'It’s basically waging war'

Sex.

Alexander's been sex-deprived for almost three months now. He used to be able to have sex when and how he wanted it. He used to always have someone nearby to kiss.

But there's no one now. He promised himself—promised Symon, who watched him like a hawk—that he wouldn't engage in any sexual activity whatsoever unless it's with his wife, though the wedding's not set yet and the engagement's even a secret. If he survived another month, it's undoubtedly a feat for him.

A huge feat.

He's been so deprived of human flesh he could be a saint! And because he needed some distraction, the council and his people have seen even more improvement in the duchy than before. He frequently patrolled small towns, leading to a decrease in unjust taxation and fewer crimes. Together with Sir Stanwinx, he also participated in teaching combat skills to new troops. There's also an influx of visitors and investors due to the diligent advertising of his duchy to neighboring kingdoms and even overseas.

"I should be having sex right about now. Sex soon would be nice." The duke murmured as he scanned through the financial reports that Symon piled on his table yesterday.

"Are you regretting sending your girls away?" Alexander glared at the sarcastic notion of his secretary. He's been feeling a lot more confident with his remarks lately, and it irked him. Symon used to tremble at his stares, but he barely did so now.

"I don't regret it. I… how do I say it? Miss it? It… just the sex and all." Alexander raised his head and pointed the pen at his secretary, "…not them, there's a huge difference." His secretary nodded along with his annoying teasing face as if he understood.

Symon was about to say something, but he jolted when the door to the duke's office flung wide open behind him.

"It's been a while," Symon's eyes widened, and mouth gaped at the voluptuous and perfectly tanned lady walking towards him. Her inviting scent told to capture every man's heart over the sea, wafted around the duke's office, but Alexander wasn't a bit happy to see who it was. "Hasn't it, little brother?"

"Welcome home, sister." the duke's sister smiled at her brother's dry reply.

"Leave us, Symon. It's been a long while since I last saw my brother. I'd like a moment with him." She smiled sweetly.

"O-of course, Lady Leticia. I shall take my leave then, and we-welcome back."

"How cute," Leticia said as she went around and sat on the edge of the table beside Alexander. "Symon's the same as always." She looked back to see Symon almost crushed himself on the door frame. Good thing that he was able to regain his alertness in time.

"Don't you dare play with him this time," Alexander said when the door closed behind Symon. Over the years, he learned that ignoring Leticia's random whims and rants was the best way to deal with her.

Their father died when Alexander was fifteen years old. And at the age of eighteen, just a few months after the death of their father, Leticia Elise Clement went with their uncle, who was a seafarer. She didn't want the responsibility of the duchy, so she left young Alexander to fend for himself as the new Duke of House Clement. She came home once or twice a year; other times, she even forgot to visit him despite news of her being in the empire.

Symon, on the other hand, was the son of their father's former secretary. He and Leticia practically grew up together, but Alexander's sister went ahead and took his virginity on one drunk night and then left the next day without telling him. This was the first time he's seen her again after that. He's always been the nervous kid among the three of them, though he comes through from time to time; he's mostly trembling at one corner if left be.

"I didn't play with him. It was… an escapade—a sort of quest. Anyway, I heard from a little bird about you leaving behind your worldly desires. That's news—really big news." Leticia said, playing with the little decorations on the table, but Alexander was too busy to mind her to her disappointment. Of course, being a sister of the duke, Leticia wasn't one to back down. "Sex is like… our lifeline, you know? We love good—no, great, oozing of passion kind of sex, and we deliver even better sex than that. That's what we Clements are."

"Are you done? If you are, can you leave me alone? Can't you see I'm working?"

"You know what, brother? Of all the men I've tasted over the years at sea, I've found out that having sex on a rocking ship during a typhoon was the best!" the duke rolled his eyes when he heard of it. He wanted to smack his sister off his table, but giving her attention would just make her provoke him even more. He didn't even know she was coming! "The rocking of the sea, the rocking of our bodies; our skin rubbing against each other…." Leticia spoke slowly and with soft emphasis on the words 'rocking' and 'rubbing.' She then inhaled sharply and continued, her hands around her arms, "The freezing wind howling outside, our moans drowned by the sound of heavy downpours, and our bodies clashing as did the waves outside for our sweet release. Aah… I can't wait to go back to sea."

"Why don't you go back to your rocking ship then?" her brother coldly said. Leticia sneered at him but later sighed deeply. Alexander watched as his sister faced the other way with her arms folded about her chest.

Their mother died giving birth to him, so Alexander was devastated when his sister decided to leave with their uncle. He felt like he lost his mother all over again. They were practically inseparable when he was little. Leticia used to read books to him and help him with his studies. When their father died, though he was still young, the title of Duke of House Clement was passed down to him as stated in the late duke's will.

Alexander thought that his sister would support and guide him, but she didn't. And childish as it may seem, even after all the years that went by, the duke still held a small grudge against her.

