Ascension [2]

"Yes, it's been quite a while. You've matured admirably."

Britanny kept her cold expression and hummed a little, staring at Eugene's beautiful face, then she glanced at Kaizer who walked forward and stood beside Eugene in a graceful manner.

"Greetings, young duke."

Kaizer waved his hand and asked, "Where is Casimin?"

"Brother was summoned by the emperor, he's in the drawing room as of now."

Kaizer didn't think much and turned around to greet Euric. This time Eunice is also standing beside Eugene while looking at Britanny in admiration. After all, she heard a lot about Brittany in the academy and she is a well-known perfect lady that everyone could wish for. But there is a rumor that she'll soon become the crown princess, destined to marry the crown prince.

"Greetings, Lady Britanny."

Britanny just glanced at Eunice and hummed, acknowledging her respect, and glanced back at Eugene saying, "Brother, since you have rights to the dukedom you can come and visit, after all, I don't want my mother to be driven with guilt of depriving you of the right in the dukedom."

Eunice widened her eyes, "What?! What are you saying?!"

Brother? Dukedom?

Eugene held her little sister's hand, this made Eunice look at his brother anxiously, wanting an explanation as to what was going on right now and why Britanny had been calling his brother a brother. She suddenly got scared for some reason so she grabbed her brother's clothes with teary eyes and said, "Brother what's going on?"

"Eunice..."

"Brother..."

Euric and Kaizer both turn around when they realize that something is wrong.

"What? What happened?" Euric asked as he held her little sister's cheek in worry, wanting to wipe away the tears that were near falling.

Kaizer glances at Britanny who has a twisted expression while looking at Eunice and suddenly realizes something. Both Euric and Eugene didn't want to see Eunice so hurt so they avoided telling her the truth but because of Britanny's deliberate stimulation, Eunice finally realized that something was wrong. 

Kaizer had no idea what Britanny was planning but Eunice is the little sister his lover cares about the most so he is also worried that Eunice's mood will affect Eugene.

"Lady Del Viltria, the ceremony hasn't started yet, what are you planning now?"

Cadmus came forward and blocked Britanny from Kaizer.

"Young duke, my little sister didn't do anything wrong, she's just stating something. She had no idea that Lady Eunice had no knowledge of the family situations, who are you trying to blame now?"

Kaizer's expression sank, and his dark eyes bore into Cadmus.

Eugene sensed it so he held Kaizer's arm and said, "Cadmus is right, we are wrong. However, I hope something like this can be discussed after the ceremony. After all, we don't want to ruin the ascensions that is an important event for the four pillars family."

Broth's sides were silent.

Euric tried to calm down her little sister and Eunice also didn't want to ruin the happy event of his brother so she wiped her tears and turned to hug Eugene, burying her face on her brother's chest. Afraid that if she turns around, his brother will walk away from their family.

At this time, a palace messenger walks towards them.

"Young master Shradinza, Young Duke Karsten, the emperor is summoning you."

Both Kaizer and Euric look at Eugene.

Eugene just nodded and hugged her little sister, and said, "Go. I'll take care of here."

Britanny covered half of her face with a fan while staring at them. Her eyes were gloomy looking in their direction as she snorted and said, "Since I made Lady Shradinza uncomfortable, I will be excusing myself. Please do consider my words."

Lifting her dress, Britanny gave a courtesy and bowed a little as she turned around.

Cadmus follows Britanny, not looking at Eugene anymore.

Eugene watches Britanny and Cadmus back, full of contemplation. What happened made Eugene realize that Britanny might feel discomfort when facing him now, especially since what happened greatly impacted the reputation of the Duchess. They might be rational to not blame them but being unable to do something to those people who destroyed your family surly could make someone feel restless.

Britanny just feels unacceptable with the current development.

She may hold hatred for the Duke and the Marquis but she knows the Shradinza siblings are also a victim just like them, especially Eugene and Casimin who was born out of wedlock and is standing in between the family.

How could their life be a mess like this?

Even if no one dares to talk in their face, everyone has something to say behind their backs. 

