As Alexandria entered the study, she felt the air become thick with tension. The room was spacious, with large windows that let in a soft, warm light. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled to the brim with leather-bound tomes and antique artifacts. Despite the grandeur of the room, there was an undeniable sense of unease that hung in the air.

Augustus sat at his desk, his face buried in a pile of paperwork. The scratching of his pen on parchment filled the room, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of paper or creak of the floorboards as Alexandria made her way towards him. Though he tried to appear focused on his work, Alexandria could sense the tension in his body and the subtle glances he stole in her direction.

As Alexandria approached him, she could see the doubt and skepticism in his eyes. It was clear that he was not impressed with her or her family's reputation, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger at his dismissal. Despite this, she tried to remain composed, forcing a polite smile and holding her head high.

The room was filled with an uneasy silence, as if both of them were waiting for the other to make the first move. It was a strange feeling, and Alexandria couldn't help but wonder what Augustus was really like beneath his polished exterior. She knew that she would have to tread carefully if she wanted to make a good impression on him, but at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. And shake that feeling she did as she approached him for a conversation.

"Excuse me, Augustus," Alexandria said, her voice wavering slightly. "May I have a moment of your time?"

Augustus looked up from his work and sighed. "Of course, my apologies. What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to introduce myself properly," Alexandria said, trying to sound confident. "I know we will be betrothed soon, and I thought it would be nice to get to know each other."

Augustus raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, I am certainly busy with work at the moment, but please, go ahead."

Alexandria hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I must admit, I am a bit skeptical about this arrangement. I don't know you very well, and I worry about what kind of husband you will be."

Augustus's expression darkened slightly. "And I, too, have my doubts about this match. I worry that you may not be suitable for the responsibilities of a noble wife."

Alexandria bristled at his words. "Excuse me? I am more than capable of fulfilling my duties as a wife and as a member of the nobility."

Augustus leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "We shall see about that. I am focused on running this estate, and I don't have time for distractions. If you wish to prove yourself, you will need to work hard and earn my trust just like everyone else." ‘Just like everyone else’ he remarked again under his breath.

Alexandria took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. "I understand, Augustus. And I hope that you will do the same. It is important for us to have mutual respect and trust in our marriage."

The tension in the room was palpable as both Augustus and Alexandria glared at each other, each one trying to assert their dominance. It was clear that this betrothal was going to be a challenge for both of them.

And as both of them sat in silence Alexandria attempted to break the ice with Augustus her Betrothal. But Alexandria tried to engage Augustus in conversation, but he seemed preoccupied with the papers in front of him. She began to feel frustrated, and her skepticism grew stronger.

"Augustus, is something bothering you?" she asked, trying to get his attention.

He looked up briefly, "Just some family matters I need to attend to," he replied, turning his focus back to the papers.

Alexandria felt dismissed and disrespected. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "I understand that, Augustus. But I came all this way to meet you. Don't you think it's rude to ignore me like this?"

Augustus looked up again, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Ignore you? Alexandria, I'm sorry if it seems that way, but I'm really swamped with work right now."

"That's no excuse. You could at least look me in the eye when you talk to me. It's called common courtesy," Alexandria retorted.

Augustus felt a twinge of annoyance at her tone. "I am looking at you, Alexandria. I just have to finish this paperwork for my father. It's urgent."

Alexandria rolled her eyes, "Urgent, huh? Well, I guess your father's paperwork is more important than your guests."

Augustus bristled at her implication. "That's not what I meant, Alexandria. Of course you're important to me. But as the heir to this estate, I have certain responsibilities that I can't ignore."

"Responsibilities? You mean like ignoring your guests and making them feel unwelcome?" Alexandria said, her voice rising in frustration.

Augustus sighed, "Look, I'm sorry if I came off as rude. I didn't mean to. But I really have to finish this paperwork. Can we talk more later?"

Alexandria crossed her arms, "Fine. But don't expect me to wait around forever. I have other things to do than to be ignored by you."

Augustus watched her storm out of the study, feeling a mix of guilt and annoyance. He knew she had been neglectful, but he couldn't ignore his duties as the heir to the estate. He turned his focus back to the paperwork, determined to finish it as soon as possible. And then maybe he will seek her out to speak.

While our great protagonist Augustus or Hiro if you forgotten slowly drowned himself in paperwork, Yui or Alexandria settled down on the battlements, calming herself down.

And as she walked to the battlements to clear her head. She leaned against the stone wall and looked out at the view. The sprawling estate was impressive, with its manicured lawns and elegant architecture, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest.

