2| Apple Of Father's Eye

In the weeks following the birth of Sylteena, the atmosphere in the kingdom of Werleria grew increasingly tense. Rumors and whispers spread like wildfire, echoing through the streets of the magical city and beyond.

The prophecy was on everyone's lips, and they couldn't ignore the unsettling events that had unfolded as well as in relation to the Duchess's death.

But despite all of that, the Duke, Lord Benedict Benjamin, had retreated into a world of his own.

He rarely emerged from his chambers and spent long hours with the child, cradling her as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

His advisor was most concerned, and the kingdom's council had convened multiple times to discuss the matter... Until finally, he gave them an audience.

• • •

"Your Grace! Do you even hear yourself!? Are you really going to take this child and present to the public?!" Bawled the high-pitched voice of the grumpy-looking woman seated among the seven seats at the round table of the conference room.

"The town is far too uneasy, the people are panicking, and you treat it with such triviality, Your Grace?" Asked one of the elder men.

Seated at the head of the council meeting of the seven Viscounts of the state, Lord Benedict had his back rested against his seat and his arms around his infant as he cradled her gently in his arms.

Despite the negative comments and doubts of the members among them, Benjamin's ears remained deaf to their corrosive voice as he watched his child nibble on its fingers.

It still didn't stop the members from talking. "People are talking, Your Grace! And it is not good!"

"And what are they talking about, Viscount Richard?" Benjamin didn't look up.

Another took over, "They are demanding answers about the child's sorcery status. You are still yet to hold a baby's sorcery ritual where the child's element is to be manifested!"

"Not to forget, only eight of us in this room, including the personnel, know that this very child is completely bare of any trace of sorcery."

"Not to mention the spiteful rumor questioning the late Duchess's faithfulness to your marriage—"

"That will be more than enough!" He seized all eyes with a stern tone as he frowned.

"Sylteena is my daughter. Born from the woman I loved more dearly than my very own life. The only thing I have to remind me of her is this child right here in my arms."

His eyes narrowed, "And if any of you dare speak such vile words, whether claims or your personal assumption of my family... You will know the true wrath that brought me upon this very seat you bow to. Do you understand me?"

The seven members of the board gazed at each other and back with disappointed gazes.

They then lowered their heads to a bow. "Yes, Your Grace," they answered in unison.

Benjamin's frown deepened. "Whether bare or fruitful of magic, she is my daughter. Without doubt."

"But with all due respect, Your Grace," one of the Viscountesses, Lady Pearson Genevieve — the Duke's cousin — raised her head.

Her eyes, dark as polished stones just like the color of her hair, locked her gaze on the Duke's then down to the little abomination. She cringed.

"My Grace, we mustn't fail to pay heed to the very prophecy that has been passed for generations after generations."

"As long as it concerns my jewel, Genevieve, it we must," he spat without a hint of hesitation.

"But—"

"I do not wish to repeat myself after saying this for the last time," he clutched his fist.

"Sylteena Benedict, is and always will be my legitimate child. Therefore the future Duchess of this state."

Genevieve's sharp cat eyes slitted at the Duke's tainted words as she gulped in her wounded pride and betrayed spite.

"This matter has been tabled. Therefore from today onwards, this shall never be debated upon, understood?"

"Understood, Your Grace," they bowed once more.

"Meeting dismissed," he got and strode out of the room, carrying along the disapproved glares of the seated members.

Most especially Lady Genevieve...

• • •

Nine years later...

"Die!!!"

"Ah!!" Came Benjamin's realistic cry out as he fell to his knees, grasping his arm as if injured.

"Ha-Yah!" Sylteena swung her wooden sword once more, hitting him in the chest to cast him to the garden grass where he voiced out a final scream of defeat.

Sylteena pulled down her sword as she stood victorious, gazing down at the weakling that dared to defile her order. Benjamin remained on the floor until his little angel stepped closer to place her foot on him like a warrior next to a slain beast.

"Sadly," Sylteena started in a dramatic voice, "You did not survive to tell the tale of the great Heiress!"

She placed her small sword on her shoulder, puffing out her chest in success. "But I shall hang your head—"

"GAH!" Benjamin suddenly came to life, wrapping his arms around his daughter and throwing her softly to the ground as he pretended to feast on her back.

"Nooo!!!" Sylteena screamed in forged agony, "Ahhh!"

"Gah! Hahaha!" Benjamin laughed as he continued to bite her shoulder in a manner as if peeling off her flesh like a wild animal.

"No!" She plummeted to the grass. "H- Help... Me..." She strained forward before dropping to her final pretense death.

