It had been almost 3 weeks since Victor took over the Dukedom and steady progress had been made.
Since deploying Grand Admiral Nelson and his fleet to protect the trading lanes, there had been no raids from pirates. Profiting from the incoming tariffs and business brought by incoming merchants the Dukedom was slowly starting to gain money. What also helped grow the coffers was the dissolution of his stepmother's and half-sibling's personal funds. Their valuable accessories were sold and the profit from that was distributed to the development of the territory.
Victor's diplomat that had been deployed was able to secure a favourable alliance pact and trade deal with the Cassell Dukedom. This was most in part due to Victor being the grandson of the Duke.
General Rapp was smoothly integrating Victor's forces into the ranks of the normal Luxenberg soldiers. The only soldiers to have their own special units were the Russian Jaegers, the Royal Scots Grey and the French Imperial Guard.
The Jaegers were a specialist skirmishing unit and the only one in the territory so they had special uses. The Royal Scots Grey and the French Imperial Guard soldiers made up Victor's elite household guard.
As the Duke of the territory Victor had made steady progress in his 3 weeks as a ruler. When the coup was over he ordered his soldiers to disassemble the military outpost. All the supplies were stored in the capital and the materials that built the camp were used for repairs or improvements around Hannover.
His trade deal with his grandfather was a favourable deal to get more food into the territory so the citizens were able to not worry about starving. There was a sign of improvement for the territory which brought joy to the people.
However, today would be his first challenge as a Duke. Victor's spies sent word that Duke Cruyff was on his way to the territory. They sent that message almost 3 weeks ago. It was usually a 3-week journey from Hannover to Sardia. So Duke Cruyff was soon to be visiting.
It was obvious why he was coming to see Victor. Josephine and her kids were supposedly missing. No one knew where they were, except for Victor and his soldiers. So the purpose of his impending visit was to retrieve his family members.
It took Harold Cruyff another day to arrive. He arrived with a decent-sized entourage. Half a dozen servants and 50 soldiers. Out from his carriage, the obese and ugly-looking Harold Cruyff came stumbling. The only common physical features Harold had with his sister were their red hair and golden eyes.
As soon as stepped out of the carriage he was met by 200 soldiers standing at attention creating a path to the front entrance of the palace where Victor stood at the top of the small risen stairs.
"Duke Cruyff welcome to my palace. I hope the journey wasn't arduous. Although I must admit I was surprised to hear you were visiting. How about we talk further in my palace's lounge," Victor said politely, signalling for Duke Cruyff to follow.
With a ridiculous snort of disgust, Duke Cruyff could only nod and comply. He could not afford to be rude to the new Duke in front of all those soldiers. His priority was to find out what had happened to the members of his family.
Following Victor, the two Dukes made their way to the palace lounge to carry on their conversation. With the two men seated, Harold did not attempt to be cordial or subtle.
"Where are my sister and her children boy?" Harold questioned. Victor's elite soldiers reached for their weapons after hearing such an insult. Sensing their aggression Victor raised his hand for them to stand down.
"Straight forward I like it. Well since we are asking questions how about you answer mine first, why did you send assassins after Veronica?" Victor replied with a cocky smile. Harold Cruyff grew irritated at such a question.
"Let me take a guess it was Josephine who ordered you to do it. I mean there was no reason for you to specifically target her. There was no threat to you by her and your son is too young to even interact with her so your dear sister must've asked you to. This would've been after I beat Klaus and she felt threatened but couldn't do anything to me," Victor stated, casually antagonising the fat Duke.
Harold could only look stunned and frustrated, Victor was right. Josephine asked him to take care of Veronica, if she couldn't directly do something to Victor, she'd target the only person he cared about.
"So you knew, well why bother to ask such a useless question when you already knew," Harold said unamused with Victor's attitude. Victor could gather Duke Cruyff was starting to get annoyed by him.
"Well, I just wanted to hear you admit it. As for your sister and her shitty children, they are alive for now," Victor admitted with a grin spanning ear to ear. Enraged by the uncertain future of his family, Harold rose and pointed at Victor, "Release my family at once you mongrel. If you do I will not cause any problems for you or the Cassells," He stated.
Slightly baffled by his audacity Victor stood up as well showing the clear height difference between them. "Are you in a position to make such demands? I have 3 hostages. I stopped my grandfather from going to war with you. If you make such threats again the combined army of our two Dukedoms. If you want Klaus, Katrina and Josephine you will pay a ransom. Try anything funny and I will send you a red-haired head.
Boiling with rage Harold's face began to match the colour of his hair. To suffer such humiliation at the hands of someone he considered inferior sent him spiralling. "I will not pay any ransom for them. Our business is done." Duke Cruyff said storming off back to his carriage and beginning to depart from Hannover after just arriving.
"What a dim-witted fellow. To think he'd leave straight away," Victor joked with his guards. Watching Duke Cruyff's carriage ride away. Victor was aware that Duke Cruyff would most likely try and do something to get back his family but for now, Victor revelled in causing him to storm off back to his territory after 3 weeks on the road.
In his carriage, Duke Cruyff could not contain his frustration. He was helpless and could not act freely. Although he was not the smartest, he was aware that he was in a disadvantaged position.
"That little bastard got me! I can't do anything openly otherwise I will have two Dukedoms at war with me. When we return send forth all assassins we have. That piss ant shall die."
A month had passed since then and a group of 12 assassins appeared before Duke Cruyff in his palace's entrance. They were hardened-looking gentlemen who had a menacing look in their eyes. With a wicked smile, Duke Cruyff began to address them.
"You already know your target. Whoever kills that purple-haired brat will receive a bonus for their contribution. Do not fail me."
All nodding in unison the rugged band of assassins departed for Hannover.