I will take responsibility

After an entire afternoon of being cooped up in her bedroom, Freya finally showed her face at the dinner table. Her uncle and his in-laws were already seated at the table when she finally joined them.

As soon as she entered the large dining hall, Lionel didn't hesitate to pull her by the wrist ready to show her the aphrodisiac of his own creation. He placed it in her hand and she lowered her gaze to take a look before asking, "What is this?"

Lionel smiled slyly like a fox and said, "It is something that will make someone unable to resist you without you lifting a finger."

"Lionel!" yelled Cara as madam Wright smacked her grandson upside his head.

"Uh grandma," he exclaimed as his grandfather chuckled. He was just happy to see his daughter and grandson again after two decades of being apart. This meant he was very lax with his grandson. The rascal could easily get away with murder because of this.

Linox ignored his son who was giving him an aggrieved expression. He just placed a thin slice of turkey breast on his son's plate while turning to look at his niece who was very silent, more silent than usual. He cleared his throat and asked, "Are you okay?"

Freya took her attention away from the cute-looking glass container that could be hung around one's neck as she replied, "I am fine."

Linox gave her that intense look that seemed to say I know you are lying. Unable to keep it to herself she sighed before finally saying, "I... um... I met him. He isn't what I expected."

Linox parted his lips to say something when a servant rushed inside the main hall before half kneeling before master Wright.

While the manservant was whispering to him he glanced at Freya and Linox's brow creased.

"Father what's wrong?" asked Cara and master Wright answered almost immediately,

"We have company."

Ten minutes later the entire family excluding Freya were sitting in the visitor's hall exuding a hostile air like that of bandits whose territory had been invaded.

The door opened and Captain Austin entered his strides powerful but not domineering. Behind him were men carrying two treasure chests and a beautiful burgundy velvet cloak made from the finest silk from the east.

Linox who was standing beside his mother with a stern expression relaxed a little seeing the captain's sincerity. He would much prefer if his cousin ended up with this type of schmuck because he would spoil her and treat her like a queen.

Too bad Freya was a woman with a mission and wouldn't be interested in any other man. "Captain Austin... to what do we owe this pleasure?" asked master Wright only for Captain Austin to bow slightly before saying,

"I apologise for coming to your mansion unannounced and at such an odd hour but I would like to apologise to your family for disrespecting one of your maidservants. I came here to come up with some sort of peaceful resolve and brought these gifts as a show of my sincerity... I will gladly take responsibility," he said.

Lionel couldn't resist laughing while saying, "Captain you are acting like you made her pregnant... ow, mother." The exclamation in pain was because he had been pinched by his mother discreetly.

"There is really no need Captain. Please take your gifts back with you," said Cara and Captain Austin was a little surprised.

The young lady was gorgeous and he couldn't take his mind off of her but he didn't think that the Wright family would guard her jealously like she was a daughter and not just a maidservant.

He was about to enquire further but Madam Wright spoke upfront and frankly. "She is participating in the selection for the crown princess representing the Wright family," she said and he recalled how that beautiful miss stared at that heartless tyrant today she suddenly understood why she reacted that way.

He understood why they wouldn't even let him see her and apologise but he couldn't understand why the Wright family would be interested in Royal affairs and power. They were merchants with as many assets as any noble family in the city but unlike the nobles, they steered clear of political matters and donated to the poor. No matter how much he scrutinised the face of old master Wright he couldn't understand why there was a sudden change in heart.

As though he was able to perceive the captain's thoughts, master Wright beckoned his grandson over and said, "My family has recently reunited and my grandson has made his way home so I need to ensure his future. If this maidservant is the gateway then why wouldn't I take the opportunity."

After saying that he patted Lionel's shoulder with a proud look on his face. Captain Austin's brows furrowed slightly but he soon regained his composure.

He was fairly aware that Cara Wright ran off with some hooligan against her parent's approval. He was a baby back then when it happened but because of Cara Wright's stunning appearance, the story remained one of the top romance tales in the tea houses. He just didn't think that after the way things ended, they would reunite harmoniously and master Wright would even think of securing his grandson's future.

"But there is really no guarantee that she will even make it past the preliminary selection. As you already know master Wright these things are often rigged and it all depends on who you know," he answered honestly but the faces of the people in front of him remained unchanged.

"Captain Austin, your apology is unnecessary. Please show yourself out," said Linox who hadn't spoken this entire time. This was his only niece, his brother's only daughter and it was his responsibility to take on the role of a father. He was fully aware of the Austin surname. This man didn't have anything to do with his brother's execution but his family had blood on their hands.

Even if Freya didn't want to avenge her parents he would never let her marry into the Austin family. That was like sending the lamb straight into the lion's den. This Austin kid didn't need to say it because it was written all over his face. He was very much interested in his niece and thought it would be easy given that she was a maidservant.

Captain Austin glanced at the man and could figure that this was the so-called hooligan. His gaze was too piercing that he didn't take a close look at him.

"I understand. I will be leaving now," he said before turning to leave. He grabbed the hilt of his sword and turned to walk out his steps as firm as before with his head held high.

When he stepped outside the visitor's hall he suddenly paused having sensed a weird presence. He turned his head to look up but saw nothing. Thinking he was probably being over cautious he continued to leave the mansion.

On the third floor of the mansion at the far end, a curtain fluttered despite the window not being open. Freya pursed her lips as she watched his disappearing figure with an indifferent gaze.