As she gazed out at the surrounding countryside, she couldn't help but think about her conversation with Augustus. She had come all this way to meet him, but he had barely acknowledged her. Instead, he had buried himself in his work, leaving her feeling dismissed and disrespected.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. Maybe she was being too harsh on him. After all, he had important responsibilities as the heir to the estate. But still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about him.

The city below looked peaceful, but Alexandria couldn't help but feel like there was something sinister lurking beneath the surface. She had always been a skeptic, and Augustus only added fuel to her fire. She disliked him immensely and couldn't wait to be done with this meeting.

As she looked out at the city, memories of her old life as Yui, the police detective, flooded her mind. She missed the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of solving crimes. This meeting with Augustus felt like a waste of her time, but she had to see it through.

With a deep breath, she turned away from the view and made her way back to the study. She would give Augustus one more chance, but if he continued to disrespect her, she wouldn't hesitate to walk out for good.

While in the study, Augustus sat behind his desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork. His eyes were trained on the reports in front of him as he scribbled notes in the margins. He had been buried in work for hours and had barely looked up when Sebastian, his Butler and advisers to his family, entered the room.

"Report," Augustus barked, without looking up.

Sebastian cleared his throat. "The production of equipment is on track. We should have the required amount in time for the next shipment."

Augustus nodded, his expression serious. "And the manpower?"

"They're undergoing training," Sebastian replied. "We should have them up to speed in a few weeks."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Good," Augustus said, finally looking up at Sebastian. "Anything else?"

Sebastian hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Sir, if I may ask, are you feeling alright?"

Augustus sighed. "Just a bit overwhelmed with all this paperwork. But I'll manage."

Sebastian nodded in understanding. He had been Augustus's friend since Augustus' childhood and knew when to push and when to back off he also knew that the weight that rested on Augustus shoulders is heavy as is his responsibility as Heir to the Hallgerd estate. He couldn't help but feel the weight of the stress in the air, but he tried to lighten the mood.

Sebastian nodded, then hesitated before continuing. "Also, sir, your father has requested a meeting with you. He wants to discuss the betrothal situation."

Augustus groaned inwardly. The betrothal situation was the last thing he wanted to deal with right now. But he knew he couldn't ignore his father's summons. "When is the meeting?"

"This evening, sir," Sebastian replied.

Augustus nodded, then dismissed Sebastian with a wave of his hand. He sat back in his chair, feeling the stress of the day weighing heavily on him. He couldn't help but feel like everything was piling up at once, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep up with it all.

And as the paperwork dwindled and the mountain of parchment got stripped away, Augustus could only gazed out into the city from his study window, the sounds of the bustling city below echoing softly in his ears. The view was peaceful, but it did little to ease the loneliness he felt in his heart.

He had been raised to fulfill his duty as the heir to the estate, and that meant sacrificing his own personal desires for the sake of the family. His father had arranged a betrothal for him, and while he knew it was for the good of the family, he couldn't help but feel skeptical.

He had never met the girl he was supposed to marry, and he couldn't help but wonder if they were truly compatible. He had heard rumors about her, and they didn't exactly fill him with confidence. But he knew better than to question his father's judgment.

As he stood there, lost in thought, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. He had always been a solitary person, but the burden of his duties made him feel even more isolated.

But despite his loneliness, he found solace in his work. The paperwork and business dealings may be tedious, even the affair that his father passed down to him to prepare him for leading the Marquise, but they were a welcome distraction from his own personal struggles. He would put his duty as the heir before his own feelings, no matter how difficult it may be.

With a heavy sigh, Augustus turned away from the window and returned to his work. The city may be bustling with life below, but for him, the weight of his responsibilities made it feel like a lonely, isolated place.

Augustus continued to work diligently on the paperwork, making sure everything was in order. As he finished one pile, he moved on to the next, his mind focused on the task at hand.

It wasn't until he heard a slight cough from behind him that he realized he wasn't alone in the room. He turned around to see Sebastian standing in the doorway, watching him with a proud smile on his face.

""Is there anything I can do for you, Sebastian?" Augustus asked, glad for the company.

"No, sir," Sebastian replied, his voice carrying a note of fondness. "I just wanted to check on you and make sure everything was all right."

Augustus smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Sebastian. I'm just buried in paperwork, as usual."

Sebastian chuckled. "Ah, the life of an heir. Always something to be done."

Augustus nodded, but his thoughts drifted back to his earlier musings about the betrothal. "Sebastian, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, sir," Sebastian replied, stepping further into the room.

