CHAPTER 9

Last week was such a tough time for Althea who just started her swordsmanship training. The duke had nearly cried when Althea gave him a thanks hug. He said he would never oppose anything his daughter desired from today onwards.

Althea showed her courageousness in her swordsmanship training that made Captain Vector feel so pleased. Technically, Althea was already familiar enough with the basics since she experienced the training in her past life as Arein.

“Excellent, My Lady! I knew it you will do well in your training. If you keep your intense training, I believe I can make you a swords master in three months!” Captain Vector exclaimed.

“Thank you, Captain. But please don’t be so exaggerated. Swordmaster?” Althea chuckled, “Then, I must beat you and father first to prove my worth, no?” She said.

“Hahaha…you don’t have to, My Lady. My sword, my loyalty, and my life are all yours. I am honored.” Captain Vector placed his right hand on his chest.

“So kind of you, Captain. Then, when will you let me do some spars with other knights?” Althea asked as she leaned onto her sword.

“About that, I need to consult with the duke first. I couldn’t let you do the spar without his permission.”

“I believe he said he won’t stop my will ever again?”

“Yes, I am aware of that. But still, the duke’s concern is important too.” He replied resolutely.

“Alright, then. If I may make a request, I want to have a spar soon.”

“Understood, My Lady. I’ll let you know once I got the permission from the duke.” Captain Vector bowed.

While Althea had a good chat with Captain Vector, Mr. Loin the butler came over between them.

“Excuse me, My Lady. His Grace wishes for your presence in his study room now.” He informed politely. Althea nodded.

“I will help you change, My Lady.” Zoey said as she reached the towel Althea gave.

“No need, Zoey. I’ll go this way. Father won’t be bothered, though.” Althea replied. Zoey nodded.

Althea’s sweats on her perfect skin shone under the sun as she walked elegantly through the long corridor. Her ponytail hung beyond her slender neck. And her small hand holding her sword showed everyone that she possessed not only beauty but bravery also.

“Father!”

“Daughter!” The duke exclaimed as he saw Althea come. “I see you must just finish your training.” He hugged her.

“Yes, father. Captain Vector said my skill has improved a lot.”

“This father glad to hear that, my genius daughter!” The duke pleased.

“Thank you, father. Uhm…you called me. Is there something you want to say?” She said as sat on the sofa and put her sword next to her.

“Ah, yes. I am about to introduce you to your personal escort. He is one of my people.”

“You mean he is one of the phoenix shadows?”

“You’re correct.” The duke replied as he leaned on the table, “Kyn.” He called. Not long after, a handsome man appeared next to him.

“I am, General.” The knight named Kyn kneeled on one knee and leaned to his shining sword.

Kyn Ziach, was the duke’s loyal shadow guard. He was just ten years old when the duke brought him to the mansion. The duke found him in the deserted land, the land of the exiled people.

The duke noticed Kyn’s potential and decided to train him. Since that day, Kyn vowed his loyalty toward the duke. And now, he was a twenty-one-year-old handsome man. He often went to war along with the duke. That was why his skill in fighting above Imperial’s knights.

“This is Kyn Ziach. He will be your personal knight from now on.”

“But, don’t Phoenix Shadows only plead their loyalty to the Harrigan’s head, father?” Althea asked as she observed the young handsome man who kneeled in front of her.

“You are the future head of Harrigan. So what’s the problem? Everything I have is also yours after all.”

“Thank you, father.” She smiled and rose from the sofa, “I am Althea Ein Harrigan. Will you swear upon your life to be my knight, Sir Ziach?” she asked.

“This humble subordinate belonged to the House and Harrigan. I, Kyn Ziach, swear upon my life to be the personal knight of Young Lady Harrigan. I plead my loyalty and will ensure my master’s safety.” He said.

Althea unsheathed her sword, “From today onwards, you will be my one and only exclusive knight. Your life and your loyalty are mine. Once you betrayed me, my sword will be the only weapon that deserves to take your life.” She declared. The pressure in Althea's words was real that able to make the duke and Kyn get chills.

-------

Ever since she woke up as Althea, she never once made a presence in high society gatherings. Many letters and invitations flowed inside the Harrigan for her, but none of them was responded. Every time a letter came, Zoey must burn the right away under Althea’s command.

Surprisingly, there was a luxurious invitation letter that caught her eyes this time. It was an invitation letter of the coming-of-age ceremony ball of Marquis Payne’s first daughter in two days. She was two years younger than Althea who was twenty-year-old now.

“Ah, it has Marquiss Payne's family crest on it. I heard that there will be a debutante for their young lady. Do you wish to come, My Lady?” Zoey said as her hands were busy with the other letters.

“Hmm…well, it’s been three months. Should I go?”

“Usually, ladies will go with their partners to a coming-of-age ceremony ball, My Lady.” Zoey said as she swiped the letters to see who the senders were.

“A partner?” Althea asked.

“Yes, a partner. Ah…here are some letters sent by young masters. I guess they all are proposing to be My Lady’s partner.” Zoey showed the letters by forming them like a fan with her two hands.

Althea let out a sigh and rolled her eyes, “Burn them all. They disgust me a lot, of course, my father is the exception.”

“B…but, with whom will you come, My Lady?” Zoey asked in confusion.

“Hohoho…don’t worry Zoey. I have the most handsome man in this Empire in my hand. My father will be so happy if I ask him to be my partner, you know.” Althea smirked as she folded her arms.

“Woahh…a pair of father and daughter. That’s perfect, My Lady!” Zoey exclaimed.

“I know right. Moreover, this is my first debut since my engagement annulment. So, coming with my father would make others think that I don’t want to go to the party with any man. In other words, it will show how faithful I am and how foolish the Crown Prince was.” Althea put a devil expression with one of her eyebrows up.

“My Lady is truly a genius!”

“By the way, do you think that scumbag will come?” Althea asked.

“I believe he will, My Lady. And I think he would come with Lady Priscila like always.” Zoey gave an annoyed look when she said Lady Priscila’s name.

“Hohoho…if it is true, it would be very interesting. A pair of a bastard and a bitch? Zoey, you must make me the most beautiful woman at that party.” Althea put on a wicked smile.

“Sure, My Lady. I’ll make your beauty stand out over Goddess Hayme!”

At the dinner time, Althea planned to ask the duke if he was willing to be her partner. If the duke refused because of his business, she was already determined to do anything for the sake of her plan to avenge the Crown Prince and his lover.

“Father, I got an invitation to Marquis Payne’s first son’s coming of age ceremony ball.” Althea broke the silence.

“Oh, I heard about that as well. Marquis Payne personally asked me to come when I bumped into him this afternoon.” The duke replied naturally without leaving his dishes.

“What if we go there together?” Althea asked.

“Are you sure? I thought you got so many proposal letters from young noblemen.” The duke stopped cutting the steak.

“There were. But why do I have to come with them if the most handsome man in this empire is my father, huh?”

Hearing Althea’s words, the chef and some servants who stood around held their laughter.

“The most handsome man in this empire? I clearly remember you gave that title to your ex-fiancé.” The duke chuckled.

“Geeezzz, that scum- I mean that ‘thing’ is nothing compared to my father now!” Althea exclaimed.

“Hahaha…alright, let’s come together.”