Pov: Gwendolyn Zara Shawcross (The Day of First Contact)
"My Lady, for what reason did you spare that brute of a woman? why not allow me to end her foolish life that dared to insult your honor?"
"..."
"My Lady--"
"..."
"Honor ---"
"..."
While Gwendolyn chose to stay quiet during their trip back to the village, Sir William had other ideas, he kept asking question after question as if not getting the hint to stay quiet.
"My Lady---
"If another word comes out your mouth I will cut out your tongue myself " Sir William started to talk again but this time Gwendolyn had enough as she quickly and mercilessly shut him down.
Sir William stayed quiet for the remainder of the trip back.
When Gwendolyn arrived back in the village the first thing she did was report the success of her subjugation to the guild master, so that the word may spread.
When she was done she tried to help with the missing houses and the missing tailor but all she managed to get from the scenes of the crimes was that someone used magic to move the houses and the kidnapping of the tailor was done by an expert.
With nothing more to do in this small village, Gwendolyn chose to leave and continue her journey of getting the people of the land to know her and prefer her and not her brother.
Getting back into the carriage they set off to another village close by.
[Later]
Gwendolyn managed to visit every single village and town in her father's territory and now she thought that she was very well known for her helping and compassionate nature, which was better than having the label of a daughter of a tyrant but still.
Now it was time for Gwendolyn to go back home, it was time to return to Castle Shawcross
[Later]
Gwendolyn's grand reception back was a welcomed surprise due to all the servants lining up and throwing magic to celebrate her return but still her father did not show up.
When Gwendolyn inquired where her father was, the answer she got in return was that the Duke was having a discussion with someone important for the development of the territory, so Gwendolyn had no other option but to wait to be called, she chose to make use of this time to get ready and clean herself after all living like a savage was not appealing or viable to her if she was able to help it after all she is noble by heart.
The only good thing Gwendolyn noted about her return was that she no longer had a stalker on her tail and was finally allowed to relax a little.
[Later]
After a warm bath and another pair of clothes, Gwendolyn was ready for the challenges ahead.
'Knock' A knock on the door snapped Gwendolyn out of her thoughts
"What ?" Gwendolyn's cold voice sounded
"Um My lady The Duke requires your presence in the dining hall"
"You may leave "
With those words, Gwendolyn left her room and made her way towards the dining hall.
When she entered she bowed to her father at the head of the table, then she was required to bow to her brother the future head of the house but she ignored his existence and sat to the right side of the table.
"See Father She shows me no respect this will not do"
"..."
"..."
Her brother started whining for attention but Gwendolyn paid him no mind, no she focused her mind on the battle that was going to commence but the duke never spoke to her or acknowledged her existence.
While the Duke was leisurely eating, Gwendolyn chose to make the first move.
"Father I did it I spread my name to all the corners of our land, and now every man, woman, and child knows of me and what I am capable of"
The Duke put down his silverware, then he proceeded to wipe his mouth and when he was done only then did he turn towards Gwendolyn.
"That is good to hear"
The relief Gwendolyn felt was exhilarating but it all came crashing down with one word
"But"
"you will still not inherit my position and you still need to complete your obligation to the house for the alliance between our house and house Tuflley"
The Duke picked up his silverware indicating that this matter was over but Gwendolyn did not accept his decision.
"Father" The venom was evident in Gwendolyn's tone
"You promised that I would be the next head if I won over the people" Her voice came out as a hiss
"Hah that's what you get, even with all that pride you still became a trophy but this time a fat old man is your owner haha " Gwendolyn patiently waited for her brother to finish.
When he was done Gwendolyn turned towards her father waiting for an answer.
Yaj, Gwendolyn's brother did not take well to being ignored so he tried to provoke her again
"Do tell, how does it feel knowing your fate is to be a bed slave yet you're powerless to resist it?"
This time Gwendolyn did not even glance at Yaj, which caused him to become even more frustrated.
"Hey do you think lord Tuflley will give me a go if I asked nicely I mean all nobles share their bed sla-"
Yaj stopped speaking as he felt Gwendolyn's murderous eyes on him.
"You wish to speak with Adults yet you cower at the first sign of danger, You do not get to speak coward now continue to stuff your face like the boar you are" Gwendolyn's words cut deep completely targeting all of Yaj's insecurities and weaknesses.
Gwendolyn again turned towards her father patiently waiting for her answer.
After a minute of staring her father finally felt like answering.
"I said I would consider it not that I would do it and you failed"
Gwendolyn was infuriated that the Duke was going back on his word but she still kept her emotionless face as she did not wish to show any weakness
"Please grace me with the knowledge of how I failed Father"
This time Gwendolyn did not have to wait for her answer as the duke answered almost instantaneously.
"The people know about you but you failed to become the people's hope" The Duke took the time to let his words sink in then he continued
"A cult popped up when you were away and they managed to win over the people, I had to make a deal with the leader of the cult just to stop a rebellion from forming do you know how humiliating it is that I a duke had to personally talk with a mere cult leader!" The more the Duke talked the louder his voice got until at the end he was shouting.
"YOU DID NOTHING BUT PLAY HERO!"
"But -"
"No but's Gwendolyn, nothing is free in this world everything has a price, and the price of being born in a noble house is that you do what I command"
"And I command You will marry lord Tuflley and that Yaj Shawcross is the next head that is the end of this statement understood!?"
"Bu-.. ... I... -Understood Father, do I have permission to return to my bedchamber?"
"Hm" With the duke's nod of confirmation, Gwendolyn left the dining hall.
'I will succeed even if the world is my enemy, I won't allow anyone to control me I will carve out my destiny'
End of Chapter 51
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Name: Gwendolyn Zara Shawcross
Profession: Wind Mage
Power: Low 6th circle
Status: No Abnormalities Detected
Administrator Comment: The subject exhibits strong antisocial tendencies and will need further monitoring to identify the cause