Chapter 92: Chapter 40. News
Being the daughter of an archduke, by all the canons, I was supposed to stay either with an even more influential aristocrat, or even alone. Being with someone of a lower level seemed simply not prestigious in the eyes of high society.
And here, the situation was even worse. Not only was Elsa the daughter of an ordinary fisherman, but she also remained an orphan at an early age. Not to mention her vague past as a mercenary… to put it bluntly, the girl looked clearly not the best candidate for me.
But I was prepared in advance for all the misunderstandings that will befall us in the near future. Although I was still a long way from fully inheriting the title, I was already learning to take responsibility for certain things into my own hands. Just like defending your point of view.
Because my conscience simply wouldn\'t let me forget what I had done.
The beginning of our relationship resembled a typical plot twist from a comedy sitcom, where once friends get drunk and spend the night together. However, I never thought that I would ever find myself in such a situation myself.
However, there was no point in regretting what had happened. Moreover, in the depths of my soul, this thought did not cause me rejection at all…
Despite the fact that we had known each other not so long ago, I still had a strong feeling that I knew her well. Just like she did me. Perhaps this is what they call a «premonition»?
Who knows, maybe we are really meant for each other by fate.
After leaving the hotel, the first person I was going to tell this news to was Maxie. We suddenly missed each other last night, and I didn\'t even tell the girl exactly where I was going. It\'s possible that she was still worried about my whereabouts…
Anyway, I should have warned you that nothing bad had happened.
Elsa and I silently reached the top of the mountain on which Elder Ileas\' house was located. Being alone, there was still awkwardness between us, because it was not so easy to get used to new sensations.
Having presented herself in front of the very entrance to the hut, she mentally summoned all confidence to herself. Now, Elsa was probably even more worried than I was, so I couldn\'t hesitate.
I took her hand firmly.
— Don\'t be afraid. Everything will be fine.
I smiled at her, trying to cheer her up, to which the girl nodded slightly.
As soon as the door opened, Maxie came out to meet us almost immediately. When she saw that we came together, she froze in mute indignation. Elder Ileas was peacefully drinking some kind of decoction at the dining table, and seemed not to pay any attention to the scandal that was about to break out here. Maybe he didn\'t even notice that I was missing somewhere.
— Where have you been?! — Maxie immediately pounced on me, — Why are you…
Noticing that we were holding hands, the girl was even more lost in what was happening.
— Well… Elsa and I spent the night at the hotel tonight,» I said as confidently as possible.
— What…? — Maxie was almost speechless with anger, — The two of you…?! But why…!
I exhaled deeply. It is better to lay out everything at once than to languish for a long time.
«I have important news to announce.»
— What…?
— Actually… Elsa and I are dating now.
***
— What a terrible cold!
The Marquis of Windsor exclaimed this in displeasure, while a whole tuber of steam escaped from his mouth. The man clearly did not count on such weather when he was going on the road. A thin hiking vest did not warm him at all at almost minus twenty.
Razor was more prudent, and took a fur coat with him in advance. Even Silver turned out to be somewhat smarter than his uncle.
The question is, what the hell? Why, when summer came to the whole continent, only the residence of Duke Cassius was raging with frost? No, this is clearly some kind of cursed place.
The three of them stood in front of the majestic black castle, which took them several days to reach by train. Given the gloomy atmosphere here, anyone would compare it to the mansion of ghosts from a horror movie.
But Rodrigue Windsor did not flinch at all at the sight of all this. Well, or at least pretended to.
«Hey, kid, what are you going to do if this psychopath kills me?» Can you take responsibility for this?
— Hmm… are you scared?
— Yes, who said that! The Marquis protested indignantly, «I\'m just following the usual precautions.»
No matter how you look at it, but showing up at the house of the deadliest man on the planet without warning, they really looked like suicide bombers. Duke Cassius\' reaction could be the most unpredictable.
Razor sighed. Of course, he himself was worried about the upcoming meeting, but still pulled himself together. The Marquis should have done the same.
— As the first knight of the empire, you must fight to the end. It doesn\'t matter what outcome awaits us.
The man snorted.
— Ha…! This kid is still going to teach me.
— So now you are confident in your abilities? Razor summed up.
He grumbled something displeased.
— That\'s it. Let\'s go already. This devil doesn\'t know who he\'s messing with yet!
As if he had no doubts at all a couple of minutes ago, the knight resolutely moved towards the main entrance. Razor and Silver walked slowly behind him.
A massive black door with a handle in the shape of a raven\'s head appeared in front of them, and at first introduced them into a kind of stupor. The Marquis cleared his throat significantly, gathering his courage for the last time.
The second Prince wasn\'t even quite sure if he could do it himself, or if they would continue to stand in the middle of the frost. But eventually, there were three thuds on the door.
All three of them froze in anticipation.
After a couple of seconds, footsteps were heard from the opposite side of the estate, and then the characteristic sound of the latch being unlocked. Soon, a respectable man appeared in front of the guests, straining them with an unkind scarlet look.
The Marquis of Windsor did not hesitate for a long time, and almost immediately suddenly gave out:
— Raymond, well, you are… Forgive me like a brother, okay?
A short silence from the Duke.
— …
After which, the door slammed shut right in his face.
The knight was terribly indignant.
— Hey, red-eyed devil! I\'m talking to you by the way!