They all become the topic of everyone's gossip and almost all the citizens in the empire already know the evil deeds of the Duke to the point the Grand Duke's previous crimes are also resurfacing as of the Grand Duches's return.

Eugene clenches his fists.

"Eunice, brother will tell you later what happened, for now, please hold on, no matter what you will witness later don't run away."

Eunice didn't speak, she's scared.

She doesn't know what's going on.

Cadmus at this time also feels uncomfortable especially when Britanny calls Eugene "brother". It made him think that he would lose his position in the Del Viltaria family, after all, he had no blood connection at all. The duke doesn't tell him who is his biological parents so he assumes he is an orphan adopted by the Duke to replace Eugene's disappearance from the household.

A temporary replacement that can be instantly discarded.

"Britanny why did you do that."

Britanny stops and breathes, asking, "Do what?"

Cadmus's hand trembles, "Why did you call him brother? A-Are you accepting him?"

Britanny's face turns solemn.

"What should I do? Hate him? In fact unlike me, didn't he suffer the most? I only acknowledge the fact that he has Del Viltaria blood because we all know he had no right to any inheritance, either in the Shradinza or in our family. Brother Casimin is fine, he is the heir but Eugene? His only power is his position as the Grand Dukedom's future duchess. If the young duke cheated, wouldn't he have nowhere to go like my mother?"

Britanny swallowed, "At least with the Del Viltaria family, he can go back there."

Cadmus fell into deep thought.

"Shradinza won't treat him bad, you can see how Young master Euric treats his siblings."

Britanny chuckled, "Didn't you know the rumor about the Shradinza's favorite son?"

She can still remember the day he first met Eugene, those pair of eyes looking so lost, finding some meaning. There's no way he had no idea what life Eugene lived in the Shradinza Household. His brother Casimin might not know it but she investigates Eugene and she must say that the reputation is so bad that he is always pointed out by people.

It becomes even greater when Eugene becomes the lover of Kaizer.

Others might not realize it but she knew it, she can sense how people look at Eugene as if looking at someone insignificant. No matter what contribution Eugene made to the country when joining the war, people will always remember his arrogance.

Just like how some criticized him earlier.

"Young Master Eullian is within the church walls, he can only go out after his canonization. In fact, if he becomes a saint before Eugene and Kaizer's marriage, he will be the one bestowing blessing to the two couples. Can you imagine it? The person who is one of the reasons for your miserable life is someone who you will kneel to and ask for a blessing for a happy and healthy life. Isn't that a slap on the face?"

Cadmus purses his lips and frowns.

He doesn't hate Eugene so hearing what Britanny said made him realize some things.

It's not only his life that is a mess but also Eugene's.

Both of them are standing on the edge and it's either he or Eugene falls first.

Britanny turned around and looked at his brother saying, "Brother, I know what you're afraid of. I just want to say that you don't need to feel out of place. You are a Del Viltaria, you have a household registration, and no matter what others say, you are noble."

Smiling, Britanny continued, "Brother Casimin won't want to let you go too."

Cadmus lip's twitchs as he chuckles.

"I'm not worried at all."

At this time a knight, guarding the entrance announces the pope's arrival. Britanny and Cadmus turn their head in sync when the door opens. The buzzing noise in the hall disappears as they all turn their attention to the pope, eager to see the figure that is rarely seen on public occasions.

Yitiach Eitzer Cathalia

No one knows he's a Catharis, they only knew the origin of Cathalia who has been a servant of gods for generations.

Cathalia is the family covering the existence of the Catharis and the rumor that they have a connection to the mysterious family makes them invincible in the aristocrats' circle.

Everyone bows their head as the pope enters.

The messenger of the emperor also makes an entrance and announces the start of the ceremony. With that being said, the emperor and empress made an entrance with the crown prince and the second prince together.

Eugene who was standing on the sideline wasn't surprised when Kaizer suddenly appeared.

"Right, I said that you will have a chance to meet relatives. You will meet one of my cousins today and later you will meet the rest. Don't worry they supported our love."

