Lesley x Guinevere
A noble young lady must fulfill her responsibility of marriage. However, Guinevere Baroque, a renowned mage, refuses to marry someone she has never met. She's fully aware that unless she agrees, the Paxley house will never leave h...
A/N: Political(?) stuffs ahead. If there are some things that are confusing, don't be shy to ask questions!
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"Hmph! How rude."
~ Guinevere (MLA)
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Guinevere Baroque, the daughter of Duke Baroque and a prodigal mage, graduated as a top student at Magic Academy. No words can even describe her unparalleled beauty. She's the epitome of perfection with her elegance, grace, and wit. People who hate her sometimes describe her as arrogant and entitled, but people who love her praise her talent. After all, she invented her magic herself since she was a girl who had just turned ten.
All her efforts just to prevent her becoming a bargain chip for marriage crumbled into dust with just a marriage proposal. But she is not a powerless, naive woman, and she's determined to do anything she could for the sake of her freedom.
"My lady, the Ecnav guild is here for you." The butler announced after an hour that she had sent the letter to the information guild.
A smirk formed in her rosy lips as she put down the teacup and signaled her maid to bring another refreshment.
"Let them in." She commanded.
Two tall men entered the room. Both of them were wearing masks that only covered half of their faces, but one of them caught her eye. The man who caught her attention was wearing a white mask with golden patterns and luxurious clothes that only a rich nobleman would dare to wear.
Guinevere chuckled. "It is an honor to have the guild chief here. Please take a seat. " The man with a white mask smiled in amusement. With his deep baritone voice, he commented:
"My, my. You're truly a bright lady, just like they said. "
"Oh, it's nothing. The moment you entered the room, everything about you was already screaming, 'I am the chief.' Am I right, your grace, Duke Vance? "
The man laughed loudly as he took his seat. Amusing. That was the word that he could use to describe Guinevere at the moment. Though, as she pointed out, it isn't much because Duke Vance was always open and hinting that he was the owner of the famous information guild.But some nobles are always too foolish to realize that Ecnav is just Vance in reverse.
"Please pardon me from laughing too loudly, my lady."
The corner of Guinevere's mouth quirked up. "It's nothing really. But..." The smile on her face faded, then it was replaced with a blank expression and deadly glares towards the duke. "I won't forgive you for sending spies the moment the Paxleys sent the marriage proposal."
"Your grace has even personally kept an eye on me since the past couple hours. Is it not? " The lady added.
The Duke touched his chin, and his eyes were filled with admiration. "I ask for your forgiveness sincerely, my lady." He pleaded.
Guinevere let out an unladylike groan. She was annoyed, but she also understood Duke Vance. If Baroque and Paxley formed an alliance, the Paxleys would gain more power, and the Vances' position and status would be jeopardized.
"Well, let's just get down into business, shall we?"
"I wish to marry Lesley Vance." Guinevere proudly announced, with her loud voice. She saw the man standing behind Duke Vance flinch. That made her brows knit. The lord's reaction was unexpected; he choked on his tea, causing a small ruckus. She raised a brow. She thought that the Duke already knew and heard her conversation with Fanny.
"Pardon? That is absurd. How-"
"Your grace, just let me marry your daughter and have your support and power." She cut him off and signaled her maid to give her a folder. "Then I shall give you this. Do not worry, this is my personal property, not the Baroque's, and of course, Father was not aware that I had this. " Guinevere handed him the documents. It was a paper of ownership of a mine, and it was a magic stone mine that cost more than the fortune of a dukedom.
The Duke sat straight and stared at her, trying to read what was on her mind. Guinevere was beyond impressive; she never failed to amuse him in every minute of their conversation. A magic stone mine is enough for her to become independent or even help her inherit the Dukedom of Baroque. She'll gain influence, wealth, and power. But she's actually giving it to him without thinking twice. "Lady Baroque desired freedom that neither a duchess of Baroque nor a Paxley could provide, as well as protection from the Vance." He concluded.
"Very well. But please allow me to ask a question, My Lady."
"Go on."
"I know you're aware of the existence of my other son. Why don't you marry him instead? "
Guinevere pursed her lips. She then took a sip of the tea that had almost gone cold after she left it untouched. "You mean Sir Fredrinn Vance? The treasure appraiser and your son, who left the family? "
The Duke let out a chuckle upon her answer. Considering his relationship with his son, it was an absurd idea. After all, Fredrinn left the family long ago. It was also difficult to tell the lord that she would like to avoid men as much as possible.
"Lady Guinevere Baroque, your offer is truly tempting indeed. However, I've been a scumbag father to my children, so I shall leave the decision to my daughter. " The duke smirked, taking the last sip from his tea cup.
The lady grimaced. It was ridiculous for the Duke to act like a 'loving father' after the 'deeds' he did and being known as the tyrant duke.
"I think it's time for me to go." The Duke announced. Guinevere gritted her teeth, but she held herself and took a deep breath.
"I do think it's time for you to reveal yourself to me, Lady Lesley Vance. I wonder what the Duke and the Lady think of using illusion magic in the house of a mage. " Guinevere said it in her sweetest voice, but her cold and fierce glares show her anger. She released a magic beam onto the unknown man, which caused his cloak and mask to vanish into thin air. That man was a woman, and it was the lady she'd been looking for. Lesley Vance, whom she desired to marry.
Lesley was more beautiful than she had anticipated. She had fierce hazel eyes, and the eye patch covering her left eye piqued Guinevere's curiosity. She also had an interestingly long, braided pink hair that reminded her of the color of a strawberry. Not to mention that Lesley was wearing a knight's uniform that compliments the curves of her body. Then an image of her holding Lesley's waist suddenly flashes into her mind.
Guinevere turned red as a tomato. Her heart was beating so fast that she almost panicked and lost her cool. But she reminded herself that a lady must maintain her composure, especially when she's in front of the Duke and her soon-to-be betrothed. Still, she can't ignore this foreign feeling she suddenly felt and having such vulgar thoughts when they just met.
"Greetings, Lady Guinevere Baroque. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Lesley Vance. "