"I'll go freshen up and rest a little. See you at lunch, little brother." Leticia flashed a small smile and sighed discreetly as she ruffled the duke's hair. Alexander didn't respond and just went back to finishing the pile of paper in front of him before they leave for the Capital for his sister to report to the emperor then to Aclador for Duke Mulford's birthday.

Looking outside, Alexander could see the mountains of Osmea. Placing his pen on the table, he leaned back on his chair and exhaled sharply. He closed his eyes and massaged his temples. He's been reading paper after paper every day that his eyes were starting to strain.

"I should relax," he whispered again to himself. He knew pretty well that he needed to relax, but as the council told him months ago, with how things would be in the coming months, it's as if he's waged war against the empire.

It's been three months since his bold proposal, but he's yet to think of a way to make the emperor agree. Alexander couldn't just make his duchy's contribution to the empire his only excuse for having his way. For all he knew, the emperor could very much declare to empires overseas and neighboring kingdoms to never deal with Thuenia again. And the reason that he's extra annoyed was because he had to write to his sister asking her for a favor.

As Creador's surrounded by high cliffs, ragged waters, and humongous rock formations, it's impossible for ships and small boats to stay anywhere aside from Thuenia; which was why, as the family who monopolized the ports, Alexander's duchy became what others called as the 'guardian of the sea'. The Clements were the ones in charge of dealing with maritime disputes, big or small. Then it's reported to the emperor.

A year after Alexander became duke, he announced that his sister would be in-charged of such disputes, making use of her seafaring. She hated the idea, saying she left because she didn't want to bear the heavy responsibilities of a duchy, but the duke ignored her because the deed was already done.

Over the years, Leticia got used to it, traveling and meeting people. She loved it so much that she rarely came home. Though she regularly sent a report to him and the emperor.

Leticia might seem promiscuous, but she's got a brilliant mind and a certain way to connect with people. The reason that she was able to thrive in whatever place they ended up staying.

"I want to see her so badly," he murmured again. This time, he opened one of the drawers on his table and fetched a small box. Inside laid the ribbon that Amelia sent as a reply to his message. Holding it between his finger, Alexander told himself, "I miss you, Cice."

Alexander wished that he held her face more so he could etch her features. Though it's been months, the feel of the duchess against him still lingered. And the more that he thought about it, the more he wanted some physical release.

The duke groaned and placed the ribbon back where he kept it. Fixing his tunic, Alexander stood up and went out the door. He didn't have anywhere particular to go to, but he thought walking would be a better alternative for his trembling groin.

**********

Lunch came faster than he thought. As he made his way to the dining hall, Jyver came up to him and informed him that he's gathered information about Amelia's travel to Bruiles.

"Why is she going there?"

"It seems that she received a letter from the duchy's youngest prince to visit Bruiles. I wasn't able to ask for more details because no one in the palace also knew in detail."

Since Bruiles' rulers were direct descendants of the crown, the children of the duke and duchess were called princes and princesses. It's just how the first ruler of the duchy settled it with the fifth emperor, who greatly doted on his sibling. Their duchy supports the emperor as far as alliances went, but the youngest prince has a good head on his shoulder and became known by himself. Garnering him the attention of the Order.

"And who is she with?"

"The Whitt siblings and some personal knights." Alexander nodded along, then Jyver proceeded to ask, "Shall we have someone follow them?"

"No. It's okay." he quickly answered. "Knowing the siblings, they'd be able to notice soon enough. Just have someone at every town they might pass through."

"Understood, your grace." The duke gave a light nod then Jyver was out of sight again.

By the time he arrived, Leticia was already waiting for him. She wore a somewhat decent outfit this time; an off-shoulder, cuff-sleeved dress cinched at the waist with an embroidered brocade. She had let her hair in a bun, showing her elegant neck and well-defined clavicle. Even Symon, who was across her, was speechless and didn't look her way that much.

Alexander feigned a cough, "I expect you've been behaving yourself, sister."

"Well," she scoffed and tilted her head with her eyes fixed on Alexander's secretary. "Since Symon's been quiet this whole time, I thought I'd do something to break the silence, but then you came."

The duke glanced at Symon, who was like a mute with his head low. For a second, Alexander wanted to kick his secretary under the table for allowing his sister to do her way with him, but then Symon gestured to the servant to start serving the food.

"Let's cut to the chase, little brother. I know you've been getting yourself engaged without telling me, and seeing how things are, I think I know why I received a letter asking me to come home by my beloved little brother." Alexander almost rolled his eyes at her emphasis of 'beloved little brother'.

"If you knew already, then I won't explain it anymore." Alexander looked straight at her, took a deep breath, and told her, "Help me this time, sister."

There was a sudden stillness in the room. Symon's eyes nervously shifted from the duke to his sister, then back. The siblings stared into each other, Alexander's eyes slightly begging, while his sister's gauged his sincerity.

Then Leticia broke off her gaze. She took the wine the servant gave her and drank it in one gulp. Symon even flinched when his sister's gaze narrowed at him like she was going to devour him in one go too.

"You know I can never say no to you, my beloved little brother," Leticia said, but her eyes were still fixed on his secretary—not that Alexander minded.

