It's been more than a week since I arrived in Rivania. Nothing major occurred. I spent my days caring for our mother and managing our mansion's internal affairs. Herano became preoccupied with our businesses, therefore he spent the most of his days inside the duke's office, his office.
"Arf! Arf!" I stared at the approaching dog.
"Bruno! Oh, how I've missed you, my dog!" He got on top of me and licked my face.
"Did you miss me, big guy?" I was stroking him. Bruno has been my pet since I was a child. Our Father gave him to me as a present. I was an animal lover, and I couldn't contain my joy when I first held him in my hands as a puppy.
He goes round and round, plainly wanting to be petted. His fur was black, he's grown to be enormous, and he's scary to look upon. I was inside my chambers, and he was asleep on my bed. He's really special to me, and I've been missing him a lot.
Knock! Knock!
"Come in "I responded. I saw Yuli's coming inside.
"I apologize for disturbing you, Lady Fana, but the designer has already arrived," she remarked respectfully.
The Royal Ball will take place in three days. My brother and I were frantically getting together our outfits for the event. For our outfits, he hired one of the empire's top designers. We gave him more than the amount for him not disclosing the fact that we were already in Rivania.
"My Lady, this red one looks wonderful on you," said the designer. I browsed through his catalogs of high-end completed outfits. He's well-known in Rivania for making the finest clothes and outfits for both nobles and royals. I concentrated my gaze on the outfit he mentioned. It has a fitted deep red long sleeve turtle-neck top and a straight skirt with a slit on the side, rather than a ball gown. It was an ombre of crimson and black. When I wear this dress, my thighs will be on display. It was one of the most unusual gowns I'd ever seen, and it was very expensive.
"That looks amazing, my lady," Nanny Lina remarked. My other maids-in-waiting nodded, and I could see glimmers in their eyes. They were more delighted than I was to see me in this sort of gown.
"I believe you'll look great in it, Fana," Herano remarked behind me. He was attempting to fit several suits. He picked a suit with an ombre of red and black, which matched the color of my chosen gown. I turned my gaze to his. He was staring in the mirror at himself, trying to decide if the suit looked well on him.
"You look dashing in that suit," I remarked.
"Do you think so?" he inquired.
"Yes, and furthermore, if you pick that one, we'll be the same." I stated
He nodded, as if he got what I was saying. Finally, we purchased it. Not just one, but several suits and dresses. I didn't dispute with Herano when he stated I should have more dresses and gowns in my wardrobe. My clothes were so basic that they didn't fit with my status as Lady of the House.
"Thank you very much, My Lord and Lady. "Don't worry, I'll deliver the items to you tomorrow morning," the designer remarked as he bowed and entered the carriage.
The night is already deep. I had already entered my chamber and was patting Bruno on my thighs. I couldn't sleep, but the lights in my room had already been turned out. Bruno rose up and looked out the window. He kept walking back and forth, as if he was bothered by something.
"Arf!" he stood outside my balcony. I remembered this dog being given a spell by a spellcaster in Rivania's capital. He had exceptional hearing and vision, so he could protect his owner from attackers. He can tell if there is a threat or if someone is on your property.
I got up and hid behind my curtains. I placed my index finger over my lips and ordered my dog to be quiet. He appeared to comprehend it, yet he continued to go back and forth. I opened a little gap in my curtain and noticed our plants moving from a distance. That is, someone is behind it.
Could it be...
I reached into my drawer for my dagger. My brother gave it to me, and this has a poison. I walked straight to Herano's room and knocked on his door.
I'm wondering if he's already asleep.
He eventually opened the door and was ready to shout at me when I put my palm over his lips.
"Shh. Bruno saw someone behind one of our plants on our property. I saw it moved as well."
He realized what I meant and went to fetch his sword.
We went downstairs and exited through the hidden corridor leading to the exterior of our mansion. We will not be seen by anybody else as a result of this.
When we eventually made it outdoors, we noticed a man lurking among the bushes with a parchment and a pen. I knew it! A spy!
I moved slowly so he didn't notice me. I was already at his back as I approached silently. He didn't appear to notice since he was too preoccupied with what he was doing.
I snatched his cloak and thrust my dagger into his neck.
"Move or I'll slit your throat." He didn't move one inch.
"What is your name?" "What are you doing inside Portgas' Property?" Herano replied coldly and went out, pointing his sword at the man. The man didn't respond, but he managed to wiggle free from my not-so-tight hold.
"Fana, watch out!" Herano yelled. He was going to stab me when I seized his wrists and kicked him in the stomach and groin area. That's what he gets! It's a good thing I learned defense during my stay in Havania.
"Ughh!"
The man groaned, most likely because he was in pain.
I got down on my knees and grasped his neck. I open his mouth and push my fingers on it. I was looking for anything in his teeth, and there it was!
I could tell he had a drug in his mouth. It's a good thing I did it before he had a chance to chew on it.
Things you'd expect to find in a spy or assassin. You will sacrifice yourself so that you will not be able to leak information of your superiors.
I studied the drug that I had taken. It has a crown engraved on it.
