"And what does the Madam want?" Micah asked.
She stood in front of Micah with her arms crossed.
It had been weeks since she last came here.
"So what can I do for you, milady?"
"I want a ride to the capital."
Micah nodded. He moved the paper to the side.
"It shall be done."
"So easily?"
Micah looked up. "The Archduke had said it already. He shall allow funds to be given to you. But Madam, it is meant for the young heiress, and it shall be managed by yours truly, but you are entitled to an allowance."
She stared at Micah with not a single expression. "I see. Will that be allowed?"
"It is. You are the heiress's mother. She is important to the Archduchy and the Master is fond of her."
"Him? Fond of anything?"
"Please, do not insult the young master. He has his fault, but he is never one to hurt children, and especially those who he shares the same blood."
"Can I see him?"
"No. The young master is in seclusion. He shall not show yourself until he wishes."
"My daughter would like to see him."
"Impossible. He had already let you do as you please, as long as the young lady cares. Milady, as you know by now, I am leading the family in the stead of my young master."
Micah summoned the sacred sword of Ortiz.
Carwyn had her doubts about the whole situation.
But seeing the sword summoned in front of her. The marking on the back of Micah's hand made it clear.
Then again, Micah was the trusted confidant of the young master. It was only a matter of when from the start.
"You have your schemes," Micah said.
Carwyn looked at him warily. "What is that?"
"I know your schemes. I do not want this to be brought up, but it must be done. I was willing to let it pass, but you have forced my hand. You are an Iron Woman, you have talents, I understand. But do not overestimate yourself, milady."
"Is that so?" Carwyn's prana rumbled.
Micah stayed composed. She had figured out already that the man in front of him was an avid follower of the Duke. Even at his age, he was bulging with muscles, and he didn't have the appearance of a frail old man. His sharp sword-like eyebrows and the way he carried himself made her recall, and wonder why someone of this stature would choose to stay loyal to someone who was less than trash.
"I do not wish to make an enemy out of you, Archduchess," Micah began. "Nonetheless, your movements are insulting, your plans demeaning to the family. I had made sure that it will not continue."
"So that's why they decided to stop complying suddenly. You worked fast, Sir. Are you going to punish me then?"
"No, I won't," Micah said. "I will not harm you as long as you know your limits. I am not the Archduke, and I will not tolerate anything that might harm this country, this nation that many, for generations, have worked so hard to keep as it is."
Carwyn did not argue for a moment. She paused to think, before answering. "Why do you stay? Husband, he's not worth this loyalty, Sir Micah. I think you should understand what I am talking about—"
"Then you really know nothing at all," Micah nodded. "I won't deny that the young master had done cruel things to others, to your dignity, and to those who he had his eyes on. I will not defend him for his actions, but you weren't here when the Archduke broke. When he was alone with nothing but his vassals pretending to care. Five years of ensuring that they would obey, and then a year to break. I am ashamed that I have not seen through the heart of the young master, and he ended up cruel. Of course, what he had done is no excuse, but can you say that it is more than what nobles do?"
She shook her head. "No, it's mild compared to what everyone does."
"I do not condone what my young master had done, and he's young. Do you believe that people can still change?"
"It depends on the person."
"Then leave my young master alone," Micah said. "You will get what you want. I only ask that you do not disturb him while he is in seclusion."
"Seclusion, what does it mean?"
"A once in a lifetime chance for all the heirs of Ortiz that must go through. The young master has found something he wants to do on his own. Perhaps, he might just disappear from the annals of the family."
"Disappear? What's happening here?"
"The young master is in the middle of a choice. To fall to the burden of running the Archduchy or letting go."
"You…make it sound like he would throw this all away. That man?"
"The young master…he didn't want to be a ruler. I'm sure that you know what he aspired to be."
Carwyn could remember that stern back. That panic looked that the Archduke had when he heard of the news of his family's passing. He had died that day to her, and she knew that after what had happened. She could not see that 'goodness' that the person she had admired once. It was ruined by the years that had passed. The man she had admired was gone and all her love had turned towards her daughter.
"I thought so too, but not anymore. So he won't see me?"
Carwyn could not stomach the idea of seeing that man, but he was useful since he has the power and authority to make the life of her daughter comfortable. The Archduchy was allied to the Empire, but it was still a prosperous nation on its own. She would do everything for her daughter, and yet her plans had been discovered. She wondered if this was the ruse of that man, all this talk about his 'seclusion' sounds nothing more than a lie to her.
She did not want to believe it.
"He won't. The Archduke will continue funding you as per the marriage contract. Nonetheless, continue these traitorous activities, then not even the Jakian Emperor can save you, Milady. If it comes to it I shall raise the heiress myself if you cannot do it properly."
"Enough, I get your point," Carwyn's prana crept on the room. "I'll do as the contract had said. But I hope that you forget about what you had said. Lord Micah, I respect you for your loyalties, but do not think that you can threaten me by saying that you'd take my daughter away from me."
