Death Changed My Opinion Of You

Chapter Three

A year had passed since then. Luke had turned thirteen on the thirteenth of May, and had celebrated with a grand birthday ball. Kiarha had attended, and her gift was actually being nice to Luke.

Yanna and Hara had attended it too, and Yanna had given him a round ruby that fit perfectly in the crescent ruby she gave him a year earlier, and that ruby was just as soft as the first one. Hara had simply given Luke a periwinkle fedora.

Luke was sitting at his bedroom desk, reading a book on vampires by Cano Nessie. She was a legendary author, and she was the Countess of her house.

Just then, there was a knock on his door, followed by Duke Augustine wearing a stern expression.
Luke immediately noticed this and questioned his father.

"Luke, Baroness Mennona has been called to serve as the Queen's personal advisor, which means she will be moving into the capital. Baron Nathan cannot attend to Kiarha, as he is busy directing the construction of new roads through Kalna to allow trading from other lands. Kiarha will be staying with us for at least a week, and at most half a year."

Luke grimaced. The she-devil would be living here for way longer than he was comfortable with. However, Luke knew that he had no choice but to accept it. He forced a polite smile, but underneath, his rage simmered.

I know for a fact she'll attempt to steal books from the library. There are countless subjects about every topic possible, including methods to deceive in such a way that people would have no choice but to elect her as future queen, as well as prevent me from becoming duke.

Luke ordered his servants to lock the library doors, and stationed guards outside it. Just then, the loud stomping of hooves outside signified that Kiarha had arrived.

Kiarha was wearing two butterfly hairpins on her head and had attached a white rose on her right ear, as well as a blue dress that showed off her young figure quite nicely.

Luke waited at the entrance, where the two locked gazes and performed cold gestures of formality.

"Ah, here again. I should really stop expecting to be sent to somewhere nice, because this manor is anything but."

Kiarha shoved past Luke and started unpacking her things in the guest room. Luke shot her a scathing glare before he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Alderwell Hence, his teacher.

"Master Luke. I apologize I wasn't able to come sooner, I was busy with a personal matter. But now, your classes will be able to recommence. Shall we?"

Luke smiled gratefully and nodded. He hurried off to the parlor and helped Alderwell set down the desk. Just then, Kiarha walked by and saw them. Alderwell must have noticed her too, because he asked her if she would like to take classes with Luke.

Kiarha, seeing this as an opportunity to laugh at Luke if his performance was poor, bowed and responded in return.

"Of course, Master Hence. I will gladly take your classes, as I wish to learn the ways of high society as to not make a fool of myself in the future."

He smiled and patted the area next to Luke, and Kiarha sat down with a smug smirk plastered on her face. Luke tried not to show his hatred, but his eyes must have given him away, because Kiarha looked at him and laughed.

After the class, they were called in for lunch, where the duke announced that there would be a Youth Ball in the capital, where the youth of dukes, earls, barons, and counts could intermingle and make friends.

But Luke knew what this was really about. Connections and networks for the parents.

Kiarha, in spite of knowing this, politely agreed and said that she would attend the ball. It was in two days, and Luke knew why. This was her chance to make friends in high places, and would be a major step in helping her become the queen.