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Chapter 17 - Tangled

THIRD PERSON POV

MARQUESS ERARS

Saymon was reading the newspaper in the living room while waiting for his son's arrival as always. He saw Sebastian entering and put down the newspaper.

'' You are earlier than usual led,'' He asked Sebastian who looked tired. Sebastian smiled at him and sat on the couch. Ruffing his hair a bit he looked like any other boy at his age.

'' Something came up so I took a leave earlier.'' His voice sounded tired so Saymon didn't ask him anything. He ordered the maids to prepare a warm bath and food for Sebastian.

'' Life is hard what can you do about that,'' Saymon grinned. Sebastian chuckled and nodded in agreement. '' It is indeed hard. Anyway Dad, Where is Lady Casvoner?'' He asked. '' Saymon wasn't expecting his son to ask about Vivian but he didn't mind either so replied casually.

'' She is in the drilling ground, why?'' Sebastian stood up and smiled innocently, '' It won't harm knowing a fellow noble who will be living with us for a while.'' Saying that he walked toward the direction of the drilling ground. Saymon looked at his son's back and wondered if his son who never showed proper interest in the opposite sex had finally gotten some interest. But the fact that the subject of interest was none other than the Lady Of Casvoner, he didn't like.

Sebastian entered the drilling ground and found Vivian practicing all her own. Other knights were gone for an afternoon break while Vivian stayed behind. He took soft steps toward her so that she doesn't notice his presence. Vivian's red hairs which looked like rose petals weren't as dazzling as they were yesterday. Covered in dust and sweat, they looked less attractive to others but Vivian cared less about that. Sweat was dripping from her forehead and her hands were brushed but her eyes looked sparkling, the traces of satisfaction was visible on her face. Sebastian observed her moves and he had to accept that Vivian is indeed born with the talent of swordsmanship. To think Grand Duke will such an unexpected step of letting his precious daughter become a knight to give her freedom, he couldn't help but feel the clear discrimination between Vivian and Valentiara.

'' Lady Vivian's sword swings as beautifully as the Knight from the house of Erars,'' Sebastian commented. Vivian stopped and turned around. Her eyes widen seeing Sebastian watching her with a smile on his face. Her face turned red despite her efforts of hiding that from him, Sebastian noticed.

'' That's a too great compliment, Young Marquess,'' Vivian replied while smiling. Sebastian stepped toward her and shook his head negatively.

'' It's not, My Lady. I never saw any woman wielding a sword as skillfully as you. Keep up with this, My lady can become a knight in no time.'' Sebastian commented. Vivian's eyes brighten up like a child's. It was obvious that she was both happy and excited.

'' I won't disappoint Young Marquess's expectations.'' She said with confidence filled in her voice.

'' Grand Duke is indeed lucky to have a daughter like you who is both talented and beautiful.'' Vivian couldn't help but blush hearing his sweet words but little did she know that time, Sebastian's words might be true but they didn't come from his heart. It was a honeytrap set by him to find out about Valentiara.

'' If the lady doesn't mind, can I have a duel with you?'' Sebastian proposed. Vivian was shocked by his unexpected request but she didn't feel bad about that at all. She gladly accepted his request and gave him a sword. Sebastian rolled up his shirt and unbutton the first three-button of his navy blue shirt exposing his perfect collarbones. Vivian couldn't help but get drawn to him unconsciously. Sebastian get in the position and smiled,'' Ready my lady?'' Vivian nodded happily and got in a fighting mood.

Vivian ran toward Sebastian and attacked him first which Sebastian dodged easily. He turned around and attacked next, he targeted Vivian's left arms arm Vivian managed to predict his move and saved herself.

'' You don't plan on going easy on me right?'' Vivian said while smiling. SebasSebastianied, '' I am not that good, Lady.'' Vivian's determination fired up and she attacked for his sword but failed as Sebastian changed his position again. Both of their swords clashed and their faces were closer than before. Vivian once again lost herself in Sebastian's beauty. Sebastian took advantage of her distraction. He pushed her backward and Vivian while trying to keep her balance fell for Sebastian's trap but by the time she realized his sword was already pointed at her neck.