"I win!" Benjamin pushed off to raise his arms in victory, "Hahaha!"

Slowly pushing herself off the ground to turn and face her dramatic father, Sylteena's brows knitted into a frown. "Papa! You cheated!"

"Of course not," he grinned.

"You did! I stabbed you in the heart!"

"I am a monster, Eena. You do not trust a monster until you have its head in your palm."

Sylteena pouted before pushing herself to stand on her feet and began dusting her pants and shirt. "No fair!" She grumbled, "After all my efforts, I get eaten alive!"

"That is what happens when you go against the all-powerful beast of the mountain witch! Muu-hahaha!"

"Are you not a little too old for this, Papa?" Benjamin's joy immediately dropped.

"Did you really have to hurt my pride like that, child?"

Sylteena giggled, "I cannot be the only one walking away with a defeat scar!"

Benjamin couldn't help but laugh as he got up from his knees to dust himself before saying, "Fair enough. At least you put up a good fight."

He lowered his hand to run her twin braided hair that knotted at the end with a ribbon.

Sylteena smiled, "Worry not, Papa. One day, when I finally unlock my sorcery, I will be strong enough to defeat the actual mountain witch and her beast."

Benjamin's brows quirked. "Unlock your Sorcery?... Who told you that?"

"Philip," she said with an innocent smile as she added, "When I followed him to the market yesterday, we saw some children who looked younger than me, helping in preparing their parents' shops with sorcery.

When I asked him why I haven't had mine yet, he told me because I am a Duke's daughter, so mine comes later and is much more powerful than commoners."

Benjamin paused for a moment, trying to convince his facial muscles which expression to push out.

He guessed Philip would need a stern warning about taking Sylteena out without his consent.

He then chuckled, "Is that so..." He rubbed her head once more.

And speak of the devil, Philip made his way from the mansion and into the courtyard, alongside one of the council Viscountesses.

Lady Pearson Genevieve.

They finally reached them.

"Good day, Your Grace!" Philip and the Viscountess bowed at the Duke.

"Good day, My Lady!" They bowed at Sylteena.

"Good day, Lady Pearson. I did not know I fixed an appointment today," Benjamin's words remained polite yet subtly threatening.

Genevieve bowed once more, "Apologies, Your Grace. It was a matter of certain urgency that I came here unannounced."

"Hm," Benjamin turned to Sylteena, "Eena darling, go meet one of the maids to take you upstairs and get you ready for your piano lessons."

"Aren't you coming to watch me play?"

"Of course I will, if today's matter does not require my absolute attention," he smiled.

Sylteena did the opposite. "Oh... Okay."

"Fear not, My Lady," Genevieve intervened with a polite smile, "I am sure your father will be back even before your lessons are over."

Sylteena didn't respond; instead, she turned away from the adults and sulked all her way to the door.

Benjamin couldn't help but smile, "Isn't she just adorable?"

"Of course, Your Grace. Absolute charm reeks from her every essence," she forced out a believable smile, trying to hold herself from glaring daggers at the little spoiled brat for having the audacity to ignore her.

She then cleared her throat softly, regaining the Duke's attention.

"Now," Benjamin's smile fell, "What seems to be the matter?" "It is the mines, Your Grace."

"Mines?" He crooked a brow.

"The workers are complaining not being able to find any gems or gold in the mines for the past one week. And given the increased exchange rate in the lands, our state funds are becoming rather... Diminutive."

"That is strange. How many?"

"Three, that is including the two largest ones. The other two produce what is rather insignificant compared to the others."

"Also," she continued, "The officers are letting go of their miners due to the reduced funding. The mining produce had started to decrease weeks ago but this week, next to nothing was achieved within the mines."

"And have you and the others discussed this?"

"We have, Your Grace. But the matter is quite severe and causing distress amongst the people based on a spreading rumor. That is why I had to come personally to inform you about it. The rest are not aware I am here."

"I see... So what rumor is this, though?" Benjamin frowned.

Genevieve paused for a moment as she gazed at Philip and back before clearing her throat. "They... They say it is because Her Lady visited the mine with you weeks ago on your monthly supervision trip. That is why..." She lowered her head. "So they say..."

Benjamin's eyes narrowed in spite and irritation before taking a moment to recompose himself before saying, "Very well then. Let's go."

"Eh? R- Right now?"

"It is better to see it for myself and sort these things out. After all, the mines are the state's properties, beyond the authority of the Viscounts."

He stepped aside and strode towards the door, having Genevieve and Philip paced after.