Eugene's pupils dilated as he turned his head to look at Kaizer.

Smiling, Kaizer continues, "Our marriage, they will start preparing it."

Kaizer leaned and hugged Eugene from behind, sniffing Eugene's neck in comfort.

Eunice who was beside his brother now covered her mouth and squealed in a low voice. She didn't expect to hear such a news. Now, shouldn't she get ready for that event? Tomorrow she will ask her brother to call a tailor to measure her dress, she wants to attend her brother's wedding wearing beautiful clothes.

"Your Holiness, where are you looking at?"

Yitiach let out a low laugh. "I'm looking at my cousin, he looks like a dog right now."

Bishop Veroncio sighs.

"The ceremony is now starting, please pay attention."

Yitiach just hummed.

They currently occupy the left side, with the judges responsible for the authentication of legal documents positioned on the right. In the background, the grand staircase serves as the pathway leading to the throne where the Royal Family is seated. The ambiance hangs heavy with tension, and the gazes of the onlookers are brimming with shrewd contemplations. All present fix their attention on the royal family, each faction harboring their own ulterior motives.

The empress had an ugly face, knowing that the grand dukedom was now openly showing support to the second prince. This development cast a shadow of uncertainty over the crown prince's standing, as his allies began to withdraw, opting to adopt a cautious stance. They saw little merit in confronting the formidable forces aligned with the grand dukedom, acknowledging their own lack of capacity to do so.

"As we commence, we shall summon the Marquis and the Duke, his excellency Grand Duke to signify their consent for the transfer of their positions within their respective heirs."

As the appearance of the Duke and the Marquis was announced, everyone's eyes turned to look at the infamous son of the Marquis.

The pressure is so visible that Eunice trembles and shrank on her spot.

Britanny and Cadmus also sensed the shift in the atmosphere, causing their expressions to darken. In the meantime, Casimin, Euric, and Kaizer wore somber expressions as they maintained their unwavering gaze, directed at the emperor who was wearing a smile. 

Even the empress displayed initial surprise, but her expression soon transformed into a sense of satisfaction as her attention shifted to the notorious son of the Marquis, who appeared to be the focal point of it all.

All eyes were fixed on Eugene, eager to gauge his response. However, in the face of Eugene's composed countenance, they found themselves compelled to engage in profound contemplation regarding the present predicament.

A son who sued his parents for being born.

"My goodness."

"Isn't that outrageous?"

"Being born from a man, how disgusting."

Casimin and Kaizer's expression cracked and anger became visible in their eyes.

Eugene stood still, his calm eyes staring directly at the entrance as it opened, revealing the figure of his two fathers whose hands were bound by a chain. Behind them is the Marchioness who looks so angry and embarrassed, glaring at the Duke with hatred.

Eunice who saw his parent's hand bound in a chain cast with magic and is guarded by a knight covered her mouth in surprise. She couldn't believe what she was seeing...

"Mother?..."

How come, her parents are treated as criminals? Aren't they on vacation?

Eunice turned around and looked at his brothers and saw their calm expression. Eunice trembled and almost collapsed on the floor, fortunately, Euric grabbed her arms and pulled her, forcing her to stand on her feet, whispering, "Don't make a scene, bear with it. I promise I'll tell you what happens, just don't do anything."

Eunice gazed vacantly at the floor, and her sudden movement caused her hair to tumble into disarray, veiling most of her face. 

Euric, in the meantime, continued to grasp her arm, steadying her unsteady form.

Eunice couldn't take the blow.

She slowly lifts her head and looks in front.

For Eunice, this was an unprecedented sight—her mother bearing an expression so unfamiliar, as if she were gazing upon a completely different individual. Yet, how could that be? She should be well-acquainted with her mother, but the present state of frenzied despair on her mother's face far exceeded any anger she had previously witnessed from her.

Eunice recalled her mother's behavior.

Her eyes gradually grew vacant, as if she was finally succumbing to the numbness caused by the scars from a wound on her back, wounds her mother had inflicted when she failed to comport herself as a lady should.

"Mother..." she whispered.