CHAPTER 7 – I want it, I have it (2)
“Yes, this father will give you anything you want but not swordsmanship.” Said the duke as he took another sip of his tea.
“I really wanted to learn swordsmanship, father. I wanted to be trained under Captain Vector’s care. Please let me.” Althea whined.
“Vector? Does he ask you to learn swordsmanship?” The duke narrowed his brows.
“If yes?” Althea carelessly asked back.
Hearing her response, the duke's face turned into such discomfort. “Loin, bring Vector here. Quick!” The duke commanded coldly.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Upon the duke’s command, Mr. Loin went straight to call Captain Vector for his presence. He didn’t understand why the duke asked for Captain Vector’s presence. But he was certain that it wasn’t a good thing. So, he felt sorry for him.
Some minutes later, Mr. Loin came with Captain Vector walking behind. “Greetings duke, greetings My Lady. Vector is here.” He greeted the duke and Althea in courtesy.
“Give me your sword.” The duke said coldly without taking a glaze on him.
“Pardon?” Captain Vector responded cluelessly.
“Don't make me say it twice.”
“Here, Your Grace.” Captain Vector handed his sword to the duke. Once the duke took the sword, he stood up steadily facing him.
“Kneel!” The duke shouted that made Captain Vector kneel in no time. The duke unsheathed the sword with his firm hand.
Everyone was in a high tense by the duke’s cold voice as some bullet sweat dripped down from their pale forehead. Couldn’t stand watching the scene right in front of her, Althea jumped to Captain Vector with her opened arms facing the duke’s gaze.
“F...father! What are you going to do to him?!” She asked in bewilderment. “What are you up to, father?!” She asked again.
“If I kill him, there will be no teacher for you to learn swordsmanship and you won’t ask for it again. Yes?” The duke said lightly.
Hearing the duke’s statement, Althea’s bewildered expression turned flat. While the butler and Captain Vector blankly in silence hearing it.
‘What the…oh gosh. This man is really driving me crazy!!’ Althea screamed inwardly.
The duke was still standing steadily with a sword in his hand and a scary expression on his handsome face. Althea let out a sigh…
BRUK
Althea dramatically fell to the ground, “Hicc…hiccc…father is so mean. He said he would give me anything, but what now?” She said in a vulnerable tone.
CLANG
Hearing Althea’s cry, the duke immediately threw away the sword from his hand, “Daughter!” He urged.
“Mr. Loin, tell me. Do I really my father’s daughter? Tell me now!” Althea said while covering his face with her palms. Mr. Loin jolted in surprise hearing Althea call him to ask such a thing. Cold sweat started running down from his forehead.
“Athe, why do you ask that? You are my beloved and only daughter.” The duke said earnestly.
“But why then father wants to shut my will by killing innocent people?! Hicc…hicc”
“Daughter, this father is…”
“Enough!” Althea took off her heels and grabbed them by hand as she stood up in a quick movement. “I better lock myself! Never come to see me!” She said and start running barefoot to her room.
“My Lady, please don’t run!” Zoey called as she followed behind Althea.
“Athe!...daughter!” The duke called with his sad tone and confused expression.
Watching the scene, Mr. Loin froze with cold sweat still dripping on his forehead. While Captain Vector was still steadily kneeled under the duke’s command. Then…
“Your Grace, if I may say som…”
“Say it.”
“This subordinate is just aware that The Lady truly has talent in archery. And if The Lady also desires to learn swordsmanship, this subordinate will gladly accept this honor.”
“How can I let my daughter hold something sharp like a sword with her small hands! Archery is my only tolerance!” The duke fidgeted his forehead.
“Your Grace, I believe The Lady wants to learn swordsmanship because she is aware of her future as the next head of Harrigan Duchy. We all know that there hasn’t any female head in the history of this empire, and…”
“Continue.”
“Because of this, she wants to prove that the future of Harrigan will remain safe and glorious in her matriarchy.” Captain Vector said sincerely.
“I agree with Captain Vector’s opinion, Your Grace. Even though we; Harrigan forces and servants plead our loyalty to The Lady, it is essential for The Lady to be able to deal with external issues herself. Especially to those snake-like nobles.” Mr. Loin responded.
“It’s not like I am going to die in the near time. I am so much capable to get rid of those who dare to step their feet before my daughter.” The duke glared at Mr. Loin and Captain Vector.
“Yes, Your Grace. But it is so much better to show them The Lady’s self-power so that they won’t dare to underestimate her in the future.” Mr. Loin said.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. The emperor wishes for your presence now.” Sir Evans came informed.
“Send his aide back, tell him I am busy.” The duke said annoyed.
“But the emperor himself is here, Your Grace.” Sir Evan said.
“What?! That jerk is really a disturbance.”
“Your Grace, please mind your words.” Mr. Loin immediately responded.
“Where is he?” The duke asked.
“His Majesty is in the drawing-room, Your Grace.”
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Inside the drawing-room, the emperor sat on the sofa with his crossed legs. He starred deeply at a cup of tea in front of him. He has waited for the duke for about ten minutes yet he did not feel bothered.
The emperor and the duke were closed enough to be called friends, a kind-hearted emperor and a cold-hearted duke. Aside from their different personality traits, they grew up and overcome the empire’s problems together. Even on the battlefield, they always stand back-to-back fighting and have never been separated.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” The duke greeted and gave a slight bow.
“You've made me wait, duke. Like always.” The emperor smiled.
“You barged into my mansion this early in the morning, so that's not my problem.” The duke said as he sat down opposite the emperor.
“I didn’t barge in. I came in by the door.”
“Without prior notice.”
“I am the emperor anyway.”
“It doesn’t matter to me.” The duke shortly answered. The emperor smiled again. “What’s the matter?” The duke asked.
“I am here to see your daughter.” The emperor loosened his crossed legs.
“You can’t.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t forget that my daughter was nearly died because of your son. I can’t let my daughter gets another pressure when she meets the member of the imperial family.”
“I understand, but…”
TOK TOK TOK
“Pardon me, Your Majesty, Your Grace. The Lady is here.” Sir Evan informed.
The duke let out a sigh, "Let her in."
“Greetings, Your Majesty, the sun of empire. Pardon me for being late to welcome you in our dwelling.” Althea greeted with a graceful bow.
“I know you are such a fine Lady, dear.” The emperor rose from the sofa and approached Althea with a bright smile.
“I am honored, Your Majesty.” Althea smiled beautifully.
“Come and sit.” The emperor said.
“Daughter…” The duke called Althea with a longing face but Althea did not bother.
“Have you feeling well, dear?” The emperor asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern.”
“You know it’s such a shame for me knowing that the Crown Prince betrayed a fine Lady like you in a terrible way.” The emperor said earnestly. “Only if there is something that satisfies you enough to feel at ease, I will try my best to fulfill it.” He adds.