Chapter 67
living inside the wall of the main capital of the merchant kingdom of Solnara Cererindu,
Duchess Elleena Rothchester's mansion, located in the west of the districts where most wealthy people live, has been passed down through generations of the Rothchester family. The mansion is known for its intricate architecture and lush gardens. She decided to take residence ,as this was the place where her dead husband grew up.
The mansion is located at the furthest part of the massive, enclosed city , one of several 50-meter-tall structures protecting different parts of the magea city. It even included its own forest and small lakes that became recreational places for nobles and wealthy people alike. The Rothchester mansion is situated near the forest on the west side, near the wall separating that district from the other much lower class populace, on top of a 10-acre plot of land with twenty servants, with 5 large rooms including a library, a training room, and a small secret weapons room; two kitchens; four servants' rooms; an open garden; and a sub-basement.
The designe keeps chnging as more structures were created and changed over time. She was still participating in social events, but not with nobles. She was roaming the city secretly, helping those who related and connected with the twenty servants working under her.
She made a facade appearance toward the nobles, as she knew a few of them wanted her out of the succession rights to rule the land , as her contribution toward the revolt in overtaking their uncle's rule after poisoning their father was significant. Her true power lay in the loyalty and dedication of her servants, who carried out her orders without question.
She looked weak and a typical noble, but behind that facade, she was a warrior and a strategist, using her charm and cunning to outwit those who underestimated her. Her ability to deceive and strategize made her a formidable force; she didn't gain the title of War Siren out of pure chance. She was a monster wielding a war axe, and her slender and seductive body held power unlike her brother, the king.
She is undoubtedly looking weaker than her brother, but she has taken so many lives to make the proper foothold so that his brother can assume the seat of power. If the noble would just use violence and a direct frontal war, she would come out on top. But she learned that putting down your guard has dire consequences. The nobles serving her brother are masters in the art of political strategy and manipulation; if it wasn't for her brother's skill in high-tier multiple barrier creation, he would have already died.
That is why he hired the crimson mage as one of the two advisors to guard the king. Duchess Elleena's skill is much more deadly and nearly indescribable. As nobody has even seen her truel, the death of her husband and kidnapping of her son were just the start of their clan's battle for survival. That is why, after overcoming the pain of losing her family, she began to plan her move and seek out the enemy within.
She knew that whoever requested that Segast Vandros marry her was the same person that might have orchestrated her family's downfall. So a facade went on; her casual appearance was well played and planned with the help of her loyal servants. Sadly, Segast Vandros still enforces his right to gain the title of Duke, but the king gave this power over his sister, noting he hasn't gained any meaningful merit in his clan.
Segast Vandros sleeps in a different room at the Rothchester's mansion; their marriage consummation never happened, as Duchess Elleena wasn't stupid enough to lie in bed with another man that she knew was a ruthless, power-hungry, and vile person. When he is at the mansion, he is usually on top of another woman. He wasn't just wicked and vile, but he was also a notorious womanizer. Elleena had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of claiming her as his own.
Duchess Elleena was still a noble, so forcing her was a foolish mistake. How many times did her servants report to her that Segast Vandros hired killers to kill her? Her most trusted assistant was her former rearguard in the Solnara blood campaign. She was much older than her, but she knew the duchess very well. Even watch over her son until the age of five. The head steward was called Custodia, 50 years old with short white hair, five foot seven, and chubby-looking like your typical grandmother.
But she was skilled in fistfighting. Custodia was known by the other servants for her gentle demeanor and nurturing nature, but her skills in hand-to-hand combat were unmatched. Despite her appearance, she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to protecting those under her care. Her loyalty to the duchess was unwavering, and she would stop at nothing to ensure her safety.
The mansion interior was similar to other mansions, as Duchess Elleena wasn't much into ostentatious displays of wealth. However, the one thing that set it apart was the servant working on the place; they were all handpicked based on their skill. The mansion is facing the main castle and residence of most of the nobles. Her home was as far away as possible from the noble influence. The other large houses around her were more flamboyant than hers.
