Chapter 3

The Duke spoke fiercely to the maid's as he approached Luna.

"Get out of my sight this instant while my sanity is still intact."

The maids moved ran away in a blink of an eye.

Realising the Duke's approach Luna bit insides of her mouth on the side where the maid hit her, making blood come out from the corner of her mouth.

The Duke was not able to assess how badly she was hurt as he couldn't see her from behind the maids.

He lowered himself to level of her, bending down on his one knee.

Putting his hand under her chin, he raised it up to have a clear look at her face.

Her cheeks were bruised up, blood was spilling out from corner of her mouth.

Under the hem of her clothes, only her bones were visible.

He gently caressed her cheeks where she was hit by the maid.

She remained expressionless the whole time as if it doesn't hurt her.

The Duke spoke up "I'm sorry, if had just came a bit earlier then"

Luna interrupted him and spoke coldly.

"Pardon my rude behaviour, but your grace doesn't need to apologise to me or feel sorry for me."

"I'm born from a maid that's why everyone behaves like that to me, you can also act harshly or just ignore me like everyone does."

"I promise, I would not resent you or hold contempt against you."

"The day I was born I was destined to be treated like that, so the Duke should not worry about me."

"....."

Duke couldn't comprehend what he just heard.

Each and every words of her felt like were piercing his heart.

"Seems like the Duke is here to meet The Princess, so I shouldn't hold you here anymore, then please excuse me."

She picked up the dirty cloth and bucket and left from that place as if nothing happened.

As he gazed upon her back that was fading away in the distance, something inside him felt like would break any moment.

Duke's expression became dark, frustration was swirling up inside of him.

He got up and gone straight to meet to Evelyn.

Although he arrived infront of her room, he did not knock the door like he used to do when he comes to meet her.

'I do not feel meeting her right now.'

'I think I should go back and meet her next time.'

"Creak"

As he was about to go back the door opened and a girl

in a very beautiful dress popped up infront of him.

Silver hair adorned with beautiful accessories, violet eyes like that of hellebore flower were gleaming like stars.

"Uncle Valore?"

Evelyn smiled at him innocently.

Watching her being like that he smiled back at her reluctantly.

"Uncle, what are you standing there for, you should have just called me out through maid."

"I would have come to you right away at your call."

"Anyways, would you like to have some tea with me, I have been waiting to meet up with you since the last time of your visit."

"How about having tea in the greenhouse?"

"Yes, let's do th-" She was interjected

"-Um wait, I'm sorry my dear, there is something that needs to done urgently, so I have to go right now."

"Next time when I'll come, I'll surely spend some time having tea together with you."

"Ok then, take care of yourself."

"...Yes?"

Turning his back towards Evelyn, the duke left in a haste.

As soon as the the duke left, Evelyn got inside her room and locked the door from inside.

'What! What just happened?'

'Why did he leave in such a hurry?'

'Was there really something that urgent for him to go personally?'

'Maybe?'

'But he never behaved like that, he even smiled so awkwardly.'

...****************...

Luna in her room, wearing her nightdress, she was brushing her hairs.

In the glint of the candle light her face, her eyes, her hairs shone brightly in the dark room.

"Really, that was a close call."

'Thank God, I did not act rashly and lash out on those maids earlier at that time.'

'Otherwise I would have lost a great individual who could have become a great ally in rescuing me from this place.'

'I had already seen duke from afar approaching us from the window, so I just had to provoke those maids to hit me and act pitiful when the duke arrives.'

'Those fools easily took the bait.'

'I acted like that and even hurt myself to make my condition look more severe.'

'Well, except for hurting myself I didn't have to put much effort into acting since I naturally inherited Luna's usual behaviour, expression and cold personality.'

She grinned.

'But I have to say it worked out perfectly since the duke behaved the exact same way as I expected. '

'Now the maids wouldn't dare to abuse me in fear of the duke, but if they do then I would just device another plan.'

'Although it shouldn't happen for quite some time now but who knows.'

'Well I think I should make a good use of the duke.'

She smiled mischievously.

'According to the novel the duke of the ducal house of Askerin, Alphonse Valore is one of the two great pillars of the Zeren Kingdom.'

'There are three things required for you to be a ruler of any Kingdom that is power, wealth and support, and in these three the Duke has abundant wealth and fortune.'

'Zalem-Al-Lumiere was able to become the current king of Zeren due to his favor only.'

'The duke has two children one son and one daughter.'

'Right now his son Rezef Valore is in Axel Empire for the study as an heir apparent to the duchy of Askerin of Zeren Kingdom.'

