13 Duke's Plan

It was a beautiful afternoon of May. A small blue bird flew in the skies and landed on a Magnolia tree. It's splendid coloured feathers, a contrast to the vibrantly pink flowers of the trees. The garden had newly planted trees of various sizes as well as some old trees, remnants of the old garden. The garden took almost an acre of land. It was divided into sections, the langer section being outside richly decorated with trees and bushes of all kinds. Inside, underneath the coloured opaque glass, plants of different species were soaking in the warm afternoon sun rays.

"Wow…It's beautiful!" exclaimed Anna twirling around not missing a single detail. At the entrance of the greenhouse, lilacs were hanging from forged iron pots. Their scent hypnotised Anna. Whoever created this garden paid so much attention, Anna could not help but gasp at its mesmerising appearance.

Anna was standing in front of the round water fountain, with her mouth agape. Besides her, all the noble's children she came with admired the garden. But only for a small moment before they lost interest and sat down on benches placed around the garden gossiping. Some of the boys were running around, enjoying the cooling effect of the trees and shade from the sun.

"Sister!" Aura's voice crumbled Anna's daydreams.

"Father has really put a lot of effort. Your garden is beautiful." Her tone, however, did not imply friendliness. She was clearly annoyed that her father has given Selda a better gift than the one she received.

"Yes!" said Anna as she entered the greenhouse. It was more spacious than she initially imagined. Small decorative pots, that were exquisitely hand-painted were placed around some of the plants. In a corner, hidden behind a curtain of green ivy, sat a table barren except for five books. Anna took one out and looked at its cover. On the brown leather hardcover 'Encyclopaedia of plants' was written in faded black ink, indicating its wear.

'Did my father know I spent time researching this? How?' Anna was amazed. Her father must have caught wind of her pranks… does this mean he knows that she was the one that bombed the palace a month ago?

An investigation was launched as soon as the bombing incident took place. Initially, they thought that a terrorist attack took place, but after though investigation they came up with no evidence to prove that they were aiming for the soldiers. Since Alessia refused to cooperate in the interrogation, the only person thought to have interacted with the attacker, the investigation was put on hold. Part of it was because no one died, people were hurt of course, but no one died. Moreover, the mages that later studied the scene were amazed by how a person managed to manufacture a bomb without the need to activate crystals. When anything based on crystals exploded, it left a trace called 'rimist' which was identified by mages only.

This sparked debate later on, where the nobility thought that a revolt was starting soon. That the normal citizens would revolt for the not so fair life they lived. They tried surpassing the news, fearing that more people will hear about it and that will lead the demise of some of the aristocracy. The prime minister, Kurt was the most fearful at the time. They were not ready for civil war when the borders in the north were showing signs in preparation of war.

"He…He has been following me." Anna realised her mistakes only now. Suddenly she felt faint. What if he knew about Angus? Or about the fact that she was planning on running away.

'Does he know about my notebook? What about the maps I draw?' her hands began to shake slightly, her face paled and turned yellowish.

"Selda…are you feeling sick again?" her sister jumped from behind surprising Anna. She dropped the book, which landed on the floor with a loud thump. She picked it up, cleaning the dirt off it and placing it on the table. She did not respond to her sister's question. Alessia who sensed that something had happened, brushed the ivy away and fiercely eyed Aura.

"Sister!" sensing the killing gaze form Alessia, Aura tried to look worried.

"Huh?"

"What is it with you today?" her sister smiled crookedly.

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong…"

"It is your birthday today…why don't you enjoy yourself."

"Yes." Anna did not enjoy being surrounded by so many stuck up people. The only reason she somewhat liked Alessia was that she did not think much of manners and Anna could relax around her. Today, because it was Selda's birthday, the noble children had put away their pride and acknowledge the second Princess. Otherwise, her name won't even pop up in their conversation.

"Second Princess, I have heard that Princess Aura gave you a special present." Carmen butted in again.

"Yes, it is very unique." She responded with a stoic face.

"I wish I had a sister to give me gifts!"

"Yes, the princess's gift must be very beautiful."

More noble girls were talking about how Aura is an angel, and how much she must love Selda. They sounded as if Anna should be thankful to receive such grace.

"What did her Highness prepare?"

"Yes! I also want to know."

