Nineteen

Historia stared at her eyes still waiting for her response. "Let me go from this rope first, I can't—" she couldn't complete her statement when Historia gave her a deadly stare which made her shut up. "Fine," she added.

"Speak," Historia told her with an authoritative voice. Roxia gulped in nervousness and then opened her mouth to speak.

"It was three years ago since I started to work with Lady Vivian in exchange for money. I badly want to pay my debt so I need extra income so I can finally get out of serving the Crane Duchy. I accepted the offer because of the high value of gold I can from with it," she says after a few seconds of silence. "Lady Vivian wanted me to spy on you and so the Crane Family. She wanted to know more about her enemies that will soon be in her way for her plans," she went on to say.

'Their future plans?" Is that really significant that the Crane Duchy may be on their way to derailing their plans? So, what could it be?" she thought to herself as she stared intently at Roxia.

"Do you know what her plan is?" Historia asks, but Roxia closes her mouth and considers whether or not to tell her. "Or, do you want me to compress your body until you explode?" Historia threatened her, noticing Roxia's refusal to tell.

"I really don't know their exact plan since I am just delivering updates about the Crane Family. However, I also know that for each family, Lady Vivian put a spy on them too except for the Ascavel. Lady Vivian can't get in touch with the Duke as he quickly notices every change that has been made to his residence."

"If what I heard was true, Lady Vivian was trying to kill the emperor right after the crown prince and her be married then next will be the crown prince. That is the only thing I heard when I got the chance to sneak out from her room talking with the barons and Countess Fiona," Roxia went on to say.

"Countess Fiona? I haven't heard of her," Historia says. Typhis, on the other hand, induced Historia to turn her gaze to him, who was already standing beside her.

"If it is Countess Fiona Aviore, she was one of your grandmother's friend's daughter who betrayed your grandmother," Typhis said as he clenched his fist remembering what happened before. "If the celebration that will be held for the next few days, if you wanted to meet her, you should send her an invitation for that," he said.

Historia nods her head and looks at Roxia. "What are Lady Vivian and Countess Fiona's relationship?" And his intention to kill the emperor. Does that mean she wanted to rule the Empire all by herself?" she asks continuously.

"My Lady, The Hesthburg might look very innocent and kind however, ever since I started working for the lady, I have seen many things that other people don't. The Hesthburg family wanted to be the one to rule the Empire and wanted to bring down the Zandravels as well as the other families who were affiliated to the Emperor."

"And Countess Fiona wanted to make the Aviore Family one of the Big Four Families who were able to stand with the Royalty. The families who could manipulate the elements. I don't know how they can do it but it is one of her plans."

"Lastly, Countess Fiona Aviore and Lady Vivian Hesthburg are relatives. You already know that Countess Fiona holds the power of the Mountain of Sarcassa, the Mountain with healing water that could also heal minor and major injuries that could help in terms of wars and breakouts of any kind of diseases. Even though the Crane Family had the strongest healing water, without the help of Aviore, the Empire's economy might have gone low because of it. Countess Fiona Aviore is also one of the Empire's assets. She is also wise and knowledgeable enough in terms of medicine as she also graduated in the medical field."

"Not just Countess Fiona is the Hesthburgs' allies, but there are also other aristocrats that stand with their beliefs that they should be the ones to rule the Empire. Most of them are also one of the Empire's assets. If their plans would come to reality, it would be a danger that will come to the Empire."

Roxia's continued explanation of everything made Historia appear more serious. If that happens, her life and her family's lives will be endangered. If the aristocrats' war breaks out, the Emperor's affiliated families will be particularly at risk.

"Hearing that makes sense. I guess this thing had been planned a long time ago, the time were Taria who is the Duchess of Crane Family. We already suspect them of doing that however, their plans keep on failing as there is something that is missing. Both me and Taria were confused what is the missing thing they were talking about, and I guess in your generation, they already had that missing they are talking about that is why they started to continue their plans," Typhis commented.

Historia attempted to connect all of the pieces of information she learned and heard, but something was still missing. Roxia's testimony cannot be used as evidence to punish the Hesthburg Family. She stood up from her chair and walked slowly towards Roxia. She needed more information and knew Roxia could help her. She is her asset in providing updates to Vivian. She now planned to use Roxia as a spy against Lady Vivian.

"What if we make a deal, Roxia? You said you accepted her offer because of money, right? And based on it, Lady Vivian only gave you a small amount of money because if she did give you a higher amount, your debt have probably paid right now," Historia says as she brings her face closer to Roxia's wrinkled face.

"How about I will pay your debt from my family, just let me use you as my asset to get information from Lady Vivian and be loyal and faithful to me?" she went on to say.

"If I won't accept your deal, what will happen to me, My Lady?" she demanded.

"Of course, you won't escape from me alive. Just like Lady Vivian, I can use my skills to kill people without mercy; try me, Roxia," she replied, smirking at her. Roxia simply bit her lower lip. Historia's offer to her is far more significant than Lady Vivian's, but it will be more difficult this time.

"If I accept your deal, can you guarantee my safety, My Lady? If you say yes, I promise you that my loyalty and faithfulness will only be given to you," she asks seriously. Historia is astounded by Roxia's personality right now which made her amazed and pleased.

"Yes."