THE NEXT DAY.
"…"
"…"
"…"
*awkward.
"Lady Debelvoir!! Ahahaha, what a coincidence to meet you here at the café! I heard from my butler that they served the best chocolate soufflé in town! Is it your favourite too?" *smiling with twinkle in his eyes. – Ethan.
Tch. --> Killian's inner thought.
*curtsey. "Good day, Young Lords." Wonderful.Two days in a row? Am I cursed now?
"Would you like to share a table with us? The Knights have cleared out the entire floo.."
"My lord." I slightly raised my voice.
"Yes, my lady? Oh by the way just call me Ethan ehehe…"
"Please refrain on doing this again in the future."
"Pardon?"
"Southern nobles were warned once by my Father to never act in such ways that would disrupt the businesses that run in the principality. I have no doubt that you've paid a good amount of gold for this establishment by clearing out the whole floor for the Young Lords to indulge sweets in peace, but displaying hierarchy in this kind of manner is as equal as mocking the lord who ruled this land."
"…" Ethan's readable. His face says it all. "I.. I'm, I'm truly sorry! I didn't mean to.." *dejected.
Sigh. This idiot. "Do forgive us, the lady who ruled the land. But the famous Lord Ethan here only did so due to the fact that the place was surrounded by his fans."
Sure. This happened a lot in the past as well. You two for sure are celebrities, hands up.By the time Belle joined you guys back then, her fame sky-rocketed.She became known as THE ONLY Lady Debelvoir.And I know I'm being ridiculously overreacted with this shit but Daddy dearest despised a show off in his land, you see. If it were to be the capital, then no problemo alexandro.Flex can be necessary when it's needed but this establishment happens to be favoured by many. And now the costumers are lining up in front of the store and complaining because of these two monopolizing the place. What a headache. "It's alright. I quite understand that it's for security reason. I'm sorry if I have offended you in any way as well, but since you frequent the south often, I do hope that you won't take my words lightly."
Tch. "But of course, my lady." What a haughty little thing. You speak so fancy all I hear is bla bla blaaa!
"A-Again my lady, my apology. Do.. do you still want to join us, then?"
Dang. I suppose it's okay for one round of dessert. I've been craving the soufflé here anyway and it's rather rude to reject his offer for two days in a row now. "I would be delighted. Thank you for inviting me to join you, my lord." Ethan beamed like a happy-go-lucky dude with my reply, and my heart fluttered for a second before the painful memories stopped me to go further. Thank fuck for that. Butwait. What is up with that icy glare, Killian? If you so against the idea of me joining you guys then you should've stopped your bestie earlier. Well, whatever. I think too much. "Alice, Donna. Order some take out for the two of you and for the Knights too."
**
Fourty minutes later and this idiot in front of me is still talking. Not that I'm annoyed by him for it, but sometimes I wonder how is he able to tête-à-tête non-stop.
"May I call you Lady Katriana? As I mentioned you may call me Ethan, just Ethan! Think of me as your big brother ahaha I'm so glad that we.."
The first time I met him, he'd talked for two hours straight my ears were about to burst. And before I realized it, we've became friends just like our fathers.
On the other hand, the little lady Debelvoir is on her best behaviour. Way too mature and compose for her age. Which is questionable.
She's ignoring Ethan's mumbling and pretty much my presence over all, as she seemed to be only focusing on the desserts.
I heard from father that Archer Debelvoir is rather fond of his daughter, but isn't it normal for kids her age to act snobbish and blabbermouth if they're being dotted like Ethan here? Heck, I was a snotty little brat that evolved to an arrogant bastard, so as much as I understood why this little lady is so reserved, it is still unusual for a six-year old to behave in such a way.
Or maybe it's just a Debelvoir thing (?) Father did say that Archer Debelvoir wasn't much of a talker either when they were kids..
Sigh.
What am I doing now observing her?
…
…
She is cute, true. Round and fluffy too..
…
…
I wonder what would happen if I.. *pinch, poke, squeeze.
"HUH?" *both Ethan and Katriana were startled. "Kill?" *blink. "Killian you idiot! Why are you pinching and squeezing the lady's cheeks?"
Wha.. huh? I'm.. pinching her? Wait, I AM pinching her! Did my hands moved on their own? *widened his eyes in disbelief. OH CRAP!
LATER THAT NIGHT.
Brush it off, Katriana. Brush it off!
The little lady of House Debelvoir tried to forget the earlier incident at the café, but the thought of it keep on haunting her.
She then stuffed her dinner in her mouth faster in frustration and muttered cursed words under her breath.. until she noticed a tall figure who walked into the dining hall, looking weary and concerned.
"Count .. nom, Ropper." She said as she kept on chewing the salmon steak.
"My lady!" *panting. Jasper shouted and appeared behind the count, losing his breath. "Forgive me, my lady.." *huff, "but the count insisted on.."
"That's enough." I cut Jasper off. He's about to lose his breath. "You may speak, Count Ropper."
"A thousand apology to have disturbed you on your dinner, my lady." He hesitated for a minute. "However.. however I can no longer bear it! I can no longer tolerate this humiliation!"
Huh?
**
He broke down in tears as I watched him losing his self-control after explaining the reason behind the commotion he had caused.
Count Ropper was entrusted to operate a county within the duchy that bordered with the neighbouring nation, Kroux Kingdom.
That very kingdom is on a good diplomatic term with Axevran Empire for over a century and has been maintaining its relationship with the southern region by sending respectable merchants for trade businesses.
