Ch-17: Arrival of the Redhead

From the view of the carriage, the passengers caught their first glimpse of the magnificent Mansion of Bright. After a week-long journey, they had finally reached their destination. Inside the opulent carriage, two teenagers, Liam and Ruby, sat in silence. Each time Liam tried to engage Ruby in conversation, he received a menacing glare and the crack of a whip, prompting him to resign himself to his own thoughts.

Prior to their arrival, a rider had been dispatched to notify the residents of Bright Mansion that the Duke of Flameheart's daughter was en route. This was done to avoid any potential awkwardness that might arise from an unexpected visit to another noble's domain. Ruby specifically chose to address the message to Count Alvin, deeming Lukas unworthy of such an announcement as he was not the true Count, despite the fact that they were headed to Lukas's mansion, which paled in comparison to Count Alvin's grand estate.

As much as Liam attempted to downplay Adam's transformation, Ruby scoffed at his feeble attempts to belittle him. She couldn't help but wonder if Adam truly possessed the captivating charm that others claimed. In her devious scheme, she imagined luring Adam into a secluded room, where she would use a potent aphrodisiac to render him powerless, making him succumb to her every desire. She was getting aroused by the image of him begging her to release his frustration

As the carriage approached the mansion's courtyard, Ruby caught sight of two familiar figures in an instant. She recognized them immediately—the despicable father of that bastard, Lukas, attempting to conceal his dissatisfaction with a false facade, and Commander Scott, the person in charge of the Count's Army.

As Ruby and Lukas disembarked from the carriage, all the knights who had been gazing at the carriage hastily averted their eyes, as if intimidated by the sadistic aura emanating from Ruby. Their fear was not unfounded, as there was one occasion when a knight dared to look at her with a lustful gaze, and she swiftly gouged his eyes out with a dagger. Ever since that incident, everyone made a point to keep their gazes lowered when she was around.

"Welcome to our humble abode, Lady Ruby," Lukas said with a forced smile on his face, though his frown betrayed his true feelings.

"It seems you have forgotten your place, that you should be kneeling before the Duke's Daughter," Ruby glared at him, her voice dripping with disdain.

"My apologies, Lady Ruby," Lukas stuttered, clenching his teeth and fists. He immediately dropped to his knees, bowing his head in submission. Witnessing this scene, the other knights hurriedly followed suit, not wanting to incur the wrath of their liege. Scott reluctantly did the same, meeting Ruby's intense gaze. Despite being the commander of the army, he was well aware that he was just a lowly soldier in comparison to the Duke's esteemed position. Not to mention, his treachery against the Count further diminished his standing in Ruby's eyes.

"Hmm, what are you waiting for?" Ruby questioned, her eyes narrowing as she noticed Liam still standing instead of kneeling.

"Argh!" Ruby lashed out, delivering a swift kick to his legs, causing him to collapse face-first onto the ground. With a merciless stomp to his head, she forced him to taste the dirt beneath him.

"Remember your place," Ruby commanded, lifting her feet from Liam's head. Though he had been freed from her stomping, he kept his head bowed down in submission, much to Ruby's satisfaction.

"You may rise," Ruby declared, and the knights who had been kneeling promptly stood up. Some of them immediately averted their gaze from her, while others still kept their heads lowered in deference.

"Heh, are you dissatisfied?" Ruby taunted, observing the scowl on Lukas' face, while Liam's tear-stained face caught her attention.

"No, of course not, Lady Ruby. We are unworthy individuals who deserve such treatment. In fact, it is our blessing to kneel before you," Lukas responded hastily, his voice quivering with fear. However, his hands remained clenched, clearly showing his inner turmoil at witnessing the brutal treatment his own son had endured.

"It's good that you understand," Ruby smirked, relishing the helplessness evident on Lukas' face.

"Well, your useless son informed me that you failed to complete the assignment given to you," Ruby stated, narrowing her eyes dangerously as she fixed her gaze upon Lukas, who immediately flinched in fear.

"M-my Lady... th-that," Lukas stammered, struggling to find the right words under Ruby's menacing glare.

"Well, I honestly don't care whether you succeed or fail," Ruby replied, her voice eerily calm. "But I simply detest having to personally address such a trivial matter. However, Duke Flameheart certainly cares, and when he discovers that you have failed in a simple task, causing trouble for his plans, you will undoubtedly face severe consequences."

Ruby's words, spoken in a neutral tone, sent a chill down the spines of those present, including Lukas, Liam, and Scott, as they felt their backs drenched in a cold sweat.

"I hope that you have at least planned something to diminish the negative effects of your failure," Ruby remarked, her voice laced with a hint of condescension.

"Y-yes, we have planned something," Lukas stuttered, trying to compose himself as he began explaining the proposed plan. It involved Liam challenging Adam to a friendly spar in front of the army, with the intention of lowering Adam's reputation among the soldiers. Liam's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect, but Ruby's face twisted into a mocking expression.

"This is your plan? Pathetic," Ruby scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. "Well, what else can I expect from someone with the brains of a pig? Are you even sure that your son can defeat him?

"Well, not that I care," Ruby dismissed with a wave of her hand. "Prepare the best chamber for me. I need to rest; I am tired from the journey. Tomorrow, I have to meet with Count Alvin and his son. Be ready for that."

With her statement, Ruby turned away, leaving the courtyard behind. The others, sensing her departure, immediately dispersed to attend to their respective tasks, leaving behind an air of tension and unease