Grand Duke Alcide Cajarte

The bottle of the wine felt cold against my palm, as I pour the red liquor into my vulnerable glass. I held the stem between my fingers and disturb the drink in circular motion. Rich flavor that I smelled, urging me to gulp it in one shot.

It was a hectic afternoon. My office was filled with work and I couldn't help but close my eyes and massage my temple. However, it was just like a blessing from hell. The King had sent me a gift, a high-quality wine. That's how this vintage end up in my grasp, successfully tempting me to screw its cork.

I raised my cup while looking at the front, where the golden frame was placed. Almost occupying the space of my wall. Dares to cover the night paint.

"Cheers," I coldly invited them without nothing to celebrate to begin with.

They did not move an inch. It was still the same after a long time, unchanging features that made me growl. Their eyes pierced back as I stared at them. With a grin on my lips, I sip on the lid.

"Ken Cajarte," I put down my glass. "How was life in hell?" The man that I loathe, was forced to lay down under his tombstone. Leaving me alone to take care of his mess.

In the picture, he wore rags that never been washed. His untaken care beard grew even darker just like the bags around his bloodshot eyes. There were visible wrinkles on his forehead and his body were just like bones.

"Fifty thousand million golds, father." Once again, I poured wine into my glass when I drank every last bit of it. "You like that sound, right?"

It was just the monthly income of what Celtic earns. If he was alive, surely his dripping drool will stain the glittering floor. And his feet will run fast as early as the morning to head in a gambling place.

Thankfully. He's dead before my life will be bury again in debt. "Regretting now? Your son has made to the summit of pyramid."

He didn't retaliate to my words. That will be absurd if he can, rising from burying him six feet below the ground seems unbelievable. A chuckled has slip from my mouth. If the devil permitted, instead of lying corpse, probably you already turned into undead. However, that curse was not cruel enough for a sinner like you.

"Disgusting Bastard."

I clench my jaw before taking a light sip while arrogantly throwing him a glare. Beside that man, was a beautiful woman. Sheila Cajarte, my warm-hearted mother that no longer breathes the same air with me.

She was wearing her dirty-white torn dress that betrays to hide her milk skin filled with bruises. If only it wasn't stained by hideous filth, she will remain pure and elegant. I tilt my head for until now, I've never understood her yearn for father's affection.

"You should've have been the one who closed their eyes," I stated as she looks at me with gentleness. Judging the things that I've been doing to achieve this position.

If only she was still alive. With my current wealth, I would have given her everything she wanted by now. Business, a small flower shop of what she always dreams. She can't own one before because she earns a little amount of bronze for selling common medicinal herbs at the busy street.

The warm liquid flow into my throat and I can feel the ecstasy affecting my mind. As the memories of the past that been long forgotten had kept coming back whenever I glance at their portrait. Vision of my mother's sufferings before she died was replaying in the back of my head endlessly.

And I will curse that bastard for it seems he casted a spell unto my broad shoulder to make me work diligently. Not ever wanting to go back to the life, once I have. For me to survived in this wicked ground, I had to wipe out the battlefield.

A sound of a knock from the door woke me up from the reminisce. I leaned my back on the head of the chair. Letting out a heavy sigh.

"Your Excellency. I have things to report." It was Josh's voice, my second-in-command. A knight whom I can place my trust.

"Enter."

He appeared with scrolls under his arms. It was quite noticeable, the sweats that form on his forehead for having the difficulty to carry all out the duties that I ordered upon to him. And there shall plenty to come, it was amusing to watch him obey my commands with full of responsibility, just like a pup that wag its tail.

"What may you say?" I ask him while acting to read the documents however, there's not a single bit of information coming in my mind.

"Afternoon Sire-"

"Lets skip the pleasantries."

"Understood," he firmly nodded, without saluting because his hands were full. "I've collected the data just like you ask. Currently, we have five thousand soldiers preparing to attack Ivium."

"Good." Such news brought music to my ears. I stared the liquor in the glass that shimmer when the light batter it. Hmm, just like the color of blood that will be drop. I wet my lips.

"Yes, it's good that we have that kind number of soldiers. However, we might experience shortage of the food supplies along the travel."

If the fresh meat or the vegetables will not be eaten right away, it might spoil in the inventory along the way. Travelling to a far place, is sure a hassle.

"Right." That would be a problem. I sighed, another dilemma that should give priorities in providing a solution. There should be one, an existing answer. We should come up as fast as possible before our plans will be delay.

Well. There will be always a choice to pick from. If we group the number of soldiers in travelling, as if the one thousand five hundred will be the first one to attack then the second group will follow as a backup. Will that be time consuming?

Mind that it will take days to get in Ivium. Unless we provide plenty horses, that will cost quite fortune. As well, we'll provide the food for the horses.

