Vincent who was ridding his carriage was first greeted by towering gates made up with silver and gold metals. The gates had the carved symbol of the family which was the figure of a dove spreading its wings unto the sky.
In this world where wealth and fame speaks volumes than people's attitude, their territory and mansions will always be tall, luxurious, and full of elegance. The mansion that greeted Vincent had concrete and tall glass windows that gave the feeling of the mountains. It stood proudly in the middle of the rose garden making it looked like the natures were hugging it.
People who had seen this would probably question themselves and their worth but for Vincent such scene was already normal. The Halstead duchy's mansion were few times more luxurious and elegant than these. Furthermore, behind the mansions walls were histories of the founders and the ancestors of the Halstead.
As a Heir, Vincent had the access about such stories however, he doesn't know to himself if there were secrets hidden behind such books and walls.
Just as his carriage stopped in front of the mansion, there were already servants situated in both sides to greet him. In the middle were the three aristocrats that Vincent had given a letter informing then that he will be visiting.
Vincent pushed the curtains of the carriage a little bit to peek outside. His brows made a frown as he noticed their smiles were proud and wide. In that very instant, his mind had already deduced their ways of thinking and the possible thoughts of outcome that might happen today.
Vincent withdraw his finger on the curtain and leaned back on the seat of the carriage. He hasn't started yet but he already feel the headaches.
'This world was full of greedy people,' Vincent mumbled in his mind. However, he also contradicted his own thoughts laughing at himself inwardly. He was also greedy. Vincent knew his ambition has no bounds but then, he had no interest in money nor gold. He can easily gain those things if he really gave an effort to it. However, he wanted something more than that.
"Young master, we are here."
The door of the carriage was opened by the knights escorting him. Vincent came down, eyes tired and his lips had no smile at all. However, despite of his expression, the three nobles moved forward to give a greeting benefiting for a young lord like him.
"We greet the rightful heir of the position of the duke. We, your loyal subjects, greet Vincent Raphael Halstead."
'They're too respectful. Regardless, they're too ignorant or perhaps, arrogant? How little of their minds' Vincent mumbled once again.
Such greetings should not be even given to a young man like him who who wasn't even introduce into the high society yet. Mumbling such words and greetings meant that respected Vincent more than the duchess herself. He chuckled inwardly.
They were also brave and too arrogant to claim of who Vincent really were when the will of the previous duke had given them the task to respect his appointed duchess.
Vincent eyed them, confirming that all three of them were present. Count Lewis, Baron Perez, and Count White. All of them were present. Heaving a sigh, Vincent wanted such troublesome matter to be over with.
In the end, Vincent only gave a nod. "Lead the way."
--
Everything was sparkling that Vincent can't help but turn his eyes into slits afraid that he might go blind. In a designated room that the count prepared, everything was cleaned and well polished. Even the chandelier itself was shinning so brightly despite of the sun's beautiful rays outside.
Vincent understood that they wanted to curry him favors but he was not her to give them praises in the first place. "Turn the lights off," Vincent gave an order in his deep voice. He was frowning as his expression can't be painted.
All the servants present inside flinched and immediately moved. When the light was finally turned off, that was the time he was able to see the three grinning nobles in front of him. He scoffed looking at them. Vincent then turned his gaze to the servant who was serving tea. He raised his hand.
"Stop. I won't be drinking tea as I won't stay for too long." He then waved his hands. "Every servants inside this room, go out."
With his command, the servants looked at Count Lewis who was the owner of the mansion. Hearing the young lord's command, he immediately nodded. It did not even take a few seconds for them to exit.
Right on the heels of that, Count Lewis spoke. "My lord, is there something you wanted us to do?" He was grinning ear to ear with a proud look on himself. Baron Perez did not want to lose on the competition so he added,
"Perhaps the reason you let the servants out because you do not want our conversation to be heard."
"Correct." Vincent answered as he leaned on the chair he was seating. The three looked at each other as their smiles turned even wider. "I have read all of your letters."
When they heard that, all of the frowned. Count white then said, "We did not gave send you a letter my lord."
Vincent smiled. "The one's that I read were the one's you gave to my sister."
"Please, my lord. Why are you calling such peasant your sister. She obviously robbed you from being the duke the moment the previous duke died! You are the rightful heir! You have the right to seat on the throne!" Baron Perez said angrily. His wrinkled cheeks had turned red making him looked even more uglier.
"That's right! She is nothing but a bastard and a thief!"
All three of them agreed with a nod. All the three of them had conviction. Looking at these three men right now, Vincent can't help but think that he was in some kind of a comedy play on the capital.
They were expecting him to be move and confess his feelings. However, Vincent was not even moved at all. To him these words were all poison from the very start. They might be thinking that he was easy to manipulate since he's young but that was wrong.
Neirin already knew how vicious he was. If he was the duke himself right now, they would have already been buried six feet under the ground.
"How brave." Vincent crossed his right leg over his left. His index finger started taping the arm of the chair making a sound.
"However, did you all know that I was sent by the duchess herself?" As they heard that all three of them froze not expecting what to say to defend themselves. They suddenly felt a shuddered crawling in their skin.
Vincent continued. "I am here to punish and reprimand your actions slandering and mocking the duchess of the Halstead duchy. You really think that I would be coming here to praise such arrogant people like you? My loyalty lies on my father." Vincent's voice was deep and solemn.
"He had given me a specific command to follow the duchess whom he trust. My father had groomed all of you and put you all to where all of you are right now. However, not even a single words of gratitude and respect was heard. You all dared to bare your fangs the moment he died. Such disrespect, Mockery, and arrogance."
All the three aristocrats that were all proud were rendered speechless thinking of a way to take back their words. However, before they can utter one word.
"It is making me sad." Vincent unexpectedly said with a smile.
All three of them gaped not knowing if they should be scared or they should run.
--
At the same time, inside the Halstead Mansion, Neirin who was going through letters and busy documents of the family had read a letter coming from the emperor himself to visit him in the capital as soon as possible.
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