"Ho-ho! Nothing much just-" Aura gasped as she if she remembered something.

"Sister, why don't we bring my present? We can decorate the garden with it." Eyes fell on Anna, who had no choice but to admit defeat. She sighed and agreed to her sister's proposal. She said that they were only crystals that helped plans grow. She could also check with Alessia to see what they were in case one of them seemed suspicious.

Anna excused herself and left the children alone. A maid could have easily done her job, but Anna wanted a moment for herself. She felt drained because of today. She never performed good in front of people, and they were normal people, not aristocracy. On top of this, she had to keep up the façade and perform well in front of the attendees or the rumours about her will aggravate.

She didn't care about what people thought of her but for her plan to work, she wanted to only be a faint memory in the back of people's minds. She wanted her existence to be slowly forgotten, outshined by her sisters, who was doing a great job already at taking all the limelight. Sooner, the aristocratic circle will forget her and she can disappear at drawn, living the life she wanted.

She had to make sure that her brother, Heridus, lived past his teenage years so then he could claim the throne. Even if Anna had no interest in the battle for the crown, she did not feel comfortable to let a selfish person as Aura run a country. She was most likely going to marry the Crown Prince of Friella now that Selda will not kill her. This will benefit the country, through a marriage alliance and the wars that took place every so often will stop.

Approaching the palace, Anna heard a couple of hushed voices. Curious, she moved towards the source of the murmur. She hid behind a bush which was tall enough to cover her silhouette and looked through the gaps. Obscured by leaves, sat two boys. One was plopped on the whole bench while the other boy was standing near him with his arms crossed over. Their faces were hidden by the leaves, but Anna recognised them instantly.

"I can't stand this any longer." Said the young man dressed in a white suit. His overcoat was now placed behind his head, like a pillow and his arm was hanging moving like a pendulum.

"I know that it is hard. I would hate to be you as well…but you must follow uncle's order." Said his servant.

"I know…. I know! But have you seen her? She is so small."

"fuff…I know. That's what happened when you don't have powers." Both boys started laughing heartily.

"Yes. I still don't understand what my dad sees in her."

"Well, it's hard to say what goes through uncle's mind."

"It's annoying. She and her sister think that they are the centre of the universe. But at least her sister has powers." Remarked the boy. Anna stood there stupefied and could not believe what was going on. She knew she should hurry up, or her sister will reprimand her in front of everyone. She knew she knew but she could not move her legs. She wanted to find out where this conversation led.

Hiding her excitement, Anna got closer, her delicate skin touching the bush. It was itching her and feared that if she moved, she would scratch her face, but she ignored and focused on the conversation instead.

"Yes, that is true. But she has a fiancé."

"She doesn't."

"We talked about this before, she is a lost cause. Our house is not going to win against duke's house." The servant was getting frustrated with him.

"I-… I just cannot-… Robin, you must have heard the rumours about her. How am I to deal with her?" his voice yelled in exasperation.

"Quieter!" the boy hushed him. "That doesn't matter now. We can deal with her once you are engaged."

"Right." He seemed to calm down, suspiciously looking around. Anna who met his gaze for a second backed up quickly. Turning her head around she scratched her face. A trace of blood flowed from her right cheek, while her dress got caught by a branch. Hissing, Anna violently tugged on her dress. The dress was freed from its' clutch. Anna lost balance and fell on the soil crunching leaves under her weight.

"Ahh!" Anna slapped her mouth, but it was already too late. The young boy got up and hurried towards her.

"Who is there?" Anna anxiously jumped on her two feet and dashed wherever her legs could take her.

"Derick! Wait!" the servant called Robin ran behind him.

"Angus come out!" Anna who was running in the maze was soon accompanied by a snake floating around her. His blue mist covering most of his body, he followed Anna.

"What power does Derick have again?"

"Give me a second I am trying to locate him." The snake closed his eyes. Not a second later his eyes opened wide and he almost yelled at her.

"'Blazefury'! Oh no! Take the next right. He already overtook you from the left. Take it now or else you will meet him at the next fork." Anna panicked but did as he said. Thankfully she asked Angus for help or else she would have been caught by now.

