In a spacious dining room, flowers are all over the corner that can give everyone's fresh vibes but it suddenly withered when coldness atmosphere envelop the hall and the people whose sitting on each chairs were busy eating their food elegantly for breakfast.
Drazel puts down his utensils and rub a clean towel on his mouth before speaking.
"Father, the demons are now active recently. We can't let Leona go to Barony this time! what if something will happen to her while traveling or in that barony?"
A man with a silver hair and a golden sharp eyes. It has a stoic face but his features are still quite young even in his 40s. He stopped eating and suddenly looked at Drazel and spoke seriously.
"If you have any complains in my decision, be a Duke first and in that way, you can stop me."
He nonchalantly said and stand's up from his chair before heading out the dining room without turning his head.
He is Zareff Ronan Y Avella. The Duke of the Northern Territory and the head of Avella family. He was known for being a merciless person that even the other houses and imperial family are wary of. He's the leader of the Neutral faction of those nobles who doesn't support any orthodox and nonorthodox faction or royal family. Even so, Avella is the second wealthiest in Curion Empire because of its mines and businesses related in jewelry, potions and weapons, etc.
Their are four faction in Curion in which leads by four powerhouses in Curion Empire. First is the Neutral Faction, lead by Avella Duchy. These faction had a largest member of nobility in Curion empire which consist businesses, Alchemist industry, and its not also exaggeration to say that Neutral faction is the one holding the Economic industry in Curion Empire and other kingdoms which the other faction can't hold a single candle. Orthodox faction, These faction consists of Holy church believers that known as the Goddess of life's fandom. Some of its members are commoners and lower level nobility which leads by Vadestine Duchy that ironically blessed by the God of Spring. Third is the non-orthodox faction which lead by Gregor Duchy who was blessed by the God of fall. Non-Orthodox is an heretic faction that was always clashed to Orthodox factions which would lead sometimes on war. Fourth is the Imperial faction that was lead by Imperial Curion family. Many noble families supported the Imperial family that it was no wonder, they are on par like Neutral Faction.
"Father won't change his mind no matter what happened."
Someone suddenly spoke while eating elegantly opposite to Drazel.
Callel Fallion Y Avella. 16 years old, who also have a similar looks of Drazel except for its long silver hair which tied by a red ribbon and a playful smile on his beautiful face.
He was known as a genius for being a young well-known elite merchant and a socialistic person whom every costumers are higher nobilities. Behind that kind and handsome facade was a sly and wicked person that has the ability to destroy a counts family in one night by its connection in every field without any outsiders knowing. He was chosen as the second hier for a Duke's position but he believed that his worth is higher than a Duke's job, that being said, Drazel was pushed as the young lord of Avella Duchy.
Now, every businesses of Avella was also in his grasp, while Drazel was in charge of Avella's military section.
"Leona was just fourteen years old and a woman. I don't even know why father is exiling her to our grandfather's barony..."
Drazel sighed heavily and clasp his both hand.
"Well, we don't have any authority to disobey his orders. We can just pray for her safety."
Callel said and drank a glass of water before standing up and walked closer to Drazel.
"Older brother, just make sure Leona's knights are loyal and strong. In that way, our worries will decrease. Don't worry, I will also hire mercenaries to guide them until they reach Ricafort's Barony."
"Fine, I have no choice anyway, I can only agree with that."
"Right, I'll visit our little sister first so I can have fun with her. The weather is nice today. Maybe I should invite her for a tea in the garden."
Callel said before leaving the dining hall and head towards Leona's room.
However, Leona was still in her room. adjusting her life while remembering all the memories of original Leona from her mind.
'As I thought, I am really Leona Rael Y Avella. currently fourteen years old and will die two days from now while traveling through the forest because of that so-called fucking demons.' Leona's thought while leaning her back on a headboard.
"Even she's a daughter of a powerful duke, she was still cast aside because of her lack of talent and stupidness. Beautiful yet clumsy and naive. How fucked up." She said silently and yawn.
She stand's up from her bed and walked in front of a human size mirror. She observed every details of Leona's body from head to toe and caress her face gently. Every time she stared at Leona's appearance through mirror, she was still fascinated by its charm and beauty. If ever these body was born in her previous life, Leona will definitely become a well known actress or a model from a famous company.
"What's happening to me? No wait, how did I became Leona in the first place from a book character? If I've known this beforehand, I wouldn't even touch that fucking book and burned it directly like I planned to."
Leona said.
"Well, I will set aside that for now, the real problem is... Leona will be killed by a demon in two days. I can't afford to die like that when I'm currently in Leona's body right?"
She felt like in a difficult situation. She breath heavily and turns her head towards the window.
"What if, dying here will take me back to my previous body? Hah! What the hell is this situation? but what if, that wouldn't happened? instead of coming back, maybe I'll really die for sure. I should make a plan."
Someone suddenly knocked on her door and a voice will be heard outside.
"Leona, it's me Callel. I miss you little sis, that's why I'm here to invite you for a tea in the garden."
Leona took a step toward the door and open it slowly. A man that look similar to Drazel appeared in front of her with a smile plastered on its face.
'So this is Callel Avella, the second male lead of that damn book hah. He's surprisingly gorgeous, Kath's characters really gave them justice in appearance.'
She thought while staring at Callel.
Callel on the other hand was confused by Leona's gaze. He thought that Leona was quite different today. She didn't even cling at him like she used to or greet him with a cutely way.
'Is she still sick? but Drazel said, she's already fine...
