The Visit

As the scarlet-haired girl sighed, she took a deep breath to compose herself before going outside the office. Precisely so Lucy wouldn't notice her sullen atmosphere.

'It's okay. Things happen for a reason.'

Inanna thought as she tried to encourage herself for failing to tell her father about her suggestion of joining the knights to accompany her brother soon during the time of war on the battlefield.

However, they were pushed completely aside because of a mile interruption.

"I wonder who the guest is?"

Inanna questioned in a murmur, as she couldn't help herself from wondering why someone would want to speak to her father so urgently and who the unknown individual could be.

In a short while, Inanna walked out of the Duke's residence and saw Lucy. She noticed how Lucy remained unmoved from her spot since the moment she entered the office.

"Lucy..."

Inanna uttered as her eyebrows creased from the worry and guilt she felt.

"My Lady, I assume everything went smoothly with the Duke."

Lucy voiced with a soft smile that illuminated her dimples and rosy cheeks.

In that moment, Inanna took better notice of Lucy's features. Remembering how much she loved admiring her lovely dimples while the woman played with her as a child before returning to the past.

The comforting dark-brown hair and sky-blue eyes that were nostalgic to look at. The olive beige skin tone matching Lucy's hair and eyes. Making her appearance look younger than thirty-eight-years-old.

The same appearance Inanna recalled Lucy having before her return and demise.

"Yes, Lucy. Thank you."

Inanna smiled delicately.

"I'm glad, My Lady."

The brown-haired woman beamed at the news from the young girl, but suddenly was surprised as the child pulled onto her sleeve with gentle motions.

"Umm.. Lucy, I wish to roam around the garden and perhaps... pay my brother a short visit during his sword training break."

"Of course, My Lady. Shall we head over there now?"

Lucy giggled as she noticed the girl's pinkish cheeks and small nod.

Without further ado, both of them began walking to their destination towards the household's garden in peace.

Even so, Inanna couldn't help to think back about her unsuccessful attempt to get into the family's military, as she desperately wanted to save her family from their end.

Believing it would be the only way to prevent the tragic night from happening.

'How am I supposed to convince father? In the past, he forbid Judith and I from joining because he worried about a lot of things. The noble's abuse and dissent, the life-threatening dangers, and the imperial family. Most importantly, the emperor.'

Despite that, Inanna had an efficient reason for joining the knights. Unknown to the aristocrats, in her past life, Inanna was congenitally talented with swords and weapons.

Unlike her siblings, Inanna was a natural born warrior blessed with powerful mana. Viewed as the Scarlet Dragon's prodigy of the family—inheriting the strength and ability, besides her father.

The Scarlet Dragon being an urban legend and the symbol of the family's military and household name. A noble house respected for the duration of many years and generations. Leading many wars and successful victories.

In the end, Inanna never became a knight, not because of her father's refusal, but because of her foolishness on her blinded love for Kavin Castes. Finding nothing more important than him and solely him.

'I won't let my feelings waver my actions and heart anymore,' Inanna promised herself before they both arrived at the back doors leading to the garden.

* * *

(The Duke Bessa's Parlor)

In the lavishly decorated parlor, two men sat on red sofas on opposite sides of the luxurious room as they greeted each other and conversed.

"What brings the Baron of Windward to my headquarters and unannounced so early in the morning?"

The Duke questioned in a stated manner as he stared at the man before him with an arched brow.

"Your Grace, my apologies for arriving unannounced, but I have something in particular I'd like to urgently gift you."

"A gift? For me?"

The Duke questioned suspiciously at the brown-haired and chubby man.

"Yes, Your Grace. A present I bought recently in the thought of the wonderful Duke of Bessa. Something I'm positive it'll benefit the dukedom."

The man expressed with a well-hidden, wicked smirk behind his friendly smile.

"Which is?"

At the question, the Baron of Windward simply smiled widely, showing his golden tooth and spoke with enthusiasm.

"Yes, of course! It is a slave from the Magna Empire, but it's not just any kind of slave! Its breed is the type to possess powerful mana and abilities. Some superior to a member of the royal family."

The Baron of Windward voiced in a whisper like manner as he spoke with a thrilled facial expression.

The Duke, however, didn't seem pleased by the matter. If anything, he appeared to be more concerned by the piece of information of the man present. A fallen baron in the aristocratic society of the Amerta Empire, to be precise.

"Its breed?"

The Duke emphasized as his expression darkened.

"Don't worry, Your Grace. I know what you may be thinking."

"Really now."

The scarlet-haired man scoffed in slight amusement, yet the chubby man didn't notice the darkened aura around him.

"Indeed, Your Grace. How could a mere dirty slave be ever welcomed into the home of the strongest and noblest household in the empire? How shameful it must be!"

The chubby man remarked before speaking again with a vexatious demeanor.

"However, I'm sure the Duke would make an exception to this gift of mine. A gift I'm positive the Duke will be pleased with."

Despite that, the Duke ignored the man's attempt to flatter and distract him from his deceitful schemes with praises as he questioned him in a doubtful manner.

"Your Lordship, do you have any idea about what piece of information you're revealing to me this instance?"

"P-Pardon me?"

The chubby man was at loss of words.

"A slave. Your Lordship, admitted into buying a slave. An illegal action that can only be done by participating in its shady and criminal activities."

The Duke apprised coldly, with a solemn out-stare at the man.

"Your Grace, I would never! I merely bought it for your sake from another! It's my first time I've ever been associated with the black market! Please believe me!"

The Duke ignored the man's dubious words and only gave him a fair warning.

"Your Lordship, let me be clear with you. You're admitting to buying a slave and being bribed by someone associated with criminals, correct?"

"Y-yes, but—!"

"Meaning, you can be accused as a criminal and be locked in a cell for the rest of your life. Bringing more shame and dishonor to your family. Is that something you truly wish to have, Your Lordship?"

The scarlet-haired man reprimanded the baron as he raised from his seat.

"Your Grace, please believe me and show mercy! I did it to save the child! I'm telling the tru—!"

"Child?"

At the Duke's mild interruption to his lies, the chubby man simply raised his eyes from the ground as he witnessed the noble man's furrowed eyebrows and alarmed expression.

Seeing this, the man took advantage of the opportunity to escape the Duke's agonizing interrogation about his involvement with the black market.

"Y-yes! I knew if I went to another noble for help, they would've abused and taken advantage of the child's bloodline! T-That's why I came here instead of seeking help from somewhere else!"

"Then why not take him in yourself?"

The Duke questioned with suspicion and narrow eyes.

"As you may know, I'm a fallen Baron of the Empire. My situation isn't the best to raise another child. Meaning I don't have enough money to take care of the poor child. I can barely feed my family and the houseworkers' mouths."

The chubby man apprised pitifully.

'Tsk. If I would've known he'd react this way for some stupid righteousness, I would've done this beforehand,' The baron hissed as he kept a sullen facade.

"Where is the child as we speak of?"

"The child is with a maid. She said she'd keep the child entertained in the back garden while I meet with Your Grace."

At the news, the Duke walked toward the parlor's door and opened it. As the door opened, the Duke spoke with a maid as the Baron merely kept a confused gaze on his face at their interaction.

Then, the Duke turned his attention to the chubby man for a couple of seconds before turning back to the maid as he spoke.

"Lead us to the child."