She turned right and then immediately left. This led her deeper into the maze. Branches that have been cut in a rectangular shape and the leaves that adorned them brushed against Anna's body. She soon ran out of breath and had to stop, letting her slender legs rest for a minute.

Panting for air, and fanning herself with her hand Anna asked Angus:

"Where is he?"

"He ran out of the maze. That was close. You are safe, but he did not look happy at all."

"Tell me about it. He must be really stressed about it now."

"Yes…" said Angus while pondering.

"I see you like living on the edge on the knife. That is not helping my case!"

"I didn't intend to listen for too long. I-it's just that what he said was to… shocking." Anna could still not believe that the boy so attentive to her needs earlier this morning was just a façade.

'They are no different.' Anna now placed both Raphael and Derick on the same level on her emotional distress scale.

"I never thought that things would be this way…hahaha. You humans, are way too entertaining." Angus, visibly amused by the situation, circled Anna laughing.

"Shut up! I can't even hear my thoughts!" Anna hissed back.

"Awww… don't be sad now." Angus continued to make fun of her. She grabbed him by the neck and tossed him in the opposite hedge.

'Why would he do that?' Derick seemed interested in Selda but when alone he thought of her as a bother.

"Maybe he never loved Selda to begin with." Murmured Anna.

"No. He definitely did. His death book stated clearly that he died for his love." The snake picked himself up and shook the leaves off. Catching up with Anna they wandered around the maze towards the exit.

"What made him change his mind?"

"I…I don't know. Selda was very selfish so I don't know what he saw in her."

"So initially, Derick did not like her. He had to marry her only because his father ordered him to, but then he somehow fell for her." Was it pity? Could it be that he eventually got used to the idea that he had to marry her?

"I think so too."

"Why though? I am useless…I have no magical powers." Anna glanced at Angus looking for an answer. The snake shook his head and sighed unable to find one.

"Maybe he thought he could use you?"

"Hmm…how? She was stupid. She did not- Ah!" realisation hit Anna.

"What if she was a pawn. He could get his son to become a princess consort. Or maybe…an Emperor." She gasped. The Duke forced his only child in the struggle power for the crown. He feared the power of Duke's Azcan power that he decided to tie knots with the Royal family.

"Since Aura will be engaged with that Storm Raphael, they had to settle for the next best thing which was…" the snake looked at Anna.

"Me!" Anna whole body shook. Smiling that she found the reason behind Derick's care and attention. She cheerfully walked inside the Palace to look for Aura's gift.

She directed a servant she found in the vicinity to find it, while she waited on a chair in the waiting hall. Now that she knew what Derick's intentions were, she could reject him without the possibility of hurting his feelings. He had none. That made it the perfect case.

"What made you so happy?" his icy voice made her muscles twitch in response. Her eyes met his.

"Nothing…" Anna refused to talk with Raphael any longer. The servant finally came with the black box containing her present. She turned around and sped across the hallway towards the exit to the garden.

"Hey! D-did you just ignored me?" Raphael yelled furiously and jumped towards her. He effortlessly caught up with her, because of Anna's flimsy legs.

"What are you up to?" asked him, refusing to give up.

"You know what?" Anna stopped and angrily said:

"Why don't you go play with someone else. I have no energy to deal with you."

She started walking again leaving Raphael standing there with his mouth opened. She entered the maze again when a boy came running behind her. She sensed it and panicked, starting to run.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Raphael sprinted towards her. Anna yelled and ran even faster. The grass was crushed under her small legs and the wind blew her lustrous brunette hair in all directions. After running a while Anna's shoes got caught in a nod of grass and she tripped over.

She closed her eyes and prepared for the impact. A strong arm embraced her and pulled her up in the air. The present which was earlier projected into the air was easily caught by Raphael with his other hand.

"Don't run so fast." Said Raphael as he lowered her. Anna glared at him.

"I wouldn't if it wasn't for you." Infuriated she snatched the box back. Walking beside her Raphael looked at her worriedly. She did not know what to say since she never thought she will see this emotion of his. Soon they reached her new Garden and there, in a group, stood everyone chatting.

"Where were you?" a gentle voice asked Anna. She looked at Derick and smiled back. His mouth twitched while his eyes moved towards Raphael. His expression gave away his thoughts and Anna realised that what was supposed to be a calm and relaxing birthday party just turned in a tiring mess.