The Duchy

"So, what's the use of this device, brother?"

"It's basically something that stores the rings owners' stuff by putting them in this box. Once you lock the box, it will disappear to the void. The box will appear again if you rotate the ring three times to the right, then twice to the left. There are two rings, so once you put something in or take something out, I will feel the other ring getting a bit hotter. Not to the point of burning, but more like a signal."

"What do you mean by 'the void'?"

"I do not know either. They said this is a holy artifact."

"…holy artifact?"

"Yes, my lady." Anthony jumped in and explained in delight. "Holy artifacts are devices with effects that could not be explained, at least with our current knowledge. They just appeared out of thin air in the churches' altars across the continent. No one knows where it came from, so people call them God's gifts. As it belongs to the Church, only the respectable High Priests and the Pope have the honor to name them."

"For the case of Pandora's Box, it was found back in Pope Da'rion's era. He was the First Pope and Priest that contributed to the Empire's unification and founding. The Church said after naming the holy artifact 'Pandora's Box', he said something about curiosity may do more harm than good. That's why believers suspect Pandora was his past lover's name. You know, Pandora was the box, and what's inside the box was the real them, with impurities. Opening the 'box' brought him great disappointment, but at the same time, helped him realize the supposedly purest entity – God."

'I don't know the real story but wow, humans and their imagination. Great propaganda, by the way.'

"I get it. Brother and I can exchange letters. He can even send me food! But how many rings are there? And what if other people could break the camouflage function and take it from me?"

"There are only two rings – the two that appeared along with this box. That's one of the reasons why people believe in that stupid myth."

'Ah, you mean how they had romanticized the rings? I think so too. We're really are siblings, aren't we?'

'But you have to agree that it's a good marketing strategy. Humans are emotional creatures, brother.'

"Holy artifacts are devices with extraordinary functions, so don't worry. Apart from the real owner, which is you, no one will be able to pull the ring out of your finger without your consent."

"…what if they decide to chop off my finger instead?"

"…"

A brief moment of silence loomed over the room right after her question. Even Anthony's expression, which was similar to some heroine in shoujo mangas(*), froze for a second.

(*shoujo mangas: a genre of Japanese comics and animated films aimed primarily at the young female audiences, typically characterized by a focus on personal and romantic relationships - Google.)

'…shit, did I say something wrong?'

Alfred's expression darkened as he answered with a low voice. "I have not tried that, but if anyone in that place dares to…"

"It won't happen, my lady." Anthony jumped in quickly as small beads of sweat ran down his face. "There are records regarding the effectiveness of Pandora's Box and the pair of rings. An elven thief once thought of doing that, but it was impossible. The previous owner's finger became so hard to the point of invincibility."

'That's a relief, but an invincible finger sounds strange.'

"Yes, and I'm sorry if I scared you. But do let me know immediately if those people do anything to you."

"But how can this ring recognize me?"

"I already did the ritual with a drop of your blood."

Adelaide nodded, put the ring on her thumb, and picked up another cucumber sandwich. All nobles' blood samples were stored in both their territory and the palace managed by the royal family. It was to prove their identities if needed, like how modern societies used Face IDs.

She was satisfied. Her eyes even widened in amusement when Pandora's Box disappeared completely after Alfred used his own ring to lock the device.

'It's like courier services, but a lot faster. Or maybe one of those inventory spaces in video games?'

"Excuse me, young masters, but your cars are here."

The academy's employees appeared and began to pack up Alfred's belongings. They even cleaned the already clean place once more. Adelaide had always been good at adapting, but watching people busying themselves while eating desserts was not something a modern citizen like her could get used to right away.

"Are you full?"

"Yes, brother."

With one of her hands holding Alfred's firmly, they got into the elevator this time. It operated like the elevators in her past life.

No unexpected events took place after that. They bade farewell to Anthony, who, by the way, shed tears upon seeing Adelaide's new pink dress that her brother prepared, and got into Winford's car. Everything went well – Winford's car was more comfortable than the academy's, the old driver was nice, and Alfred explained to her how the station that teleported them straight back to Winford's territory worked.

The station looked like a giant tunnel. Security was tight, but the guards let them pass as soon as they saw the family crest imprinted on the car's sides.