Callel thought and sighed.
"Leona?"
Leona immediately awoken from her thoughts and force herself to smile, so that Callel won't be suspicious.
"Ah, well... of course brother, I will join you for a tea."
"Alright, change your dress first and I, on the hand will prepare the teas and sweets. I'll just wait for you in the garden."
"Yes, brother."
Callel turn around and walked away but his smile suddenly change into serious semblance.
"She's not Leona."
He quietly said before heading towards his room.
—
In the capital of Curion Empire, a sudden rumor suddenly broke out that scared many young ladies throughout the empire that caused a sudden chaos within nobilities.
"Have you heard about the mysterious disappearance of Lady Luna from Duke Gregor's Mansion in Capital?"
"Of course, but not only Lady Luna but there's also four young ladies from a higher noble family disappeared in one night at the same time."
"Well, even now... the imperial knights can't even find any clue for the missing ladies. I wonder what happened to them..."
"I think the suspect is a pervert."
"For me, I think there's several suspects behind in this crime. It's impossible for one person to do this without anyone noticing. "
"Hey, what if Lady Luna and the other girls runaway from home?"
"Lady Pattel, sorry to say this but I think you're wrong. We are talking about Lady Luna from Gregor Duchy and Lady Fatima from Vadestine Duchy. It was known to everyone that the two ladies are not in a good terms. Also the other three ladies were also from a different factions, so it was impossible to think that they runaway to each other..."
These were almost the topic on each tea parties or banquets in circle of nobilities. One must know that the victims are the precious young ladies from the higher noble families and powerhouses.
Inside in a throne hall, the Emperor sat on his throne with a golden crown on his head. He wore a white robe with a golden linings on its wrist and a yellow crest that was designed with two swords and a sun in the center of the crest on his chest which symbolizes the imperial family's power. The light blessing.
He's black sharp eyes was looking down on where all the noble heads in each family placed while being organized on its factions. He pursed his lip and sighed heavily.
"Glory to the sun and stars of God of light, may prosperity will led to Curion Empire endlessly."
All the noble heads bowed down their heads and placed their right hands through their chest while the two young princes sat on each side of the king and ignoring each other's existence.
"Arise. These difficulties that happening in our Empire cannot be taken lightly. First of all is the demons who are now actively attacking villages and territories recently, and Second is the missing young ladies from the noble houses. Because of this issue, I secretly ordered the Black knights and the White knights to investigate this matter urgently, and an important information was released from the White knights that may connect to the disappearance of these young ladies. "
The king spoke with a touch of authority in his voice.
Each noble heads stand's straight while paying attention to the Emperor's words. After that, the advisor of the Emperor spoke in front while reading a paper from his hand.
"Based on the report of the Royal White knights, The last place visited by the ladies was a tavern that can be found on the East side of slums, where commoners or mercenaries used to drink alcohol and ate commoners foods. Some witnesses and even the workers of the said tavern saw the ladies wearing cloaks to disguise themselves as pheasants while eating and drinking alcohol and chatting together."
He stopped speaking and lift the other paper from the table and started reading again.
"That being said, a knight from Luñez House provoked the young ladies but it was immediately stopped when they heard the name 'Lady Leona' from Avella Duchy when a worker from a merchant praise her in front of the ladies for being the most... ehem beautiful woman in Curion Empire."
"After that, the young ladies seems interested to met Lady Leona from Avella Duchy and left tavern immediately. Also, Count Bauquimer stated that one of his Magical Carriage was missing at the same time after the ladies disappearance. For now, that's all the information we gathered."
All the Noble Heads were stunned and stared blankly at the Emperor's Adviser.
"T-this..."
Duke Loriente Gregor, Duke Samuel Vadestine, Count Luñez, Count Fastillo, and Count Bauquimer was suprised by the fact that their daughters are friends. Not also they drank alcohol from tavern and ate a commoners food. They also snatched Count Bauquimer's magical carriage.
Even the silent Duke Zareff Avella was astonished when her daughter, Leona was mentioned. Thinking about befriending her daughter to those missing young ladies give him a sudden goosebumps.
The Emperor and the two princes was also amused by the unexpected information. The Emperor cough's twice awkwardly and caress his ring gently in his index finger and spoke.
"The information is not yet done but those information are the truth and no lies, in fact, we also gathered the names of witnesses and proof so that all of you can also investigate this matter personally. Now that we heard about the Young Ladies disappearance, I believe that we have to order some knights to patrol each territories especially the Northern territory, right Duke Avella?"
Duke Zareff stand's up and turn his head towards the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, worry not. I will brought in my cavalry to support and find the young ladies as soon as possible. I only have two request for those Nobles who are thinking about sending a troops to my territory."
"Well, let us hear your request Duke Avella."
Duke Gregor said.
"First, If ever you want to send troops to find your daughters in my territory, just send fifty knights. And last, don't create any chaos in my territory, I hope your knights are responsible and well-mannered enough, so that my people from North won't be scared."
Duke Zareff responded seriously that makes every Noble Heads silence.
"Of course, Your Grace. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure my men is humble and responsible, so I believe they'll behave themselves in your territory. If ever they broke your rules, you can fairly punish them."
Count Fastillo stated.
'Only a stupid human being will provoked a person like you.'
All the Noble Heads thought.
"Yes."
Duke Zareff replied coldly while thinking deeply.
'Leona must go to Ricafort Barony as soon as possible, so that those stubborn young ladies won't bother my daughter anymore.'