I Don't Want Your Majesty

XI

Livia was sweating when she noticed that the two of them were late. She understood that hunting would take a while, but the sun was almost setting and both of them doesn't show any sign of coming back from the forest.

"Relax, dear. Those men would be just fine on their own. Have you forgotten who they are?" The Duchess spoke from Livia's side when she noticed that her beloved daughter was restless.

Livia heaves a sigh of relief hearing what her mother said.

That's true, I completely forgot that my father was a veteran of the war, and the prince... Well, I just hope he's fine...

"Come and try this tea. The Mistress of Alora Bank sent this to me."

"Alora Bank? The bank that Count Alora owns?"

"Yes."

She frowned at her mother "Why would the Count send you things?"

The Duchess looked up as if thinking.

"Hm, well, it's not the Count who sent this but his wife. We have been getting along quite well recently."

"Oh! Now that I think about it, she invited me to a party that she'll be hosting this week, it seems like her son is coming back from the Navy."

The Duchess' eyes brightened when she was talking about the son of her newfound friend.

"What was his name again? Hmm, Oh! Venezio Caspian! Don't you know that he was one of those gentlemen who wanted your hand in marriage? Your father had him on his list of grooms as well."

The Duchess released a long sigh and looked at something from afar. Her eyes were dreamy as she thought about something.

"Who wouldn't want a Lieutenant Commander? He is such a dream come true!"

Livia's eyes widened at her mother. She's sure that once her father hears her mother's chirping voice talking about another man, he will be burning with jealousy.

"A dream come true..."

The ladies gasped hearing a rough and raspy voice behind them. It was none other than the Duke.

In his arms is a sleeping baby fox.

"D-Dear?"

"I didn't know that my wife would be this happy talking about a Navy Lieutenant, I was the commander in chief during the war though!"

The Duke's lips pouted, in everyone's eyes, he looked like a jealous child with a beard.

"Oh silly! I was talking about the boy who was on your list of grooms!"

"List of grooms..." This time, it was Asil who spoke, on his right shoulder was a red phoenix with golden-like gem eyes.

"Here I thought that Madame had already accepted me as Livia's fiancee."

The Duchess didn't know what to do with the misunderstanding she caused, now, the men were looking so gloomy and grim, their thoughts wandering about the mysterious Navy Lieutenant named Venezio.

Suddenly, something passes through Asil's mind the moment he remembers the name 'Venezio'.

"Are you perhaps talking about Venezio Caspian Alora?" Asil asked, his eyes staring intently at the Duchess.

"W-Well yes, the Countess was going to hold a ball for her son who will return to the Empire."

Asil pondered for a moment.

"Oh, is it already time for him to get out of the sea?" He spoke to himself.

In the Empire, Asil was not the only hero who defeated the enemies on the battlefield, when it came to the sea, it was Venezio who fought for the Empire and he was also considered to be a hero like Asil.