'' It's my win, Lady.'' Sebastian smiled proudly. Vivian chuckled and accepted.

'' Young Marquess is an opponent. I accept the result.'' Vivian said. Sebastian put down his sword and wiped off his sweat with the back of his hand. Vivian couldn't take her eyes off him for a second, her heart was beating faster than usual and her stomach felt weird. She didn't know what to name her emotions but she didn't dislike them either.

'' It was a nice match lady. I will be looking forward to another match then,'' Saying that Sebastian took his farewell from Vivian. He directly went to his room and closed the door behind him.

END OF THIRD-PERSON POV

SEBASTIAN'S POV

Things are more unclear than I thought. Vivian Casvoner has been trained for quite a long time. Judging by her steps and moves it seems like she had the training of knights for at least 4 years which is unusual for the daughter of a Grand Duke Casvoner who is known as a man who abides by the Empire's rule to the point he won't break it even if his life was taken. But he let his daughter be trained to become a knight from the start even though it's an unsaid law that the daughters of 2 Grand Dukes and 4 Dukes can't join knightage or else they will be seen as an outcast in the high society.

Grand Duke's love for his daughter can be seen by the fact he never stopped her from following her passion for the sword. Also letting her join the Knightage of Erars which is both the most notorious knightage and independent that makes her ineligible to become Second Imperial Princess. Not only that giving up over 3 mineral mines and Jade Plaque.

Yet he is taking his other daughter with him to the National Ball to greet the Emperor and Empress. It's like using his one daughter as bait to give her another daughter freedom and happiness. After losing Vivian Von Casvoner the Second Prince will eye on Valentiara Von Casvoner to gain the Grand Duke's support. His obsession will transfer to Valentiara once he gets to know that Vivian has flown far away from his grasp.

Grand Duke Valentine Von Casvoner is a perfect example of those aristocrats who uses their illegitimate children as bait for their legitimate children. The anger in my heart started mixing with the feeling of compassion and sympathy for Valentiara.

'' Valentiara, is this why you are trying to find a base of your own? To escape from Grand Duke's selfish plan? You are a pitiful one, Aren't You? Maybe more than me?'' A girl only 3 years younger than me has to face this cruel joke of fate is funny.

I looked at the coins Valentiara left on the counter after drinking mocktails. Valentiara is smarter than any of Grand Duke's legitimate three children. She even managed to bring that prince to her side when there is no information available about him. I can predict some extant about what she is planning but is this the right way?

Taking the abounded prince's side when none in the Empire is interested in him just when the battle for the throne is about to start means only one thing.

'' She wants to make him the Emperor.''

But why him, not the other two princes? Is that because it will be equal to selling herself to the owner of the crown? Because both princes have powerful backups, one's mother is the Empress who belongs to another Grand Duchy in the Empire. Another's mother is the Emperor's favorite woman and the only princess of the Ilvis Kingdom. While the abounded prince's family background isn't that great given the fact that not many know about his existence. If Valentiara sides with one of those two princes they will surely throw her away after seeing them on the throne and she will just remain as a concubine as she is the illegitimate daughter. But if she supports the abounded prince it will be risky but at the same time the safest option. By making him the Emperor she will make her indebt to her so he will be unable to throw her away and she can easily either inherit the Grand Duchy or gain her title or

Become The Empress Herself. To do that she will need only five things, An Informat who will give her any information she needs, A skilled merchant to finance her fully, a socialite who controls the flow of high society, a sharp advisor who can see through any tactics of the opponent and lastly a powerful, loyal batch of knights to protect and protest.

Wait! I couldn't help but feel shocked beyond my expectation. Her plan is like a blueprint made by an advanced diplomate and King Maker. I started laughing and wondered,

'' I think in upcoming days, I will be infatuated by you more than I can imagine, My Dear Savior.''