His Plan

Elisabeth Von Edelstein is a girl who grew up as the eldest daughter of House Von Edelstein. As the eldest daughter of a Duke's house, she has her own role and responsibilities to attend to, one of which is to help her family grow more powerful.

She had always been present in the long and exhausting games of nobility and their thirst for power. Her role was decided before she was even born, to be a tool of the large system of aristocracy where she will help her family gain power.

This was the reason why she agreed to her engagement with Noah Von Blitzfeld, a boy of her age. She also used Noah to avoid the sons of Counts and Viscounts from the Vassal family of her Duchy, who were constantly pestering her with their appeals.

If she was engaged to a son of a Duke, those lowly nobles would finally leave her alone and would also harmonize the relationship between the two Duchies. Two birds with one stone. But that stone, Noah Von Blitzfeld, was not to her liking.

'He was timid and annoying'

Even if Noah was a Duke's son, he would not act like one. In truth, she found Noah to be embarrassing. He was fat, weak, pestering, and annoying. He did not even awaken his legacy at the age of 13 whereas mostly who are given one awaken.

He would follow her around, pester her, and watch her with his simpering gaze although it helped her keep the other Nobles at bay, it was still too uncomfortable for her. The way he was devoted to her and followed her.

"This engagement is done only to strengthen our families, please don't take it as a sign that I have feelings for you" These were words she told him last time in order to stop his useless affection for her. She was not into him, he was not her type.

She still remembers his puppy face of sadness as tears flowed down his cheeks. It was harsh but it was necessary to establish the boundaries. And for her, it might've just worked because today when she visited the estate of Blitzfelds.

She found Noah acting differently. As if though he had changed.

When he first entered the room where Elisabeth and her father were talking with Duke Friedrich, she found his air and behavior different. He did not greet his father, he greeted her formally. 

During the entire conversation, he was not paying attention as if the world around him held no meaning. He just sat there, sipping his cup of tea without any change of expression except for a few times when a smirk would appear on his lips.

And when she called out to him, he at first ignored her entire existence. She even tugged at his clothes but no response came from as if he was deep in some thoughts. But it shocked her when Noah slapped her hands right off of him.

For a few moments of time, she was able to see his face contort into a new expression, an expression of disdain and disgust but as it came, it went as fast. He even defied his father and spoke to him in a stern tone. 

'He has definitely changed'

He who would whimper in fear before his father was holding his gaze, his silver eyes were etched with nothing but hate and fury. And as they walked out towards the garden, she watched him intently.

From his appearance, he was the same Noah, fat, and chubby, with an ugly baby face but his demeanor was in complete contrast to his usual warm and timid personality. It was cold and mean, his tone was etched with coldness and indifference.

At first, she was relieved that he might've heeded her words and tried to set boundaries but now it seemed like he was totally acting indifferent towards her as if she was nothing but a burden for him to handle. 

She did not want that because it might lead to her father breaking the engagement off, which would make the relationship fall apart and make the other nobles attack her. With Noah around she was able to enjoy this bliss of freedom from the nobility.

'I need to keep him under control'

As she thought that, they had already reached the estate garden filled with white roses and yellow lilies surrounding the whole horizon. It was a beautiful and breathtaking sight, the gardeners' efforts were not in vain.

In the middle of the garden stood a beautiful white gazebo made out of marble with intricate flower-like patterns carved on its white surface. Inside the gazebo stood a single stand table with four lavish chairs tucked near it.

Noah made his way to the table and pulled one chair out, "M'Lady," He called gesturing towards the chair he was holding. 

"Thank you," Elisabeth murmured, sitting down on the chair.

Noah pulled out a chair across from her and sat on it, meeting her face-to-face.

"Now," He began, his voice firm and cold, "What did you want to talk about?" His face was devoid of any warmth or softness. Although his brows would twitch from time to time, there was no other reaction from him.

"Noah," Elisabeth's mouth opened, "You've changed."

Noah raised an eyebrow at her remark, "Have I?"

"Yes, you are acting... differently" Elisabeth narrowed her eyes. "Earlier you ignored me and even slapped my hand away"

Noah exhaled softly as if he were bored of her, "Isn't this what you wanted? To maintain a distance."

"I just did what you asked and nothing else" His voice still carried the tone of indifference.

"But Noah, I just meant keep to distance and not totally dismiss our relationship" Elisabeth countered.

"Tsk," Noah clicked his tongue, he seemed frustrated but kept it at bay. 

"Elisabeth, let's cut straight to the chase without dragging this" Noah crossed his arms and met Elisabeth's gaze, "What do you want from me then?"

"I just want to maintain the relationship with a bit of dis-"

"You want to use me to keep the other Nobles at bay, right?"

Elisabeth's eyes widened, 'How did he know?' How did this guy even figure out her intentions?

"Guess I struck the right chord?" He scoffed, a smirk appearing on his lips. 

"T-then you knew?" Elisabeth asked her voice wavering.

"Of course, you are using me to keep the other nobles at bay" His smile deepened, "Most importantly from Felix Von Frostholm, aren't I right?"

Felix Von Frostholm is the second son of the Duke of House Von Frostholm. He was one of the most annoying nobles she had to deal with because he wanted her to be engaged with him.

At first, it was not a problem. He was strong, his looks were striking and House Von Frostholm was one of the Duchies of the empire. So, she should've just accepted it, right? No, he had other intentions behind it, not only was he engaged to the young daughter of House Von Blitzfeld, Noah's sister.

His main intention was to rob the assets of Edelstein. To get the territory under his family's control by making her one of his concubines. She found out about this and decided to do something about this.

At the same her and Noah's engagement talks were ongoing, so when her father asked, she agreed to this engagement even though it meant being with a fat and ugly fool, it would at least help her keep her territory.

But now, Noah knew of her true intentions. If she could just persuade him to agree then it would be better for her family and herself. 

"Noah I-" But before she could utter any words. Noah began talking.

"You see, I actually like you and devoted myself to you," He began his voice firm, "But I think it would be better if we part ways, Lady Elisabeth."

Elisabeth opened her mouth but she could not speak anything, her breath was caught in her throat. She felt uneasy as if she knew what he meant or what he was about to say that would ruin her plans.

"I will repeat again," Noah began, "Elisabeth Von Edelstein, let's break off our engagement"

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Novice Author here, My exams starting so wish me Luck. And yeah, I will try to update between the gap days. Peace.