thin, thin curtains so he could look towards my mother's garden that I had tidied up. Oliver still didn't move even though he saw the spilled tea on the table.

With a click he turned towards me, he looked at me with a look of annoyance that was quite visible; he put both his hands on the back of the chair, "...you are indeed the son of that unhinged duchess!" he said while squinting his right eye that was protruding towards me with his index finger which had the Coisenmo family head ring in the form of a dark blue ruby stone with the family crest engraved on it.

Oliver was still trying to stop himself from getting angry hearing the insults directed at my mother, as I could see his nails turning white. I want to tear off this mask of my fake appearance, but...

My eyes turned to the couple who still looked at me lowly as try to find a mistake within me so they could use it and blackmail me.

But what Count Coisenmo said was like a broken vein of patience, even making me, who had lowered my head, immediately look up at the figure who unfortunately was my uncle, “Uncle wants you to rescind your appointment as duke.”

To Be Continued…