"What do you think of the betrothal arrangement?" Augustus asked, his tone hesitant.

Sebastian paused for a moment, considering his words. "I think it's a wise decision for the family, sir. Your father has always had the best interests of the estate at heart."

Augustus nodded slowly, but the unease he felt deepened. "But what about personal compatibility? What if we're not right for each other?"

Sebastian regarded him for a moment before responding. "I think it's important to remember your duty to the family, sir. Personal feelings must sometimes take a backseat to the greater good."

Augustus knew Sebastian was right, but it didn't ease the sense of loneliness he felt. "I know you're right, Sebastian. It's just hard sometimes, you know?"

Sebastian's expression softened. "I understand, sir. But remember that duty and responsibility can also bring great rewards."

Augustus nodded, grateful for Sebastian's support. "Thank you, Sebastian. I needed to hear that."

Sebastian nodded and turned to leave, but not before adding, "And if you need anything, sir, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always here for you."

Augustus smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. "Thank you, Sebastian. That means a lot."

Augustus nodded, feeling a bit more reassured by Sebastian's words. Despite his reservations, he knew he had a duty to his family and to the kingdom, and he would do whatever was necessary to fulfill it.

As Sebastian turned to leave, Augustus couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over him. He was grateful for the butler's support and for the familiar presence in the room. It was moments like these that reminded him of the importance of family and duty, and gave him the strength to carry on. ‘Also the memories when he disappoints his father is not something he wants to relive ‘ he remarks sweating just from the thought of it.

And as the evening rolled by, Augustus let out a deep sigh as he stood up from his desk, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. He looked back at the neat piles of paperwork on his desk and couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the work he had accomplished.

Turning to leave, he caught sight of Sebastian standing in the doorway, watching him with a soft smile on his face. "Is everything alright, Sebastian?" Augustus asked, feeling a hint of familiarity in his tone.

Sebastian nodded, "Yes, my lord. I was simply admiring your diligence and hard work. Your father will be pleased to hear that the production of equipment is on track."

Augustus couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at the news. "That's good to hear. And what about the training of the new manpower?"

Sebastian nodded again. "The training is going well. The new recruits are responding to the training with great enthusiasm. They will be ready to serve the tithes soon enough."

Augustus smiled at Sebastian's words. Despite his stern demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with the butler who had been a part of his family for years. "Thank you, Sebastian. I couldn't have done it without your help."

Sebastian simply nodded, a sense of pride evident in his eyes. "It is my pleasure to serve, my lord."

Sebastian nodded. "Very good, my lord. Shall I prepare your father's study for your meeting?"

"Yes, please do," Augustus replied, grateful for the reminder. "I should be off."

He turned to leave but paused for a moment, looking back at the empty study. He felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that he had fulfilled his duties for the day. However, his mind drifted back to the betrothal situation, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

And as he pushed those thoughts aside and made his way down the hall to his father's study, where they would discuss the future of the estate and his own personal life. Augustus knew he had to put his duty as the heir before his own personal feelings, no matter how difficult it may be.

As Augustus made his way out of the study, he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him. The evening was approaching, and he knew he had a meeting with his father to discuss the betrothal situation. He still didn't know how he felt about the whole thing, but he knew that duty as the heir had to come before his personal feelings.

Augustus froze in his tracks, stunned to see Alexandria standing in his father's study. She turned to face him, a small smile on her lips.

"Hello, Augustus," she said, her voice cool and collected. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Augustus struggled to find the words to respond. What was she doing here? And why did his father let her in? He glanced over at his father, who was sitting at his desk with a look of amusement on his face.

"Alexandria," Augustus finally managed to say. "What brings you here?"

"I came to speak with your father," she replied, her eyes never leaving Augustus's. "We have some business to discuss regarding the betrothal situation."

Augustus's heart sank. He had been hoping to avoid this conversation for as long as possible. He knew he couldn't marry Alexandria, but he didn't know how to break the news to his father. He had hoped that his father would come to his senses and realize that a betrothal between him and Alexandria was not feasible.

But now, it seemed that his father was intent on moving forward with the arrangement. And with Alexandria here, it was clear that the conversation couldn't be avoided any longer.

Augustus took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "I see," he said. "Well, I wish you luck with your discussion."

He turned to leave, but Alexandria's voice stopped him.

"Augustus," she said, her voice softer now. "We need to talk."

Augustus turned to face her, his heart racing. He had no idea what she wanted to talk about, but he knew it couldn't be good.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Alexandria stepped closer to him, her eyes locked onto his. "I know your secret," she said.