Emily followed the guard she had met almost four years ago. After asking him what the count wanted for the third time he still refused to answer. Emily was tired and grumpy form having her long overdue rest and relaxation interrupted but knew the count would not send his head guard for her for something trivial.

The day was ending and the crowded streets were getting emptier. There was no true stopping like in the middle ages what with people having night vision skills or eye enhancement skills or that high level people literally did not sleep, so there were always some people about.

Arriving at the counts mansion she had broken into so long ago Emily wondered how many more time she would come here. Passing through more security she was surprised to see actual guardsmen’s manning the gates. The count most have learned that relying on only runic security was not protection enough.

Following the head guard down the main passageway Emily looked into the empty library with slight nostalgia remembering her first time there. They arrived at the counts office and the door was already open. The head guard stopped and took a post at the door.

“Thank you knight Edger.” Emily said as she made her way inside and sat down across from the count.

They stared at each other and Emily remembered the rule that the first to speak lost so she waited patiently for the count to go first. Finally after a long time the count spoke.

“The Duke Edward Hightower is trying to kill my son, my only remaining son.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Emily blink at the unexpected opening then her prodigious memory stirred that Count Swift had challenged and killed Count Thomas Hightower.

“Cannot you ask the Emperor to intercede?”

“The Emperor asked the Duke to take on the task.”

“The Emperor wants to kill your son?” Emily asked baffled by this turn of events.

The Count looked at her like she was draft. “The Emperor has nothing to do with it, he gave a task to the Duke with a broad leeway to complete said task.”

“And the Duke is using this to get revenge on you for killing Count Thomas Hightower.”

The Count nodded. “You are bright. This is revenge for killing his nephew.”

Emily was stilled puzzled. “Cannot you still talk to the Emperor and explain what is going on?”

“I could but he has a new mistress and her name is Duchess Regina Hightower.”

“Fuck.. Her son?”

Count Edmund Swift dipped is head in affirmative. “Yes the mother of Count Thomas Hightower and sister to Duke Edward Hightower.”

This is why Emily never liked politics, here or in her old life, they were nothing but a snake pit. Actually that was offensive to snakes, snakes were warmer. Emily would prefer to stick her hand in a real snake pit then the snake pit of politics.

Knowing it was a delicate subject but still needing to ask. “And what does this have to do with me?”

It sounded cold to Emily but she could not for life of her see where she fit in this game of death. The count folded his arms together and leaned forward.

“The Duke specifically requested one of my children to join his party.”

Emily was still clueless. “Not to be mean but do not you have only one son now?”

The count just looked at her and waited. Emily tried to think of what this had to do with her. The count only had one heir and only if a bastard suddenly appeared or..

“Noo..” Emily said softly.

The count smiled with grim amusement. “I said you were bright. Yes I am asking for you to be adopted and take my sons place.”

….. To be continued