Chapter 28 - A Grand Scheme (1)

We arrived at Zyon city Four days later at sunset, which was the exact time I wanted to arrive. While we were unloading things from the carriage Victor and Diarmaid came over to greet me and Arwan.

"Welcome back M'lord, I see that you've brought someone with you, Would you mind introducing us?" Victor said glancing over at Arwan, while Diarmaid took my suitcase from me.

"Right…This is Arwan he'll be working here as my personal Knight from now on, so make sure you treat him with respect," I scolded, leaning my tone more toward Diarmaid.

"It's very nice to meet you both," Arwan bowed a little, "I hope we get along from now on."

"Haha, likewise. And theres no need to worry You're Grace, I'll make sure everyone treats him properly, he's in good hands!" Diarmaid reassured me.

"Good, I don't want to hear that my new knight wants to quit because he can't deal with his co-workers," I joked, "Now come along Victor, and Arwan I have something to speak about with the both of you."

"Understood," They both said.

Before we went up to my office and I greeted Avery who was happy to see I was back when i was done with that I asked Diarmaid to bring some tea up to me and my two knights.

When I got up to the office, I found that it had just been cleaned and the room was practically sparkling. I took a seat in the chair at my office and immediately sunk into it, feeling the familiarity and comfort of the place where I, unfortunately, spend most of my time.

"Haaa, now then, Victor," I stood up straight and turned my head toward him, addressing him directly.

"Yes, Your Grace?" He bowed, then stood straight again.

"You are to help Arwan get used to the estate and memorize its layout as well as teach him how things run around here," I then turned my head toward Arwan, "You be training with the knights of Sir Alvaro from now on, but in the meantime, I will look for a tutor to teach you proper etiquette for a knight."

"Understood," Arwan responded.

"Good, then with that being said…Victor, could you show him around the estate now? And make sure to take him to the knights' training hall," I ordered.

***

"And lastly, over here is the training hall where you will do you're drills and training, any questions?" Victor said turning towards Arwan.

"Just one, is there anyone other than The Liege that I should report certain things to?" He asked.

"Yes, actually there is he's right over-" and right as Victor was about to point them out he was cut off.

"HEYYYY, Sir Victor! Is that the new recruit is see over there!?" a booming voice said from across the training hall. The owner of the loud voice then started walking over to the duo.

"Ahh, hello Captain Alvaro, let me introduce you to Arwan, he's the new personal Knight that his lordship brought in." 

"I see, well it's nice to meet you Sir Arwan! My name is Alvaro Malyen, i'm the captain of the guards and the person you'll give your training reports to!" Alvaro said shaking Arwan's hand.

"Likewise, and I hope we can get along well!" Arwan gave a reassuring smile, but there was another meaning behind it.

***

A couple of days after Lev, Arwan, and the 4th knight troops returned to Zyon city, Lev had all of the servants meet in the grand hall to discuss the schedule for the small banquet that he was having with Duke Casilda and the Lord and Lady Griffins.

Five minutes after all of the servants had gathered in the grand hall, Lev finally entered, followed by Arwan and Victor who were both standing behind him at his left and right side.

"Well, no that everyone is here i suppose i should get down to business…In a couple of hours Duke Casilda and the two heads of the Griffins house will arrive for a banquet, so i want everything in tip top shape for their arrival," I paused for a brief moment, "And do make sure to be on your BEST behavior, i don't want to get a complaint from any of the three saying that my servants were rude and unmannerly."

The servants then dispersed and started working on their duties as fast as they could as of to not incur their lords wrath.

A few hours later everything was layed out and ready for the banquet and everything was where it should be, except for a few things or rather, people. The Count and Countess had yet to arrive, the Duke was just getting out of his carriage, and Lev was still preparing a few things himself.

As I was putting on my broach a knock on the door to my room was heard, "Come in," I responded.

"Pardon the intrusion your grace, but lord Casilda has arrived and is waiting downstairs," Diarmaid said entering the room and handing me my gloves.

"Why must he arrive so early, i honestly would've preferred it if it was Lady Penelope and Lord Ezra that arrived first, at least their bearable to talk to," I complained.

"Haha, you most certainly have strong opinions M'Lord," Diarmaid said fixing my tie, "But unfortunately there are going to be insufferable people in life that you don't want to have to deal with."

"Believe me, i know at least that much," i then went over to my desk and got the files i had prepared, "Come in, lets go great the InSufFeRaBle man."

Going out into the hall i heard Diarmaid snicker behind me, and Arwan who was waiting outside of my room then also followed us down stairs, we were soon followed by Victor who was waiting outside of my office doors guarding it.

Walking down the stairs, i saw the same familiar crimson hair that haunts my dreams, Duke Oryn Casilda. Who right as i thought of his current appearance, turned around with a bright smile directed at me.

The Duke was currently wearing a black suit with gold cuffs and buttons, the suit wasn't exactly simple, considering it was a tail coat and had a place for a pocket watch, and a brast pocket for a handkerchief, which for both filled with the designed item.

I was also wearing a new outfit that i had ordered a few months prior to my visit to the Ender Empire, it was a black and white suit that would remind you of the suits that you see in villainess manga's, i was also wearing a black side cape that had a gold lining with a few light pale green pieces added as an accent.

