I was never interested in experiencing a high position such as my father's. The rules were too strict, knowing what I am like, I probably will break them. But my father insisted on me, even though I had a brother.
When my father was on his deathbed, he made a will. And that will was for me to rise into his position. Why?
And so my brother embraced his madness, saying that I was good for nothing. I had no choice but to fight him back, it was my father's will. He ended up dead the same father did, stressed and broken.
Then the Wycliffe Estate had only me as the Marquess.
I started attending to the high-ranking men's gatherings, offering my thoughts while listening to theirs as well. One thing I noticed: the Guttesnberg Family always sent different representatives. Sometimes, once a month, the Grand Duchess would come. Other weeks, either the Grand Duke or his brother attended.
But there was only one person I admired—Lily Guttensberg. She was the representative who often came and left a big impact on us all.
She was no Duchess, yet we were in her grasp. Her opinions were always considered by the priest, by the nobles, by everyone. Her presence assured us that everything would be alright even in the heaviest situation. She was everyone's kryptonite, her death alone awakened something burning inside all of us.
That's why, when I first saw him, I knew that any problem could be solved. Although he is the son of her sister, he resembles her more than his mother. But the moment I heard he suggested opening Guttensberg Hall, my jaw clenched.
My first thought when the King told me that he had spared just one child from the family, was that I would return to him the position once held by their bloodline. But no–he had no intention of reclaiming it. Instead, he openly let his portion fall under my care. He was nothing like Lily, nothing like his mother, neither his father nor his any of his kin.
A sudden knock snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Your Grace, the Vice Commander of the Military Corps is here." The butler says from outside my door.
The Vice Commander? Isn't that him–the child the King had spared?
"Lead him to the guest room, prepare the black tea for us." I instruct.
"Yes, Your Grace."
I thought our next meeting would be at next week's gathering, but he has come to me himself–earlier than expected.
When I enter the guest room after finishing paperwork, the butler has already served two cups of black tea. I sit across from him amd observe. The white haired-boy in a white shirt under a black coat, adorned with intricate silver jewelry, sits with one ankle resting on the opposite knee. His breathing is calm–he is at ease.
I see, perhaps I was wrong. His manner indeed resembles someone of high rank. Maybe he can even exceed my expectations a descendant from a once-honored family.
"Surprised I'm here? Yeah, me too." He finally speaks.
"Stop with the joke, state your need," I reply,
"I don't have all day."
After a few minutes of him proposing his plan, I'm stunned. He could think of this after only a few months of realizing he's capable of it? If I were him, I would need five more months.
"Alright, I'll accept your plan. But what can I gain from this?" I ask. Betraying a King is a crime I cannot take lightly as a Duke.
"Don't worry about that, you'll get it as soon as you finish your part. Alright?" the boy smiles, telling me to trust him. I return the smile as he stands and leaves.
I do.
I do trust him–in every word he says.
Such a brilliant plan could only be made by someone with her blood. Oh, how blessed I am to work with him.
My mind throbs at the thought of joining him.
Finally, i am in the league.