Chapter 14: Chapter 14 - Making a Deal with Duchess Maria (2)
"What do you want, Young Master Zephyr?" The playful tone vanished from Duchess Maria's voice, replaced by a profound seriousness.
Her eyes bore into me, revealing a desperation that mirrored my own just moments ago.
"These two, and also you, will open this letter once I've left the duchy. Those are my conditions." I stated firmly.
I was well aware that Maria couldn't harm me due to Luinera's protection, and her own guardian spirit had likely informed her of its presence.
The worst she could do was attempt to seize the letter, even if it meant risking half of her Duchy.
Guardian spirits were known for their destructive capabilities, obliterating a twelve-kilometer radius upon the death of their host. It was a severe form of self-defense.
"But how can I guarantee that the contents of this letter are true, and that you're not deceiving me?" Maria's eyes were calculating, weighing the pros and cons of her decisions.
Leaving Elsa, whom I desperately sought, behind without gaining anything in return would not be wise for her.
"I will swear an oath to the Goddess of Truth," I replied confidently. "In this letter, all the information is true and verified. If any piece of information is incorrect, I will die on the spot." Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
"Don't worry, my child. Once the Duchess has read the letter, we will come back, okay?" Isabella reassured her daughter with a gentle smile, full of motherly affection.
"Hahaha... Miss Isabella, why are you making promises you can't keep?" I laughed in a manner befitting a villain, watching as the two pitiful individuals awaited their fate.
"What do you mean?" Isabella glared at me, her expression now a mix of confusion and anger.
"You know whose name is mentioned in the letter, Miss Isabella." I narrowed my eyes and grinned slightly, testing to see if she was truly as clever as I had thought.
I watched as her face contorted in shock, and she clutched her daughter to her chest, beginning to cry.
"No, no, no! It can't be. He won't leave us alone even after his death. My dear daughter, I'm so sorry," Isabella murmured amidst her sobs.
Elsa, on the other hand, was not pleased with my role in this situation.
She shot me a fiery glare and yelled, "What did you do to my mother?"
"No, Elsa, stop it! Thank you, Young Master, for saving my daughter's life," Isabella interjected, her tone sincere and full of gratitude.
"No problem. In exchange, Isabella, I want you to become my aide.
I need your intellect," I stated firmly, aware that suggesting anything else would only complicate matters further, and the little girl might take it as an offense.