All was good, and all has been well. However, the recent incident at Ropper County where the so-called reputable merchants riot and settled without legal documents had brought shame to the count, for the fact that he's been irresponsible with lack of backbone to manage the surge of merchants who have been taking over the business district and slowly abolishing the locals' source of income. He had also failed on managing the border, causing ruckus to the citizen at the county. Not to mention the current dreadful situation all around the empire where some series of commoners' kidnapping that have been going on rampage, and with his failure at hoarding foreigners, some nobles from other regions have pointed their fingers at him.
He admitted his entire mistakes and is on his knees to ask a helping hand from a six-year old.
Judging by his appearance and the way he talks, he's rather a softie. A good-hearted count who is a complete pushover. If my judgement of him is true then it is no wonder this thing is happening.
Sigh.
"How did I just found out about this?"
"That's.. the vassals, they don't want to burden you much with this case, my lady. I seek their help as well but the Imperial Palace has summoned them with non-stops meeting at the capital."
"Then I'm assuming you'd need my stamp as legal action to kick the merchants out?"
"…" He looked tangled. He knows for sure if I were to do that, then it's as equal as the southern region declaring a war with Kroux Kingdom. "I.."
"I'll do just that."
"My lady?" His eyes widened. As he should.
"There's no other way, is there? Daddy would also do just the same, although he'd probably kicked your butt first."
"Y-Yes, my lady, ho-however.."
"I'm well aware with the consequences. But that would be for the house to bear. For now, get some rest and Jasper here shall prepare a dinner at the guest room. Jasper, do as I say."
"At once, my lady."
GRAND CHAMBER - AT MIDNIGHT.
"My lady, the nanny might scold you if you don't sleep soon.." – Alice.
Ah.
Yeah.
Arms up and facing the wall for thirty minutes isn't to my liking but I need to do this shit. Sorry, twins.
"Didn't I tell you both that you were dismissed for the day?"
"How can we do that when our lady is in this state?"
"I'll be done in no time."
"We'll be here until you've gone to bed, my lady." Donna, who is a lot quieter than Alice (and usually followed my order diligently without question) uttered out words in a firm tone.
And now I feel bad.
Should I trick them?
Hm..
Lemme do just that.
"Fine. Tuck me in."
**
After ensuring they've left after thirty minutes of me pretending to be sleeping, I walked over toward the desk and resume my activity. Well, it isn't an activity per se.. it's rather reviewing and stamping documents for Count Ropper's case.
Man.
I'll be in trouble for sure, but no matter how many times I try to tackle my brain, the only way out is to drive out those scum sucking pigs out of the duchy and send them back to their home country. Though there are other alternatives, but that would be declaring that I'm rather incompetent as Archer's successor.
Meaning that I would need to write letters to the Imperial Palace and to the Embassy of the Kroux Kingdom regarding this matter.
I'm physically six but I'm old enough to handle this shit though.. so this shall be well. Hopefully.
But should the war break out then I have no choice but to do THAT ritual of expediting my awakening.
I mean, not that it hadn't happened before.. about two hundred years ago, one of my ancestors successfully accelerated his awakening. His dragon was quite large and powerful and for fuck's sake let mine be as powerful as well if ever the war would happen aaaa.. I could use some dragon to defend the south, *sigh.. and it's not like Kroux Kingdom is a big nation anyway.. aiigoooh!
Responsibility, responsibility..
Done with the stamping bullshit.
Fucking finally.
Now sleep, whatever happens, happen.
A YEAR AND A HALF AFTER THE SUBJUGATION TAKING PLACE.
GRAND CHAMBER – DEBELVOIR DUCHY.
"I'm taking my sweet time today, Donna. Bring me the snacks!"
Katriana spent most of her time in her private annex by practicing Martial-Arts, sharpened her swordsmanship skill, learning and creating recipes for nutrition and dietetics, re-inventing and devising equipment (mostly medical) that are still imperfect and on-going, and most importantly.. developing medicines.
Her days were filled with schedules of early education from the tutors and doing her duty as the proxy leader for the duchy as well.
All within a year.
And her biggest achievement during the year was the Count Ropper's case, where she drove out the merchants forcefully in a span of one week, without harming the region. The neighbouring kingdom had sent their apology to House Debelvoir and the case was cracked down by the Kroux Kingdom's officials, as the surge of the foreign merchant happened with a back-up from some higher authorities in their country.
The issue was solved, and House Debelvoir once again was known to be both powerful and merciless. The nobles had also become more alert with the little lady of the house.
She has yet to debut to the society, but her name had already roared.
Katriana then gets busier by day, and therefore, her frame that once was chubby, has shrunk down.
Gaargghdammit!
I know it was my own decision to rise and shine and hustle every single day, but it's normal to feel gloomy sometimes, right?
I've just turned seven for crying out loud. And I've become so skinny aaaa!*crying inside. I mean, by having this kid body I shouldn't be thinking of weight at all.. HOWEVER, I was planning to do the healthy diet bullshit when I reach the age to do so! But now with my tight schedules that I brought upon myself, I'm losing my time to eat chocolates and cakes and the chocolates in the wor.. wait, did I mentioned chocolates twice?
"Where are the chocolates already?"
Gaarrgggghhh!
"Princess." *deadly smile.
"What."
"I beg your pardon?" *deadlier smile.
Oops."Yes, Nanny." I forgot that mary-sue Maryjune here can be quite lethal.
"Please do sit like a proper lady." *deadliest smile.
Oh shit.
Right.
I've been sitting with my leg spread wide on the coffee-table like a proper twenty-first century girl.
*sigh.
What is life anyway..
"Ahem, my lady."
"Jasper! Supp?"
Supp? "…"
"Speak."
"Oh, my apology." The lady always surprised me with her choices of words. "Ahem, there's been good news."
"And that would be..?"
"We have won the war."
HUH?
"His Grace and the Emerald Knights are returning in two months!"
WHAT?