"Says the sister who left me." He murmured as he sipped his own wine, but Leticia didn't answer him. Instead, she picked up her fork and started with her salad.

**********

Back at Osmea, the news of Amelia's engagement rocked Arabella's world. The words rang in her ears repeatedly and circled her thoughts with no way of grasping them. They were getting ready to leave for Bruiles, and Ancel came to help them pack.

"I'm happy for you, duchess. Duke Clement may seem frivolous to most, but I've heard good things about him." Ancel said as the duchess and her remaining ladies-in-waiting were busy looking for necessities to bring.

"What's there to be happy about?" Arabella glared at her brother.

"Arabella... couldn't you at least—" Laila stopped the moment the lady assassin's eyes fell on her.

"It's basically waging war against the empire! Two rulers of a duchy couldn't be married; it's against the law. It's just impossible!"

Amelia looked at her knight, but she knew that the others thought so too. When Alexander asked her, she wasn't able to think straight. She was thinking about it weeks ago, and it seemed as if she agreed because the duke's conditions were too good to be true. But the thriving town was one of the proofs that Alexander's holding his end of the agreement.

She did say that he'd have the full support of her House; if it's a war against the empire he wanted, would Amelia be able to give her full support then?

The duchess shook her head. It's too early for her to think of such things. Alexander might not even be thinking about it at all. What's important was they get the emperor's blessing first, then everything should follow suit.

Yes, she needed to think about it in order and not all over the place.

But what were his plans for it exactly? She just told her advisor about it, and as much as she wanted to discuss it with him, he's too busy with his work to spare enough time. Plus, this kind of thing needed an ample amount of thinking before deciding on anything.

It's also not something she could casually ask her council about too. The mastermind for the poisoning that happened months ago still roamed the empire. There's no name to pin the deed to, so she couldn't fully trust that her council would be a hundred percent loyal to her. Especially since within Arabella's report, a handful of nobles' names who supported her late Aunt's husband came up, and two were from her own council.

Amelia knew she shouldn't be naïve and careless this time.

For one, she could trust Marchioness Berdwell. She's been a significant help to her since she started acting as the duchess. The other three, she still needs to confirm where they stood; they've been in the council since her father was the duke, and they seem to listen to good enough reasons.

"Duchess?" Amelia's train of thought was halted when she heard Laila and felt her hand on her arm. She looked at her with furrowed brows and soft eyes. "You seem to be in deep thought, is there something that's bothering you?"

"D-did I looked that trouble? It's nothing. I'm fine, Laila. Thank you." Amelia smiled at her lady-in-waiting, then turned around to face the other, "I'm so sorry for not telling you sooner, Bella. I was looking for the right time to tell you, but things got hectic, and you and Ancel left, so I lost my chance."

Her lady-in-waiting looked away, but she glanced at the duchess from time to time until she finally gave in. Arabella exhaled sharply. She straightened her back and placed the folded scarf inside one of the bags they'd bring. Bella folded her arms as she asked, "Have you heard from him? On what he's going to do on his side? He can't be just thinking about saving his own ass, you know."

"Arabella, language!" Ancel reprimanded, but his sister only made a face at him.

"He seems busy about it. That's why I should also think of my plans around it when the time comes."

"Well, whatever happens, we will be just right behind you. There are a lot of people who support you, duchess. You're not alone on this."

Hearing those words come out of Arabella lifted a significant amount of weight on her shoulders. The worry of thinking that maybe she made a wrong decision was eating her by the day.

Amelia blinked fast to trap the tears that were starting to well in her eyes. She never heard Arabella sound so serious before since she usually has a sarcastic response to almost everything.

"Thank you," Amelia smiled, moved by her lady-in-waiting's words.

Laila was relieved; Ancel was too. The knight even patted his sister's head for being mature enough not to insist her own thoughts further, seeing how distressed the duchess looked earlier. But Arabella being Arabella, she swatted her brother's hand and glared at him.

"I think this is enough? You wouldn't want to carry so much, duchess." Laila broke the silence and changed the topic. She got up from the couch and looked at the bag she prepared for Amelia. "There's your scarf, a few changes of clothes, some other necessities, and… I will send the letter to Prince Ayland about your departure and the preparations needed when you arrive."

Since they're traveling light, Amelia only needed a set of clothes to change into during their travel. The rest would be bought when they arrive at the prince's mansion. She thought they'd be able to sleep at an inn in some town, but that would mean they would stray from the mountain route, so they might actually camp out instead.

Partly nervous but partly excited, the duchess tapped the bag and told her lady-in-waiting that she did great. The other things they'd need would be brought by the Whitt siblings and the knights accompanying them.

For Duke Vernon's birthday, Mr. Vance and Laila would bring with them her change of clothes, jewelry, and whatever else she needed. Amelia already sent Lady Christa an invitation to accompany her to Aclador. And given that she's available, she would travel with her advisor and lady-in-waiting.

All that's left now was to wait for the seamstress for a fitting—again.