"It is a warning, milady. You are competent and you know your limits. I'm sure that you won't fail in this regard. I only ask that you do your duties," he pressed a stamp on one of the papers on his desk. "The ship will be prepared, Angie shall lead you to it."
***
She went out of the house and found her husband's mistress.
Angie was a beautiful woman, with the right curves and sizes. She was graceful and she did not wear her maid outfit. She wore a dress with a brooch on her neck and there was a pin on her left breast, indicating her as the assistant of Lord Micah.
"Madam," Angie bowed her head.
She was a graceful woman with the proper manners.
"Angie," Carwyn said. She did not hate this woman. Still, it truly confused her why she would stay with someone like Hadeon who was twice her size. "You seems to have improved your standing."
Angie smiled lightly. "It is due to the grace of the Archduke who had trusted me."
"Why do you let yourself suffer this?" Carwyn could not hold back.
"Pardon?"
"Angie, you have a bright future. If you could just think for a second and--"
"Milady, I was saved by the Archduke. Perhaps, you may think of me as crazy, a person who had lost her sanity. But not everyone can be as brilliant as the Lady of Iron. I admire your milady, but I've already given my heart and soul to the Archduke…and though the Archduke is not a perfect man, I still think that I should stay with the Archduke."
"Such loyalty is undeserved towards someone is like that."
"Perhaps, but can a man not change?"
"Everyone can change, but that man has become rotten. If he could not even trouble himself to look human. I don't want to hear it."
Angie laughed. "Ah, yes, I understand that your opinion of the young master cannot be changed so easily. Perhaps this is nothing more than a ruse, a way to attract your attention. Nonetheless, Madam, forgive me for speaking so brazenly, but the young master had truly changed."
"You're deluded, thinking that someone like that can change."
"Perhaps we are clinging to hope, then again, the only intention of the young master is for the young heiress to grow up into a wonderful young woman. She shall be the lady of the Ortiz, and is the only one who owns the throne of Ortiz."
Carwyn followed Angie through the decorated halls of the Ortiz Mansion. Out of the mansion, there was the airship designated for them to use. Her daughter and her maid waited. Roselia ran to her mother's waist, she looked at Angie and greeted her with a beaming smile.
"Lady," Carrie greeted Angie with gritted teeth. "It seems that you have grown in ranking."
But it was beneath Angie to reply. She lifted the hem of her skirt towards Carrie and introduced the pilot of the airship.
Angie watched the takeoff procedure and handled the preparations with such mastery that Carrie could only zip her mouth. Comparing herself to someone who was high-classed and had risen from the ranks was rather pathetic. She understood this and accepted her place.
As they board the airship, Carwyn eyed her daughter and Angie. There was a stiff smile on Angie's face as Roselia kept on asking Angie why her father won't come and greet them.
"Did I do anything wrong, big sister?"
"Of course not, my lady," Angie sat on her knees, leveling her gaze to her young mistress. "Your dearest father was happy to have seen you and now the young master wants to change himself for you."
"B-but, others are always with their papa's."
"Milady, you are the only daughter of your papa. It's different and your papa does not know how to take care of you. But it doesn't mean he is not fond of you."
Roselia widened her eyes. "Does that mean papa is sick?"
"Yes, you have seen your father, right? He is beyond normal size."
"But I like my papa no matter what he looks!" Roselia said with confidence.
Angie couldn't help but rubbed the head of the little lady. "You really are a wonderful child, milady. I'm sure that if your papa hears it, then he will be glad."
"Really? I love papa no matter what!"
Carwyn did not understand why the little girl was fond of the father she had barely seen. Then again, she was an innocent little girl who did not know the truth, the reality of what the true face of that hateful man was. She will not allow her daughter to be fooled, but this was not the time for truth.
"For now, it's time to little mistress," Angie said elegantly. She led the young girl to Carwyn and took a step back. "I hope that you have a good journey, milady."
Carwyn did not reply. She led her daughter inside the airship and asked Carrie to take care of their luggage. After placing her daughter in a safe room, she went out and then looked down. The airship was fast enough and was expensive, but it was a privilege for the richer families. She wouldn't even dream of having the ability to use an airship before her marriage, and yet here she was using the wealth of the Ortiz family.
"I really am a hypocrite," she said.
She looked down and saw a caravan traveling on the dirt road. They were in awe as they looked at the airship. She withdrew her gaze and looked up. She had many discussions, but for now, she could only focus on the world and how to protect her daughter. She could not worry about that bastard at the moment.
He was not her world and if the Wizards were right. Then the major powerhouses were moving their pieces, and there was going to be chaos. She could not allow that chaos to hurt her daughter. It was regretful that she had already stepped on trouble, but now she could only fight.
The time of peace slowly crumbles, and Tumult comes.