As Custodia opened the main door, she greeted the messenger with a smile. As the messenger gave her the package, she accepted it and politely said her thank you before closing the door. She inspected the package and letter thoroughly. And sent out one of the maids to follow the messenger as he introduced himself as a staff member working for the war forge under the leadership of the head forger, Siglorr Bouldergrove.
After checking the letter and the package, Custodia casually walked toward the hallway leading toward the main receiving chamber rooms where the duchess usually entertained visitors. As the duchess was pouring tea, Custodia knocked as she entered. The two visitors who were facing the door greeted the kind-looking head steward and smiled.
The duchess sat and awaited the head steward. Seeing the letter and the package she was holding, she picked up the cup filled with tea and took a sip. Custodia placed the letter and the package and stood at the back of the couch where the Duchess was seated and remained silent. The two guests casually ate the cake that the duchess served. Charlotte Lazarus took a sip and asked the duchess about the request to set up a small base on the land in the city of Lúthien. Mary Kaye was busy eating the cake that was served to them to complement the tea they were drinking.
Duchess Elleena looked elegant and poised as she listened to Charlotte's request, her eyes glinting with attention. She explained that clearing the evolved Drake did happen, but this matter is still under the jurisdiction of the king. The reward for killing the Drake was indeed a substantial amount of gold and gaining the kingdom's assistance in clearing any task the guild requested, but obtaining the land that separated from the main capital would be difficult to achieve.
Duchess Elleena pointed out many nobles would oppose this, as they will also want to claim it for their own selfish reasons. Charlotte just nodded and politely asked to inform the king and his council of their intentions to pursue the land, expressing their willingness to negotiate and compromise with the other nobles to reach a mutually beneficial solution.
Mary Kaye expresses her side and mentions a message came to their attention concerning the land they lost many of their guild members; the letter they received mentions that their benefactor is requesting them to seek help from the Duchess in legally acquiring the fallen land of Lúthien. She further added that as a Lazarus, they are not known to dwell on political matters; they were solely focused on clearing the quest.
But their message toward them was evident and very clear. This might be a plan to establish a joint faction in clearing the Empire of Graves. Establishing a small base at Lúthien, which was nearer to the gorge leading toward the mainland of Karion, was a very strategic idea.
While Nary Kaye was talking to the duchess, Charlotte noticed the letter and the small package. the paper used to wrap the small box looked very similar to the same paper that was sent to them.
"Duchess, please forgive my question, but may I ask who that particular letter and package came from?"
Charlotte was curious about the letter that was placed on top of the side table that was a few feet from the window. Duchess Elleena turned her head and looked at Custodia. As she leaned down near Duchess Elleena's ear, she mentioned the person that sent the two items. As she raised her hand, Custodia went toward the two items and carried them toward the center table and placed them near the duchess.
Duchess Elleena asked Charlotte about her interest in the two items and politely asked out of her own curiosity. Mary Kaye saw the paper wrapping and reacted to it.
"That's the same paper."
"Please elaborate. These two items just came in , and I haven't opened the letter. Now check what was inside the small package."
"Ma'am, the paper used on those two items is similar to what was sent to us."
"Dear guest, these were sent bya knownnartisantthat thee Duchess personally knows."
"The person that sent us the formal joint operation was the Bouldergrove dwarven clan."
Duchess Elleena continued to sip her tea, and after placing it gently down on the center table, she took the letter, broke the wax seal, and opened it. The two Lazarus players remained silent. After a few minutes, Duchess Elleena smiled and gave her response.
"I am delighted the warriors that cleared the Evolve Drake visited and requested such a reasonable request."
"I shall personally inform the king about your request and await his answer."
"Please enjoy the rest of the cake , as I apologize for my actions, as I need to attend to other matters."
Charlotte and Mary Kaye were aware the letter the duchess received came from the same person. They looked at each other and understood the significance of the duchess's reason. They politely excused themselves and thanked her. As Custodia assisted the two as they left the Duchess Elleena Mansion, Custodia escorted Charlotte and Mary Kaye out of the Duchess Elleena's mansion, ensuring they left safely. The two cousins exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the importance of the duchess's reaction.