Twenty Two

Historia reviewed all of the images, letters, and documents pertaining to her stepmother and Lady Vivian. It is clear that they began exchanging letters a year ago, but there is no evidence that Duchess Quinn is supporting Lady Vivian in any other of her plans, implying that Lady Vivian is simply supporting them in their attempt to kill her and the Duke.

Historia wondered why Lady Vivian wanted her to be killed. She was already aware that Duchess Quinn and Admarine wanted her killed because of the title she would hold even though Admarine is the strongest water element wielder, that does not change the fact that she is still Duke Darcus' illegitimate child.

"Is this all? It seems like they're only affiliated with Lady Vivian because of the support they'll get to kill me and my family. But I'm wondering why Lady Vivian wanted me to kill so bad?" Historia asks, still looking at the evidence she was holding, then taking another look at one letter.

The letter's context is that Lady Vivian called out the two for not killing Historia perfectly because every time they did, someone was still protecting her. Lady Vivian became enraged and decided to plan something to completely kill the Lady; however, she was surprised to learn that Historia was still alive after days of punishment. Lady Vivian accepted Duke Darcus' request to see his daughter and save her from jail because she believed Duke Darcus would find his daughter dead on the ground.

Lady Vivian's body, however, became frozen upon learning that she was still alive. Little did she know, that was the time when the two ladies exchanged souls, and despite the fact that Historia's body was already thin as paper and full of blood and wounds, the gods granted Duke Darcus time to heal his daughter.

"Maybe because the Lady knew you know something about them. Can't you recall what happened in the past? The Lady won't kill you just because she wanted to. It is impossible if she wanted to kill you so you won't be able to get the crown prince from her. How could the crown prince choose you anyway, no man would want to pick you. I suspected that Zion might be bewitched from you—" Typhis wasn't able to finish his sentence when Historia grabbed his ear and pinched it making him moan in pain.

"Watch your mouth, zip it, and don't let me hear anything from you," Historia says, clearly upset by Typhis' behavior. Xyan just looked at them, perplexed by how the lady treated Typhis; he was thinking that the two might be so close. However, Xyan senses something in him that indicates he is not an ordinary man. He sensed something powerful within himself as if he were a powerful wizard or something.

Historia thought about what Typhis had said. Maybe the real Historia might know something she doesn't know or she doesn't recall before the royal court gave her punishment. She may want to remember it all but she can't. There were no memory in her mind about that matter even the real Historia's memories of her past when she was a child but she could see the face of her mother singing her a lullaby when she was a child.

"Can you look into Lady Vivian's plans or what the Hesthburgs were up to? I have a feeling a lot is going on, and maybe we can find some clues as to why Lady Vivian wanted me to kill so badly. If what Typhis said is true, we can look into it," Historia said, releasing her hands from Typhis' ear.

"Also, I will give Roxia a task for her to do if ever Lady Vivian will call her into her mansion. I am sure Roxia can make this task without failing," she said as she stood up.

"Hey," Typhis said, making Historia look at him. "If you find something about the Hesthburg, you cannot defeat them with your title as the Duke's daughter alone; no one will believe you because of your name; everyone in this Empire only knows that you are childish and dumb; if you give these evidence you have to your Father or the Royal Court, you think they will believe you?" Typhis asks her, making Historia smirk but still afraid that she will carry out her plan.

"It seems like you have something on your mind, My Lady," Xyan speaks looking at Historia who is looking down thinking.

"What are you up to again, huh?" Typhis asks her and sits on a chair yawning waiting for her response.

"I am thinking of taking Zion to be by my side with this. Do you think he'll believe me? However, if I continue this plan, I don't know what kind of condition I will give him for him to accept it," Historia replied and looked at them both. Typhis face looks at her with a disgusted face as if he already knows what it is.

"I am planning to marry him for 3 years only and after that, we will be having a divorce. I want to marry him to take the title of Duchess of Ascavel while hunting down the Hesthburg. Being the Duchess of the second strongest family is better. What do you think?" Historia asks them making Typhis burst into laughter after what he heard.

"What is it now, huh?" Historia asks while raising her eyebrows and looking at Typhis 'This guy just teasing me and it is making my blood boil,' Historia thought to herself.

"For me, it is okay, My Lady. This will lessen the heat of the rumors around the Empire about the two of you. In addition to that, with Duke Ascavel's protection, Lady Vivian will have a hard time killing you because she knows how skilled the Duke is, even though their family can catch up with the Ascavel's skill and power," Xyan said while staring at the two of them. Historia takes a deep breath before speaking and looks at the two men with seriousness.

"That is what I was thinking, I can't guarantee my safety in this mansion especially if Quinn and Admarine are here. Also, I will have the power to fight against her since I will become the Duchess of Ascavel. The power it holds is good to fight against them and with this, I can protect Father and Brother Redam as well."