"Kravis." word came out from my mouth directly.
"Did you come here at the request of the Kravis family?" I asked the man.
He gave a creepy smile. "You brat!" He was supposed to hit me, but Herano quickly knocked him down.
"How did you acquire of those moves?" Herano inquired.
"Should we really discuss it right now?" I replied. He made a shaky motion with his head. I gave him the medication I had earlier. He glanced at it and knew right away.
"The Kravis family. "We now have new evidence," he said.
Herano picked something, which turned out to be the parchment. We read it and discovered that he was spying on us.
"I am confident, My Lord, that the family's eldest and youngest children are present-
We had already taken care of him, so the report was incomplete.
"Hah! How bold. They did, in fact, send a spy inside our premises. We would not have known there was a spy if it hadn't been for Bruno. Even though I expect they'll send one, I'm still amazed that they'd really do it. Impressive and yet so reckless," I commented.
"Indeed." He replied
"And the drug, it has a crow engraved on it; when did they own a drug manufacturer?" I stated
"Whatever it is, it may be used as proof. They have a lot of dubious businesses . We'll find out and use it against them," Herano said.
While we were on our way inside our mansion, Herano carried the spy's body. The butler was taken aback when he spotted us.
"Are you all right, My Lord and Lady?" he yelled
"Shh, tone down your voice. "They might hear us," Herano said to the butler.
"Please accept my apologies, your grace."
He appeared to be confused by what was going on, but he did not proceed to ask. We placed the spy in our hidden basement. We plan to interrogate him.
"Interrogate him, torture him, do whatever it takes, and if he doesn't speak, cut off his tongue," Herano instructed the butler coldly.
"Oh, before you do anything, please follow his handwriting and create a fresh report." Make a note of this: I am confident, Lord Kravis, that there is nothing untoward about the Portgas home. It appears that the eldest and youngest child did not arrive at Rivania." I informed the butler. He instantly did what I told him to do.
This is necessary so that the Kravis family does not suspect us. I'm sure they decided on what to do if the spy was apprehended. So, in order to reduce suspicion, we must fake the letter. Fortunately, there were some parchments in the spy's pocket, and the pen he used will be the one used by our butler.
I'm not sure if they intended to convey information by magical messenger or via personal messenger, but whatever happens will serve as a warning to the Kravis family. A caution to them not to mess with us.
"Use the magical messenger to send it. Send it to the House of Kravis
I turned to look at the spy, who was now unconscious within the cell. The horrific battle has finally begun.
It had already gotten to be early in the morning. Herano informed me that the spy had already awakened and that we had not received any information from him. As a result, I headed down to the basement.
I saw him, his body covered with torture wounds. I sat in the chair that had been prepared for me and faced him. He fixed his gaze on me.
I can sense rage in his eyes as he says, "Curse you."
"Is that how you say Good morning on the Kravis primary residence?" I then spoke. He didn't respond, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that thoughts were running inside his mind.
"Well, I suppose I should teach you the fundamental and crucial way to greet someone above you. It should be Good Morning, My Lady," again, but he didn't answer. I let out a sigh.
As expected, things will not be easy
"Let me clarify something. Was Duke Kravis the one who sent you here?" I locked my gaze on him. He didn't say anything.
"And then there's the drug. Isn't it true that Kravis manufactures drugs as a source of income? You produce narcotics, which is a prohibited industry, and yet the Kravis family continue to conduct that murky company in the shadows." It wasn't a question, but I'm speaking about facts.
He got to his feet and walked between the bars.
"If you respond, I will set you free."
"Why would I trust you?" he eventually said.
"There is nothing I would not do"
He spit on me, but it didn't hit me or the dress I was wearing. I smirked at him, and now I'm furious.
I got to my feet and walked right up to him. I gripped his cheeks with my hands.
To catch the butler's attention, I snapped my fingers.
"Butler, plainly, this man lacks manners. Isn't it reasonable that we should educate him?'
"Indeed, my lady," says the butler.
"And this man does not speak. His tongue serves no purpose. So, I suggest you cut them off right now," I said with a grin. The man's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"No! Curse you!" This will never be forgotten by the Kravis family. Curse you!!" guy exclaimed
The butler entered the cage and began chopping off his tongue. I stood there, as if I was accustomed to the scenario. Because his wrists were bound, the guy was powerless to stop our butler.
"It has been completed, my lady." I was shown the tongue by the butler.
"Good." I informed him.
The man began to cry. I leaned forward closer to him. His mouth was pouring with blood.
I gazed at him, my eyes cold, empty and dead
"I have no mercy for those who have harmed my family. I have no mercy for those who murdered my sister and father. This is what happens when you mess with the Portgas family. "Don't mess with us."
I stood up and turned around.
"This man is useless to me. "Kill him," I ordered the butler.
The man began to cry once again.
"And dispose of his body somewhere."
"Lady Fana, as you wish."
I returned from the basement. I'm sure the Kravis's will suspect us, but there'll be no proof.
If you want a game, I'll give you one. If you desire death, it will come to you.