However. If our knights we'll go for hunting as a source of the food. Such, they're also seems like training, isn't hitting two birds in one stone? Yet, it might lead them to injury and we'll only bring two healers with our journey, we should not let them get tired.

For the soldiers, they must be in the state of full of energy. I want them to avoid being restless for it will cause them a weak swing of their sword.

I sighed. I'll think about it later.

"What else?"

"Uhm." He avoided my eyes and scratch his chin with his one finger that seems like he wanted to say something yet he's motion were full of uneasiness if he should.

"Spill it," I ordered. The quill that I use to sign the documents had run out of its luck. I dip the ends in the ink and back to writing again while anticipating Josh to finish contemplating in his mind.

"May I suggest something?"

I nodded. He then abruptly spread the map that we've been using for the strategy purpose on my table without my consent, putting aside the papers that I've stayed up all night. Before in my eyes, the work was replaced by an ancient scroll filled with different Kingdoms.

"Your Excellency. Shall we take this path instead of what we had planned?" He pointed a road that rumors to be blocked by the rocks.

Questions began to filled my head as I heard of what he stated from his ridiculous mouth. We've been carefully forming this scenario for a long time. It wasn't easy for sure; we might suffer a great loss if were not cautious enough.

I placed my elbow on the desk, letting my chin to rest over my folded rough hands. "What makes you change your mind?"

"It was recommended, Sire."

"Then who?"

"The Grand Duchess, Your Excellency."

I stopped and glance with criticizing at the face of a knight wearing his shiny metal armor. He dares to response me with a void look, not backing away. And I speak with judgement in my tone. "You met her?"

"Yes."

"Behind my back?"

The corner of his lips raised as his sturdy features turned into a playful one. He gave me a teasing glance, definitely made me annoyed. "No need to be wary Sire. We just bumped into each other."

I didn't withdraw my doubting look. However, Josh wasn't that kind of person to lie. He rather drowns his self in becoming a good leader for his troops than to chase affection for a woman.

"Moreover, shouldn't you ask how she know about this route?"

Right. I cough to cleared my throat before relaxing the bit tensed shoulder that arose at the mention of her name. "Then, why don't we consider. Look into it, Josh."

"Yes, Your Excellency. Then, I shall leave now."

"Alright."

I went back to drink my wine and when I look up, he's still on his ground not leaving yet. I gave him a look of indicating a question. A grin up to his ears were plastered on his irritating face. His hair was the color of the ocean sand yet when the sunlight batters its tip of the strand it became light yellowish like the Dandelion in the garden.

"By the way Grand Duke. The Madam looks tired."

"And you say that because?"

"Nothing. I thought you should know."

I growled before shoving my hand in the air. "Leave now."

"Yes! Of course." He respectfully bows his head before turning his back and leave the room.

That woman. I cursed under my breathe as I remembered the condition that she actually dares to propose. How quick-witted, giving her the full authority in the household might be a tactless move. Particularly, without knowing how managing works.

As I expected. Is she after my wealth? Knowing that she came from that country, might be she's just from one of those cunning ladies? With her alluring face, any man she'll set her eyes on will happily to serve her. I mess my hair, even myself.

I Drink the wine with pleasure as the sight of her beauty appear in my mind. Every time she will see me, her eyes will agitate and her slender fingers will shiver. Her lips will turn pale as if she will lose consciousness anytime.

No. if she was after golds, crawling into my bed will be long done. I don't have to bother myself to initiate my condition. It wasn't the case for her. Before I can even get closer, she'll run away like I was some kind of a sick monster that she witnessed.

"Say." As I close my eyes and lean on the head rest of the chair, I breath out the heaviness inside my chest and it spread in the quiet room. "How do I form a relationship with her?"

"Your Excellency. Perhaps, making an excuse to call her for the night will make a great idea. Also, setting the mood is a must."

Turning around to the person who suddenly spoke with my slightly wide eyes, not having to be aware of his presence made my eyebrows knitted. "Jackson, you startled me."

"Oh my. Did I?" Wrinkles around the corner of his eyes was filled with a sarcastic humor. "I've been knocking. You've must be in a deep thought without noticing."

If only one glimpse would be enough to throw some sharp daggers, I scoffed. "Cheap scheme."

"However, I guarantee you that it will be effected." He then smiled. "If I must suggest, you should utilize the condition you both agreed."

"How did you know about that?"

He tilts his head, implying the most obvious answer. "I'm the Head Butler."

A chuckled occupy the room that was once peaceful. Right. he's the man that serve this house before the strand of his hair turned grey. He knows every corner of the mansion, every servant that works here was under his control. As well as, he's the one who handle paper works that needing to be submitted.

"So, then. You're here to help me? What's your plan?"