Chapter 9- The Anger

Xeirous was still doing some paperworks because he did not finish them this afternoon. He went and trained with his brothers and asked Bien to follow through at night time instead.

A few moments later, his knight knocked.

"Come in, Bien."

"Your Excellency I have gathered all the necessary data and preparation for this event."

"Thank you, Bien."

"You will be facing the lady that stalks you. Will you be alright, Xeirous? She will be your wife any day now."

Bien tried to make a creepy face but he looked like a caricature in Xeirous' eyes.

"Let's proceed with the Emperor's wish for now. He wants our family to completely surrender to their whims then we will just give them their rewards."

Bien made an excited face. He also knows why the imperial family arrange for this union. They want their master's side to be wholly powerless against the royal family. They have to pay them as well as they want.

Xeirous understands the situation well. If he refuses this union, then the royal family will make sure the cure for his family, specifically his brothers, will be stop. He is still looking on how to help them without relying from the empire's hold of them. Unfortunately they have not been able to make progress currently. The reason he is using mask going outside is to stop his mana going on a rampage as well.

Their family has actually agreed that they will subdue monsters not only because of the military power they hold but to also control their mana. Their forefathers have made this into law without telling anyone except their family and the imperial family. It has been passed down from generation to generation.

However, the previous and current emperor became drunk with power so this is the situation they are in. When the previous emperor passed away, his son, the current king wanted to continue the control they hold, even resorting to harm their family.

The first Grand Duke and the first Emperor were the best of friends who support each other. It continued for many generations and it did not change until the previous emperor and the current one have the audacity to think they should own everything.

Right now, the Grand Duke is able to keep his brothers safe and well but eventually they are going to need more control, more stability to the mana they hold inside.

His parents are also frustrated since his mother is still weak and on bed rest. His father is focusing all his attention to her.

Xeirous took responsibility at a young age when his mother was harmed. That is the time his father also spiralled and saw him struggling both with his mana control due to anger and guilt then sorrow. Their territory nearly collapse but he managed to give their employees the confidence they need.

His father and him worked to keep their family afloat. He then gave the title Grand Duke to Xeirous and focused his care and attention to his wife. They still held the banquet so the royal family will be keep in check telling them they are never weaken. Due to this, the people outside were thinking that the previous Grand Duke just wanted to retire early.

"Your father will be upset, Your Grace." Bien interrupted his thoughts.

"He will understand. I will talk to him. I don't want both of my parents blame themselves over this matter. Arrange a meeting with the house of Somalias."

"I will, Your Grace." Bien bowed and left.

Xeirous glanced at the clock. His mother is making a bit of progress as she is able to sit in a mechanical chair and enjoy the garden. He does not want this to cause her emotional distress.

It may take some time but he wants to take his revenge to all those who set-up their family. He does not care if the current emperor will be gone.

His mother's situation has been done by the wife of Duke Somelian. They were never punished since the royal family cooperated with them and remove all evidence. Xeirous grit his teeth.

His father was not home that day. As trading is one of their businesses, he went out to sort the issue. As for him, he was with the task of subjugating monsters.

Due to what happened, his father never leave his mother's side because he took the heavy blow of it. He blamed himself over and over again. They did manage to slowly get back up.

Now he is going to marry the daughter who harmed his family.

He heard all the children in that household are superficial.

Good thing he is back now to know about this news and do some preparations. He was supposed to return every month but this time it took him three months to return from the monster wave battle. It will be a few moths before their territory can be cleansed again since he has now the copy of the new people trying to penetrate their territory.

Good thing he thought of this and all those new employee are staying far away from their main residence. He is also putting surveillance on them and saw some workers being bold to show their true colors. He is focusing to make sure their kingdom will not give an inch to the Emperor's schemes and is gathering all the evidence he needs.

The royal family thinks they will keep the momentum by making sure he get in union to the Duke's daughter.

Xeirous smiled dangerously. This kind of warfare will be a fun thing. The royal family owe them more than what they can chew. He will be a disappointment if they will not be able to experience his wrath.

He read the data gathered by his knight trying to remember the face of the woman he will marry, memorizing things that will give them an advantage.

He can't fully trust any one from such family so it is always best to know one's enemy. Xeirous mapped out the place she will be staying.

He also read that she only wants one maid and knight to accompany her.

'That's suspicious.' Xeirous thought. 'Maybe she wants to fully control the time when she will be my wife. Carrying only two servants is more convenient. She can move however she likes.'

Xeirous ponder if this lady is more than what the report says. She seems to be the black sheep of the family according to the presented information but he still does not want to leave any chance of doubt.

If they can manage to appear as best actors during the investigation when his mother was harmed, he has no reason to trust this lady.

The report says she was not a full Somelian. Although this is written in the paper, it was not specifically said why. It appears the Duke has been tricked by a maid to get pregnant and claiming she wanted the position of the Duchess. As per data, being so in love and benevolent wife of the Duke, her stepmother decided to adopt and raise her. Furthermore, the biological mother of this lady ran away after receiving a large amount of money.

Xeirous smirk. As if this will convince him of anything. He will make sure to get the full information if the lady will be married to him. Maybe the nobility will believe or be convinced by such stories but as he knows and seen the damage they done to his family, there will always be something that meets the eye from them.

Xeirous remembered his two brothers and got upset. They are so young to be experiencing these sufferings. Their bloodlines have an enormous amount of mana. He was only able to control his properly because he was taught by his father at a young age with his supportive mother at the side. As he mentioned earlier, subjugating monsters also helped him since he can release large amount of his mana in the big field.

Unfortunately for his brothers he can't stop going to the battlefield so he is only able to teach them bit by bit. Their father also can not focus on them as their mother needs him.

This particular information should never be known by any members of Royal or the Duke's families. Morever, they are careful even by some of their staff unless they pledge their loyalty which they must undergo a ritual of secrecy so they are unable to say the information to outsiders.

Xeirous is just bidding his time to show his fangs. The emperor started moving again which means he is getting impatient. He heard another kingdom is interested with trading and only their household is able to successfully maintain such business. The current king's greediness is showing in his actions.

Xeirous tried to analyze the emperor's intentions. He knows that the king wants more especially their power or mana control but he will not let go of this opportunity as well. This king can order him to marry their loyal dog's daughter then he is fully sure of how the emperor can get away from taking all their family's wealth. He will make it seem as if that is part of the law.

Xeirous smiled savagely.

'How cunning of you. I'll give it back to you tenfold soon.'