New Resolve (2)

I guessed it really was true that nothing was free in this world.

Or any world, I should say.

I sighed deeply. This really is not what I wanted at all. But it had been stupid of me to think I'd just get to live a life of luxury without ever putting in a single ounce of work. This was the reality.

But I wouldn't be discouraged just yet. While it was true that I'd now taken on the daunting task of becoming house Hessian's next heir, I still had advantages most people were never gifted with. No matter what, I still had money. And money meant opportunities.

But there was an issue. While it was true I had access to a monthly allowance allotted to every child in the Duke's family, all of my spending habits were reported directly back to the Duke himself. This was a part of the selection process. The general and tactful use of money in advancing one's stature was an important part of judging their ability to lead. I would be assessed not only on my knowledge and skills, but on the way I behaved, including how I spent the estate's wealth.

This was a problem because I really wanted to buy more information from a guild. While I had announced my intentions to become the head of the household, what I neglected to mention to the rest of my family were my plans to eliminate their power altogether. I was going to strip them of their titles and wealth, but I needed to dig up some dirt on them first, if I was going to succeed.

Stripping a noble of their title wasn't easy, even with the power I would hold as Duke. I needed approval from at least three members of the imperial family. I learned this during my studying in the library.

Especially because House Hessian was so powerful, I couldn't just eliminate its key figures without just cause.

So at the moment, I had two goals. I needed to find a way to make my own money, that could not be tracked by the Duke, and I needed to make friends with some of the imperials. Suddenly, my oh so peaceful life of luxury felt a lot more complicated than before.

I sighed once again.

"Is everything quite alright, young master?"

I let my head fall lazily to the side, as I looked to the source of those words. It was my steward, Bain, whom I felt something of a strange pity for.

When I first heard it was Bain that sold me out to my father about not attending my sword lessons, I wanted to be angry. But honestly, I found it hard.

Although Bain was a very old man, he seemed mostly innocent in his beliefs, and I'd learned in my short time here, that he had held a great deal of affection for the previous Isani.

When he went to report to my father about my skipping sessions, he didn't exactly do it because he wanted to. He had been ordered by the Duke to keep an eye on me, and thus was duty-bound to follow the orders of his lord and master. Bain may have served under me directly, but ultimately, he answered first to the Duke.

It was all the more reason for me to take my father's seat sooner.

I didn't feel much towards Bain but silent gratitude for being just about the only person in this estate to feel like a friend. But I also somehow felt duty-bound as the person who took over his beloved Isani's body, to protect him, and make sure he was well provided for.

I sighed again, but this time it was with a smile.

"Everything is perfect Bain, you needn't worry."

He seemed relieved to hear those words and nodded his head in acknowledgement. But as soon as he turned away to complete some menial task, I went straight back to frowning.

This situation truly was not ideal. I couldn't believe, despite having been born into a body with a golden spoon, that I would soon be forced to make my own money again. I began to blame my atrocious family for this issue, and I began to feel more and more vindicated by my decision to destroy them.

Snapped from my almost malicious thoughts, there was a knock at the door, followed by a servant announcing a certain individual's presence.

"Lady Mary has come to visit her older brother, Lord Isani, if he would be so courteous as to entertain her."

My little sister? She'd come directly to my room? From what I'd read, it was noble custom to send a servant in advance, then meet in the drawing room if an audience between family members was desired. It was unusual for her to come here. But I was curious. I waved for Bain to let her in.

He quickly obeyed, and I was soon greeted by the apprehensive face of ten year old Mary entering my bedchambers. She seemed even smaller than she had at the dinner table, and her dress was much too restricting for such a young child. I felt pity blooming in the bottom of my stomach.

"Why have you come to visit me, little sister?" I asked, still lounging on the couch in my room. I was looking at her over the headrest, my head supported under my arm.

She seemed unsure for a moment. Perhaps because I had ignored custom again, and didn't rise to greet her. It wasn't necessary, since I was in a higher position than her, being older, but it did tend to strike people as strange. When she realized I was not planning to get up, she opened her mouth and began to stutter a response.

"I- I wanted to s-speak to older brother."

Older brother. Now that had a strange ring to it.

"Sure," I said, "Sit down." I gestured to the matching couch opposite of me, and she rushed to find her seat. She then sat across from me, head bowed, nearly touching the ground, and avoiding looking at me without speaking.

"Well… what did you want to talk about?"

Mary jumped at my question and I almost felt bad for not whispering it, but she seemed to muster up some courage and managed not to stutter this time.

"I'm sorry!" She nearly shouted. And if it was possible, she bowed her head even lower to show her sincerity.

I was flustered. Why was this tiny girl apologizing to me? While I admit I had no interest in my immediate family, who weren't really my family, I hadn't really included the young Mary in said feelings. She was just a little kid after all.

"I know it doesn't make any difference no matter how many times I say it, but still I'm sorry. I'm sorry my mother puts you through such things!"

Oh. She was referring to the incident with the poisoning. I guess Mary was aware of her mother's evil schemes. I felt bad she had to bear the brunt of it. Then it dawned on me.

"Mary," I started, looking at her very seriously, "Was it your mother that poisoned you?"

She didn't speak, but anyone could tell from her body language, it was true.

I was livid. Everything they'd done until now, I might have been able to tolerate, because their issues had been directed at me. But poisoning her own child? It was straight up abuse! I would make sure Gillian never saw the light of day again.

But then I stopped. If I threw Gillian and the rest of this family behind bars, what would happen to Mary? I hadn't entertained any thoughts of remaining here, but she would need somewhere to stay until she was an adult. I couldn't let a mere child throw a kink in my plans, but at the same time I had a guilty conscious.

So I made a decision.

"Why do you apologize on your mother's behalf?" I asked.

Mary finally looked up at me then, and I had a better look at her. Those amber eyes, they really were gorgeous, just like mine. I supposed having amber colored eyes was equivalent to declaring a direct descendance to our family line. And Mary's auburn hair matched the color so well, she really was quite adorable.

"Because I know she will not apologize herself." Mary replied, looking as glum as ever.

"Even so, you are not required to take responsibility for her actions. Gillian is the one has wronged me, and I will hear an apology only from her."

Mary looked chagrined. I hadn't meant to scold her.

"But I do appreciate your concern for me. How about we meet like this more often?"

Mary perked up. She looked at me in complete shock, and I almost laughed out loud at her expression. It was just too cute.

"Do you really mean it?" Her voice was charged with hope.

"Of course," I replied, "I don't say things I don't mean."

Mary's eyes seemed to sparkle, and she replied with a quick and enthusiastic okay. Then she was out of the room in a whirlwind, saying things like she didn't want to intrude any longer and that she would see me next time. I guess she wanted to hurry away before I changed my mind.

It was nice to have a little sister again.

And it was even better to have a potential worker. If all went well, maybe I could make Mary next heir to the Hessian throne. Or at least, I could make her acting chief. I'm sure imperial law would frown upon a female inheriting the title of Duke, but I had said I'd turn this empire's government inside out if I needed to. Perhaps I'd start with tearing down this deranged patriarchy.

I would take the title first, to ensure the rest of the family could be punished properly. But making Mary do all the dirty work after that, didn't seem like such a bad idea. So long as she agreed to it. I had no intentions of acting like her mother, and using her for my own gain in such despicable ways.

I finally decided to pick myself up off the coach. My talk with Mary had invigorated me, and I decided I had done enough moping around.

It was time to make my first move.