In a concealed corner of the Duke's castle, Duchess Victoria Ignatius conversed with her three daughters about how they would train the young master.
Their discussion was abruptly interrupted by a request for her audience with the prominent figures of the dukedom: the minor lords of the territories, battalion captains, and other esteemed dignitaries gathered in the throne room.
Dressed in a stunning emerald gown that elegantly draped over her form, leaving only her shoulders bare, the Duchess exuded an aura of both beauty and authority.
Her crimson hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her piercing green eyes scanned the important figures with an expressionless gaze.
Any man would be captivated by the sight of one of the kingdom's most enchanting women; however, those foolish enough to let their admiration show would surely face a fate worse than death.
Every man present knew well the ruthless nature of the Duchess; it was far wiser to keep their gazes lowered than to invoke her ire.
The Duchess's three daughters stood silently beside her, hands clasped behind their backs, embodying an obedient grace.
"What brings you here?" the Duchess inquired, her voice calm yet commanding.
"Duchess," began one of the lords, a woman whose boldness allowed her to speak where men hesitated, "there have been some strange occurrences."
"What occurrences? Explain," the Duchess urged, her attention fixated solely on the woman, deliberately ignoring the men around her.
The woman continued, her expression grave. "Everything was proceeding as normal, but suddenly, this morning, every single martial weapon in the Ignatius Dukedom began to vibrate and release their intents simultaneously."
A shift in the Duchess's demeanor was palpable as she glanced at her daughters, who mirrored her concern.
"Um, Duchess?" the woman called out hesitantly.
"Yes, what is it?" the Duchess replied, her focus unwavering.
"About the phenomenon…"
"Yes, where did it occur? How many places experienced this event?" the duchess asked, directing her attention solely to the woman, pointedly ignoring the men around her.
"It was experienced throughout every corner of the Kingdom of Astoria," the woman replied, her serious demeanor underscored by a slight shake of her head.
"The entire kingdom?" Victoria's expression hardened as she glanced back at her daughters.
"We were so engrossed in assessing our brother's potential that we neglected to consider how it might affect the outside world," Elizabeth whispered to her twin sisters.
"Well, who would have thought our brother's will could impact the entire kingdom?" Isabella whispered in response.
"Wait, if the whole kingdom experienced this phenomenon, does that mean our brother will awaken extraordinary talent when he turns sixteen?" Annabella pondered aloud.
"I can't imagine it... Even I, who am called a genius among geniuses, couldn't possibly display such a phenomenon," Elizabeth murmured, shaking her head in disbelief.
The duchess listened intently to her daughters' conversation, her own thoughts racing along the same lines.
"Continue," the Duchess gestured for the woman to proceed.
Having just learned that her son's phenomenon had spread throughout the kingdom of Astoria, she could already anticipate the reactions that would ripple through the land.
"As I was saying, the entire kingdom has been affected by this phenomenon. By narrowing down the effects across the various territories, it has been concluded that this... phenomenon originated from your castle, Your Grace," the woman spoke carefully, as if fearful of invoking the Duchess's wrath with a misstep.
"So they have already determined that it came from my castle, hmm?" the Duchess mused silently, observing the keen interest of those present who were eager to understand the source of this disturbance.
"Mmm, this phenomenon is merely the result of testing a new technique. There is no need for alarm, and certainly no reason for a formal meeting, so you may all return to your duties," the Duchess said, her voice firm as she swept her gaze across the assembly, lingering on each face in turn.
There were several reasons why she chose not to disclose her son's existence.
First and foremost, she feared the implications of revealing that her son was the catalyst behind the phenomenon.
What would people think if they learned of it?
Secondly, providing a rationale for the phenomenon would only be prudent when she herself had yet to fully comprehend her son's capabilities.
Thirdly, she knew there were those among the assembly with connections to other dukedoms; whatever she said now would likely spread beyond her own territory.
Fourthly, such revelations would inevitably prompt speculation about the extent of the power the Duchess of the Ignatius household had amassed since emerging from seclusion.
They might even become more fearful of her than they already were.
Moreover, even if they dismissed her words as mere fabrications, the whispers of what the Duchess Ignatius might have done to provoke such a phenomenon would linger in their minds.
In any case, her son's existence would remain a secret, while the awareness of the Duchess's power would deepen among her subjects.
If any foes lurked in the shadows, they would certainly think more than twice before making any attempts against her.
"Now, if there's nothing more to discuss, this meeting is adjourned." The prominent figures of the Ignatius Dukedom bowed in deference before departing, muttering among themselves in hushed tones.
The Duchess watched them go, her expression a blend of contempt and impatience. Were it not for their vital roles in managing the territory, she might have dispensed with most of them right there.
Once the council members had exited, the Duchess and her three daughters retreated to a concealed section of the castle that housed their private quarters.
"I can't believe we let this slip," Elizabeth muttered, stomping her foot in frustration. "I can't believe we failed to contain his will within the castle walls."
"It's not your fault, sister," replied Isabella, her twin, laying a comforting hand on Elizabeth's arm. "Who could have anticipated that our brother's will would be so potent it would reach across the entire kingdom?"
"As vexing as it may be, this isn't something we can't handle," the Duchess replied, her tone as composed as ever. "I've told them the phenomenon was merely the result of a technique I was testing. Though I doubt most of them believe it... what effect do you think this will have?"
Elizabeth spoke first. "It might be prudent for you to send letters to the other dukedoms, explaining that this was caused by an experimental technique."
"Really?" scoffed Annabella. "Do you think any of them would buy such a story? A technique powerful enough to affect every weapon in the kingdom? Not even the king would believe that."
Elizabeth crossed her arms. "And why should it matter if they believe it or not? It's the Duchess of Ignatius issuing an explanation. They wouldn't dare question you openly."
"She's right," Isabella agreed. "Mother, the other dukes already fear you. They won't raise concerns, especially since it didn't cause them any real harm—just a brief release of weapon intent across the kingdom."
"Exactly. So what if they doubt me?" The Duchess gave a cold smile. "As long as I say it's the truth, then it is the truth." She looked to Elizabeth.
"Send those letters. State that the phenomenon was caused by a technique I was practicing. Let them doubt all they want—and add that if they're bold enough to question it, they're welcome to come here and do so in person."
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{Author's Note: If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to vote with some POWER STONES. It would also really help me if you could rate this book. Thank you for reading!}