The age of succession.
In the Langston family, there have been traditions between the children from the grand duke and even the entire family. One of them was known as the age of the succession.
Just like the words, it was the age where the children of the grand duke could participate in the fight for the heir position.
A battle to death.
Before that age, the children of the grand duke were safe from the gruesome battle. The children that have passed the age of succession were forbidden to kill the children below that age.
Before Raven entered this body, the original owner had clocked the age of succession.
Raven now understood how the original owner had survived in a family like this. The current age of this body was eight years old, the age of succession.
''Fifth madam…'' called out Raven after wiping her lips. ''Your words are just like the sixth madam's.'' A smile naturally appeared on her lips. She knew her safety was no longer guaranteed in this family.
She was now at the age of succession, and this shameless fifth madam had to announce once again, even if it was a known fact to everyone. This woman was trying to make her the first target to be eliminated.
Well…It wouldn't be surprising if she died after this dinner. She was the weakest among them, though she hated to admit that fact.
'Look…their intentions are not hidden anymore.' Raven felt the change in the gazes of the Langston family members apart from the Grand duke. Their killing intents were blatantly evident. The fifth madam certainly achieved her goal of making her an obvious and easy target.
''Haha…Fourth young lady has really matured. This madam is very pleased.'' Fifth Madam smiled, trying to calm the fury in her heart. This child really had a sharp tongue. Weren't her words implying that she wasn't her mother?
No…that wasn't what angered her the most. The fact that this lowly child dared to go against her in the presence of the grand duke.
How infuriating.
What would the grand duke think of her now?
The fifth madam glanced at the grand duke, unexpectedly meeting his gaze. Her shoulders flinched at the sudden sight of those vibrant crimson eyes, and her back broke out in sweat. Her face turned ashen-white, beyond recognition as she pondered anxiously.
Since when has the grand duke been watching her?
Was this a warning to her?
No, the grand duke was not one to back up any of his children as a father. He, as the grand duke, could not even stop the succession battle between his own children, so it was unlikely that he was warning her through his eyes.
But…
Just staring into those eyes made the fifth madam swallow whatever words that were about to spill from her lips into the pit of her stomach. For the grand duke to stare at her probably meant that he was displeased with her. He was someone who hated unnecessary noise, and that was something that she knew as one of his wives.
''Fifth Madam, you are quite energetic today.'' The grand duchess was not someone to miss an opportunity in eliminating one of her husband's wives. If only she could get rid of them all at once, but she had to be patient, and start with the dumbest one out of all of them.
For some reason, the fourth young lady was going against the fifth madam. The grand duchess was suspicious of the change, but the knife that fourth young lady had pointed at the fifth madam, she would love to take over and cut that woman out of her marriage.
''Y-Your excellency….''
''His excellency loves peace in his manor, fifth madam. As a wife, you should know that more than the children.'' The grand duchess interrupted the fifth madam. From the moment her miaden heart had been stolen by the grand duke, her eyes have never strayed far away from him, not even once. The subtle irritation in his eyes was not hidden from her. Just that little reaction was enough for her to use against the fifth madam.
''Your excellency, forgive this wife for not educating fifth sister well.'' She pleaded with a sad tone in her voice. Her eyes were teary and anxious, like the grand duke would punish her for the fifth madam's moment of foolishness. As the first wife, she must be noble and magnanimous for her reputation and her son's reputation. At the same time, she must also be smart in dealing with these vile women.
''Y-Your excellency! This wife pleads for forgiveness!'' The fifth madam screeched, jumping on her feet. Her elegant appearance was no more once she heard of the grand duchess' words. The latter indirectly called herself a shrew and an inconsiderate wife. The fury in her heart multiplied just by hearing the mockery. As much as she wanted to tear off the disgusting and hypocritical mask of the grand duchess, she knew she was not a match for someone as devious as her.
'Because of this child….!' The fifth madam shifted her anger away from the grand duchess to Raven, who did absolutely nothing. In her mind, if Raven had not talked back, none of this would have happened. She wouldn't be lowering her head and enduring this humiliation.
''Y-Your excellency, this wife only assumes that fourth young lady has been strange. I am certain that sixth madam has noticed the change as well.'' Even when she was in trouble, fifth madam did not forget to drag people that caused her demise.
'Wow….' Raven looked at the grand duchess and fifth madam in a new light. Was this how women tried to fight for power beside their husbands in polygamous families? The grand duke had really married interesting women, especially the fifth madam. She really needed to correct herself. She had never met someone as shameless and thick-skinned as this fifth madam.
'What will you do now?' Raven shifted her gaze to the side. Since the grand duchess was involved, Raven had an inkling that the ever-so quiet sixth madam could not ignore anyone longer.
Not surprised that her ruby eyes met brown eyes, Raven smiled innocently at the sixth madam.
The sixth madam only stared at her for a moment, then turned her gaze to the grand duchess who was waiting for her response.
''Raven is at the age of maturity, fifth sister.'' With these simple words, sixth madam washed her hands away from the troublesome fifth madam. At the moment, she thought the annoying fifth madam's words were right to some extent.
This worthless child of hers was a little different.
''Sixth sister is right. Children can't stay like children forever.'' If it weren't for her prestige, the grand duchess wouldn't have hidden her gleeful expression. She suddenly found the sixth madam more pleasing to the eyes. ''Fifth sister, please choose your words carefully next time, and be mindful of your behavior as a mother to the fourth young master as well.'' She calmly dealt with the troublesome fifth madam.
''Y-Yes your excellency.'' Clutching the skirt of her olive green gown, fifth madam was forced to embrace the corrections before she sat down. She didn't even look at Raven because she felt she would not control herself at the sight of that lowly child.
Edwin, who watched his mother's disgrace from beginning to the end, could not take it anymore. His mother's shame was also his shame.
What if his father does not compliment him anymore? Out of panic, Edwin blurted out without thinking.
''Father, I challenge fourth sister to a life and death battle!''