The Dukedom of Mont St Michel

King Mikihisa immediately alighted from the carriage as soon as the vehicle had come to a full stop. Tamao, his niece, scurried after him trying hard not to trip on her dress. They took the fastest ship from Kasai to Mont St. Michel in order to reach the dying duke before he breathed his last.

Marco, the butler and the duke's right hand man welcomed him by the door, "Your highness, we're sorry if we cannot greet you with pleasantries today. The duke is seriously ill."

"It's fine. I know the situation well enough. I'll go and see Francois."

"Right this way sire. He is waiting inside."

The butler led the guests to the duke's chamber. There were two maids in waiting who each wore a worried expression. An elderly physician was examining the duke but the look on his face told them there was no hope left. Life was draining from him. The duke's only daughter was sitting on a stool by his side holding his cold hand. She was trying to control her tears from falling. Behind her stood Duke Liam Diethel of Morphia and his son - a young man of the same age as the king of Kasai's children. He had placed his hand on his cousin's shoulder as a way to comfort her.

"My friend Mikihisa…" the dying duke beckoned for his royal visitor to come forward the moment he spotted him by the door.

King Mikihisa knelt down by the bedside. "It's been a long time Francois."

"I'm glad to see you before I go…" the duke said weakly.

"There's so many things that I'd like to thank you for. I'm sorry I didn't get to say this when you're still well but thank you for taking care of my son."

"It is my pleasure to come to the aid of a needy friend…"

The duke's daughter let go of her father's hand so that the king can hold it, "I promise you that your only child will be in good hands. You need not worry. We will take care of her."

The dying patient smiled then reached out to touch his daughter's tear-stained cheeks. "Your mother and I will always be watching you. Be a good girl, Jeanne…"

And those were the duke's last words.

In the library of the late Duke of Mont St. Michel...

Except for the maids and the physician, all the persons who stood by the duke's deathbed earlier had gathered inside the mansion's library. Duke Liam, the brother-in-law of the deceased nobleman, presided over the solemn meeting. He held in his hands the last will and testament of the Duke of Mont St. Michel.

Duke Liam cleared his throat and started reading slowly, "I, Francois St. Michel give the entire land of Mont St. Michel to my only daughter, Jeanne St. Michel. Her leadership of the dukedom will take effect on her wedding day. Until that time, my faithful butler and trusted right-hand man, Marco Lasso will take care of all matters concerning the governance of Mont St. Michel and will serve as my only child's legal guardian."

"What do you say, Marco?" King Mikihisa asked.

"I am more than willing to accept the responsibility of taking care of Lady Jeanne," the serious butler fixed his glasses. However, I don't think I could manage the dukedom at the same time."

"Hmm… If that's the case, perhaps Lady Jeanne should marry immediately so that she can attend to the affairs of her land?" Duke Liam suggested.

The girl whose eyes were swollen from crying gasped and turned to her cousin for support.

"Father! You don't have the right to decide for Jeanne without her consent," Lyserg shot his old man a stern look.

"I was kidding around, my son. You don't need to be uptight about it," the duke scratched his head.

"I agree with the girly looking lad," a voice said from the back of the room. "You do NOT have any right to decide on our future."

Who is he calling girly? Lyserg stared menacingly at the long-haired young man who appeared from nowhere. He was casually leaning on the bookshelf with a sneer on his face.

"You! How come you weren't in the chamber earlier? The duke has been asking for you since morning." Marco lost his usual cool demeanor and spat furiously at the unwanted guest.

"I fell asleep on the roof. I just overheard you talking about the duke's last will and testament from up there. You shouldn't leave windows open when you're discussing such significant matters."

"If you do not have anything important to say, just leave this room NOW!" the butler pointed towards the door. His blood always boiled at the mere sight of the young man's face ever since he came to Mont St. Michel.

"I don't think it's appropriate to act like that Marco especially when King Mikihisa is around," Duke Liam said nervously. The king of Kasai didn't budge in his seat. Despite his bird mask, everybody in the room knew that he was intently watching the young man before him.

The butler bowed down apologetically before the king, "Pardon me Your Majesty. I got carried away. He has not yet learned how to respect other people. I had failed in this task."

"That's the very reason why you can't handle Mont St. Michel. You are not competent enough," the young man smirked at him.

The butler restrained himself from attacking the arrogant bastard. "So are you saying that you are more capable of governing over Mont St. Michel? Don't be so high and mighty. You have not wedded Lady Jeanne yet."

"On the contrary, I am breaking the engagement with Jeanne," announced the young man to the surprise of all the occupants of the room.

This time it was Lyserg who reacted vehemently, "What an insensitive person you are! Do not leave Jeanne when she's at her worst. Her father just died!"

"Why? I am sure she's far better off with this. Did you ask her first how she feels about the whole arranged marriage?"

Jeanne lowered her head. He was right. She didn't like it since the day it was decreed.

"This is not about you, Jeanne," the young man addressed his ex-fiance a-matter-of-factly. I just don't think this would work out. I know we both share the same sentiments."

He then turned towards the king of Kasai who was quietly observing from his seat, "Well hello, King Miki. It's been 7 years already. Has the scar healed well? I hope you still remember the son you've thrown away."

"Hao…"