'And his daughter Dahlia Valore is bedridden due to a serious illness.'

'According to Luna's memories her condition is quite severe right now since she is not even able to move around.'

'Although in the novel it was not mentioned clearly but she died before Rezef came back home in winters.'

'The duke kept Dahlia's death as secret from him until he came back.'

'Anyways since I don't know in which year Rezef came back from academy, I can't tell how much longer Dahlia would live.'

'The duke dearly loves his daughter, everytime when he would come to the palace for work, he would always also come to meet Evelyn who is Dahlia's friend."

'He would give anything to Evelyn whenever she asked for it.'

'In the novel it was told that he was kind and generous as much as he was rich.'

'But that doesn't mean he would do anything for you.'

'He has a strong sense of justice, he would not stand it if any innocent person is being mistreated infront of him, he could take your life in an instant if you are found guilty.'

'He is not someone with whom you should mess around.'

'But that doesn't apply to me since I am desparate situation right now.'

'I promise, if I just grew up safely, I'll f*ck it all up, from the royal family to all the people who bullied me, everyone is going down.'

She moved into her bed after brushing her hairs.

"Well, I should sleep now, I don't want dark circles on this cute face of mine."

...****************...

Soon the day came when the duke Valore visited the king in the main palace.

In the king's office, two people sitting accross the table were discussing on something with a rather profound expression on their faces.

In the light dark room, sunlight entering the room from the window behind the king shone on the Duke's face.

"Your majesty, pardon my rudeness but I'd like to request you to call off the plan of expedition towards the southeast."

The king frowned at the words of the duke.

"And may I know the reason why you say that."

"It's because the Balmund kingdom is under the protection of the Empire."

"..."

"Is it really true?"

"Yes your majesty."

The Duke nodded firmly.

"200 years ago, when there was a great war and Empire was on conquest of subjugating all the nearby territories, the Balmund kingdom was left out at their request."

"At the Balmund kingdom's king's request Empire left their territory to him on the condition that they cannot have arms more than 20% of their overall population."

"Except for the arms Balmund kingdom was free to do as they pleased, because Balmund kingdom was in poverty at that time and had nothing much valuable which could peak the interest of Empire they were left out."

"Though that had a written proof, there was one more thing that emperor had promised to the king of Balmund."

"Though it was just a verbal agreement, but a promise was made."

"It was that if in future the Balmund kingdom is attacked then the Balmund kingdom could always bend towards Empire for their help or protection protection."

"Though they never did that so this promise was almost forgotten by everyone."

"It took me a while to research on this topic to make it clear whether it was true or not but such a promise was made and it is a fact that cannot be denied."

"..."

"Your majesty?"

King Zalem was lost in deep thoughts, then a response came that the Duke had not expected.

"Though I respect the Duke's thought over this matter but we are not calling off the expedition."

"...."

"But your majes-"

King interjected

"Yes, I know what the Duke is afraid of, but you know how the current situation of the Empire is right now."

"The current emperor Alexis Kailesto is in a very weak state of health and the empress Dowager is the one who is making all the major decision regarding Empire."

"Since the current emperor got bedridden Empire is in chaos."

"And according to what we have seen, the Empress Dowager who is on top right now is quite a person who would not do something if it's not to her benefit or to her son."

"All the heirs of the emperor Kailesto are still in the academy or to be more specific the son of empress Dowager, Luca Kailesto is still immature and cannot take lead of army to fight in the war to gain legitimacy to the throne."

"Unlike Prince Luca other Princess' are much more capable and can take part in the war.

"If they took in it, it would definitely threaten her son's succession to the throne."

"Therefore she'd not allow them to take part in this fight since it would be easy victory to them."

"And if we just bribe her enough she'd not let anyone else take part in this war."

"Tell me, isn't it too good situation for us?"

".....But how you are going to bribe her?" duke asked

"The rare mana stone mine hidden in Balmund kingdom's Medelor forest is still unknown to everyone, even to inhabitants of that forest."

"She wouldn't have known about it, so she won't ask for it."

"So how about giving her one or two of our own normal mana stone mines, although Empire has large number of those mines but they are not under the control of imperial family."

"She'd probably want to have one of her own, wouldn't she."

The duke still was not sure enough but nodded his head.

"Then please do as you wish, your majesty."

"Good."

"I shall take my leave now, I had promised Evelyn to have a tea with her."

"Hmm"

The duke left his office and the king got busy in his work.

...****************...

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