Constance Fallon.

The morning in the Shuzar estate was quite dreary this particular day. The Agresso knights' training was also sluggish and everyone was worn out. The servants also displayed an excruciating lack of sleep. The lord of this contemporarily energy-drained manor wasn't in much of a great spirit either.

The particular reason for this unfortunate tiredness spreading across the estate was one single individual - Lady Constance Fallon.

Also known as the 'Key Holder' of the high society, Lady Fallon was one of the most distinguished and beautiful maidens that had ever walked the capital streets. Her influence in the social world of Alkezar was comparable to the Marquis in the financial domain. Though her family was of a prolonged history of scholars, young Lady Fallon took a different approach to gain a name.

She was the 'Key Holder' to all the secrets of the high society aristocrats and nobility. Even commoner merchants that could afford to pay any influence never escaped her impenetrable radar.

However, there was one person whom Lady Fallon had failed to unlock. That gentleman was the lord of this dreary estate himself, Marquis Lloyd Shuzar.

Lady Fallon stepped down the carriage which seemed to have more weight from the overdecorated exterior than the carriage itself. The gates of the Shuzar estate had been flung open the very moment this overdecorated chunk of wheels and boards being dragged by some poor unfortunate horse was spotted on the street. It wasn't much difficult to spot it in the first place as it blinded anyone near the distance of a mile during the day with the reflection alone.

"It's been a while, Lady Fallon," the Marquis said holding her pale slender hand with beautiful nails as she stepped down. "As glamorous as ever, I see." Lloyd couldn't help remarking with sarcasm.

"Yes, it has been indeed a while. I believe in spending the money I've made, Sir Shuzar," a sweet yet sharp voice escaped the gorgeous girl who was dressed as if it was a royal banquet but looked just as alluring as she could. "Unlike someone who has a habit of hoarding all the money he can get his hands on."

"Pfft," a snicker escaped Raymond who was standing behind Lloyd. His Face was the perfect example of a classic poker face as Lloyd turned around to glare at him.

Lady Fallon blushed a little as she walked past Raymond and then continued on," I believe it was rude of me to visit on such short notice, so I brought this magnificent pair of glasses as a gift."

Lady Fallon waved at the servant accompanying her and in a glass case, a beautiful golden pair of glasses was presented in front of Lloyd.

Before he could touch them, the fan in Lady Fallon's hands dealt a painful blow on the knuckles of his fingers.

'Man!! her goddamn aim!!' Lloyd shouted in his mind holding back the pain. 'It's always the knuckles.'

"Since you don't actually need glasses I believe they would be useless on you, ahem, for you," Lady Fallon said bashfully from behind her fan. "Why don't you let Baron Scarlet have them? I believe that would look, ahem, be so much better than you using them."

Lloyd scoffed as he passes the glass case to Raymond, who immediately replaced his old ones with the new ones.

"As I always praise, Lady Fallon always knows my tastes and prescription on point," Raymond said adjusting his new pair of glasses. "I believe it to be a talent."

"Ahahaha, Sir Raymond, you jest," Lady Fallon bashfully said. "They must have been made for you if they fit so perfectly. I believe I merely played the role of uniting you with them. It wouldn't have looked so good, ahem, proper, had the Marquis worn them."

As Lady Fallon and Raymond walked behind Lloyd freely chatting, he felt as he had always felt whenever Lady Fallon paid a visit. That is like a - ' THIRD WHEEL".

The entire capitol knew that Lady Fallon was infatuated with Baron Raymond Scarlett, who was currently working for Marquis Shuzar, except for, the man in question himself. Lloyd sometimes almost pitied Lady Fallon even when she treated him like earlier. Because it was almost heartbreaking to see his precious free time in his estate being taken away by this dumb couple, in which one partner isn't even aware that they are the first publicly proclaimed couple in the capital high society.

Every lady in high society had secretly sworn to never have romantic feelings toward Raymond. Not because they feared Lady Fallon, but because they pitied her that much.

There was a reason why Lloyd believed that Raymond was incapable of affection. A very concrete alive reason that was right now walking in front of him, arms in arms with this very man.

Raymond never once in the last five years of being pursued by Lady Fallon, noticed that she had feelings for him. It was to the point she started fearing that he was incapable of functioning with his lower body (she still fears it since there has been no way to prove that it works).

They entered the salon of the manor that looked into the beautiful forest on the western edge of the estate. Being finally seated, they were served tea and refreshments.

Having a proper conversation now, they immediately addressed the matters of importance.

"Out of the 39 princes of Behmuth, only three are left. Second Prince Donovan, seventh Prince Augustus, and the 37th price. Among these three, the whereabouts of the 37th price is unclear. A fortnight from now will be the day the two of the stronger princes, 2nd and 7th, will have a duel of honor to decide the heir apparent," Lady Fallon said as she sipped her tea. "Troops not belonging to either of the stronger prices were seen assembling in the Behmuth capitol where the duel will take place."

"The civil war is closer than I thought it would be, something must've triggered the chain reaction in Behmuth," Raymond said. "The predicted time was at least five years from now."

"The Whitlock family didn't receive the deep blow that it would've if the second was successful. Maybe that was what made Donovan anxious to make his position sturdier," Lloyd said looking outside.

"Foolish man, killing all his kin instead of making allies out of them," Lady Fallon snapped. "It would be his fall, I say. He prepared the perfect stage for the rebels to just come and take over."

"Well, this is information that I believe you would've preferred sharing by writing a letter to Raymond than coming in person," Lloyd said after a moment of silence. "So what brought you here?"

"I have a keen nose, Sir Shuzar. I smell information from miles away," Lady Fallon smiled. "I heard you brought a thing into your house recently."

Lloyd looked up at her with a smile as Raymond flustered a little.

Lady Fallon hid half her face behind her fan and said, "A governess, they say it is."