ғɪʀsᴛ.

"With the Magna Carta, the less privileged will be able to provide more for their families. This will not only help our connection between them, it will also strengthen their loyalty and trust towards us." The King put his pen away after signing the document issued by the Lords. 

"The Church has no power over this agreement?" One of the Lords asked and the King nodded. With the unity from the other families, it will be easier for them to produce more opportunities to increase the number of the royal family members. 

"The Prince will stay with me here. The rest can leave the hall already." The King said and he watched them leave them alone. 

"Father." The younger one called with a quiet voice and he didn't dare to look at him as he knew what he did. 

"You can't marry her." He expected to hear that from his father already but actually hearing it from him still has an impact towards him. 

"She is not a prostitute, Father. She is a courtesan. She is educated. She finished Philosophy and is currently continuing her studies in Law. She can help our family with our political affairs—" He stopped from defending her when the doors went open abruptly. 

「 👑 」 

"If you may excuse me from interrupting you, Lady Lauren. The Knight of the Hayashi family, Lord Kazuki, has arrived to make a conversation with you." The chamberlain reported and the Duchess of the Cheikh family turned her head to look over her shoulder before nodding. 

"I'll be there in a minute. I hope he doesn't mind waiting for me." She answered back before looking back at her reflection on her dresser mirror. 

The chamberlain bowed her head to the Duchess and closed the doors silently to give her enough time and space to prepare. Lauren took her hair brush and smiled softly at the fact that the Knight came to talk with her. Gently brushing her hair, she studied her complexion if she got the right makeup for today. She placed her brush down to the dresser and stood up to take a look at her wine red gown made with soft but high-quality fur and gold threads. When she felt that everything was already fine, she walked out of her chamber to meet the Knight. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you today, Milady." The Knight asked for her hand and she didn't hesitate to offer it. Kazuki held her hand carefully and left a light kiss on the back of it. 

"What brings you here, Milord? I assume you are too occupied with the military practices to pay me a visit." She started and they went out to the duchy's garden to have a private conversation alone. 

"I heard that you are in deep friendship with the Countess of the Jung family and I remembered that she is currently mastering Weaponry." He waited for her to take a seat on the wooden bench first before following her. 

"Oh, Lady Gia. Yes, I am friends with her. She is actually an official candidate for my older cousin's marriage." She shared with a playful smile as she knows how interesting her friend's life is right now. 

"Older cousin? You mean, one of the Archdukes of the Aoyama family?" He didn't expect to hear that because he has been close friends with the Countess for a year already and yet, she is not disclosing anything about her possible marriage with the Archduke. 

"Yes. Lord Reiki, it's him. We were childhood friends together with the younger twin, Lord Riku." She felt her cheeks heating up when she saw how attentive Kazuki was when listening to her. 

"If that's the case, it means the Countess will be fine with the Archduke." He concluded before smiling at the Duchess. She wanted to disagree with what he said but there are things better left unsaid. 

The relationship of the two Archdukes with the Countess is not really that good and she thinks that there will be problems once the arranged marriage between Reiki and Gia becomes official. Lauren is closer with Riku and she knows what he feels for the Countess. The problem lies in how Riku professes his love for Gia. The older twin doesn't have any idea about his younger twin's feelings for Gia and Lauren thinks that Riku will just let his feelings go. 

"I apologize for saying this but I need to go now, Milady. I will pay you a visit once again after chivalry." He continued. She nodded her head and smiled faintly when he left another kiss on the back of her hand. 

"Please be careful, Milord. I know that the King will be proud of you once you successfully finish the chivalry. I'm already proud of you but I will be prouder than anyone else." They both stood up from their seats and as they are in a public space, the Knight can only give her another kiss on her forehead. 

"I will be careful. Have a good day, Lauren." He whispered and she couldn't help but to feel lonely while watching him leave the castle. 

She heaved a deep sigh before proceeding to her bedchamber. She was not expecting any more visitors that time but she got surprised when the Countess was waiting for her when she arrived there. Everyone in the household knows how close they are, so she is letting her stay in her bedchamber when waiting. It is just right above the garden, so Gia saw the intimacy between the two. 

"Don't you have classes?" She asked the Countess and the older one raised a brow while tapping her palm with her fan. 

"I didn't know that you and the Knight are that intimate with each other." She answered instead. Lauren took her seat in front of the dresser and got her jewelry box. 

"You know I have a huge admiration towards him and we just started to take it to the next level." She simply answered with a matter-of-fact tone while taking her earrings off. 

"I assumed that the Viscount was not with you because he needed to attend his Economics class." She continued and Gia slowly nodded. 

"Indeed, you are right. Ryoji is busy with his classes and I'm missing him so much now." Lauren almost groaned when she heard that. Gia has been babying the Viscount ever since he was a tiny kid and it didn't change until now. 

"Lord Ryoji is already a grown up. Can't you let him go and let him have his own partner?" She asked as she placed her rings inside the box. 

"I can't. Not now. I'm not yet done doing things for him. We will still travel around the world." Gia is always emotional when it comes to her younger cousin and Lauren just shook her head while listening to her sentiments.