"I... Will beat this..." I said to his face, using all my strength to speak, my head vibrated as I forced myself to talk, it was as of my teeth were clenched together and I was forcing them to open every moment.
~CRASH~
I went for the window as the entire surround rolled before my eyes.
Yes,
I might not have flipped a coin before, but there's no way I don't know a body flip. I understood what Anastasia was trying to communicate on the first body Flip that led me out of the window and slammed my body on the floor. It was quite high but I didn't even feel a thing. As expected of the greatest defence.
The Duke and everyone ran outside, the Duke even jumped after from the window.
After the first Flip I could feel a faint reduction in the pain, I didn't know much but a conversion could mean trying to turn it in the opposite direction, which might have been the reason why she used the illustration of flipping a coin. She knew I was smart enough to get it.
I didn't know how much more I flipped but one thing I know was the entire duchy did not see peace because of me that day.
***
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***
My eyes slowly opened to the golden chandelier, I knew this wasn't my room, I didn't have a chandelier this big in my room.
"Gil? Are you awake?"
"Goshujin!!!"
Two concerned voices reached out for me, but I only grabbed one as I slowly sat up.
"Mother? What happened?"
She drew me in closer and patted my head as she hugged me.
"You are a strong one..." She released her hug and looked into my eyes, "Your resolve Gil, one day it might lead you to a path only you believe in. When that day comes, can you promise me one thing?"
"I'd promise you, anything mother." I meant it, only after waking did I come to treasure their concerns for me.
"When that time comes, always remember you have a family that will support you no matter what. You are adopted but I see you as my own, I hope it's not too selfish if I ask that I want to be your mother and the most precious thing to you."
My eyes widened, such sincere words. She spoke to me not as of a child, no... it was more like she respected a thirteen-year-old enough to tell him her honest feeling.
I smiled upon admiring what she just did. I took her hand and placed it on my cheek, "You became my mother since the day I stepped foot in this castle." I replied to her.
'Let's genuinely give it a try.'
~Wham~
Her hand swept past me, I had my increased perception sense to thank.
"How weird, I have never missed even with Avery." Her demeanour changed instantly, she had a very crazy look on her face, I could tell she was utterly mad at me.
"Did you think I'll pat your back and say well done after that much trouble you caused? For the past two days, I wasn't able to get one wink of sleep. Come here!" She reached for me with another slap.
That 'come here,' I jumped to my feet and over the bed running towards the window.
"No!!! Not the window!! Come like this." She said gesturing her hand.
The door opened and the maids entered. The tray they were carrying dropped to the floor as they were in shock at seeing me.
"Young master!!! Not the window!!!"
I then remembered, how I flipped out of the window. It seemed I had given them quite the window trauma.
***
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>Bralfai County<
"Every single man we place to trail them dies, it's like they have someone constantly watching their back." A tall dark man in a black suit reported to Earl Bralfai, who sat in his garden enjoying a cup of tea.
"It is to be expected. Information from within the duchy does not leak out and even sneaking is hard because of their thorough security. I must say Duke Maxnor is indeed impressive." The man said, praising my father even though he was giving a report.
Earl Bralfai dropped the teacup in his hand and looked at the man...
"Duke Heelterd is running out of patience. So we will hasten things a bit, it doesn't matter if Duke Maxnor has a child or he is adopted. Duke Maxnor must not submit any child to the imperium."
"Earl are you saying...?" He stopped as Earl Bralfai gave him a piercing gaze.
"Involve the shadow assassins if need be."
"Well understood sir." He replied bowed and left the Earl's presence.
Immediately after leaving, someone joined Earl Bralfai in the garden where he was seated.
"I must say, when I decided to sit out the succession war, I never thought you would be the loyal dog of a Duke." He said as he sat in front of Earl Bralfai.
"Shut up, you only gave up because I spent my entire fortune to get you a grade-A vassal weapon. And why are you getting interested in the life of an aristocrat?" He spoke sternly to the young man who had a stunning resemblance to him.
"It's not that I am interested, I just hate to see you carry out their orders. We are one of the founding households of this empire, they are just a meritious household. If only you'd just push out m-"
"Shut up! Do you even know what you are saying? You think the world of aristocracy is something like those peerages your prima friends are buying. Do you think they can dare to have a say in politics? Why do you think the empire can not sell the peerage of Duke and Marquis? You think politics is something like fighting demonic monsters and chasing dungeons?"
"It's more brother? Every minute when we go out on an expedition, we put our lives on the line to protect the empire from the dangers of demonic beasts, I bet you have never even seen how ugly and monstrous a demonic beast looks like. While all you care about is survival while laying low and filling your stomach. I hate this move, I hate our county bowing to a meritious duchy." Bodwyn Bralfai, a younger brother to Count Belmont Bralfai, said and walked away from the garden. Leaving his brother in deep thoughts.