Chapter Ten

"What?"

Fourteenth day, of the seventh month, at the one thousandth eight hundredth twenty first year of the Imperial calendar...

"One month from now, we will be going to aunt's place and visit her. She also said that she will find a suitable 'partner' for you"

Lalaine's hand was squeezing her head from both sides as she thought of something.

"Fake illness? No, it will only delay the schedule. Act naïve? No, it will tarnish our name. Reject her offer? It will look like I am disrespecting her!"

Robin watched as Lalaine was desperately finding a way to decline her grand aunt's act without coming as rude while maintaining a favorable impression.

"I got it!"

She stood up and held Robin's shoulders and shook him with vigor.

"I found a way!"

"Just so you know, you absolutely cannot harm anyone while keeping up the image of a noblewoman.

Your actions will reflect your grand aunt's image and the reputation of her achievements"

"I know. So please don't look at me as if I will be killing someone"

Lalaine was celebrating as she found a way to earn her grand aunt's favor but Robin was anxious at the thought of Lalaine's scheme to avoid marriage.

"Just make sure you won't do anything scandalous, alright"

Robin said as he knew from experience what sort of impulsive solutions would come to mind when it comes to avoiding unwanted marriage. Because he himself and his aunt were also like her.

"Yes, yes... anyway, did you got the documents needed for this land and documents for those two?"

"I did"

Robin took out three brown envelope. One about ownership of the land and house, while the other were new identities for Gregory and Heinrich.

"I'm curious about something. What do these name mean?"

"Nothing much. Let's just say that this is my way of spreading information to those who are just like me"

Without understanding a word Lucifer said, Robin stood up and headed for the door.

"I will get going now. I still have many things to take care of. Also..."

Before going out, he tossed a silver coin to Lalaine.

"Hellen asked me to give this to you. Congratulations on getting on her good side"

Upon closer inspection, the silver coin had a symbol of a broken cross.

"Do please say thank you on my behalf"

"I already did, you cheeky brat"

Lalaine sat down on the sofa with a relaxed smile.

"I can't believe things are going my way. It almost feels like something bad is going to happen"

A few hours later, the three went down to the basement and begun to have a lecture about the things they know upon Heinrich's request.

Gregory gave the two everything he wrote down last night regarding about the things he learned throughout his life.

Meanwhile, Lucifer gave out the recipes that they will be using for the products that will be sold in the Apothecary.

...

In the north-western most part of N'hara, in the Haldren marquisate's Haldren clan head's office,

"I pay respect to the prince of Caxia"

The head of Haldren bowed with sincerity to the young man in front of him.

"How many people has entered your land?"

The young man looked outside, with a cup on his hand, with indifference and soulless eyes.

"A bit over fifty thousand, your highness. In about a year or so, the amount of soldiers will reach the desired number"

"Good. There is no need to rush. Also, are you done with infiltrating Lerdin?"

"Almost. My sister has already took hold of almost all valuable information in Lerdin such as the layout of the buildings, military strength, and other individuals who are needed to look out for"

The young man who was sitting on the chair of Haldren's patriarch stood up along with the papers on his hand and then threw it at the fireplace.

"Keep up with the good work"

"Naturally"

The Marquis of Haldren turned around and headed for the door when he was stopped.

"Wait!"

"....? Is something the matter, princess?"

Bam!

The woman who was eating a cake quietly all this time abruptly slammed her hands on the table.

"Haldren, you know how much I hate being called that way, right?"

"I apologize, lady Vivian"

"Anyway, go look for a young man with brown hair with a scar on his forehead. For some reason, my foresight has become blurry ever since she appeared in my visions"

"I will ensure to have the intelligence unit to look out for men with brown hair who also has scars on their forehead"

The marquis then left the room, at ease that nothing bad happened to him.

"Brother, what are your thoughts on this man?"

"Why are you calling me brother when you do not want to be called a princess?"

"Can you please not interfere on my affairs"

The woman sat down and went back to eating her snack.

"By the way, I have been meaning to ask you this: Why are you trying to take over N'hara when we should only be destroying them?"

"....."

"What sort of benefit will it bring to take command over this hot-"

Just like a cornered prey- no, just like a lab rat being looked down upon by a scientist with pure malice...

"I want to have fun"

Vivian's body refused to move as it instinctively felt it would be dangerous for her to move a single inch from her position.

"People eat delicious delicacies when they are hungry. Sleep on a comfortable bed or a stack of hay when they are sleepy. Is it not natural to do the things that makes you happy?"

Cold sweat covered her skin.

"....."

Her heart beated faster and faster.

"If it is so wrong to desire the simplest things, then I do not know what reason there is to live in such a monotonous and suffocating world"