"Haha! Viscount Andraste, it's quite a while since we've last seen each other!" Oryn greeted me with sparkling eyes, "I must say that i was quite over joyed when i got you're invitation!"

"Haha…I'm glad you were happy, please come on into the parlor, my other guests have yet to arrive," I said quickly shooting down whatever he was going to try and put into play, "and you're right i has indeed been awhile, but i too, must say that i have a bit of a disappointment that we had to meet like this and under these circumstances."

'Haaa, i hate this puppy bastard.'

"Oh? Well, at least we got to see each other again right?" He paused then glanced over to Arwan who was standing behind me to my right, "And i see that you've gotten yourself a new knight, he seems loyal, make sure you hold on to him well."

'Maybe a little too loyal…' Oryn thought in response to his comment.

"Heh, please, i don't think i have to worry about losing this one, he's already proven his loyalty to me many of times," I jested with a certain gleam in my eyes.

'Since he has fucked me while saying my name every time he thrusted into me i'm sure i won't loose him, plus if he dares to betray me i can just pull the innocent "taken advantage of"card.'

"I see, well that's good, y'know…if you ever need any help with any thing don't feel afraid to ask for my assistance! I'd be willing to help with anything, so please, do keep that in mind," Oryn teased, clearly implying what he really meant.

"Ha! I'll keep that in mind your grace, but i think that you should also keep in mind that, the only things that I would need help with is with any sort of military problems," I retorted, also implying that i wouldn't let him do what he implied.

"Haha! Wel-" right as he was starting to speak he was interrupted by Diarmaid entering the room.

"Pardon the intrusion Your Graces, but The Lord and Lady Griffins have arrived."

***

I was dark by the time the banquet ended, but i was able to get through all of the things i needed to, and get my points across.

"Haaa, Lev we wanted to apologise again for all of the discomfort and stress we brought you," Penelope apologised.

"I've already told you, there's no need to apologise, besides this is a decision i'v made on my own," I said.

"Yes, but can we atleast know the reason for your decision?" Ezra asked.

"I just…thought i was better for the actual blood line to take over the family, plus Zyon city has never had a proper order over them, so i wanted to take things over, over here and sort the people of this house out," i reasoned.

'Heh, as if i'd tell you all of it, plus i didn't want to be used again.'

"Alright…well just know that if you ever have any trouble or you change your mind on things we would take you back into the family with arns open wide," Penelope said with a smile.

The couple just left, and all that was left were Oryn, Victor, Arwan, and I waving to there vanishing carriage.

"Well Duke, where's you're ride?" I asked politely but with just a subtle hint of annoyance.

"Actually there was something i was wanting to speak with you about," he then paused and glanced over at Victor and Arwan, "In private though."

"...Fine, You two, were going to the tea room, tell the other servants not to disturb us," I ordered taking Oryn back inside and into the tea room, "What did you want to talk to me about?"

I then walked over to the table, when BAM, Oryn cornered me there by leaning in front of me and putting both of his hands on both sides of the table next to me, slamming me in place of right bellow him.

"Did you honestly think i wouldn't respond to what you did to me that day?" He said in a husky voice with one of his eyebrows raised and his eyes peering directly into my eyes.

"I'm sorry but i don't think i understand," I said nervously, "Could perhaps reiterate?"

'Shit.'

"Oh, my dear Lev, that innocent act isn't going to work on me," he said leaning closer to me, "I know that you know what i'm talking about, i'm going to let you pass with using me like that, don't forget who i am."

Right as Oryn finished saying that to me he kissed me, i tried to push him away from me, but be just grabbed the back of my head and deeped the kiss, then i couple of moments later he pulled away.

"W-What the hell!?" I shouted at him.

"Next time, i suggest you don't try to use me like that, but i still want to be able to help you, so instead every time i call for you or send you a letter you better answer," Oryn said in the same husky voice he had been using the whole time, and looking at me with a seductive look, "Understood?"

"And if i don't?" I asked in response, "What would you do if i didn't?"

"Well that's easy, I would formally ask you to marry me in a letter, then send the King a letter addressing my feelings for you and how i proposed to you, then get you locked into a marriage to me to use as another way to pay me back," He admitted.

"W-Why though, i mean why me, wouldn't that mean that you'd also be stuck in a marriage?" I jested in retort.

"How would i be stuck in a marriage with the person i'm in love with?" Oryn confessed.

"HUH!? WHAT THE HELL? Since when? I mean how would you even have fallen in love with me, we barely even know each oth…" I trailed off then remembered the night of the attack and the one night stand incident.

"I guess you could say it was love at first sight, when i saw you on that battle field, dripping with sweat and demon blood, brishing you're bangs back with you're fingers," Oryn then wrapped his other arm around my waist and pulled me into a hug, pushing my ear over to his mouth so he could whisper, "And that night we had together where you helped me with the drugging, how could i not fall for you?"

"Hah! You're fucking crazy," I pushed him away and cursed at him while put

ting my hand near my mouth.

"Yeah, crazy in love with you," Oryn said once again putting on a love crazed look and using rough and seductive voice.