It was the first time Adelaide got to experience such first-class services.

'Is this what they called the calm period before the storm?'

That was her last thought before falling asleep.

No one could blame her – the old driver's steady driving skills were remarkable.

ΘΘΘ

"Welcome home, children."

"…welcome."

'Ah, I knew it. This is so awkward.'

Two lines of servants were bowing before them, but that was not the point. What bothered her was her new pair of parents standing at the end of said lines, and Alfred's void-of-expression face.

Duke Charles was a handsome man, like how nobles should be. He looked dignified appearance-wised, with the family's signature black hair and blue eyes. The stepmother duchess, Elicia, was also as beautiful as a lily. Contrary to the duke's stiff expression, there were even tears in her eyes.

There was affection shown in her light brown eyes, but Adelaide did not feel happy. She had small goosebumps instead.

"Let's go, brother." She tugged Alfred's sleeve lightly and pulled him towards the duke couple. They had to act natural.

Alfred froze for a moment, but he was not an idiot. He grew up in this household, after all. After taking in a deep breath, the heir put on a smile and walked on the red carpet confidently while holding his sister's hand.

"Greetings. How have you been, Your Grace?"

He bowed slightly and started a conversation. The duke only nodded slightly, but duchess Elicia, on the other hand, seemed very interested. They looked like a harmonious noble family from the outside.

'Stop staring at me, will you?'

Adelaide also stayed silent after greeting her new parents shyly for the first time. She had realized duke Charles' intense gaze the entire time.

"Oh, and how did you find Adelaide? We were dead worried, you know. Our sweet lady has gotten so thin. How dare those lowly kidnappers…"

"Fortunately, I found her in an alley in the city of Portola. Adelaide did not remember why she ended up there – her last memory was about being captured at some shady facility. I'm thinking of focusing our force on investigating this."

"Oh my…how could…"

"I'm fine, mother. Thank you for worrying about me. Brother found me, so everything is fine now."

'So please stop being so touchy. Really, what's wrong with this couple?'

Duchess Elicia was holding her hands while trying not to shed tears. Her beautiful young face, slender figure, and kind expression succeeded in melting the duke's icy front.

"Don't cry on such a happy day, dear. Our children just got home, so let them rest, then we can have dinner together." Duke Charles bent down and helped Elicia get up before giving the old butler instructions. His voice was sweet and gentle when talking with his wife, but it turned stoic when the receiver was someone else.

Alfred's slightly tense muscles relaxed almost instantly as the couple turned their back towards them, but the business smile on his face remained. The servants around them did not realize it, but Adelaide knew as his hold on her hand loosened.

Adelaide knew Alfred was not someone who chickened out just because he was facing his father. Her safety was the actual cause of his concerns.

He knew it would not happen again, but he was worried.

Especially when the duke was involved last time. Duke Charles had never mistreated or harmed Adelaide, but he also turned a blind eye to the capture that happened right before his nose. To be precise, he ignored his own daughter most of the time.

Alfred could not figure out the ultimate motive behind his father's actions, and that was what worried him the most. Elicia Winford was also a brilliant actress, but he knew what her goal was and what she lived for. That woman's sole purpose was to be a real noble.

'Don't stress too much, brother. You're only thirteen – there are things that will happen no matter what, and you know that.'

Alfred loved his sister, but he also knew he could not shelter her from all harm, at least not yet.

'The world can be cruel. It doesn't matter if you're a genius – a minor is a minor. The current power you possessed isn't sufficient. I'll have to face all of this alone for the big picture once your break ends, and you know that. You know your sister has to grow in this environment, just like you did.'

'But you're hesitating.'

Adelaide squeezed her brother's hand and gave him a reassuring smile as they walked. Alfred chuckled lightly and fixed her bangs that were messed up by the wind earlier.

"Ah, why am I worried? My sister even managed to escape miraculously from a place with top-notch security. You're not a blank, innocent piece of paper, Adelaide. I'm glad."

'He knew, but he didn't ask.'

However, Alfred was not angry when he said those words. There were no hidden emotions or meaning behind it, either.

He looked genuinely proud.